AUDI S5 CABRIOLET · model year

2010 AUDI S5 CABRIOLET

9 NHTSA complaints, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2010AUDIS5 CABRIOLET carries 9 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, 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 2010 S5 CABRIOLET is structure:body with 3 filings, followed by air bags (2) and visibility/wiper (1). 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. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 2010 S5 CABRIOLET. 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.

9
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

9 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STRUCTURE:BODY3
AIR BAGS2
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
ENGINE1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
POWER TRAIN1

Recalls (2)

18V08200030/01/2018

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 m

16V07800010/02/2016

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal

Recent Complaints

20190405STRUCTURE:BODY

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

Mileage: 86,000

20190223POWER TRAIN

VEH HAS 92000 MILES START GETTING MEGTRONIC ERROR- OK TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE. TOOK TO RICHMOND DEALER AND THEY ADVISED NEEDED $8K REPLACEMENT- DROPPED PAN - NO METAL AND FLUID GOOD- HAD REPLACE FLUID/ FILTER. DROVE NO CONCERNS THEN WOULD NOT GO AFTER STOP AT LIGHT. TOOK TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALER SAID FOUND NO CONCERNS- HAPPENS AGAIN80 MILES LATER- AUDI SPECIALIST ADVISED JUST NEED G612-G632-G676 SENSORS AND CIRCUIT BOARD'$1000.00 IN PARTS BUT REGUIRED TOOL FOR REPAIR NOT AVAILABLE- SO A $5000.00 COMPLETE FIX CANNOT BE DONE AND DEALER ONLY RECOMMENDING ENTIRE UNIT REPLACEMENT AT $8500.00 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS (35 GEARBOX WARNING LIGHT -DTCSP179E00, P179F00, P0700, P060A FOR 2010 S5 CABRIOLET S-TRONIC 7 SPEED TRANSMISSION 10/14, 2016' SUPERSEDES TSB GROUP 35 # 16-22 DATED APRIL 18, 2016

Mileage: 92,469

20190129ENGINE

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 GASOLINE WOULD PERMEATE AROUND THE VEHICLE FOR A LONG TIME, MAINLY COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. WHEN OPENING THE HOOD, THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAD A SHINY APPEARANCE ALMOST AS IF A MIST OF GAS OR SOLVENT COVERED EVERY SURFACE. EVENTUALLY A SMALL POOL OF GAS WAS VISIBLE SITTING ON TOP OF THE ENGINE UNDERNEATH THE SUPERCHARGER. THE AUDI DEALERSHIP EVALUATED THE LEAK AND DETERMINED IT TO BE THE FUEL RAIL WHICH HAS BEEN KNOWN TO LEAK IN SIMILAR V6 3.0 AUDI ENGINE MODELS

Mileage: 61,000

20190129FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 GASOLINE WOULD PERMEATE AROUND THE VEHICLE FOR A LONG TIME, MAINLY COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. WHEN OPENING THE HOOD, THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAD A SHINY APPEARANCE ALMOST AS IF A MIST OF GAS OR SOLVENT COVERED EVERY SURFACE. EVENTUALLY A SMALL POOL OF GAS WAS VISIBLE SITTING ON TOP OF THE ENGINE UNDERNEATH THE SUPERCHARGER. THE AUDI DEALERSHIP EVALUATED THE LEAK AND DETERMINED IT TO BE THE FUEL RAIL WHICH HAS BEEN KNOWN TO LEAK IN SIMILAR V6 3.0 AUDI ENGINE MODELS

Mileage: 61,000

20190123VISIBILITY/WIPER

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 OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS THE TRUNK, THIS OCCURS WEATHER THE VEHICLE IS MOVING OR STATIONARY. THIS HAS CAUSED MY BACKUP CAMERA TO PERIODICALLY MALFUNCTION AND ALSO HAS RENDERED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CONTROLS INOPERABLE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE ANOTHER REPAIR PERFORMED AND INFORMED THEM OF THE PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD POINT BLANK THAT IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM AND TO NOT EVEN BOTHER TRYING TO HAVE IT REPAIRED THERE AS THE COST WOULD BE NORTH OF $6000.00. I WAS THEN GIVEN THE NUMBER OF A REPAIR SHOP THAT WOULD GIVE ME A FAR BETTER PRICE ON THE REPAIR COST AND TOLD TO GET IT DONE ASAP DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE WATER WOULD EVENTUALLY AFFECT THE "COMFORT CONTROL MODULE". I SUSPECT THAT IS THE

Mileage: 48,500

20180917STRUCTURE:BODY

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 IS SEPARATING FROM THE TOP. THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS CAR( I FOUND DOING A GOOGLE SEARCH AFTER I BEGAN TO HAVE ISSUES) AND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED WITH AUDI OF AMERICA, BY MANY CUSTOMERS FOR YEARS. I FEEL LIKE AS A 'LUXURY' CAR, THIS SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE. AUDI KNOWS THIS IS A DESIGN ISSUE, AND ASKS CUSTOMERS WHO PAY $65,000 NEW FOR A CAR, OR IN MY CASE $31,000 USED, TO PURCHASE A NEW TOP COSTING $7-8000. IF YOUR LUCKY, THEY WILL KNOCK 10% OFF. THIS IS A SHAM, AND IS RIDICULOUS. THE COMPANY NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE DESIGN ISSUE. WHEN IT RAINS, WATER LEAKS IN TO THE CAR, WHICH HAS ALREADY COST ME MY BACK UP CAMREA. THE BATTERY IS LOCATED DIRECTLY BELOW IN

Mileage: 48,000

20180427AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY AUDI THAT AIRBAG WILL LIKELY NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR A YEAR OR MORE. THEY HAVE VERBALLY ADVISED ME TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR. HOWEVER, THEIR LETTERS SAY IT COULD CAUSE DEATH TO DRIVE THE CAR. WE ARE RANKED AT THE HIGHEST RISK ACCORDING TO AUDI AS WE LIVE IN SC IN HOT HUMID ENVIRONMENT.

Mileage: 34,000

20180331STRUCTURE:BODY

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 THE VEHICLE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.

Mileage: 80,000

20180305AIR 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 CONTACT CALLED PAUL MILLER AUDI (179 US-46, PARSIPPANY, NJ 07054) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Compare 2010AUDIS5 CABRIOLET to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2010 AUDI S5 CABRIOLET have?
The 2010 AUDI S5 CABRIOLET has 9 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2010 AUDI S5 CABRIOLET?
Yes, the 2010 AUDI S5 CABRIOLET has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 AUDI S5 CABRIOLET?
The most-complained component for the 2010 AUDI S5 CABRIOLET is STRUCTURE:BODY with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and VISIBILITY/WIPER.
Is the 2010 AUDI S5 CABRIOLET 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.