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2011 Audi S5 CabrioletProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 5 owner complaints about the 2011 Audi S5 Cabriolet, most often about the power train. It is covered by 2 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-078 the manufacturer reports only 59% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Lowest repair rate 59%Owner complaints50 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage68kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 7, 2019. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2011 Audi S5 Cabriolet has problems

5 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train30
Air bags20
Electronic stability control (ESC)10
Engine10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

2011 Audi S5 Cabriolet recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

75%repaired · 2020 Q3

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 18V-082 · Jan 30, 2018 · 162,782 vehicles · 122,309 repaired

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

59%repaired · 2018 Q2

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 16V-078 · Feb 10, 2016 · 659,493 vehicles · 385,916 repaired

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Audi.

Best & worst years

2011 vs. every other S5 Cabriolet year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the S5 Cabriolet median. How we score

'10'11'12'13'17'18'19'20'21'22'23
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2011 Audi S5 Cabriolet safety ratings

2011 Audi S5 Cabriolet C AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What S5 Cabriolet owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I AM THE SOLE OWNER OF A 2011 AUDI S5 CABRIOLET. CHIEF COMPLAINTS: ENGINE PROBLEM,.WARNING LIGHT SHUT DOWN ENGINE,GEARBOX MALFUNCTION,TPMS MALFUNCTION,. TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY SLIPPING AND WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE,TAKATA AIRBAG NOT CHANGED BY KEYES AUDI COMPLAINT FOR LEMON LAW WITH AUDI CORP.…
Complaint 11218424 · Jun 7, 2019
OCCASIONAL LACK OF PROPULSION WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, LOSS OF GEAR WHILE MOVING SLOWLY (FROM A STOP). IN EITHER CASE, THE CAR MAY BE STUCK IN AN INTERSECTION OR OTHERWISE ACT UNPREDICTABLY TO OTHER TRAFFIC. REMEDY IS TO EITHER TAKE FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR TO RE-ENGAGE MULTIPLE TIMES, OR…
Complaint 11165984 · Jan 9, 2019 · 39,500 miles
MY WIFE AND I WENT ON A DRIVE, TO GET LUNCH, AFTER LEAVING LUNCH, WE HEADED HOME, I PULLED OUT ON TO THE HWY, AND THE AUDI,"CHECK ENGINE" "NO REVERSE" LIGHT LIT UP, AND THEN THE TPMS LIT UP, THE WARNING STATED I HAD LOST REVERSE, AND I COULD CONTINUE DRIVING. HOME WAS OVER 10 MILES AWAY, SO I…
Complaint 11150038 · Nov 8, 2018 · 96,000 miles

Own a 2011 S5 Cabriolet?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.