VehicleVerdict

2011 Audi S5 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 9 complaints on file for the 2011 Audi S5 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

9

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other S5 years?

S5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted50 complaints2008: 3 complaints2010: 26 complaints2011: 9 complaints2012: 10 complaints2013: 20 complaints2014: 7 complaints2015: 4 complaints2016: 3 complaints2018: 40 complaints2019: 6 complaints2020: 50 complaints2021: 1 complaints2022: 2 complaints2023: 3 complaints2024: 2 complaints2025: 22 complaints
S5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S5 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Audi S5 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags444%
Other333%
Electrical System111%
Transmission111%

Does the 2011 Audi S5 have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

15V019000Fuel SystemJanuary 20, 2015 · 26,008 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Audi S4, S5, Q7, 2012 Audi A6, Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles. In the affected vehicles the fuel injection system may experience a fuel leak.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails and corresponding seals, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 24AP for Audi customers and 24BK for Volkswagen customers.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TAKATA RECALL - I HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED BY AUDI THAT THE AIRBAG IN MY CAR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT THEY HAVE OFFERED NO TIMETABLE AS TO WHEN THIS MAY BE POSSIBLE. NO SOLUTION IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. I FIND IT DISCONCERTING TO BE DRIVING A CAR THAT HAS AN AIRBAG THAT COULD CAUSE SIGNIFICANT INJURY.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 3, 2016

“I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED AUDI S5 CABRIOLET. AFTER RESEARCHING THE VEHICLE AND NOTING SEVERAL POSTS ABOUT THE REAR WINDOW DETACHING FROM THE TOP AND HAVING A FRIEND WHO JUST HAD HIS A5 REPAIRED THIS WAS SOMETHING I WAS LOOKING FOR. IN MY INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE I DID CONFIRM THAT THE TOP HAD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 3, 2016

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 21, 2016

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 21, 2016

2011 Audi S5 — common questions

Is the 2011 Audi S5 reliable?

The record is thin — 9 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

Does the 2011 Audi S5 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2011 Audi S5. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Audi S5 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the S5 years to avoid are 2020, 2018. The cleanest record among S5 years belongs to 2021.

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.