Most common 2012 Audi A5 problems
Share of the 22 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Audi A5 complaints by model year
Best A5 years: 2017, 2016, 2015. Years to avoid: 2020, 2010, 2013, 2018, 2014. Compare all years →
What 2012 Audi A5 owners say
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.
Takata recall. My dealer would not take my vehicle back even on trade because of the recall. They took 5000 off the value of my car because of this recall and although this same Audi deal did all of my maintenance they never told me about the recall.
Engine & cooling
While I was driving, my car started to slow down and eventually stopped in the middle of the road. There were no warning sensors or indicators on the car. II then started to see smoke coming from my hood and decided to turn off the car and get out to inspect. On the right front side, I saw a fire under the car. The fire department was called and they put out the fire. They suspected an electrical issue, however it has yet to be confirmed. I contacted the dealership and they said they do not handle repairs of that sort. Insurance sent out an estimator for the damage. The car will be sent to a mechanic to diagnose the issue.
The contact owns a 2012 Audi A5. The contact stated that the oil warning light illuminated while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where oil was added to the vehicle; however, after the third time the contact was informed by the dealer that it was a common issue with the Audi sport vehicles. A failure cause was not determined. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring for several years. The contact stated that he had an oil consumption test completed with the dealer who informed him that there was an issue with the pistons and O-rings. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be rebuilt. The dealer stated that they would send documentation to the manufacturer for approval to rebuild the engine. The contact stated that he had spoken with the manufacturer and was informed that the request was denied. The failure mileage was unknown.
2012 Audi A5 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | CVT | FWD | 22 / 30 / 25 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | AWD | 21 / 31 / 25 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 21 / 29 / 24 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Audi A5 a good car?
Based on 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 A5 rates use caution: 1.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the A5 at the same age. It is one of the A5 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Audi A5?
The air bags — 11 complaints, 50% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (8) and fuel & propulsion system (2).
How many recalls does the 2012 Audi A5 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2012 Audi A5. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Audi A5?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2016 and 2015. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2020, 2010, 2013, 2018 and 2014. See the full Audi A5 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2012 Audi A5 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 75,000 miles; 29% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.