2011 Audi S5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2011 Audi S5 has 8 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and a Complaint Index of 53, ranking 8th worst out of 16 model years with data. It carries a Caution verdict, driven mainly by Takata airbag recall delays rather than crashes or fires.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 53/100
- #8 of 16 S5 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 8
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2011 Audi S5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags4 (50%)
- Other3 (38%)
- Brakes1 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (13%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report waiting long periods for Takata airbag recall parts with no repair timetable given.
- Some drivers describe discomfort driving with a known-defective airbag while parts remained unavailable.
- One owner reported a faulty transmission (MSE unit) with hesitation and dropped gears, tied to a known design issue Audi later revised with an updated NSY transmission.
- Airbag recall notifications cited campaign number 16V078000, with owners stating the repair exceeded a reasonable wait time.
2011 Audi S5 recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V019000Jan 20, 2015Fuel System26,008 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel rail
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Audi S4, S5, Q7, 2012 Audi A6, Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles. In the affected vehicles the fuel injection system may experience a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails and corresponding seals, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 24AP for Audi customers and 24BK for Volkswagen customers.
2011 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.
2011 compared with other S5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Audi S5 reliable?
- NHTSA lists 8 complaints and 1 recall for the 2011 Audi S5, giving it a Complaint Index of 53 and a Caution verdict compared to other S5 model years.
- What is the main problem with the 2011 Audi S5?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 4 of 8 complaints (50%), mostly related to delayed Takata airbag recall repairs.
- Does the 2011 Audi S5 have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (campaign 15V019000) covers the fuel system, involving replacement of fuel rails and seals due to a fuel injection issue.
- How does the 2011 S5 compare to other years?
- The 2011 model ranks 8th worst out of 16 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 53, better than 2010 (73), 2018 (80), and 2020 (87), but worse than 2014 (33) and 2019 (47).
- Was anyone hurt in 2011 Audi S5 complaints?
- No. NHTSA records show 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths linked to 2011 Audi S5 complaints.