YearToAvoid

2011 Audi A5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

73/100

#5 most-complained of 16 A5 years

The 2011 Audi A5 has a Complaint Index of 73 and ranks 5th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Airbags are the top problem area, making up 56% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 52,000.

Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
24.5
21 city / 30 hwy

Top 2011 Audi A5 problems

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

  1. Airbags14 (56%)
  2. Engine6 (24%)
  3. Other4 (16%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain4 (16%)
  5. Fuel System1 (4%)
  6. Seat Belts1 (4%)

What owners report

  • Airbags fail to deploy during frontal crashes, leaving front-end damage without deployment.
  • Owners report the 2.0T engine burning about a quart of oil every 800 to 1,200 miles, described as excessive consumption.
  • Timing chains and timing chain tensioners fail suddenly, in one case leading to catastrophic engine failure at 145,000 miles.
  • Transmission shows a no-reverse-gear fault with gears engaging out of normal sequence, reported at 37,123 miles.
  • Owners describe long delays getting the Takata airbag recall repaired, with dealers unable to source replacement parts.
2011 Audi A5 complaints: complaints filed per month3Jul 2014Feb 2016Oct 2016Apr 2017Feb 2018Sep 2020Jul 2022
30 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2014 to Aug 2026; peak Apr 2015 (3).

2011 Audi A5 recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2011 Audi A5 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
21 MPG
Highway
30 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 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
2013Avoid8735324

All Audi A5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Audi A5 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 A5 carries a Complaint Index of 73 and ranks 5th worst of 16 model years, so it falls into the Caution category relative to other A5 years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2011 Audi A5?
Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 56% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 52,000. Engine oil consumption and timing chain issues are also frequently reported.
Does the 2011 Audi A5 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls specifically tied to the 2011 model year in this dataset, though owners report dealing with a Takata airbag recall campaign (16v078000) affecting their vehicles.
How does the 2011 Audi A5 compare to other years?
The 2011 A5's Complaint Index of 73 is worse than 2012 (47), 2015 (13), and 2016 (7), but better than 2013 (87), 2018 (93), and 2020 (100), which are the years marked Avoid.

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.