YearToAvoid

2011 Audi A5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2011 Audi A5 has a complaint index of 76, ranking it 5th worst among 18 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Airbags are the top problem area at 56% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 52,000 miles.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
76/100
#5 of 18 A5 years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
25
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
0
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
2
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2015
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
24.5
21 city / 30 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2011 Audi A5 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Airbags fail to deploy during frontal crashes even at moderate speeds like 35 mph.
  • Owners report excessive oil consumption in the 2.0T engine, sometimes a quart every 800 to 1,200 miles.
  • Timing chain or timing chain tensioner failures occur, in one case leading to catastrophic engine failure.
  • Transmission shows unexpected gear faults, including a no-reverse error and gears engaging in odd sequence.
  • Takata airbag recall repairs were reported as delayed for extended periods due to parts unavailability.
2011 Audi A5 complaints: complaints filed per month2Jul 2014Feb 2016Oct 2016Apr 2017Feb 2018Sep 2020Jul 2022
25 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2014 to Aug 2026; peak Apr 2015 (2).

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)0255075100’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2009Good2911120
2010Avoid8234023
2011Avoid7625024.5
2012Caution5922024.5
2013Avoid8835324

All Audi A5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Audi A5 reliable?
The 2011 A5 has a complaint index of 76, the 5th worst of 18 model years for this model, and carries an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the 2011 Audi A5?
Airbags are the top problem area, making up 56% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 52,000 miles.
Does the 2011 Audi A5 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls specifically logged for the 2011 A5 in this data, though owner complaints reference delays getting a Takata airbag recall repair completed.
Which Audi A5 years should I avoid?
Based on complaint index, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2018, and 2020 all carry Avoid verdicts, while 2015, 2016, and 2022 rank as Best years.
How does the 2011 A5 compare to the 2012 A5?
The 2011 A5 has a complaint index of 76 and an Avoid verdict, while the 2012 A5 has a lower index of 59 and a Caution verdict.

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.