Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

2021 Audi S5 CABRIOLET: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

0 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

Not available median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2021 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

No owner complaints are recorded for this selection. A complaint can name multiple components.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

No usable records for this chart.

Component breakdown data
CategoryCount

No records.

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

No usable failure mileage is recorded. 0 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.

No usable records for this chart.

Complaints over time data
CategoryCount

No records.

Pattern summary

There is not enough complaint evidence to summarize patterns.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Recall history

3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

21V295000 · Suspension:Rear:Axle:Non-Powered Axle Assembly

Reported: 2021-04-26 (April 26, 2021)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.

Consequence: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V606000 · Seat Belts:Rear/Other:Retractor | Seat Belts

Reported: 2021-08-05 (August 5, 2021)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).

NHTSA campaign record ↗
22V742000 · Back Over Prevention:Display Function

Reported: 2022-10-05 (October 5, 2022)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence: A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

0 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

UnavailableUsable mileage0 / 0 records
UnavailableValid incident date0 / 0 records
UnavailableValid filing date0 / 0 records
UnavailableOrdered incident and filing dates0 / 0 records

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 complaint heatmap
Component20102011201220132017201820192020202120222023
Air Bags
225.0%
ODI 11076355

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.

Look up ODI 11076355 at NHTSA ↗

240.0%
ODI 11058325

TAKATA RECALL - RECEIVED URGENT RECALL AUGUST 2017. MULTIPLE CALLS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AUDI USA HAVE NOT PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING 1) WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR MY URGENT RECALL NOTICE, AND 2) IS THE CAR SAFE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE? I UNDERSTAND THE SCALE OF THIS RECALL, HOWEVER ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO MAKE DECISIONS.

Look up ODI 11058325 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

133.3%
ODI 11081302 · 80,000 mi

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IN MY CAR CAME ON ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. ACCORDINGLY THE CAR FAILED MASSACHUSETTS INSPECTION IN DEC. 2017. AUDI DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS 'DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG INJECTOR'. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET MY DEALER TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY HAVE NOT DONE SO DUE TO UNAVAILABILITY OF A REPLACEMENT AIRBAG AND INJECTOR. I CANNOT LEGALLY DRIVE MY CAR (NO CURRENT INSPECTION STICKER) AND AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. MY AUDI DEALER AND AUDI USA HAVE NOT OFFERED ANY SOLUTION E.G. A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE UNTIL A …

Look up ODI 11081302 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

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0Unavailable

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Power Train
112.5%
ODI 11182138 · 92,469 mi

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…

Look up ODI 11182138 at NHTSA ↗

360.0%
ODI 11150038 · 96,000 mi

MY WIFE AND I WENT ON A DRIVE, TO GET LUNCH, AFTER LEAVING LUNCH , WE HEADED HOME, I PULLED OUT ON TO THE HWY, AND THE AUDI,"CHECK ENGINE" "NO REVERSE" LIGHT LIT UP, AND THEN THE TPMS LIT UP, THE WARNING STATED I HAD LOST REVERSE, AND I COULD CONTINUE DRIVING. HOME WAS OVER 10 MILES AWAY, SO I CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME. I WAS TRYING TO MOVE IN TO THE TURN LANE , PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL, AND THE CAR SLOWED DOWN, I JAMMED THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR TO AVOID BEING RUN OVER BY TRAFFIC. IT SLOWED DOWN MORE THEN SHOT OFF QUICKLY, AND THEN SLOWED DOWN AGAIN,…

Look up ODI 11150038 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

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00.0%

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0Unavailable

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Structure:Body
337.5%
ODI 11082329 · 80,000 mi

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.

Look up ODI 11082329 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

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0Unavailable

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00.0%

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0Unavailable

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Engine
112.5%
ODI 11172987 · 61,000 mi

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 SM…

Look up ODI 11172987 at NHTSA ↗

120.0%
ODI 11218424

I AM THE SOLE OWNER OF A 2011 AUDI S5 CABRIOLET. CHIEF COMPLAINTS: ENGINE PROBLEM,.WARNING LIGHT SHUT DOWN ENGINE,GEARBOX MALFUNCTION,TPMS MALFUNCTION,. TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY SLIPPING AND WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE,TAKATA AIRBAG NOT CHANGED BY KEYES AUDI COMPLAINT FOR LEMON LAW WITH AUDI CORP. CAR IS INOPERABLE REMAINS IN AUDI DEALERSHIP PENDING OUTCOME PER AUDI CORP.DIAGNOSTIC WORK ORDER REPAIR ESTIMATE,$5, 800. CAR HAD THE ENGINE LIGHT ALERT ON SINCE I BOUGHT IT. DEALSHIPS SAID "IT'S JUST A SENSOR,PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. IN FACT DRIVIN…

Look up ODI 11218424 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

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00.0%

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Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

120.0%
ODI 11218424

I AM THE SOLE OWNER OF A 2011 AUDI S5 CABRIOLET. CHIEF COMPLAINTS: ENGINE PROBLEM,.WARNING LIGHT SHUT DOWN ENGINE,GEARBOX MALFUNCTION,TPMS MALFUNCTION,. TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY SLIPPING AND WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE,TAKATA AIRBAG NOT CHANGED BY KEYES AUDI COMPLAINT FOR LEMON LAW WITH AUDI CORP. CAR IS INOPERABLE REMAINS IN AUDI DEALERSHIP PENDING OUTCOME PER AUDI CORP.DIAGNOSTIC WORK ORDER REPAIR ESTIMATE,$5, 800. CAR HAD THE ENGINE LIGHT ALERT ON SINCE I BOUGHT IT. DEALSHIPS SAID "IT'S JUST A SENSOR,PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. IN FACT DRIVIN…

Look up ODI 11218424 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

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00.0%

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0Unavailable

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Fuel/Propulsion System
112.5%
ODI 11172987 · 61,000 mi

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 SM…

Look up ODI 11172987 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

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0Unavailable

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00.0%

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0Unavailable

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Seat Belts
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

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0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

133.3%
ODI 11054368

COMPLAINT ON AUDI'S FAULTY SEATBELT MECHANISM. THE VEHICLE IS A 2013 AUDI S5 CABRIOLET VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT LOCKED AND COULD NOT BE RELEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO AN AUDI DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND FOUND THAT THE SEATBELT WAS FAULTY AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED FROM OTHER AUDI OWNERS TO INCLUDE THIS MODEL. AUDI'S FAULTY SEATBELT MECHANISM IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. THE SEATBELT COULDN'T BE USED AND IS LOCKED WITH NO WAY TO BE SECURED. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN …

Look up ODI 11054368 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

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Steering
00.0%

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00.0%

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0Unavailable

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133.3%
ODI 11118873 · 35,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR DOWN A SIDE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE CAR HAD A MESSAGE 'POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION. DO NOT DRIVE VEHICLE'. LUCKILY FOR ME, I WAS NOT GOING VERY FAST OR ON A BUSY ROAD, AND COULD STOP THE CAR SAFELY. THE WHEEL WAS EFFECTIVELY USELESS AND I COULD NOT MANEUVER THE VEHICLE AT ALL. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO AUDI AND BECAUSE THERE IS NO 'KNOWN' ISSUE WITH THIS HAPPENING AND THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BESIDES QUOTE ME $3200 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE POWER STEERING RAC…

Look up ODI 11118873 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

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0Unavailable

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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 failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
No usable records for this analysis.

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-102026-09

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
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-09 (partial)0None

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.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

2022: 0 complaints · 2023: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2022000
2023000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
2022000
2023000

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 co-occurrence matrix
Component
No usable records for this analysis.

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.