2012 Audi S5 Problems
- Complaints
- 10filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 4.2L 8-cyl AWD · 16 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Audi S5 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 2012 Audi S5. The part named most often is air bags, with 8 complaints (80% of the total), followed by electrical system (1) and transmission and drivetrain (1). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 70,000 miles. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 733 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 149 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 bags8 80%
- Electrical system1 10%
Example complaints
Air bags: “I am affected by recall 69R6 for this vehicle. I moved to Germany in 2012 and took my car with me. Audi in Germany refused to honor the recall claiming that it is not applicable to Germany due to different climate conditions . What can I do (other than shipping the car back to the US) ? Thanks”
NHTSA complaint #11466128, filed 2022-05Transmission and drivetrain: “I get the gearbox malfunction and TPMS light flashing and the car jerks and stutters especially from start and coming to a stop. When stopping, it feels like someone hit you from behind. Ran the codes and it is a mechatronic malfunction/failure.”
NHTSA complaint #11330486, filed 2020-06, 76,456 milesMileage when problems were reported
33% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 40,000 and 76,456 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2012 Audi S5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S5 AWD | 4.2L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,350 |
| S5 AWD | 4.2L 8-cyl | 6-speed manual | 14 | 22 | 17 | $4,850 |
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
- 15V019000Jan 20, 2015Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Fuel railCovers: Audi S5 2011–2012, S4 2011–2012, Q7 2011–2012 +3 more
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.
Recall details for the 2012 Audi S5 → · Check a 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. 733 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 S5
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 11 | 8,577 | 2 | — | 23 | — | Too new |
| 2020 | 25 | — | 4 | — | 23 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
| 2019 | 6 | 43,300 | 4 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 26 | 4,750 | 2 | — | 24 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
| 2014 | 6 | 47,080 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 16 | 79,000 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Falling |
| 2012 | 10 | 70,000 | 1 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 8 | 65,000 | 1 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 20 | 58,273 | 0 | — | 19 | — | Rising |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Audi S5 have?
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 2012 Audi S5 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2012 Audi S5 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 8 complaints (80% of the total), followed by electrical system with 1.
Has the 2012 Audi S5 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Audi S5 get?
The EPA rates the 2012 Audi S5 (S5, 4.2L 8-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Audi S5 reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 70,000 miles and the middle half falls between 40,000 and 76,456 miles; 33% 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.