2010 Audi S5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2010 Audi S5 has a complaint index of 73, ranking 5th-worst among 16 model years, with 20 complaints and zero recalls filed. Transmission & Powertrain issues account for half of all complaints, giving it a Caution verdict relative to other S5 years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 73/100
- #5 of 16 S5 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 20
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2010 Audi S5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain10 (50%)
- Airbags7 (35%)
- Engine4 (20%)
- Brakes2 (10%)
- Fuel System2 (10%)
- Other1 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- The S-tronic dual-clutch transmission jerks or lunges forward unexpectedly when coming to a complete stop.
- Owners describe hard 2-to-1 downshifts that throw occupants forward, some near rear-end collisions.
- A defective mechatronics unit inside the transmission has needed replacement, with the problem sometimes returning after repair.
- The engine has overheated in cold weather due to a cracked water pump, disabling the car on more than one occasion.
- Owners with Takata airbag recall notices reported that replacement parts were unavailable for an extended period.
2010 Audi S5 recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2010 Audi S5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,200
- 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 S5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Audi S5 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints, the 2010 S5 has a complaint index of 73 and ranks 5th-worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict relative to other S5 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2010 Audi S5?
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints make up 50% of all reports for this year, mostly involving the S-tronic transmission's mechatronics unit and jerky shifting, with a median failure mileage of 58,136.5 miles.
- Does the 2010 Audi S5 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists zero recalls specifically tied to the 2010 model year in this data, though owners reported delays getting Takata airbag inflator recall parts under campaign 16V078000.
- How does the 2010 S5 compare to other years?
- The 2010 S5's complaint index of 73 is worse than 2014 (33, Good) and 2019 (47, Good) but better than 2018, 2020, and 2025, which all carry Avoid verdicts with higher indexes.