AUDI A5 · model year

2012 AUDI A5

25 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2012AUDIA5 carries 25 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 A5 is air bags with 11 filings, followed by engine (7) and unknown or other (2). 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 2012 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.

25
Complaints
0
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

25 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: Not Rated/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS11
ENGINE7
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION1

Recent Complaints

20251106ENGINE

MY 2012 AUDI A5 HAS 155,000 MILES ON IT AND IT HAS HAD EVERY OIL CHANGE AND MAINTENANCE UP TO DATE , MY TURBOS AND PISTONS HAVE CAUSED COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WITH 0 COMPRESSION IN MY ONLY CAR . BOTH HAVE RECALLS ON THEM FOR MY YEAR AND MODEL AND EVEN THO I GOT A LETTER IN THE MAIL ABOUT BEING PART OF A SETTLEMENT FOR MY TURBOS CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE I FEEL AS THO MY CAR SHOULDN'T BE BROKE IT SHOULD OF ALREADY BEEN FIXED

20220922ENGINE

2012 Audi a5 quattro burns oil every 100miles 5qt and does not allow a quick acceleration if trying to avoid an accident. The car misfires and shuts off while driving. No check engine light was on when it first did this. Mechanic was able to reproduce the same problem. Turbo is bad. O2 sensor is bad. Air intake leak. Running rich at bank 1. The oil meter on the display does not display actual amount of oil. It also has several electrical problems. Rear turning lights have an electrical problem. Great drive most of the time and check engine light goes off randomly then all of it starts again.

20220809FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

While I was driving, my car started to slow down and eventually stopped in the middle of the road. There were no warning sensors or indicators on the car. II then started to see smoke coming from my hood and decided to turn off the car and get out to inspect. On the right front side, I saw a fire under the car. The fire department was called and they put out the fire. They suspected an electrical issue, however it has yet to be confirmed. I contacted the dealership and they said they do not handle repairs of that sort. Insurance sent out an estimator for the damage. The car will be sent to a mechanic to diagnose the issue.

20220809FireENGINE

While I was driving, my car started to slow down and eventually stopped in the middle of the road. There were no warning sensors or indicators on the car. II then started to see smoke coming from my hood and decided to turn off the car and get out to inspect. On the right front side, I saw a fire under the car. The fire department was called and they put out the fire. They suspected an electrical issue, however it has yet to be confirmed. I contacted the dealership and they said they do not handle repairs of that sort. Insurance sent out an estimator for the damage. The car will be sent to a mechanic to diagnose the issue.

20220809FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

While I was driving, my car started to slow down and eventually stopped in the middle of the road. There were no warning sensors or indicators on the car. II then started to see smoke coming from my hood and decided to turn off the car and get out to inspect. On the right front side, I saw a fire under the car. The fire department was called and they put out the fire. They suspected an electrical issue, however it has yet to be confirmed. I contacted the dealership and they said they do not handle repairs of that sort. Insurance sent out an estimator for the damage. The car will be sent to a mechanic to diagnose the issue.

20220803ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION

The contact owns a 2012 Audi A5. The contact stated that the oil warning light illuminated while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where oil was added to the vehicle; however, after the third time the contact was informed by the dealer that it was a common issue with the Audi sport vehicles. A failure cause was not determined. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring for several years. The contact stated that he had an oil consumption test completed with the dealer who informed him that there was an issue with the pistons and O-rings. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be rebuilt. The dealer stated that they would send documentation to the manufacturer for approval to rebuild the engine. The contact stated that he had spoken with the manufacturer and was informed that the request was denied. The failure mileage was unknown.

20201118ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THIS VEHICLE HAD A RECALL, AND A NEW ENGINE WAS PUT INTO IT AND EVER SINCE THE NEW ENGINE WAS PUT IN, THE VEHICLE HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS AND ELECTRICAL FAILURES. NOW THE NEW ENGINE, WITH LESS THAN 50K IS BURNING OIL AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHY. THIS IS BY FAR THE WORST VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED. THE MINUTE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED OFF OF THE LEASE, I FEEL LIKE THE CAR HAS JUST FALLEN APART.

20201118ENGINE

THIS VEHICLE HAD A RECALL, AND A NEW ENGINE WAS PUT INTO IT AND EVER SINCE THE NEW ENGINE WAS PUT IN, THE VEHICLE HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS AND ELECTRICAL FAILURES. NOW THE NEW ENGINE, WITH LESS THAN 50K IS BURNING OIL AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHY. THIS IS BY FAR THE WORST VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED. THE MINUTE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED OFF OF THE LEASE, I FEEL LIKE THE CAR HAS JUST FALLEN APART.

20191230ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A5. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND AUDI OF SHREWSBURY (780 BOSTON TURNPIKE, SHREWSBURY, MA) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Mileage: 115,000

20190925AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR AS THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED OVER A YEAR AGO. AUDI NORTH ATLANTA (11505 ALPHARETTA HWY, ROSWELL, GA 30076, (404) 994-4327) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20190801FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE, ESPECIALLY WHILE ON AN INCLINE AND WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RUSNAK PASADENA AUDI (626-714-3159, LOCATED AT 267 W COLORADO BLVD, PASADENA, CA 91105) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER AND NHTSA. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

Mileage: 75,000

20190322FUEL/PROPULSION 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-5 DID HAVE SAME COOLANT PUMP DAMAGE ON VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. RECALL LETTER VIN # BEING FOR A-4. TRIED INQUIRING ABOUT RECALL FOR A-5 SINCE RECALL ON OTHERS AUDI'S DID INVOLVE SAME TYPE OF ENGINE PROBLEM HAVING TO DO WITH COOLANT PUMP. REASON FOR ADDRESSING WHAT ENDURED THAT IT BECAME HOT AS IF ENGINE WAS ON FIRE, FIND DISTURBING TO HAVE ANYONE BE PUT THROUGH THIS, FIND THIS COOLANT PUMP DANGER IF IT'S NOT REPAIRED WITH OTHER A-5 APPRECIATE YOUR TIME IN READING THIS AND I THANK YOU!

Mileage: 112,513

20180718ENGINE

PLEASE SEE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS REGARDING AN ISSUE WITH THIS CAR AND ITS ENGINE. I HAVE ALSO FILLED A COMPLAINT WITH THE FTC #978949978

Mileage: 106,000

20171010AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN AUGUST OF 2017. THE DEALER (ROCKVILLE AUDI, 1125 ROCKVILLE PIKE, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20852) SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR SEPTEMBER AND HAD REMINDER CALLS. AT THE TIME OF THE APPOINTMENT, THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOTIFY THE CONTACT WHEN THE PARTS ARRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. ...UPDATED 11/15/17 *BF UPDATED 11/29/2017*JS

20170814UNKNOWN OR 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.

20170801ENGINE

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 WITH 54,000 MILES AND I'M JUST ONE OF THOUSANDS OF STATISTICS THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH THE "WATER PUMP" TRAUMA. I HAVE CROSSED REFERENCED SEVERAL RECALL WEBSITES AND ACCORDING TO AUDI AND VOLKSWAGEN RECALLS TOWARDS THESE PUMPS HAVE NEVER BEEN ISSUED. NOW THAT IS SCARY!!! ABOUT A YEAR AND HALF AGO WHILE MY AUDI WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY I NOTICED COOLANT LOST, THE AUDI DEALERSHIP TOPPED IT OF AND SEND ME ON MY WAY. A SECOND TIME WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY I VISITED AUDI DEALERSHIP AND EXPRESSED MY CONSERNS WITH LOW COOLANT LEVEL AND ONCE AGAIN IT WAS TOPPED OFF, I WAS GIVEN A MEDIOCRE ANSWER, I WAS RESPECTFUL CALLED "SR" AND DROVE OFF. SO FROM TIME TO TIME I WOULD ADD COOLANT AND THOUGHT NOTHING

20170215AIR 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 MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

20161224AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. MY DEALER WOULD NOT TAKE MY VEHICLE BACK EVEN ON TRADE BECAUSE OF THE RECALL. THEY TOOK 5000 OFF THE VALUE OF MY CAR BECAUSE OF THIS RECALL AND ALTHOUGH THIS SAME AUDI DEAL DID ALL OF MY MAINTENANCE THEY NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT THE RECALL.

Mileage: 68,138

20161212AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20161102AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL; I AM STILL WAITING FOR MY AIRBAG TO BE REPLACED. AUDI DEALER SAYS NO SOLUTION YET. THE WAIT TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE IS VERY LONG.

Compare 2012AUDIA5 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2012 AUDI A5 have?
The 2012 AUDI A5 has 25 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2012 AUDI A5?
The 2012 AUDI A5 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of Not Rated/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 AUDI A5?
The most-complained component for the 2012 AUDI A5 is AIR BAGS with 11 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2012 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. The 2012 AUDI A5 has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. 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.