YearToAvoid

2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

91/100

#2 most-complained of 12 A5 Cabriolet years

The 2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet ranks 2nd worst among 12 model years with a complaint index of 91 and 14 complaints. Airbags dominate at 93% of complaints, tied to two Takata-related recalls, giving it an Avoid verdict 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 2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags13 (93%)
  2. Engine1 (7%)

What owners report

  • Owners report long delays getting the Takata airbag recall (16V078000) completed because replacement inflator parts were unavailable.
  • Some owners say they received recall notices but the dealer could not schedule the repair for an extended period, despite it being a safety-related airbag issue.
  • One owner reports the engine oil warning light coming on repeatedly, leading to a water pump replacement.
  • The same owner later found the cam bearing ladder had failed, which caused the water pump to fail again, at a median mileage of 106,000 for engine complaints.
2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet complaints: complaints filed per month3Sep 2016Jan 2017Mar 2017Mar 2018Jun 2018
14 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2016 to Mar 2019; peak Dec 2016 (3).

2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201020112012201320142015201620172018202020212022
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Avoid10016224.5
2011Avoid8214224.5
2012Avoid9114224.5
2013No verdict733124
2014No verdict451124.5

All Audi A5 Cabriolet years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet reliable?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2012 A5 Cabriolet has a complaint index of 91, the second-highest among 12 model years tracked, and carries an Avoid verdict relative to other years of this model.
What is the most common problem on the 2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet?
Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 93% of the 14 complaints filed with NHTSA, mostly tied to delayed Takata recall repairs.
Does the 2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet have a recall?
Yes, NHTSA lists two recalls for this model year, both involving airbag inflators: campaign 18V082000 and campaign 16V078000, both related to Takata frontal airbag inflators.
How many complaints does the 2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet have?
NHTSA lists 14 complaints for the 2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet, with no reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet?
EPA rates it at 24.5 mpg combined (21.5 city / 29.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,250.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.