BestCarRank
Audi

2010 Audi S5 CABRIOLET

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2010 Audi S5 CABRIOLET has 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 9. The most common issue is body/structure problems (33% of all complaints), specifically: there has been catastrophic separation between the rear window and the convertible soft top roof. the window is leaking and is about to fall out of the frame. this appears to be due to poor quality of adhesive used. dealer will not cover this very common problem with audi cabriolets. no abuse of t. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.

9

Total Complaints

2

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 6)

BODY/STRUCTURE

3 complaints
33%
  • • THERE HAS BEEN CATASTROPHIC SEPARATION BETWEEN THE REAR WINDOW AND THE CONVERTIBLE SOFT TOP ROOF. THE WINDOW IS LEAKING AND IS ABOUT TO FALL OUT OF THE FRAME. THIS APPEARS TO BE DUE TO POOR QUALITY OF ADHESIVE USED. DEALER WILL NOT COVER THIS VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH AUDI CABRIOLETS. NO ABUSE OF T
  • • I BOUGHT THE CAR OF MY DREAMS USED IN MAY 2016, WITH ONLY 19,000 MILES ON IT. CAREFULLY INSPECTED THE BACK WINDOW ON THE CONVERTIBLE TOP FOR ANY SEPERATION OR ISSUES AT THE ADVICE OF A FRIEND. AFTER OWNING THE CAR FOR 2 1/2 YEARS, THE BACK WINDOW IS COMPLETELY UNGLUED IN MANY AREAS. THE WHOLE WINDOW
  • • THE REAR CONVERTIBLE WINDOW IS SEPARATING COMPLETELY FROM THE ROOF AND I AM AFRAID IT WILL FALL OUT ON THE ROAD OR FLY OUT AND HIT SOMEONE. THE WINDOW IS CURRENTLY ONLY ATTACHED BY 2 CORNER. I HAVE TRIED TO ADDRESS IT WITH AUDI BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD ITS NOT THEIR PROBLEM
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THERE HAS BEEN CATASTROPHIC SEPARATION BETWEEN THE REAR WINDOW AND THE CONVERTIBLE SOFT TOP ROOF. THE WINDOW IS LEAKING AND IS ABOUT TO FALL OUT OF THE FRAME. THIS APPEARS TO BE DUE TO POOR QUALITY OF ADHESIVE USED. DEALER WILL NOT COVER THIS VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH AUDI CABRIOLETS. NO ABUSE OF T”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (2)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE30/01/2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2010 Audi S5 CABRIOLET

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,401
Per month
$200
Per mile
20.0¢
MPG
20
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,824/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,847/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
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 2010 Audi S5 CABRIOLET

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.
Full coverage / year
$1,821
Full coverage / month
$152
Liability only / year
$710
vs US avg
+9%
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 age0.85x
= Full coverage estimate$1821

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

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Audi S5 CABRIOLET 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 2010 S5 CABRIOLET, 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

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)
$500
AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
VISIBILITY(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 9 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    BODY/STRUCTURE: THERE HAS BEEN CATASTROPHIC SEPARATION BETWEEN THE REAR WINDOW AND THE CONVERTIBLE SOFT TOP ROOF. THE WINDOW IS LEAKING AND IS ABOUT TO FALL OUT OF THE FRAME. THIS APPEARS TO BE DUE TO POOR QUALITY OF ADHESIVE USED. DEALER WILL NOT COVER THIS VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH AUDI CABRIOLETS. NO ABUSE OF T

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    AIR BAGS: TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI S5 CABRIOLET. 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

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    VISIBILITY: THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN JANUARY OF 2018 WITH ABOUT CLOSE TO 47,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. CURRENTLY WITH ONLY JUST OVER 50,000 MILES THE REAR WINDSHIELD IS SEPARATING FROM THE FABRIC ROOF WHICH IN TURN HAS CAUSED WATER INFILTRATION FROM RAINFALL INTO THE REAR AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE INTERIOR O

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ENGINE: WHEN STARTING THE CAR, THE ENGINE WOULD CRANK FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AND SOMETIMES WOULD NOT START AT ALL UNTIL RESTARTING THE IGNITION SEQUENCE. WHILE AT A STOP, THE CAR WOULD JUMP SUDDENLY AFTER A DELAY OF PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AND THE IDLE WAS VERY UNEVEN. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF, THE SMELL OF

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Audi dealer
  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Audi S5 CABRIOLET — Year Comparison

How does 2010 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2011
7Above Average
2010
9Below Average
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
9
Recalls
2
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
9

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2010 Audi S5 CABRIOLET

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