Audi A5 Cabriolet Problems by Year

We compared every Audi A5 Cabriolet model year from 2010–2021 using 46 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 7 recalls and federal defect investigations. No A5 Cabriolet year stands out with an unusual number of complaints. The best years are 2017 and 2021.

5model years
46complaints
7recalls
—worst years
2017, 2021best years

Complaints by model year

201020112012201720211614142
Owner complaints per model year, Audi A5 Cabriolet. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20210−33%3—Few
20172−75%2EngineGood
201214typical2AirbagAverage
201114typical2AirbagAverage
201016typical2AirbagAverage

* Complaints compared with the median A5 Cabriolet year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Audi A5 Cabriolet problems

  • Air bagsworst: 2010
    4087%
  • Engine & coolingworst: 2017
    511%
  • Other / not specified
    24%

Latest Audi A5 Cabriolet recalls

Back over prevention › Display function

NHTSA recall 22V-742 · Oct 5, 2022 · 170,296 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5,…

Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Tires

NHTSA recall 22V-034 · Jan 26, 2022 · 31,058 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8,…

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022.

Seat belts › Rear/other › Retractor

NHTSA recall 21V-606 · Aug 5, 2021 · 45,496 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet,…

Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021.

Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system

NHTSA recall 18V-229 · Apr 11, 2018 · 342,867 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles.

Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 18V-082 · Jan 30, 2018 · 162,782 vehicles

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.

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.

All 7 Audi A5 Cabriolet recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Audi A5 Cabriolet should you avoid?

None of the Audi A5 Cabriolet years has an unusually high number of complaints compared with the others at the same age.

What is the best year for the Audi A5 Cabriolet?

2017 has the fewest complaints compared with other A5 Cabriolet years at the same age, followed by 2021. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Audi A5 Cabriolet problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (40) and engine & cooling (5). Airbag complaints peak in the 2010 model year.

How many recalls has the Audi A5 Cabriolet had?

7 recalls across 2010–2021. The model year with the most is 2021. See all Audi A5 Cabriolet recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.