2010 Audi A5 CABRIOLET problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
53,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 model year. Data updated: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 16 complaints (93.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 1 | 6.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 15 |
| Engine | 1 |
Air Bags: 15; Engine: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 11 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2016: 4; 2017: 11; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10957522 · 2017-02-28 (February 28, 2017)
ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN STARTING CAR, HAD SOME DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING. CAR TAKEN TO DEALER WITHIN 24 HOURS. DEALER DIAGNOSED TIMING CHAINS, HEAD, TENSIONERS AND TURBO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 83000 MILES AND HAS BEEN SERVICED AT CONSHOHOCKEN AUDI SINCE PURCHASE FROM PRESTIGE LEXUS (WITH 7000 MILES). AUDI HAS "OFFERED" AN 75% DISCOUNT ON PARTS BECAUSE I "HAVE BEEN A GOOD CUSTOMER" (EXCEPT THE TURBO WHICH THEY SAY IS NOT A FAULT OF THE ENGINE DEFECT). I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR 25% OF PARTS, ALL TAXES FOR ALL PARTS, AND LABOR. WH…
Owner-reported narrative. 82,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10957522 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
16 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 1593.8%ODI 10904625TAKATA RECALL. OVER 6 MONTHS AND THE REMEDY IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE. | 1285.7%ODI 10898873TAKATA RECALL THE DEALER/ MANUFACTURER HAS NOT OFFERED TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS-- THEY CLAIM THE REPAIR IS NOT YET AVAILABLE. NHTSA SHOWS MY CAR, LOCATED IN CALIFORNIA IS AT HIGH RISK AND REPAIR SHOULD BE DONE BY DECEMBER 2016 | 1392.9%ODI 10906369TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A5 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 MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. | 133.3%ODI 10979603 · 58,000 miVEHICLE INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT-COLLISION WITH A LIGHT POLE HEAD ON AIR BAG DID NOT INFLATE - CAR A TOTAL LOSS. DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES. UPDATED 06/29/17*LJ *CN | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Engine | 16.3%ODI 10957522 · 82,600 miENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN STARTING CAR, HAD SOME DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING. CAR TAKEN TO DEALER WITHIN 24 HOURS. DEALER DIAGNOSED TIMING CHAINS, HEAD, TENSIONERS AND TURBO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 83000 MILES AND HAS BEEN SERVICED AT CONSHOHOCKEN AUDI SINCE PURCHASE FROM PRESTIGE LEXUS (WITH 7000 MILES). AUDI HAS "OFFERED" AN 75% DISCOUNT ON PARTS BECAUSE I "HAVE BEEN A GOOD CUSTOMER" (EXCEPT THE TURBO WHICH THEY SAY IS NOT A FAULT OF THE ENGINE DEFECT). I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR 25% OF PARTS, ALL TAXES FOR ALL PARTS, AND LABOR. WH… | 17.1%ODI 11112964 · 59,000 miMY 2011 AUDI A5 2.0T HAS EXPERIENCED LOW COMPRESSION ON PISTON NUMBER 1 WHICH IS A SIGN OF ENGINE FAILURE AND REQUIRES THE ENGINE TO BE REDONE. SINCE THEN I HAVE CHECKED WITH AUDI MECHANICS AND ONLINE REVIEWS AND IT SEEMS LIKE MY MODEL OF AUDI HAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE. THE FACT THAT MANY A5'S HAVE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURES BEGS THE QUESTION OF WHY AUDI HAS NOT RECALLED THIS VEHICLE AND WHY THE ENGINES WERE ALLOWED TO BE RELEASED THAT ARE OBVIOUSLY SUB OPTIMAL AND WEAK! | 17.1%ODI 11102635 · 106,000 miMY CAR HAS HAD THE ADD OIL LIGHT ON MANY TIMES TO WHICH I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER. FIRST TIME THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A WATER PUMP FAILURE. I REPLACED AND PAID FOR THE WATER PUMP. SECOND TIME A YEAR LATER I RETURNED TO HEAR THAT THE WATER PUMP FAILED AGAIN ONLY THIS TIME IT WAS THE CAM BEARING LADDER THAT FAILED WHICH IN TURN CAUSED THE WATER PUMP TO FAIL. BOTH TIMES I ASKED IF THE WATER PUMP IS REPLACED SHOULD I REPLACE THE TIMING BELT, I AM TOLD IT IS A TIMING CHAIN AND DOES NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THEN THE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN I TAKE IT BAC… | 266.7%ODI 11124291AUDI SAFETY RECALL 19N4 CONTINUES TO NOT BE AVAILABLE. RECEIVED FIRST NOTICE FOR RECALL IN JUNE 2018. STATES THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH AFTER RUN COOLANT PUMP. STATES THAT THIS DEFECT MAY CAUSE A FIRE EVEN IF CAR IS NOT TURNED ON AND RECOMMENDS TO PARK THE VEHICLE OUTSIDE AS A PRECAUTION. THIS SOUNDS VERY DANGEROUS. TODAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2018, THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE FIX FOR THE DEFECT IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND THERE IS NO DATE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING THIS CAR AND PARKING IT IN OR NEAR THE HOUSE. | 1100.0%ODI 11228410 · 54,000 miTHE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN EXTENDED STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON VERY HOT DAYS (IN THE 90'S). AFTER COOLING DOWN FOR AN EXTENDED TIME (1/2 HOUR OR MORE), THE CAR STARTED AGAIN AND ACTED NORMAL. IT HAPPENED LAST LABOR DAY (2018 AND YESTERDAY (6/28/19). ONCE THE ENGINE STOPPED I COULD NOT RESTART THE CAR UNTIL IT COOLED DOWN. I WAS STUCK ON THE HIGHWAY UNTIL I COULD MOVE THE CAR TO SIDE OF THE ROAD BY PUTTING IT INTO NEUTRAL. THESE ARE THE ONLY TWO TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I ACQUIRED T… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 2100.0%ODI 10993098 · 800 miI PURCHASED THIS VECHILED 10 MONTHS AGO. AT 800 MILES, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CRANKSHAFT, THROTTLE BODY AND CAM ADJUSTER WERE ALL REPORTED TO AUDI USA AND REPAIRED OR REPLACED. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THEY WANTED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. AUDI USA IS SAYING IT WAS ONLY A BRACKET. THE CAR STILL PAUSES AND JERKS WHEN ACCELERATING, AND HAS AN ANNOYINGLY LOUD VIBRATION. I AM NOT CONFIDENT IN THE AUDI BRAND ANYMORE, AND AFTER 10 PREVIOUSLY OWNED AUDI - I AM MOVING ON TO THEIR GERMAN COMPETITOR. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Unknown Or Other | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 17.1%ODI 11131789 · 67,000 miTHE SOFT TOPS FOR THIS VEHICLE ARE EXTREMELY DEFECTIVE.I AQUIRED MY VEHICLE AT 65000 MILES AND THE TOP WOULD ACT FUNNY EVERY NOW AND THEN BUT IT WOULD SNAP OUT OF IT AND WORK FINE.THE BACK WINDOW COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE TOP AND HAS NOT OPERATED SINCE.GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH AUDI I WAS TOLD THEY CANNOT FIX THIS BUT INSTEAD TO GET A NEW TOP.AFTER I PAID FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT AND THE TECHNICIAN DIDNT HAVE A CLUE.THAT WINDOW AND TOP HAS BEEN A COMMON ISSUE IT SEEMS LIKE AUDI DOESNT WANT TO OWN UP TO.I DRIVE THE FREEWAY TO AND FROM WORK EVER… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 10993098 · 800 miI PURCHASED THIS VECHILED 10 MONTHS AGO. AT 800 MILES, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CRANKSHAFT, THROTTLE BODY AND CAM ADJUSTER WERE ALL REPORTED TO AUDI USA AND REPAIRED OR REPLACED. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THEY WANTED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. AUDI USA IS SAYING IT WAS ONLY A BRACKET. THE CAR STILL PAUSES AND JERKS WHEN ACCELERATING, AND HAS AN ANNOYINGLY LOUD VIBRATION. I AM NOT CONFIDENT IN THE AUDI BRAND ANYMORE, AND AFTER 10 PREVIOUSLY OWNED AUDI - I AM MOVING ON TO THEIR GERMAN COMPETITOR. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 11052360TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 AUDI A5 CABRIOLET. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V622000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT CALLED AUDI PALO ALTO DEALER LOCATED AT 1730 EMBARCADERO RD, PALO ALTO, CA 94303 AND PHONE NUMBER [phone removed]. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART. THE CONTACT STATED THE DEALER WANTED TO GIVE HER INSTRUCTIONS ON A TEMPORARILY FIX. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 11052360TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 AUDI A5 CABRIOLET. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V622000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT CALLED AUDI PALO ALTO DEALER LOCATED AT 1730 EMBARCADERO RD, PALO ALTO, CA 94303 AND PHONE NUMBER [phone removed]. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART. THE CONTACT STATED THE DEALER WANTED TO GIVE HER INSTRUCTIONS ON A TEMPORARILY FIX. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | Too few reports for a range | 47,400 mi | 4 (sparse) | ODI 10957529 · 80,000 miI ASKED MY AUDI DEALER WHERE I TAKE MY CARE FOR ALL CARE AND MAINTENANCE ABOUT REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS. I WAS TOLD THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. I ASKED ABOUT BEING GIVEN A LOANER CAR UNTIL THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A LONG LIST BUT THEY WOULD PUT ME IN THE LIST. THAT WAS ALMOST 1 YEAR AGO AND STILL NO MENTION OF THE LOANER CAR OR FIX. WHEN I EXPRESSED MY CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY HAZARD I WAS TOLD THAT "AUDI HASN'T HAD ANY DEATHS YET". I TOLD HIM I DIDN'T WANT TO BE THE FIRST. THE LAST TIME I ASKED I WAS… ODI 10968493 · 41,300 miTAKATA RECALL THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS HAVE BEEN RECALLED IN APRIL OF 2016. NOW ITS END OF MARCH 2017 AUDI HAS NOT REPLACED THE AIRBAG. THEY HAVE NOT COMMUNICATED OR RESPONDED TO MY ENQUIRIES. I THINK AND IT IS ENOUGH TIME FOR AUDI TO TAKE CARE OF PROBLEM WITHOUT FURTHER RISK TO CONSUMER. I REQUEST NHTSA TO INTERVENE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. ODI 10969542 · 41,000 miTAKATA RECALL SAFETY RECALL WAS RECEIVED LAST APRIL 2016. AS OF TODAY, AUDI CLAIMS THEY HAVE NO REPLACEMENT PARTS AND THAT THE NTSA SAYS IT'S SAFE FOR ME TO CONTINUE DRIVING MY CAR. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW I CAN GET MY CAR REPAIRED NOW. |
| Engine | Too few reports for a range | 82,600 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10957522 · 82,600 miENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN STARTING CAR, HAD SOME DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING. CAR TAKEN TO DEALER WITHIN 24 HOURS. DEALER DIAGNOSED TIMING CHAINS, HEAD, TENSIONERS AND TURBO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 83000 MILES AND HAS BEEN SERVICED AT CONSHOHOCKEN AUDI SINCE PURCHASE FROM PRESTIGE LEXUS (WITH 7000 MILES). AUDI HAS "OFFERED" AN 75% DISCOUNT ON PARTS BECAUSE I "HAVE BEEN A GOOD CUSTOMER" (EXCEPT THE TURBO WHICH THEY SAY IS NOT A FAULT OF THE ENGINE DEFECT). I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR 25% OF PARTS, ALL TAXES FOR ALL PARTS, AND LABOR. WH… |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2021: 0 complaints · 2022: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Air Bags | Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | — | 0 |
| Engine | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.