2012 Audi A5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
47/100
#9 most-complained of 16 A5 years
The 2012 Audi A5 has a complaint index of 47 and ranks 9th out of 16 model years, earning a 'Good' verdict relative to other A5 years. NHTSA lists 22 complaints, no recalls filed for this year specifically, and one fire report; airbags and engine issues top the list.
- Complaints
- 22
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24.5
- 21 city / 30 hwy
Top 2012 Audi A5 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags11 (50%)
- Engine8 (36%)
- Electrical System2 (9%)
- Fuel System2 (9%)
- Other2 (9%)
What owners report
- Owners report Takata airbag recall parts being unavailable for extended periods, leaving vehicles unrepaired.
- Some owners reported hesitation or stalling during acceleration, especially on inclines and from a stop, traced to a faulty mass air flow sensor.
- One owner described the vehicle slowing and stopping in traffic with smoke and fire emerging from under the hood near the front right side.
- Owners reported faulty water pumps triggering the check engine light without a clear fix from dealers.
- One owner reported ongoing electrical failures and oil burning after an engine replacement tied to a recall repair.
2012 Audi A5 recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2012 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.
2012 compared with other A5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Audi A5 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 22 complaints for the 2012 A5, with a complaint index of 47, ranking 9th out of 16 model years and a 'Good' verdict relative to other A5 years.
- What are the most common problems on the 2012 Audi A5?
- Airbags account for 50% of complaints (11 of 22), followed by engine issues at 36% (8 complaints), with electrical system and fuel system each at 9%.
- Does the 2012 Audi A5 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 0 recalls filed specifically under the 2012 model year in this dataset, though owner complaints reference the Takata airbag recall campaign.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Audi A5?
- EPA rates the 2012 A5 at 24.5 mpg combined (21 city / 30 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,250.
- How does the 2012 Audi A5 compare to other years?
- The 2012 model's complaint index of 47 is lower than 2013 (87, Avoid) and 2018 (93, Avoid), making it a comparatively better year, though not as strong as 2015 or 2016 (Best, indexes 13 and 7).