Audi · A5 · 2012
2
Recalls
36
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2012 Audi A5 has 2 recalls and 36 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: air bags (24 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Aug 31, 2026
The 2012 Audi A5 page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is air bags with 24 reported complaints.
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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 MA...
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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...
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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 s...
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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 VEHICL...
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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 BOST...
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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 ...
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OWNER OF 2012 AUDI A5 AND 2015 AUDI A4. JANUARY 2019 RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL LETTER REGARDING RECALL ON-ELECTRIC (AFTER-RUN) COOLANT PUMP CERTAIN 2012-2017 MODEL AUDI VEHICLES. AS 2ND OWNERS OF BOTH VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE ANY DOCUMENTATION OF BRAND NEW CARS. LETTER RECEIVED WAS FOR ...
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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 T...
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PLEASE SEE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS REGARDING AN ISSUE WITH THIS CAR AND ITS ENGINE. I HAVE ALSO FILLED A COMPLAINT WITH THE FTC #978949978
MY VEHICLE IS IMPACTED BY THE TAKATA AIRBAG SAFETY ISSUE. I RECENTLY RECEIVED A FOLLOW UP LETTER FROM AUDI INDICATING THAT I SHOULD "SCHEDULE THIS RECALL REPAIR IMMEDIATELY, EVEN IF AN INTERIM REPAIR WAS RECENTLY DONE." UPON CALLING THE LOCAL AUDI DEALERS THEY ALL INDICATE THAT T...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 36 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2012 Audi models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 2012 Audi A5 has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 36 owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Audi A5.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2012 Audi A5.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2012 Audi A5 are air bags (24 reports), engine (6 reports), engine and engine cooling (1 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2012 Audi A5. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.