VehicleVerdict

2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 14 complaints on file for the 2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

14

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other A5 Cabriolet years?

A5 Cabriolet NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted16 complaints2010: 16 complaints2011: 14 complaints2012: 14 complaints2013: 3 complaints2014: 1 complaints2015: 2 complaints2016: 0 complaints2017: 3 complaints2018: 0 complaints2020: 0 complaints2021: 0 complaints2022: 0 complaints
A5 Cabriolet NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all A5 Cabriolet years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags1393%
Engine17%

Does the 2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V082000AirbagsJanuary 30, 2018 · 162,782 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.

16V078000AirbagsFebruary 10, 2016 · 659,493 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A5 CABRIOLET. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 14, 2016

“MY CAR HAS HAD THE ADD OIL LIGHT ON MANY TIMES TO WHICH I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER. FIRST TIME THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A WATER PUMP FAILURE. I REPLACED AND PAID FOR THE WATER PUMP. SECOND TIME A YEAR LATER I RETURNED TO HEAR THAT THE WATER PUMP FAILED AGAIN ONLY THIS TIME IT WAS THE CAM BEARING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 3, 2018

2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet — common questions

Is the 2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet reliable?

The record is thin — 14 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2012 A5 Cabriolet problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (13 complaints), engine (1 complaints).

Does the 2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.