Research · Subcompact Cars

2010 Audi S5Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 20 owner complaints for the 2010 Audi S5. Most complaints involve power train (10) and air bags (7). The EPA rates it 17–19 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
17–19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
20
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$4,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2010 Audi S5 as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

20 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2011 – Jul 2025
  1. Power train10
  2. Air bags7
  3. Engine3
  4. Fuel system, gasoline1
  5. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  6. Fuel/propulsion system1
  7. Service brakes1
  8. Engine and engine cooling1
  9. Other / unknown1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each S5 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20083
201020
20118
201210
201316
20146
20152
20161
201826
20196
202025
20211
20242
202511
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

10 reports
“A "GEARBOX MALFUNCTION" INTERMITTENTLY OCCURS, LEAVING THE CAR IN A "NON-MOVING" STATE. WHEN THIS ISSUE OCCURS, AN ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE FROM A DEAD STOP WILL MOVE THE VEHICLE ONLY ENOUGH TO GET YOU INTO TRAFFIC AND POTENTIALLY GET BROADSIDED OR REAR-ENDED. THE CAR SIMPLY "STOPS MOVING" RIGHT WHEN YOU NEED IT TO MOVE IN ORDER TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. IT WILL NOT MOVE BUT REMAINS RUNNING AND IN GEAR. I'VE SPENT OVER $3000 DOLLARS TO FIX THE ISSUE (REPLACED MECHATRONIC UNIT AND BATTERY) BUT THE ERROR STILL OCCURS. THE CAR IS EFFECTIVELY USELESS AND COUNTLESS OTHERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS SEEN WITH ANY SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES, THE ISSUE WILL STOP, ONLY TO REAPPEAR AGAIN RANDOMLY AT ANOTHER INTERSECTION.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 6, 2017Power trainODI 10993527

Air bags

7 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 31, 2018Air bagsODI 11099048

Engine

3 reports
“ENGINE OVERHEATED AUGUST 21, 2017. IT LEFT ME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY. I TOOK IT TO DAY AUDI MONROEVILLE, PA. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT AN AUDI THERMOSTAT RECALL WAS JUST ISSUED. I PAID FOR THE REPAIR $999.71 AND WAS PROMISED BY AUDI CUSTOMER CARE THAT I WOULD BE REIMBURSED. AS OF SEPTEMBER 27, 2017, I WAS ADVISED THAT MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE THERMOSTAT RECALL AND THAT THE RECALL HAS TO BE ISSUED BY THE NHTSA. THEREFORE I RECEIVED AN EMPTY PROMISE FROM AUDI THAT I WOULD BE REIMBURSED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 27, 2017EngineODI 11030093
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
4.2L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
S5
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.2 L · All-Wheel Drive
162419$4,200468
S5
Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.2 L · All-Wheel Drive
142217$4,700523
  • S5
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.2 L
    16 city · 24 hwy · $4,200/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • S5
    Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.2 L
    14 city · 22 hwy · $4,700/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Audi S5 as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 5530
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2010 S5 questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Audi S5 have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 29, 2026.

What are the most common 2010 Audi S5 problems?

Owners filed 20 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (10), air bags (7), engine (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 Audi S5 get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Audi S5 at 17–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026