2011 Audi A5 Reliability
The 2011 Audi A5 has 38 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about air bags and engine. Compared with nearby A5 model years (2009–2013), it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the A5's typical year.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
38
NHTSA owner complaints
2
Recall campaigns
1
Complaints citing a crash
0
Complaints citing a fire
2011 Audi A5 complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 model year, filed between 2014 and 2024. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 25 | 66% |
| Engine | 7 | 18% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 11% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 4 | 11% |
| Fuel / propulsion system | 1 | 3% |
2011 Audi A5 recalls
2 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2011 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16V078000 | Feb 10, 2016 | Air bags — frontal / driver side / inflator module | 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.… |
| 18V082000 | Jan 30, 2018 | Air bags — frontal / driver side / inflator module | 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… |
How the 2011 compares with nearby A5 years
Verdicts come from CarWhere's year-by-year A5 analysis where it covers the year, otherwise from the years shown here.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 11 | 1 | Body structure | Too few reports |
| 2010 | 50 | 2 | Air bags | Solid |
| 2011 (this page) | 38 | 2 | Air bags | Solid |
| 2012 | 36 | 2 | Air bags | Better year |
| 2013 | 38 | 3 | Engine | Caution |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2011 Audi A5
- Air bags: make sure the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that any air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Fuel system: smell for fuel around the car, watch for hesitation or stalling, and check for a lit check-engine light.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 2 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2011 Audi A5 can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2011 Audi A5 reliability FAQ
Is the 2011 Audi A5 reliable?
The 2011 Audi A5 has 38 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about air bags and engine. Compared with nearby A5 model years (2009–2013), it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the A5's typical year.
What are the most common 2011 Audi A5 problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2011 Audi A5 are air bags (25), engine (7), unknown or other (4), powertrain / transmission (4). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2011 Audi A5 have recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2011 Audi A5, including 16V078000 (air bags — frontal / driver side / inflator module) and 18V082000 (air bags — frontal / driver side / inflator module). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2011 Audi A5 compare with the 2010 and 2012 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2010 has 50 complaints and 2 recalls (solid); the 2012 has 36 complaints and 2 recalls (better year). The 2011 has 38 complaints and 2 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2011 Audi A5?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Audi A5 research
Other Audi A5 model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2011 A5, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.