What years of the Audi A5 Cabriolet should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, 2010, 2011, and 2012 rank worst, with 2010 having the highest Complaint Index at 100 and 16 complaints.

What is the most common problem with the Audi A5 Cabriolet?

Airbags are the top problem area across all years, accounting for 80% of the 51 total complaints, largely tied to Takata inflator recalls.

Is there an airbag recall on the 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet?

Yes. NHTSA recalls 16V078000 and 18V082000 cover Takata airbag inflators for the 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet, and owners reported long waits for replacement parts.

Which Audi A5 Cabriolet year is best?

No year in this dataset carries a Best verdict, but 2016 and 2018 show the lowest Complaint Index scores at 0 and 9, with zero and zero complaints respectively.

How many complaints does the Audi A5 Cabriolet have in total?

NHTSA lists 51 total complaints across all 12 model years covered, plus 9 recall campaigns.

Audi A5 Cabriolet Best and Worst Years (2010–2022)

The 2010, 2011, and 2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet years rank worst, led by 2010 with a Complaint Index of 100 and 16 complaints, mostly tied to Takata airbag recalls. No year is marked Best in this dataset, though later years like 2016 and 2018 show far fewer complaints.

Avoid 2010 Avoid 2011 Avoid 2012

Model years: 12; 2010–2022
NHTSA complaints: 51
Recall campaigns: 9
Crashes reported: 1
Fires reported: 0
Top problem area: Airbags

A5 Cabriolet Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Audi A5 Cabriolet problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2010	Avoid	100	16	0	2	Airbags	24.5	—
2011	Avoid	82	14	0	2	Airbags	24.5	—
2012	Avoid	91	14	0	2	Airbags	24.5	—
2013	No verdict	73	3	1	1	Engine	24	—
2014	No verdict	45	1	0	1	Engine	24.5	—
2015	No verdict	55	1	0	1	Brakes	24	—
2016	No verdict	0	0	0	1	—	24	—
2017	No verdict	64	2	0	2	Engine	24	—
2018	No verdict	9	0	0	1	—	27	—
2020	No verdict	18	0	0	1	—	26	—
2021	No verdict	27	0	0	3	—	26	—
2022	No verdict	36	0	0	1	—	26	—

A5 Cabriolet years to avoid: what went wrong

2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet Index 100 · 16 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2010 A5 Cabriolet has the highest Complaint Index (100) in the lineup, with 16 complaints. Airbags account for 94% of its problem reports, tied to two Takata inflator recalls (16V078000 and 18V082000). Owners reported long waits for replacement parts and being told repairs were unavailable. One engine complaint described timing chain, head, tensioner, and turbo replacement at a median mileage of 82,600 miles. Two recall campaigns apply to this year.

2010 airbags problems →

2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet Index 91 · 14 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2012 A5 Cabriolet ranks second worst with a Complaint Index of 91 and 14 complaints. Airbags represent 93% of issues, again tied to the 16V078000 and 18V082000 Takata recalls, with a median mileage of 20,000 miles for those complaints. One owner reported repeated water pump failures and a cam bearing ladder failure at 106,000 miles. Two recall campaigns apply to this year.

2011 Audi A5 Cabriolet Index 82 · 14 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2011 A5 Cabriolet ranks third worst with a Complaint Index of 82 and 14 complaints. Airbags make up 86% of reported issues, linked to the same two Takata recalls (16V078000 and 18V082000). Owners described not feeling safe driving the car while waiting for an airbag inflator remedy that dealers said was unavailable. An engine complaint was also logged at a median mileage of 59,000 miles. Two recall campaigns cover this model year.

Most common Audi A5 Cabriolet problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Airbags41 (80%)
Engine8 (16%)
Other2 (4%)
Brakes1 (2%)
Electrical System1 (2%)

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Audi A5 Cabriolet should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, 2010, 2011, and 2012 rank worst, with 2010 having the highest Complaint Index at 100 and 16 complaints.
What is the most common problem with the Audi A5 Cabriolet?: Airbags are the top problem area across all years, accounting for 80% of the 51 total complaints, largely tied to Takata inflator recalls.
Is there an airbag recall on the 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet?: Yes. NHTSA recalls 16V078000 and 18V082000 cover Takata airbag inflators for the 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet, and owners reported long waits for replacement parts.
Which Audi A5 Cabriolet year is best?: No year in this dataset carries a Best verdict, but 2016 and 2018 show the lowest Complaint Index scores at 0 and 9, with zero and zero complaints respectively.
How many complaints does the Audi A5 Cabriolet have in total?: NHTSA lists 51 total complaints across all 12 model years covered, plus 9 recall campaigns.