2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet has a complaint index of 82, ranking 3rd worst among 12 model years of this model, with 14 complaints and 2 recalls, both tied to Takata airbags. NHTSA gives it an Avoid verdict relative to other A5 Cabriolet years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 82/100
- #3 of 12 A5 Cabriolet years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 14
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
- Best nearby year
- —
- no alternative with data
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24.5
- 21.5 city / 29.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags13 (93%)
- Engine1 (7%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report receiving Takata airbag recall notices (campaign 16V078000) but being told replacement inflator parts were unavailable for extended periods.
- Some owners say the delay exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair to be completed.
- One owner reported the add oil light coming on repeatedly, tied to a water pump failure at 106,000 miles median mileage for engine complaints.
- The same owner reported a second water pump failure caused by a failed cam bearing ladder after the first repair.
- No owners in the sample reported experiencing an actual airbag deployment failure, only parts delays.
2012 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.
2012 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.
2012 compared with other A5 Cabriolet years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a complaint index of 82 for this year, ranking 3rd worst out of 12 A5 Cabriolet model years, with airbags accounting for 93% of complaints.
- What problems does the 2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet have?
- Owners mostly reported issues getting the Takata airbag recall completed due to parts unavailability. One complaint described repeated water pump and cam bearing ladder failures at 106,000 miles.
- Does the 2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet have an airbag recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists two airbag recalls, campaign 18V082000 and 16V078000, both covering Takata frontal airbag inflator replacement.
- How does the 2012 A5 Cabriolet compare to other years?
- The 2012 model has a complaint index of 82 and an Avoid verdict, worse than 2013 (73) and 2017 (64) but slightly better than 2010 (100) and 2011 (91).