2012 Audi A5 Problems
- Complaints
- 22filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles, 7 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 25 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl AWD · 21 city / 31 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Audi A5 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2012 Audi A5. The part named most often is air bags, with 11 complaints (50% of the total), followed by engine (7) and electrical system (2). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 29% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 75,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 1,064 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 52 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags11 50%
- Engine7 32%
- Electrical system2 9.1%
- Fuel system2 9.1%
- Other or unknown2 9.1%
- Engine cooling1 4.5%
Example complaints
Air bags: “Takata recall I got a letter in april 2016 from Audi about the recall. There has been no further communication from Audi. I have since called Audi USA and my dealership numerous times and my questions go unanswered.what is my recourse ? The car sits in my driveway because I'm not comfortable driving it and trading in in will loose between $3,000 & $8,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10903561, filed 2016-09, 38,000 milesEngine: “My 2012 Audi A5 has 155,000 miles on it and it has had every oil change and maintenance up to date , my turbos and pistons have caused complete engine failure with 0 compression in my only car . Both have recalls on them for my year and model and even tho I got a letter in the mail about being part of a settlement for my turbos causing engine failure I feel as tho my car shouldn't be broke it should of already been fixed”
NHTSA complaint #11697820, filed 2025-11Electrical system: “This vehicle had a recall, and a new engine was put into it and ever since the new engine was put in, the vehicle has had numerous problems and electrical failures. Now the new engine, with less than 50k is burning oil and no one can tell me why. This is by far the worst vehicle I have ever owned. The minute the car was purchased off of the lease, I feel like the car has just fallen apart.”
NHTSA complaint #11375202, filed 2020-11Fuel system: “Owner of 2012 Audi A5 and 2015 Audi a4. January 2019 received safety recall letter regarding recall on-electric (after-run) coolant pump certain 2012-2017 model Audi vehicles. As 2nd owners of both vehicles do not have any documentation of brand new cars. Letter received was for a-4 Audi, however a-5 did have same coolant pump damage on vehicle while driving. Recall letter VIN # being for a-4. Tried inquiring about recall for a-5 since recall on others Audi's did involve same type of engine problem having to do with coolant pump. …”
NHTSA complaint #11190648, filed 2019-03, 112,513 milesMileage when problems were reported
29% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 68,138 and 106,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2012 Audi A5 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A5 quattro AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 21 | 31 | 25 | $3,300 |
| A5 quattro AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 21 | 29 | 24 | $3,400 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2012 Audi A5 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1,064 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11038130Sep 25, 2026Other or unknown. 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.
- 11038027Sep 25, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
- 11038042Sep 22, 2026Steering. This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
- 11038025Sep 15, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.
- 11036917Aug 26, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor.
- 11036911Aug 21, 2026Brakes. This bulletin provides information for all models regarding brake sounds.
- 11036909Aug 21, 2026Brakes. This bulletin provides information on the zirconium insercts in the brake piston (ceramic brakes only).
- 11036934Aug 11, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information when there is a paint issue on alloy wheels.
- 11036921Aug 11, 2026Brakes. This bulletin provides information about the general approach for brake vibration concerns.
- 11036915Aug 11, 2026Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). This bulletin provides information on the GFF test plan required for AC compressor replacements regardless of the concern.
Other model years of the Audi A5
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | 881 | 2 | — | 26 | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 8 | 19,748 | 0 | 5 | 27 | — | Too new |
| 2023 | 8 | — | 0 | — | 27 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 7 | — | 2 | — | 27 | — | Not enough data |
| 2021 | 8 | 30,148 | 5 | 5 | 27 | — | Not enough data |
| 2020 | 60 | 67,000 | 4 | 5 | 27 | 78 · More | Rising |
| 2019 | 12 | 15,000 | 3 | 5 | 27 | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 38 | 7,000 | 6 | 5 | 27 | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2016 | 7 | 35,000 | 3 | — | 26 | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 8 | 25,000 | 3 | — | 26 | — | Not enough data |
| 2014 | 28 | 60,000 | 3 | — | 26 | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2013 | 35 | 50,250 | 3 | — | 24 | 64 · Typical | Stable |
| 2012 | 22 | 75,000 | 0 | — | 25 | — | Falling |
| 2011 | 25 | 66,574 | 0 | — | 25 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2010 | 34 | 64,224 | 0 | — | 23 | 29 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 11 | 45,000 | 1 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 5 | 46,300 | 1 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
All Audi A5 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Audi A5 have?
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2012 Audi A5 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2012 Audi A5 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 11 complaints (50% of the total), followed by engine with 7.
Has the 2012 Audi A5 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Audi A5 get?
The EPA rates the 2012 Audi A5 (A5 quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 21 city and 31 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Audi A5 reported?
Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 75,000 miles and the middle half falls between 68,138 and 106,000 miles; 29% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.