YearToAvoid

2010 Audi A5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

67/100

#6 most-complained of 16 A5 years

The 2010 Audi A5 has a complaint index of 67 and ranks 6th out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Airbags (42% of complaints) and Engine (33%) are the top problem areas, with a median failure mileage of 67,000 for airbag issues.

Complaints
33
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
23
21 city / 27 hwy

Top 2010 Audi A5 problems

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

  1. Airbags14 (42%)
  2. Engine11 (33%)
  3. Structure & Body2 (6%)
  4. Visibility & Wipers2 (6%)
  5. Electrical System1 (3%)
  6. Fuel System1 (3%)
  7. Other1 (3%)
  8. Steering1 (3%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (3%)
  10. Transmission & Powertrain1 (3%)

What owners report

  • Airbag warning lights and related pistons were reported as malfunctioning around 67,000 miles, sometimes requiring dealer replacement.
  • Owners describe plastic water pumps failing and leaking coolant, triggering a shut-engine warning, in some cases after a prior replacement.
  • Some owners report the timing chain failing at 76,336 miles, setting off check engine, EPC, and oil warning lights while driving.
  • Windshield wipers were described as unreliable in snow and rain, with automatic rain-sensor settings overriding driver input and icing up quickly.
  • One owner reported the steering wheel shaking violently at low mileage, causing the car to drift between lanes.
  • A drainage valve failure allowed water to flood the vehicle interior at 80,000 miles.
2010 Audi A5 complaints: complaints filed per month2Jan 2010Jun 2014Sep 2016Feb 2017Nov 2017Nov 2018Mar 2019Dec 2019
35 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2010 to Aug 2021; peak Jan 2016 (2).

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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Caution6733023
2011Caution7325024.5
2012Good4722024.5

All Audi A5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Audi A5 reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2010 A5 a complaint index of 67 and a Caution verdict, ranking 6th worst out of 16 model years for this model.
What problems does the 2010 Audi A5 have?
NHTSA complaints center on airbags (42% of complaints, median failure mileage 67,000) and engine issues (33%, median failure mileage 76,336), including water pump and timing chain failures.
Does the 2010 Audi A5 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls specifically logged for the 2010 model year in this dataset, though owners referenced an airbag recall campaign in their complaints.
How does the 2010 A5 compare to other years?
The 2010 A5 has a complaint index of 67, worse than 2012 (47), 2015 (13), and 2016 (7), but better than 2013 (87), 2018 (93), and 2020 (100).
What is the fuel economy of the 2010 Audi A5?
EPA rates the 2010 A5 at 23 mpg combined (21 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,450.

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.