2012 Audi A5 recalls & problems
The 2012 Audi A5 has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 22 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is air bags (11 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2012 Audi A5.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2012 Audi A5 C AWD
| Overall | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
2012 Audi A5 2 DR AWD
| Overall | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
2012 Audi A5 C FWD
| Overall | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
A5 quattro
| City / highway | 21 / 31 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,300/year to fuel
A5 quattro
| City / highway | 21 / 29 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,400/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 11 | 48,500 mi |
| Engine | 7 | — |
| Unknown or other | 2 | — |
| Electrical system | 2 | — |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | — |
| Fuel system, gasoline Fuel injection system | 1 | — |
| Engine and engine cooling Engine › Oil/lubrication | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Jun 10, 2025Engine
MY 2012 AUDI A5 HAS 155,000 MILES ON IT AND IT HAS HAD EVERY OIL CHANGE AND MAINTENANCE UP TO DATE , MY TURBOS AND PISTONS HAVE CAUSED COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WITH 0 COMPRESSION IN MY ONLY CAR . BOTH HAVE RECALLS ON THEM FOR MY YEAR AND MODEL AND EVEN THO I GOT A LETTER IN THE MAIL ABOUT BEING PART OF A SETTLEMENT FOR MY TURBOS CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE I FEEL AS THO MY CAR SHOULDN'T BE BROKE IT SHOULD OF ALREADY BEEN FIXED - Sep 19, 2022Engine
2012 Audi a5 quattro burns oil every 100miles 5qt and does not allow a quick acceleration if trying to avoid an accident. The car misfires and shuts off while driving. No check engine light was on when it first did this. Mechanic was able to reproduce the same problem. Turbo is bad. O2 sensor is bad. Air intake leak. Running rich at bank 1. The oil meter on the display does not display actual amount of oil. It also has several electrical problems. Rear turning lights have an electrical problem. Great drive most of the time and check engine light goes off randomly then all of it starts again. - Jul 27, 2022 · fireElectrical system
While I was driving, my car started to slow down and eventually stopped in the middle of the road. There were no warning sensors or indicators on the car. II then started to see smoke coming from my hood and decided to turn off the car and get out to inspect. On the right front side, I saw a fire under the car. The fire department was called and they put out the fire. They suspected an electrical issue, however it has yet to be confirmed. I contacted the dealership and they said they do not handle repairs of that sort. Insurance sent out an estimator for the damage. The car will be sent to a mechanic to diagnose the issue. - Feb 11, 2015Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Oil/lubrication
The contact owns a 2012 Audi A5. The contact stated that the oil warning light illuminated while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where oil was added to the vehicle; however, after the third time the contact was informed by the dealer that it was a common issue with the Audi sport vehicles. A failure cause was not determined. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring for several years. The contact stated that he had an oil consumption test completed with the dealer who informed him that there was an issue with the pistons and O-rings. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be rebuilt. The dealer stated that they would send documentation… - Nov 17, 2020Electrical system
THIS VEHICLE HAD A RECALL, AND A NEW ENGINE WAS PUT INTO IT AND EVER SINCE THE NEW ENGINE WAS PUT IN, THE VEHICLE HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS AND ELECTRICAL FAILURES. NOW THE NEW ENGINE, WITH LESS THAN 50K IS BURNING OIL AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHY. THIS IS BY FAR THE WORST VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED. THE MINUTE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED OFF OF THE LEASE, I FEEL LIKE THE CAR HAS JUST FALLEN APART. - Dec 1, 2019 · 115,000 milesEngine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A5. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND AUDI OF SHREWSBURY (780 BOSTON TURNPIKE, SHREWSBURY, MA) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. - Jan 30, 2018Air bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR AS THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED OVER A YEAR AGO. AUDI NORTH ATLANTA (11505 ALPHARETTA HWY, ROSWELL, GA 30076, (404) 994-4327) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. - May 25, 2019 · 75,000 milesFuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI A5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE, ESPECIALLY WHILE ON AN INCLINE AND WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RUSNAK PASADENA AUDI (626-714-3159, LOCATED AT 267 W COLORADO BLVD, PASADENA, CA 91105) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER AND NHTSA. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.