AUDI A5 · model year

2011 AUDI A5

27 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011AUDIA5 carries 27 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 A5 is air bags with 13 filings, followed by engine (6) and power train (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 2011 A5. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

27
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

27 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS13
ENGINE6
POWER TRAIN4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1

Recent Complaints

20240411UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Unknown

20220712AIR BAGS

Earlier models were recalled for defective air bag modules. My 2011 A5 was not recalled but the air bag module failed in exactly the same way as earlier models. The modules were not upgraded and perhaps the newer models should be included in recall. I have an invoice for $1443.45 from the dealer. Thanks.

20220427FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

There was a fuel odor permeating in the vehicle, and the further I drove, the more intense was the gasoline smell. I pulled into a strip mall and turned off the engine for fear of a fire or explosion. I immediately called and requested the car be towed to my mechanic. My mechanic diagnosed the problem the next day as a cracked fuel pump housing. There were no warning lights at all. Given the location of the fuel pump, how does this dangerous incident happen?

20220417AIR BAGS

Audi has recalled a5 until 2009 for defective air bag modules, ie power supply. My 2011 has the same problem but not covered by recall. Why not? Very dangerous condition. Thank you.

20211126UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Driving down the road, my sunroof "exploded" today. Only damage was to the sunroof itself but very scary. Felt like an explosion, fortunately did no have any accident associated with this. Less likely anything dropped from above. Weather was good today.

20200918CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. DURING THE CRASH, THE FRONT END WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE OCCUPANT IN THE SECOND VEHICLE SUSTAINED AN INJURED BACK. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER (STEVENS CREEK AUDI LOCATED AT 4343 STEVENS CREEK BOULEVARDSANTA CLARA, CA 95051) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20190214AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL: UNABLE TO GET MY VEHICLE FIXED BECAUSE THEY CANNOT GET THE PARTS NEEDED. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE TEAM CAN'T PROVIDE AN ETA AND CANNOT PROVIDE ANY ALTERNATE SOLUTIONS IN THE MEANTIME. WHAT OPTIONS DO I HAVE TO ENSURE OUR SAFETY WHILE WE WAIT?

20180802AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AUDI OF CHARLOTTE (9300 E INDEPENDENCE BLVD, MATTHEWS, NC) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

20180228AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL - HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THE RECALL DONE FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS. AUDI HAS STOPPED MAKING REPAIRS AND HAS BEEN SAYING THEY ARE COMING OUT WITH A FINAL REPAIR SHORTLY. THIS HAS NOT CHANGED IN MONTHS. HOW DO I GET A COMMITMENT FROM AUDI ON GETTING THIS CAR REPAIRED?

Mileage: 52,000

20170925ENGINE

WAS LEAVING HOUSE, CAR STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY SO I DROVE BACK HOME, ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. HAVE BEEN WAITING LONG BEFORE THIS HAPPENED TO HEAR BACK FROM AUDI ABOUT OIL CONSUMPTION WARRANTY RECALL, CAR WAS UNDER 80K MI AT THE TIME I MADE REPORT, HAD ALREADY PAID FOR THE REQUIRED TESTS THEY NEEDED, TOOK THEM 4 MONTHS TO FINALLY GET BACK TO ME. RECEIVED SPECIAL CASE SINCE IT WAS A PRE OWNED VEHICLE & COULD NOT PROVIDE THEM WITH THE SERVICE MAINTENANCE RECORDS SINCE I HAD JUST PURCHASED VEHICLE, NOT THE DEALERSHIP NOR AUDI HAVE BEEN HELPFUL WITH OBTAINING THAT INFORMATION. NOW THEY ARE SAYING THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO FIX IT OR BUY BACK.

Mileage: 81,000

20170925UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WAS LEAVING HOUSE, CAR STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY SO I DROVE BACK HOME, ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. HAVE BEEN WAITING LONG BEFORE THIS HAPPENED TO HEAR BACK FROM AUDI ABOUT OIL CONSUMPTION WARRANTY RECALL, CAR WAS UNDER 80K MI AT THE TIME I MADE REPORT, HAD ALREADY PAID FOR THE REQUIRED TESTS THEY NEEDED, TOOK THEM 4 MONTHS TO FINALLY GET BACK TO ME. RECEIVED SPECIAL CASE SINCE IT WAS A PRE OWNED VEHICLE & COULD NOT PROVIDE THEM WITH THE SERVICE MAINTENANCE RECORDS SINCE I HAD JUST PURCHASED VEHICLE, NOT THE DEALERSHIP NOR AUDI HAVE BEEN HELPFUL WITH OBTAINING THAT INFORMATION. NOW THEY ARE SAYING THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO FIX IT OR BUY BACK.

Mileage: 81,000

20170606ENGINE

AUDI OF AMERICA ACKNOWLEDGED ON 2015 THAT 126,000 VEHICLES PRESENT EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. MY VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUDI OF SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO ON MAY 16, 2017 WHERE VARIOUS REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. DEALER INDICATED THAT OIL SERVICE NEEDED TO BE DONE PRIOR TO START OIL CONSUMPTION TEST PHASE 1(PCV VALVE) WHICH I AUTHORIZED. AFTER THIS, LOW OIL LIGHT TURNED ON WITHIN LESS THAN 900 MILES. ON JUNE 5TH, 2017 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TO PERFORM PHASE 2 OF THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. DEALER DOCUMENTED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED 1.08 QT IN 1,000 MILES. HOWEVER, DEALER INFORMED ME THAT MY VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIR DUE TO TD1 FLAGGING BY AUDI OF AMERICA. I ASKED THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT I WANTED TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER. I POINTED OUT THAT "AUDI OF AMERICA" DEFINES WARRANTY AS FOLLOWS "A GUARANTEE THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL REPLACE ANY COMPONENT THAT FAILS AS A RESULT OF MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT IN MATERIAL OR WORKMANSHIP". AUDI OF AMERICA IS AWARE THAT THERE

Mileage: 63,148

20170406AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20170218ENGINE

THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONOR FAILED WITH NO WARNING CAUSING CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. AUDIVW IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND REFUSE TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THE PART THEY HAVE REDESIGNED MORE THAN 4 TIMES. REPAIR COST IS $10-12,000 WHEN IT FAILS. REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE PART WOULD COST $700.

Mileage: 145,000

20161115AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 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 MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 01/05/2017*CT UPDATED 02/14/17.*JB

20161104AIR BAGS

THIS WAS ANNOUNCED IN FEBRUARY! I STILL DON'T HAVE A REPAIR. A WOMAN IN ORANGE COUNTY CALIFORNIA WAS RECENTLY KILLED BECAUSE THE FRAGMENTS RIPPED THROUGH HER BODY. WHEN WILL I GET A REPAIR? I DOUBT I CAN GET A DECENT PRICE ON RESALE BECAUSE ANY INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS THAT IT IS A DEATH TRAP. PLEASE HELP US AND PUT PRESSURE THE COMPANY.

20161025AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL IN APRIL OF 2016 AND IT IS NOW THE END OF OCTOBER 2016 AND WE HAVE NO INFORMATION REGARDING TIMING OF THE REPLACEMENT OR PLANS TO GET THE REPLACEMENT PART AVAILABLE. ONLY WORD IS "REMEDY NOT AVAILABLE". AS THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT RECALL ISSUE WITH POTENTIAL LIFE THREATENING CONSEQUENCES, I WOULD REQUEST THAT THIS GET ESCALATED.

20161017AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN APRIL 2016 FOR DEFECTIVE AIR BAG. NHTSA 16V078 I HAVE REPEATEDLY CHECK TO SEE WHEN REPAIR CAN BE MADE...NO ACTION AS OF TODAY. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

20160608AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI A5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20160506AIR BAGS

THERE IS SAFETY RECALL-69N1 -TAKATA SDI DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG FOR MY VEHICLE, AND WHEN I CALLED DEALERSHIP, THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS AVAILABLE AND NOR THEY HAVE ETA. SO AS IT IS DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG, WE CANNOT RISK OUR LIVES BY DRIVING THAT VEHICLE, SO WE ASKED FOR LOANER AND AUDI DEALERSHIP SAID NO. SO AS I CANNOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND LOANER IS NOT AVAILABLE, SO WE WILL HAVE TO GET RENTAL, WHICH AGAIN WILL COST US, SO WE NEED COMPENSATION FOR RENTAL VEHICLE.

Mileage: 36,000

Compare 2011AUDIA5 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 AUDI A5 have?
The 2011 AUDI A5 has 27 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 AUDI A5?
The most-complained component for the 2011 AUDI A5 is AIR BAGS with 13 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2011 AUDI A5 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.