2012 Audi A5 Reliability Report
NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026
Ranks 6th of 16 A5 years we score.
- Owner complaints
- 46
- 28 are recall notices
- Per 10,000 cars
- 13.1
- 13,786 made for the U.S.
- Vs the average car
- 0.39×
- same age, 1× is average
- Serious outcomes
- 6
- crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
- Recalls
- 3
- NHTSA crash rating
- –
Should You Buy the 2012 Audi A5?
Yes. Our reliability score for the 2012 Audi A5 is 82 out of 100, which rates Excellent. Owners reported about a third as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 6th of the 16 A5 years we score.
The most reported problem is the cooling system, mostly a leak (4 of 46 complaints). Owners also complain about high oil consumption and piston rings or cylinders. 6 of the 46 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.
It has 3 recalls. Audi also offers eight warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the engine, transmission and airbags. For comparison, the 2011 scores 80 and the 2013 scores 73.
Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask an Audi dealer about warranty extension AWA-15-03 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.
Pros
- Excellent reliability score of 82
- About a third of the problems of the average car its age
- No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
- 8 Audi warranty extensions may cover repairs
Cons
- Cooling system: a leak4 complaints
- Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil3 complaints
- Piston rings: burning or using oil2 complaints
How the 2012 A5 Earned Its Score
Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score
| Item | Vs average | Points lost |
|---|---|---|
| Starting score | 100 | |
| Serious problems | 0.36× | −9 |
| Everyday problems | 0.45× | −4 |
| Problems in the last two years | Not counted | – |
| Recalls | 0.75× | −5 |
| Score | 82 |
Problems in the last two years are not counted for the 2012 A5. If it were exactly average, its 13,786 cars would draw about 2.7 complaints in two years at this age, too few to compare. Their 30% moves to serious and everyday problems, which count for 80% of this score instead of 50%.
What Owners Report
We read all 46 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Audi A5, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.
Cooling system: a leak
4 complaints (9%)
A leak, a failure that needed a new part and overheating. Median mileage when it started: about 109,000 miles.
Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
3 complaints (7%)
Burning or using oil.
Piston rings: burning or using oil
2 complaints (4%)
Burning or using oil and damage. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Turbocharger failure
2 complaints (4%)
A failure.
Reported Once (15)
Show the 15 problems reported once
- A/C: stopped working
- Dual-clutch transmission: harsh or delayed shifts
- Engine
- Engine air intake: a leak
- Engine failure
- Engine sensors or computer: hesitation
- Exterior lights failure
- Instrument cluster: wrong readings
- Convertible top rear window: parts breaking or coming apart
- Fire (cause not stated)
- Timing tensioner (belt or chain unclear): parts breaking or coming apart
- Oxygen sensor failure
- Rearview camera: works on and off
- Timing chain or camshaft failure
- Tire pressure monitoring: warning lights
How the 2012 Audi A5 Compares With Other Years
The other A5 years of the 1st generation, 2008 to 2017, and the years just before and after it.
| Year | Rating | Score | Vs average | Per 10k cars | Recalls | Most reported problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Good | 75 | 0.56× | 13.9 | 8 | Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking |
| 2017 | Not scored | – | – | 6.2 | 3 | – |
| 2016 | Excellent | 86 | 0.27× | 6.8 | 3 | Loss of power (cause not stated) |
| 2015 | Excellent | 88 | 0.21× | 7.6 | 3 | Brakes: vibration or shudder |
| 2014 | Good | 76 | 0.51× | 17.8 | 3 | Steering: sticking or stiffness |
| 2013 | Good | 73 | 0.70× | 24.4 | 3 | Steering: sticking or stiffness |
| 2012 This year | Excellent | 82 | 0.39× | 13.1 | 3 | Cooling system: a leak |
| 2011 | Excellent | 80 | 0.44× | 17.0 | 3 | Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil |
| 2010 | Good | 73 | 0.87× | 32.1 | 2 | Dual-clutch transmission: harsh or delayed shifts |
| 2009 | Excellent | 85 | 0.33× | 12.5 | 1 | Cooling system: a leak |
| 2008 | Good | 77 | 0.66× | 22.2 | 1 | Screen and audio: works on and off |
2012 Audi A5 Recalls
Three recalls cover the 2012 Audi A5. The most recent was issued in January 2018: “Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.
Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, January 2018
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.
NHTSA 18V082000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 30, 2018. By the third quarter of 2020, 75% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, February 2016
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.
NHTSA 16V078000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Feb 10, 2016. By the second quarter of 2018, 59% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Fuel Injection System Fuel Leak
A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
NHTSA 15V019000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 20, 2015. By the second quarter of 2016, 92% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
2012 Audi A5 Warranty Extensions and Programs
Audi has eight warranty extensions for the 2012 Audi A5, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the engine, transmission and airbags. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which an Audi dealer can check.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-15-03
Faulty fuel injector causing misfire
- The problem:
- A 2.0 TFSI fuel injector can be faulty. It causes a minor misfire and turns on the check engine light, and the car can fail an emissions test.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer diagnoses the fuel injectors and replaces any faulty injector for free.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain 2008 to 2012 Audis with the 2.0 TFSI engine, codes CAEB, CBFA or CCTA. An owner letter also lists CETA. Ask an Audi dealer whether a CETA car qualifies. Damage from a tuned engine computer is not covered.
- Coverage:
- 10 years or 120,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-13-07
Carbon buildup in engine secondary air ports
- The problem:
- Carbon can build up in the engine's secondary air ports. Fault codes then turn on the check engine light, and the car can fail an emissions test.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer diagnoses the problem and, if needed, cleans the carbon out of the secondary air ports for free.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain 2009 to 2012 Audis with the 3.2 engine and 2009 to 2013 Audis with the 3.0T engine. Other causes of the warning light and damage from tuned engine computers are not covered.
- Coverage:
- 10 years or 120,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-14-03
2.0 TFSI turbocharger fault with check engine light
- The problem:
- The turbocharger on the 2.0 TFSI engine can malfunction. Fault codes then turn on the check engine light, and the car can fail an emissions test.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer diagnoses the turbocharger and replaces it for free if it is faulty.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain 2009 to 2012 Audis with the 2.0 TFSI engine, code CAEB. Other causes of the warning light and damage from tuned engine computers are not covered.
- Coverage:
- 7 years or 70,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-18-15
Timing chain or tensioner failure, 2.0 engine
- The problem:
- The timing chain or its tensioner on the 2.0 EA888 engine can fail. A failed timing chain can also damage the engine.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer repairs or replaces a failed timing chain or tensioner. Audi pays 25 to 100 percent of engine damage it caused, based on age and mileage.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain 2008 to 2013 Audis with the 2.0 EA888 engine in the class action settlement. The owner must show on-time oil changes during their ownership, within 10 percent, or sign a sworn statement if records are lost.
- Coverage:
- 10 years or 100,000 miles from the in-service date, whichever comes first.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-19-06
Engine water pump failure, 2.0 engine
- The problem:
- The main engine water pump on the 2.0 EA888 engine can fail. A failed water pump can also damage the engine.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer repairs or replaces a failed water pump. Audi pays 5 to 100 percent of engine damage it caused, based on age and mileage.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain 2008 to 2014 Audis with the 2.0 EA888 engine in the class action settlement. The owner needs records showing the right coolant was used and checked on schedule, within 10 percent, or a signed declaration. Totaled cars are excluded.
- Coverage:
- 10 years or 100,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-22-03
DSG transmission shudder, rough shifts and limp mode
- The problem:
- The DSG transmission can shudder, judder, shift roughly or go into limp mode when it should not.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer replaces the mechatronics unit or the whole transmission, as the dealer decides. Audi pays 20 to 85 percent of the cost, based on age and mileage.
- Who qualifies:
- Certain 2010 to 2012 S4 and S5 in the settlement class. The owner must show transmission oil services were done on schedule during their ownership, within 10 percent, or sign a sworn statement if records are lost.
- Coverage:
- 9 years or 90,000 miles from the in-service date, whichever comes first. Audi pays only a percentage. Ask an Audi dealer for the exact terms.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-22-04
Takata driver or passenger airbag inflator failure
- The problem:
- The driver or passenger Takata airbag inflator can fail from a defect. This extension is for cars in the Takata inflator recall.
- The fix:
- An Audi dealer diagnoses the inflators and replaces a failed inflator for free. Inoperable or totaled cars and salvage, rebuilt or flood titles are not covered.
- Who qualifies:
- Cars in the Takata recall. After the main term, coverage lasts 75,000 miles from the recall repair or a time limit, whichever is greater: November 10, 2023, or 2 years if repaired after November 10, 2021.
- Coverage:
- 10 years from the recall repair or 150,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first. Then a further period applies.
- Warranty extensionAudi AWA-24-01
High oil use or fractured pistons
- The problem:
- 2012 to 2014 A4, A5, A6, Q5 and TT can use too much oil. On 2015 to 2017 A3 and 2016 to 2017 TT, a piston can fracture.
- The fix:
- Audi pays 75 percent of an Audi dealer's repair. Engine damage caused by the problem is paid at 25 to 100 percent, based on age and mileage.
- Who qualifies:
- Cars in the settlement class. The owner must prove oil maintenance within 10 percent of schedule during their ownership, or sign a sworn statement if records are missing. Ask an Audi dealer for the exact terms.
- Coverage:
- 9 years or 90,000 miles from the in-service date, whichever comes first. Cars past 9 years on January 29, 2024 got until April 8, 2024.
Check Before You Buy
A checklist for the 2012 A5, from its three recalls, eight Audi warranty extensions that may still apply and the problems owners report most.
Confirm the Recalls Were Done
Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.
- Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, January 2018 NHTSA 18V082000
- Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, February 2016 NHTSA 16V078000
- Fuel Injection System Fuel Leak NHTSA 15V019000
Ask an Audi Dealer
Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.
- AWA-15-03: faulty fuel injector causing misfire
- AWA-13-07: carbon buildup in engine secondary air ports
- AWA-14-03: 2.0 TFSI turbocharger fault with check engine light
- AWA-18-15: timing chain or tensioner failure, 2.0 engine
- AWA-19-06: engine water pump failure, 2.0 engine
- AWA-22-03: DSG transmission shudder, rough shifts and limp mode
- AWA-22-04: takata driver or passenger airbag inflator failure
- AWA-24-01: high oil use or fractured pistons
On the Test Drive
- Check the coolant level and watch the temperature gauge on the test drive.
- Ask how often oil is added between changes, and watch for blue smoke at startup.
- Listen for whistling and watch for reduced-power warnings.
Ask the Seller
Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.
- Cooling system
- High oil consumption
- Piston rings or cylinders
- Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.
Before You Pay
- Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
- Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
- Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.
What to do next