2010 Audi A5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2010 Audi A5 has a complaint index of 82, the 4th worst among 18 model years, and is rated Avoid relative to other A5 years. Airbags (41% of complaints) and Engine (32%) are the top problem areas, with a median failure mileage of 64,223.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 82/100
- #4 of 18 A5 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 34
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 21 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2010 Audi A5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags14 (41%)
- Engine11 (32%)
- Structure & Body3 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (6%)
- Electrical System1 (3%)
- Fuel System1 (3%)
- Other1 (3%)
- Steering1 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (3%)
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 the steering wheel shaking violently at highway speeds, linked to faulty lower control arms and bushings.
- Some describe windshield wipers failing in snow and rain, including automatic rain-sensor overrides that shut wipers off unexpectedly.
- Several owners report water pump failures that caused coolant leaks and triggered the engine shut-off warning light.
- Owners describe vehicles shaking violently on startup or when driving over 40 mph, sometimes tied to oil and parking sensor warning lights.
- Multiple complaints describe airbag system malfunctions, including piston replacements and delayed parts availability for recall repairs.
- One owner reported interior flooding from a failed drainage valve while the vehicle was parked in heavy rain.
2010 Audi A5 recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2010 Audi A5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,450
- 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.
2010 compared with other A5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Audi A5 reliable?
- Compared to other A5 model years, the 2010 ranks poorly, with a complaint index of 82 and the 4th worst rank among 18 years covered. It is rated Avoid based on NHTSA owner complaints.
- What are the most common problems with the 2010 Audi A5?
- Airbags account for 41% of complaints (14 total) and Engine problems account for 32% (11 total), based on NHTSA complaint data. Median mileage at failure was 64,223.
- Does the 2010 Audi A5 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 0 recalls specifically logged for the 2010 model year in this dataset, though owner complaints reference an airbag recall campaign (16v078) with parts availability delays.
- How does the 2010 A5 compare to other years?
- The 2010 A5's complaint index of 82 is higher than the 2008 (6), 2009 (29), and 2015-2016 model years (18 and 12), which are rated Good or Best. Only 2013, 2018, and 2020 score worse among the years listed.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2010 Audi A5?
- The 2010 Audi A5 gets an EPA-rated 23 mpg combined (21 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,450.