Is the 2012 Audi A5 reliable?

The 2012 Audi A5 has 25 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.4x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Audi A5?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (11 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (8 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (2 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Audi A5?

No recalls have been issued for the 2012 Audi A5.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Audi A5?

The 2012 Audi A5 gets 25 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1920. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Audi A5?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Audi A5 is approximately $1,971/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2012 Audi A5

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Audi A5 has 25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.4x the segment average of 18. The most common issue is air bags problems (44% of all complaints), specifically: tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2012 audi a5. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v078000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufactur. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 5)

AIR BAGS

11 complaints

44%

• TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTUR
• TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS) AND FELT THAT THE PART EXPECTED AVAILABILITY DATE WAS UNREASONABLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DEALER DECLINED A LOANER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFA
• TAKATA RECALL I GOT A LETTER IN APRIL 2016 FROM AUDI ABOUT THE RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO FURTHER COMMUNICATION FROM AUDI. I HAVE SINCE CALLED AUDI USA AND MY DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES AND MY QUESTIONS GO UNANSWERED.WHAT IS MY RECOURSE ? THE CAR SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY BECAUSE I'M NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVIN

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTUR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Audi A5

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,920

Per month

$160

Per mile

16.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,600/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Audi A5

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,971

Full coverage / month

$164

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+18%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1971

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Audi A5 Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

10K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

40K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

40K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

40K mi

Long-interval service (LongLife) uses fully-synthetic oil. Some engines have timing belts (check owner's manual).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Audi New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

12 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

Corrosion coverage is unlimited miles for 12 years

These are the terms for a new Audi. If you're buying a used 2012 A5, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Audi dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 25 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTUR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: AUDI ALONG WITH VOLKSWAGEN, EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.0L ENGINE HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST WATET PUMP FAILURE RATE. I HAVE CONDUCTED SOME RESEARCH AND THERE IS NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS IN BLOGS/VLOGS AND YOUTUBE OF INDIVIDUALS GIVING PERSONAL STATEMENT ON THEIR "WATER PUMP" MISFORTUNE. I PERSONALLY OWN A AUDI A5 WIT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: FACTORY INSTALLED CONVERTIBLE TOP HAS COME LOOSE FROM THE BACK GLASS WINDOW (GLUE SEPARATED) CAUSING A SAFETY CONCERN WHILE DRIVING. COULD BECOME A PROJECTILE.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: OWNER OF 2012 AUDI A5 AND 2015 AUDI A4. JANUARY 2019 RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL LETTER REGARDING RECALL ON-ELECTRIC (AFTER-RUN) COOLANT PUMP CERTAIN 2012-2017 MODEL AUDI VEHICLES. AS 2ND OWNERS OF BOTH VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE ANY DOCUMENTATION OF BRAND NEW CARS. LETTER RECEIVED WAS FOR A-4 AUDI, HOWEVER A-
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)