Problems · NHTSA complaints
2011 Audi A5 Cabriolet problems
Owners filed 38 complaints about the 2011 Audi A5 Cabriolet with NHTSA between Jul 2014 and Apr 2024. The most-cited component is air bags (25).
Complaints
38
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags25
- Engine7
- Power train4
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Other / unknown4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
3
13
8
6
1
1
1
3
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 13 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
25 reports1 crash2 related recalls
“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.”
Engine
7 reports
“MY 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!”
Power train
4 reports
“THIS VEHICLE WHEN I START IN THE MORNING FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS RUBBING ON THE WHEELS. IT MAYBE THE WHEEL BEARINGS. ALSO JUST LIKE THE OTHER AUDI OWNERS HAVE SAID THIS CAR CONSUMES AT LEAST A QUART OF OIL EVERY 800 TO A 1000 MILES OR SO. I DECIDED ON THIS VEHICLE BASED ON REPUTATION, I'VE HAD IT A YEAR AND I'M NOT HAPPY. I THOUGHT THIS WAS NORMAL. BUT I SEE ITS NOT. PLEASE HELP.”
Fuel/propulsion system
1 report
“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?”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.