2011 Audi S5

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2011 Audi S5 has 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is air bags problems (44% of all complaints), specifically: takata recall - i have been notified by audi that the airbag in my car needs to be replaced but they have offered no timetable as to when this may be possible. no solution is currently available. i find it disconcerting to be driving a car that has an airbag that could cause significant injury..

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

AIR BAGS

4 complaints

44%

• TAKATA RECALL - I HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED BY AUDI THAT THE AIRBAG IN MY CAR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT THEY HAVE OFFERED NO TIMETABLE AS TO WHEN THIS MAY BE POSSIBLE. NO SOLUTION IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. I FIND IT DISCONCERTING TO BE DRIVING A CAR THAT HAS AN AIRBAG THAT COULD CAUSE SIGNIFICANT INJURY.
• TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI S5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURE
• TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI S5. 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 MANUFACTU

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

“TAKATA RECALL - I HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED BY AUDI THAT THE AIRBAG IN MY CAR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT THEY HAVE OFFERED NO TIMETABLE AS TO WHEN THIS MAY BE POSSIBLE. NO SOLUTION IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. I FIND IT DISCONCERTING TO BE DRIVING A CAR THAT HAS AN AIRBAG THAT COULD CAUSE SIGNIFICANT INJURY.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

3 complaints

33%

• I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED AUDI S5 CABRIOLET. AFTER RESEARCHING THE VEHICLE AND NOTING SEVERAL POSTS ABOUT THE REAR WINDOW DETACHING FROM THE TOP AND HAVING A FRIEND WHO JUST HAD HIS A5 REPAIRED THIS WAS SOMETHING I WAS LOOKING FOR. IN MY INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE I DID CONFIRM THAT THE TOP HAD ALR
• WHILE INSPECTING MY 2011 S5 AFTER PURCHASE I NOTICED THAT THE REAR WINDOW WAS DETACHING FROM THE TOP. THE DEALER REPAIRED AS A WARRANTY REPAIR. A FEW YEARS LATER THE TOP OF THE CONVERTIBLE ROOF ON THE INSIDE STARTED TO SAG. I CAN'T PROVE THE DEALER WAS AT FAULT BUT THEY WERE THE LAST TO WORK ON T
• IN 2014 I NOTICED THAT THE CARBON FIBER INSERT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS PEELING OFF. THE DEALER REPLACED IT BUT THEN TOLD ME THEY REPAIRED IT BY ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN COVERED. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE CARBON FIBER INSERTS IN THE BACK SEATS STARTED TO PEEL OFF. AUDI COULD NOT EXPL

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

“I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED AUDI S5 CABRIOLET. AFTER RESEARCHING THE VEHICLE AND NOTING SEVERAL POSTS ABOUT THE REAR WINDOW DETACHING FROM THE TOP AND HAVING A FRIEND WHO JUST HAD HIS A5 REPAIRED THIS WAS SOMETHING I WAS LOOKING FOR. IN MY INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE I DID CONFIRM THAT THE TOP HAD ALR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

1 complaints

11%

• UNABLE TO GET PARTS FOR FAULTY MSE TRANSMISSION CURRENTLY IN MY 2011. AUDI UPGRADED BECAUSE OF KNOWN PROBLEMS TO NSY MODEL TRANSMISSION AND EXPECTS OWNER TO PAY EXPENSE. THEY DID NOT AND HAVE NOT MAKE THE CUSTOMER/CONSUMER AWARE OF THIS UNTIL YOU FORCED TO TAKE IT IN FOR SERVICE DUE TO SENSORS AND

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

“UNABLE TO GET PARTS FOR FAULTY MSE TRANSMISSION CURRENTLY IN MY 2011. AUDI UPGRADED BECAUSE OF KNOWN PROBLEMS TO NSY MODEL TRANSMISSION AND EXPECTS OWNER TO PAY EXPENSE. THEY DID NOT AND HAVE NOT MAKE THE CUSTOMER/CONSUMER AWARE OF THIS UNTIL YOU FORCED TO TAKE IT IN FOR SERVICE DUE TO SENSORS AND”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

1 complaints

11%

• UNABLE TO GET PARTS FOR FAULTY MSE TRANSMISSION CURRENTLY IN MY 2011. AUDI UPGRADED BECAUSE OF KNOWN PROBLEMS TO NSY MODEL TRANSMISSION AND EXPECTS OWNER TO PAY EXPENSE. THEY DID NOT AND HAVE NOT MAKE THE CUSTOMER/CONSUMER AWARE OF THIS UNTIL YOU FORCED TO TAKE IT IN FOR SERVICE DUE TO SENSORS AND

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

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~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:

☐
AIR BAGS: TAKATA RECALL - I HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED BY AUDI THAT THE AIRBAG IN MY CAR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT THEY HAVE OFFERED NO TIMETABLE AS TO WHEN THIS MAY BE POSSIBLE. NO SOLUTION IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. I FIND IT DISCONCERTING TO BE DRIVING A CAR THAT HAS AN AIRBAG THAT COULD CAUSE SIGNIFICANT INJURY.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED AUDI S5 CABRIOLET. AFTER RESEARCHING THE VEHICLE AND NOTING SEVERAL POSTS ABOUT THE REAR WINDOW DETACHING FROM THE TOP AND HAVING A FRIEND WHO JUST HAD HIS A5 REPAIRED THIS WAS SOMETHING I WAS LOOKING FOR. IN MY INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE I DID CONFIRM THAT THE TOP HAD ALR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS: UNABLE TO GET PARTS FOR FAULTY MSE TRANSMISSION CURRENTLY IN MY 2011. AUDI UPGRADED BECAUSE OF KNOWN PROBLEMS TO NSY MODEL TRANSMISSION AND EXPECTS OWNER TO PAY EXPENSE. THEY DID NOT AND HAVE NOT MAKE THE CUSTOMER/CONSUMER AWARE OF THIS UNTIL YOU FORCED TO TAKE IT IN FOR SERVICE DUE TO SENSORS AND
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: UNABLE TO GET PARTS FOR FAULTY MSE TRANSMISSION CURRENTLY IN MY 2011. AUDI UPGRADED BECAUSE OF KNOWN PROBLEMS TO NSY MODEL TRANSMISSION AND EXPECTS OWNER TO PAY EXPENSE. THEY DID NOT AND HAVE NOT MAKE THE CUSTOMER/CONSUMER AWARE OF THIS UNTIL YOU FORCED TO TAKE IT IN FOR SERVICE DUE TO SENSORS AND
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)