NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 28 owner complaints for the 2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet. Most complaints involve power train (11) and air bags (9). The EPA rates it 20 mpg combined.
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 may cause the inflator to explode.
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 air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“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”
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI S5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (AUDI FREMONT, 43191 BOSCELL RD, FREMONT, CA 94538) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.”
“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”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S5 Cabriolet Auto (S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg · All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | $3,850 | 444 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
2 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 28 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (11), air bags (9), engine (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet at 20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).