2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
What could happen: 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.
The 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 supers…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2010 S5 CABRIOLET.
- Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V082000 (manufacturer code 69R6).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-253-2834.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
What could happen: 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.
The 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…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2010 S5 CABRIOLET.
- Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V078000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-893-5298.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (11), Airbags (9), Engine (5), Fuel system (3), Body / structure (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
07/21/2025 · Fuel system
The contact owns a 2010 Audi S5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment, prompting the contact to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. Upon a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the aftermarket TRQ High-Pressure Fuel Pump (FPA-63379) exploded, covering the c…
04/05/2019 · Body / structure
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
02/23/2019 · Transmission / drivetrain
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 SPECIALIST…
01/29/2019 · Engine
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 LONG TIME,…
01/23/2019 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
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 WEATHER THE…
12/10/2018 · Airbags
CANNOT GET AUDI TO REPLACE AIRBAG. HAVE WAITED OVER A YEAR. CALLED DOZENS OF TIMES.
09/17/2018 · Body / structure
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 ISSUE WI…
05/31/2018 · Airbags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI S5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (AUDI FREMONT, 43191 BOSCELL RD, FREMONT, CA 94538) WAS CON…