2011 Audi A5 Cabriolet Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
82/100
#3 most-complained of 12 A5 Cabriolet years
NHTSA data gives the 2011 Audi A5 Cabriolet a complaint index of 82, ranking 3rd worst of 12 model years. It carries 14 complaints, 86% tied to airbags, and 2 recalls, making it an Avoid year relative to other A5 Cabriolet years.
- Complaints
- 14
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24.5
- 21.5 city / 29.5 hwy
Top 2011 Audi A5 Cabriolet problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags12 (86%)
- Engine1 (7%)
- Other1 (7%)
What owners report
- Owners report the Takata airbag recall remedy was unavailable for months after notification, leaving the driver-side inflator unreplaced.
- Some owners describe continuing to drive the car, or letting family members drive it, despite being told the airbag inflator posed a safety risk.
- One owner reports low engine compression on cylinder number 1 at 59,000 miles, describing it as a sign of engine failure requiring a rebuild.
- Owners note that no crash or fire resulted from the airbag defect in the reported cases, but frustration centered on the long wait for parts.
2011 Audi A5 Cabriolet recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V082000Jan 30, 2018Airbags162,782 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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.
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 occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 16V078000Feb 10, 2016Airbags659,493 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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.
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 occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
2011 Audi A5 Cabriolet fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29.5 MPG
- Combined
- 24.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other A5 Cabriolet years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Audi A5 Cabriolet reliable?
- NHTSA lists 14 complaints and 2 recalls for the 2011 A5 Cabriolet, with a complaint index of 82, the 3rd worst of the 12 model years with data. It's rated Avoid relative to other A5 Cabriolet years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2011 Audi A5 Cabriolet?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 86% of complaints (12 of 14), mostly tied to the Takata airbag inflator recalls.
- Does the 2011 Audi A5 Cabriolet have an airbag recall?
- Yes. It has two airbag recalls, campaign 18V082000 and campaign 16V078000, both covering the driver's frontal airbag inflator.
- How does the 2011 A5 Cabriolet compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 82 is lower than the 2010 model's 100 but higher than the 2012 model's 91; all three are rated Avoid, making 2011 the 3rd worst year out of 12 tracked.
- What fuel economy does the 2011 Audi A5 Cabriolet get?
- EPA rates it at 24.5 mpg combined (21.5 city / 29.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,250.