RecallPlainVehicle recalls, explained in plain English

2011 Audi S5 Cabriolet recalls & complaints

2 recalls on file (2 high risk). Normal for this age of vehicle — just make sure they're done.
2recalls
2high risk
0stop-driving
13complaints

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

High risk Campaign 18V082000 · announced 30/01/2018 (6 years ago)

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

  1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2011 S5 CABRIOLET.
  2. Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V082000 (manufacturer code 69R6).
  3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
  4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-253-2834.
  5. 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.

High risk Campaign 16V078000 · announced 10/02/2016 (10 years ago)

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

  1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2011 S5 CABRIOLET.
  2. Book a repair at any authorized Audi dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V078000.
  3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
  4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-893-5298.
  5. 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.

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Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

13complaints
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most complained-about parts: Airbags (6), Transmission / drivetrain (4), Unknown Or Other (3), Electronic Stability Control (esc) (2), Engine (1).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.

Read recent complaints (8)

06/07/2019 · Transmission / drivetrain
I AM THE SOLE OWNER OF A 2011 AUDI S5 CABRIOLET. CHIEF COMPLAINTS: ENGINE PROBLEM,.WARNING LIGHT SHUT DOWN ENGINE,GEARBOX MALFUNCTION,TPMS MALFUNCTION,. TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY SLIPPING AND WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE,TAKATA AIRBAG NOT CHANGED BY KEYES AUDI COMPLAINT FOR LEMON LAW WITH AUDI CORP. CAR IS INOPERABLE REMAINS IN AUDI DEALERSHIP PENDING OUTC…

01/09/2019 · Transmission / drivetrain
OCCASIONAL LACK OF PROPULSION WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, LOSS OF GEAR WHILE MOVING SLOWLY (FROM A STOP). IN EITHER CASE, THE CAR MAY BE STUCK IN AN INTERSECTION OR OTHERWISE ACT UNPREDICTABLY TO OTHER TRAFFIC. REMEDY IS TO EITHER TAKE FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR TO RE-ENGAGE MULTIPLE TIMES, OR TURN CAR OFF AND BACK ON. TRANSMISSION SHOWS ERROR (MALF…

11/08/2018 · Transmission / drivetrain
MY WIFE AND I WENT ON A DRIVE, TO GET LUNCH, AFTER LEAVING LUNCH , WE HEADED HOME, I PULLED OUT ON TO THE HWY, AND THE AUDI,"CHECK ENGINE" "NO REVERSE" LIGHT LIT UP, AND THEN THE TPMS LIT UP, THE WARNING STATED I HAD LOST REVERSE, AND I COULD CONTINUE DRIVING. HOME WAS OVER 10 MILES AWAY, SO I CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME. I WAS TRYING TO MOVE IN TO THE TURN LA…

07/13/2018 · Airbags
TAKATA RECALL NOTICE WAS ISSUED BY AUDI OVER 24 MONTHS AGO. AUTHORIZED DEALERS CANNOT SOURCE PARTS TO COMPLETE REPAIR JEOPARDIZING SAFETY OF OUR DRIVERS. DEALERS ARE NOT ABLE TO SCHEDULE OR EVEN FORECAST WHEN PARTS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE. GIVEN THE LENGTH OF ELAPSED TIME AND POTENTIAL DANGER PRESENTED, THIS SITUATION IS UNACCEPTABLE.

01/03/2018 · Airbags
TAKATA RECALL - RECEIVED URGENT RECALL AUGUST 2017. MULTIPLE CALLS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AUDI USA HAVE NOT PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING 1) WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR MY URGENT RECALL NOTICE, AND 2) IS THE CAR SAFE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE? I UNDERSTAND THE SCALE OF THIS RECALL, HOWEVER ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO MAKE DECISIONS.

04/07/2017 · Airbags
THE AIRBAG IN MY CAR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT AUDI HAS OFFERED NO TIMETABLE AS TO WHEN THIS MAY BE POSSIBLE. NO SOLUTION IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. I FIND IT DISCONCERTING TO BE DRIVING A CAR THAT HAS AN AIRBAG THAT COULD CAUSE SIGNIFICANT INJURY. UPDATED 10/10/2017*JS

02/02/2017 · Airbags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI S5. 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 NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERI…

01/31/2017 · Unknown Or Other
WHILE INSPECTING MY 2011 S5 AFTER PURCHASE I NOTICED THAT THE REAR WINDOW WAS DETACHING FROM THE TOP. THE DEALER REPAIRED AS A WARRANTY REPAIR. A FEW YEARS LATER THE TOP OF THE CONVERTIBLE ROOF ON THE INSIDE STARTED TO SAG. I CAN'T PROVE THE DEALER WAS AT FAULT BUT THEY WERE THE LAST TO WORK ON THE CONVERTIBLE ROOF. THE REPAIR IS NOT WORTH THE REMAINING…

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