NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 13 owner complaints for the 2011 Audi S5 Cabriolet. Most complaints involve air bags (6) and power train (4). 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.
“TAKATA RECALL NOTICE WAS ISSUED BY AUDI OVER 24 MONTHS AGO. AUTHORIZED DEALERS CANNOT SOURCE PARTS TO COMPLETE REPAIR JEOPARDIZING SAFETY OF OUR DRIVERS. DEALERS ARE NOT ABLE TO SCHEDULE OR EVEN FORECAST WHEN PARTS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE. GIVEN THE LENGTH OF ELAPSED TIME AND POTENTIAL DANGER PRESENTED, THIS SITUATION IS UNACCEPTABLE.”
“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 DRIVING ON FREEWAY "DO NOT DRIVE", IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT TO KEYES AUDI.THERMOSTAT IN THE ENGINE.TOLD THE CAR IS NO LONGER IN WARRANTY, HOWEVER FIXED NO CHARGE, "THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED."BROUGHT CAR IN FOR AIRBAG CHANGE AT KEYES AUDI, THE GEARBOX MALFUNCTION, TPMS. WARNINGS WERE ILLUMINATED. TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY SLIPS OR DOESN'T WORK. MY SON TOLD "DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR, THE COMPUTER SYSTEM CAN GO DOWN AND DISABLE THE CAR AS YOU ARE DRIVING" CAR NOT DRIVEN SINCE APRIL. TOWED TO AUDI OF CALABASAS ON MAY 14, 2019, FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING TO DETERMINE PROBLEM. TOLD AIRBAG RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE. SAID IT WAS DONE AT KEYES AUDI.…”
“UNABLE TO GET PARTS FOR FAULTY MSE TRANSMISSION CURRENTLY IN MY 2011. AUDI UPGRADED BECAUSE OF KNOWN PROBLEMS TO NSY MODEL TRANSMISSION AND EXPECTS OWNER TO PAY EXPENSE. THEY DID NOT AND HAVE NOT MAKE THE CUSTOMER/CONSUMER AWARE OF THIS UNTIL YOU FORCED TO TAKE IT IN FOR SERVICE DUE TO SENSORS AND LIMITED FUNCTIONALITY IN DRIVING CAPABILITIES. VEHICLE HESITATES AND DROPS GEARS WHILE IN MOTION. THIS OCCURRED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY CREATING A HAZARDOUS EVENT, IN ADDITION THEY WILL ALSO CHARGE YOU FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND BOGUS SERVICE WHILE THEY ARE ALREADY AWARE THAT THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THAT TRANSMISSION. UPON RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM, OR DUE TO DRIVING, MILEAGE, WEAR AND TEAR, PREVIOUS OWNER, LACK OF WARRANTY OR WHATEVER ELSE THEY WANT TO COME UP WITH. *TR”
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 13 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (6), power train (4), electronic stability control (esc) (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2011 Audi S5 Cabriolet at 20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).