2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (13) · Engine (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 (1,103)
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.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2083409_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2052680_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
Steering 2026-09-22 · TSB_2074846_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · TSB_2030471_9 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-26 · TSB_2074436_3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor.
Service Brakes 2026-08-21 · TSB_2069904_3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information for all models regarding brake sounds.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,103 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-03-08 · Air Bags“takata recall my audi dealer [audi of huntington ny] has been telling me for the past few years that they do not have the replacement airbag. i have spoken to them and it is always "on order, we will call you". then i receive a post card from audi of huntington to call for the recall service....and same story. as i said, this is the past few year…”
2018-06-19 · Engine · 106,000 mi“my car has had the add oil light on many times to which i have taken it to the dealer. first time they told me it was a water pump failure. i replaced and paid for the water pump. second time a year later i returned to hear that the water pump failed again only this time it was the cam bearing ladder that failed which in turn caused the water pump …”
2018-04-09 · Air Bags“my vehicle is impacted by the takata airbag safety issue. i recently received a follow up letter from audi indicating that i should "schedule this recall repair immediately, even if an interim repair was recently done." upon calling the local audi dealers they all indicate that the manufacturer (audi) has not yet shipped the necessary parts to effe…”
2018-03-12 · Air Bags“tl* the contact owns a 2012 audi a5 cabrolet. the contact stated that nhtsa campaign number: 18v082000 (air bags) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. the dealer (audi albuquerue, 8900 pan american fwy ne, albuquerque, nm 87113) stated that the parts were not available for repair. the manufacturer confirmed that the parts were not avail…”
2017-07-07 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2012 audi a5 cabriolet. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v078000 (air bags). 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 spoke to mohegan lake audi (1791 e main st, moheg…”
2017-03-10 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2012 audi a5 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 manufacturer was not notified of the issue. the c…”
2017-03-10 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2012 audi a5 cabriolet. the contact received a recall notice for the air bags and wanted to know the dealer's location. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. the nhtsa campaign number was not provide…”
2017-02-03 · Air Bags · 20,000 mi“takata recall. after more than 1 year, audi has failed to replace this drivers side airbag, either with new takata , or by sourcing through one of its other suppliers. they have also failed to voluntarily take the car out of service. what is the status of replacement schedule.…”
2017-01-27 · Air Bags“:takata recall" my complaint is that it will be one year since i received a recall notice to have my airbag deflator replaced,and it is still not completed. i have called my dealer, emailed audi direct and all they say they are waiting on the parts. my vehicle is in florida now (purchased in mi) being a smaller vehicle and in the hot climate i fe…”
2017-01-20 · Air Bags“takata recall. the car is now 5 years old, yet the dealership says the parts still are not available. this is a pretty much ridiculous situation, considering we are talking about a major safety issue.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.