2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure:body (3) · Air Bags (2) · Visibility/Wiper (1)
Safety recalls (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2018-01-30 · campaign 18V082000 · 162,782 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2016-02-10 · campaign 16V078000 · 659,493 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Service bulletins (523)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2913-04-01 · 35 13 09 2028085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
speed s-tronic, leaks from transmission
Service Brakes 2026-08-21 · TSB_2069078_4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information on the zirconium insercts in the brake piston (ceramic brakes only).
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-11 · TSB_2079732_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when there is a paint issue on alloy wheels.
Service Brakes 2026-08-11 · TSB_2072304_4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when there is an abs/esc speed sensor implausible signal.
Structure:body 2026-07-09 · TSB_2073282_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when there is a film/visible rings on the clear glass cover of the headlight when the dipped beam is switched on.
Power Train 2026-06-22 · TSB_2041242_3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when, after replacing the mechatronic unit/gearbox, the engine only starts when the button has been pressed twice.
Showing the 6 most recent of 523 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-04-05 · Structure:body · 86,000 mi“the rear convertible window is separating completely from the roof and i am afraid it will fall out on the road or fly out and hit someone. the window is currently only attached by 2 corner. i have tried to address it with audi but have been told its not their problem…”
2019-02-23 · Power Train · 92,469 mi“veh has 92000 miles start getting megtronic error- ok to continue to drive. took to richmond dealer and they advised needed $8k replacement- dropped pan - no metal and fluid good- had replace fluid/ filter. drove no concerns then would not go after stop at light. took to volkswagen dealer said found no concerns- happens again80 miles later- audi sp…”
2019-01-29 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 61,000 mi“when starting the car, the engine would crank for several seconds and sometimes would not start at all until restarting the ignition sequence. while at a stop, the car would jump suddenly after a delay of pressing the gas pedal and the idle was very uneven. after turning the car off, the smell of gasoline would permeate around the vehicle for a l…”
2019-01-23 · Visibility/Wiper · 48,500 mi“the vehicle was purchased in january of 2018 with about close to 47,000 miles on the odometer. currently with only just over 50,000 miles the rear windshield is separating from the fabric roof which in turn has caused water infiltration from rainfall into the rear and front passenger side interior of the vehicle as well as the trunk, this occurs we…”
2018-09-17 · Structure:body · 48,000 mi“i bought the car of my dreams used in may 2016, with only 19,000 miles on it. carefully inspected the back window on the convertible top for any seperation or issues at the advice of a friend. after owning the car for 2 1/2 years, the back window is completely unglued in many areas. the whole window is separating from the top. this is a very common…”
2018-04-27 · Air Bags · 34,000 mi“takata recall have been informed by audi that airbag will likely not be available for a year or more. they have verbally advised me to continue to drive the car. however, their letters say it could cause death to drive the car. we are ranked at the highest risk according to audi as we live in sc in hot humid environment.…”
2018-03-31 · Structure:body · 80,000 mi“there has been catastrophic separation between the rear window and the convertible soft top roof. the window is leaking and is about to fall out of the frame. this appears to be due to poor quality of adhesive used. dealer will not cover this very common problem with audi cabriolets. no abuse of the vehicle occurred. the vehicle has never been i…”
2018-03-05 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2010 audi s5 cabriolet. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v078000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the contact called paul miller audi (179 us-46, parsi…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.