VehicleVerdict

2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 9 complaints on file for the 2010 Audi S5 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.

9

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other S5 Cabriolet years?

S5 Cabriolet NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted9 complaints2010: 9 complaints2011: 7 complaints2012: 0 complaints2013: 3 complaints2017: 0 complaints2018: 0 complaints2019: 0 complaints2020: 0 complaints2021: 0 complaints2022: 0 complaints2023: 0 complaints
S5 Cabriolet NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S5 Cabriolet years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure333%
Airbags222%
Engine111%
Fuel System111%
Transmission111%
Visibility & Wipers111%

Does the 2010 Audi S5 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.

“THERE HAS BEEN CATASTROPHIC SEPARATION BETWEEN THE REAR WINDOW AND THE CONVERTIBLE SOFT TOP ROOF. THE WINDOW IS LEAKING AND IS ABOUT TO FALL OUT OF THE FRAME. THIS APPEARS TO BE DUE TO POOR QUALITY OF ADHESIVE USED. DEALER WILL NOT COVER THIS VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH AUDI CABRIOLETS. NO ABUSE OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 15, 2016

“TAKATA RECALL HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY AUDI THAT AIRBAG WILL LIKELY NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR A YEAR OR MORE. THEY HAVE VERBALLY ADVISED ME TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR. HOWEVER, THEIR LETTERS SAY IT COULD CAUSE DEATH TO DRIVE THE CAR. WE ARE RANKED AT THE HIGHEST RISK ACCORDING TO AUDI AS WE LIVE IN SC IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 1, 2018

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 28, 2018

“THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN JANUARY OF 2018 WITH ABOUT CLOSE TO 47,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. CURRENTLY WITH ONLY JUST OVER 50,000 MILES THE REAR WINDSHIELD IS SEPARATING FROM THE FABRIC ROOF WHICH IN TURN HAS CAUSED WATER INFILTRATION FROM RAINFALL INTO THE REAR AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE INTERIOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 21, 2018

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 29, 2019

2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet — common questions

Is the 2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet reliable?

The record is thin — 9 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Audi S5 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.