2011 Audi A5 problems

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The Audi A5 is a series of compact executive coupé cars produced by the German automobile manufacturer Audi since June 2007. The A5 range additionally comprises the coupe, cabriolet, and "Sportback" (a five-door liftback with a fastback roofline) version of the Audi A4 saloon and estate models.

Under Audi's internal platform numbering convention, the A5 is a member of the B-platform series of vehicles, sharing its platform designation with the A4 saloon and Avant. The first generation A5 (Type 8T) is therefore a member of the B8 family, whilst the second generation model (Type 8W6) is based on the B9. Both are derived from the Volkswagen MLB (Modular Longitudinal Matrix) architecture.

First generation (2007)

Initial release

When presented at the March 2007 Geneva Motor Show, the A5 marked Audi's return to the compact executive coupé market since the (B3/B4) Audi 80 based coupé model ended production in 1996. On May 10, 2006, Audi confirmed that the A5 would go into production. The B6/B7 A4 spawned a convertible variant but not a coupé. For the fourth-generation A4 (B8), Audi decided to spin off the cabriolet, along with a new coupé and 4-door fastback sedan, into a nameplate of its own as the A5.

The A5 was the first of the B8 family of vehicles to be released (the others being the A4 and the Q5 crossover SUV), all based on the Audi MLP platform (Modular Longitudinal Platform) which underpin the next generation A6 and A8.

The A5 is the third coupé in Audi's line up, following the second generation TT and the R8. The A5 adopted design elements of the Nuvolari quattro concept car. The A5 debuted with the 3.2 litre FSI V6 engine delivering 195 kW (265 PS; 261 hp).

2011 Audi A5

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Common 2011 Audi A5 problems

The Audi A5 2011 has been reported to have several common problems, primarily related to electrical glitches, fuel leaks, high oil consumption, and auxiliary heater element failure.

Electrical glitches and failures are the most common issues, with the car's entertainment control system freezing and refusing to work.

High oil consumption is another problem, with some owners reporting that 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engines suffer from high oil consumption. If the car is using too much oil, it's essential to have it inspected by an Audi dealer to determine if it is using more oil than it should be. If it fails, the cost of engine repairs could be more than the car is worth.

Fuel leaks have also been reported, with fuel found to leak from the fuel rails of some examples built between 18 February, 2014 and 2 September, 2016. It's essential to speak to a local Audi dealer to find out if the car is affected.

Some A5s made between 1 April, 2011 and 31 July, 2015 could have a problem with the auxiliary heater element of the air conditioning system failing. In extreme cases, this could lead to a fire. It's crucial to check with a local Audi dealer to determine if the car is affected by this.

Audi didn't do particularly well in the 2019 What Car? Reliability survey, and only managed a 20th place finish out of 31 manufacturers. It's essential to check the car's past and ensure the service history is complete before purchasing a used Audi A5.

In summary, the Audi A5 2011 has several common problems, primarily related to electrical glitches, fuel leaks, high oil consumption, and auxiliary heater element failure. It's essential to have the car inspected by an Audi dealer and ensure the service history is complete before purchasing a used Audi A5.

2011 Audi A5 engine

What is the common issue with Audi A5?

Carbon build-up issues have been reported in Audi A5 vehicles. Excessive carbon build-up can result in engine misfires, leading to poor performance and decreased fuel efficiency. It's worth noting that this problem can impact all Audi A5 models.

Is Audi A5 2011 expensive to maintain?

The Audi A5 Quattro Reliability Rating is 3.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 23rd out of 31 for luxury midsize cars. The average annual repair cost is $887 which means it has higher than average ownership costs.

Are Audi A5 expensive to fix?

The annual maintenance cost of an Audi A5 is $798. Repair and maintenance costs vary depending on age, mileage, location and shop.

What year Audi A5 is most reliable?

As per CarComplaints, the 2014 A5 has only received 29 complaints, and three recalls – making it the most reliable Audi A5 year. On the other hand, Consumer Reports also scored this luxury compact car with a perfect 5.0 out of 5.0 in reliability and 4.0 out of 5.0 in owner satisfaction.

Is Audi A5 2011 expensive to maintain?

The Audi A5 Quattro Reliability Rating is 3.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 23rd out of 31 for luxury midsize cars. The average annual repair cost is $887 which means it has higher than average ownership costs.

Is Audi A5 a reliable car?

Quality and Reliability 72.0/100

The 2023 Audi A5 has a predicted reliability score of 72 out of 100.

Does the 2011 Audi A5 have a timing belt or chain?

timing chain

In any case, the petrol engine fitted to this series of A5 Audis used a timing chain, so it should never need replacing as it's designed to last the life of the engine itself.

Which Audi A5 engine is best?

However, earlier models are available too - there's a 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel as well as the 2.0 TDI 'ultra' which was focused on fuel economy. The best all-rounder is the 40 TFSI petrol version, which has plenty of power for overtaking and sporty driving but is still reasonably economical.

2011 Audi A5 complaints

The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2011 Audi A5.

You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.

Negative 2011 Audi A5 car reviews

  1. Jessie Hettinger 2024-10-17

    The car has unfortunately been in the shop a dozen times over the past 12 months, including this most recent visit which lasted 10 days. Despite these setbacks, the car is a beauty with a great design and a full trunk. While it drives well, there have been some issues with the shifting at slow speeds which can be a safety concern. Although Audi claims there is no issue, the Bluetooth and iPod hook up can be unreliable. While I appreciate the car, I have decided not to purchase another Audi due to the build quality and my negative experience with Audi corporate. However, I must say that my service advisor is a good guy and we always share a laugh whenever I call.

  2. David Leffler 2024-06-21

    I regret my purchase of the Audi due to poor design, quality, and driving experience. The car's only redeeming quality is its stylish appearance. The turbo lag and engagement make driving in stop-and-go traffic miserable, and the brakes lack the confidence of a BMW. The interior feels cheap and is overloaded with plastic. The iPod cable is inconveniently located in the passenger glove box and the sound system's bass rattles every plastic piece. Wind noise is high on the freeway and the seats are uncomfortable. As someone who has owned BMW, Lexus, Jaguar, and Cadillac, I can confidently say that this will be my last Audi. After 8 months of ownership, I was fortunate enough to trade it in for a Cadillac Escalade, which I am much happier with. Although the Audi has a sharp exterior, it is an overall awful car.

  3. Hector Schuster 2024-06-03

    Looks great! It's definitely fun to drive when at speed. However, I did notice that it can be a bit slow to take off from a stop. There seems to be virtually no response to the accelerator, and sometimes it even shutters. Personally, I felt safer merging into tight traffic in my 2002 turbo diesel beetle. Additionally, I found that the doors are quite heavy, and when you throw them open to exit, they always seem to close on you. The dealer mentioned that the acceleration is normal for the cvt transmission. Overall, it's a great car, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

  4. Johnnie Klocko 2024-05-21

    I purchased my Audi brand new in 2011 and owned it for nearly 4 years. Unfortunately, my car burned oil due to bad parts used by Audi, which resulted in a class action lawsuit. Dealing with warranty issues was always a bit of a hassle. Additionally, the programming could be a bit annoying at times. For example, if you set your lights to auto and open the door to grab the mail with the engine on, you will hear a warning tone. The radio presets also had to be selected every time instead of staying in memory. It was also frustrating that only Audi could turn off the service light, not independent garages. Lastly, the passenger seatbelt warning tone would sound every 60 seconds, which was unnecessary. I eventually traded in my Audi for a BMW and I am very happy with my decision.

  5. Andy Abbott 2024-02-17

    The timing chain issue in my car is a well-known problem that even led to a class action suit against VW. Despite the fact that my car unfortunately experienced this problem just after the 100K limit, I am confident in my decision not to repair it. The car was great before the issue, with a stylish design and impressive power for a 4 cyl turbo. However, I believe that no car, especially a luxury one, should just die like that. I am confident in my decision not to invest in a costly repair that may not even guarantee a long-term solution.

Positive 2011 Audi A5 car reviews

  1. Jensen Legros 2024-11-17

    This is my third Audi. I've been through 3 Lexus and 3 MB before I jumped into Audi. I must say up front I loved my 2007 A4 and thought with the kids out of the house it was time to drive a coup. I never had a single issue with my A4 Cabrio ( that I still own ) or my A4 sedan. The A5 has a bit of a different story. Right off the bat 3 defective tires. I kid you not and it took 4 days for Audi to approve their replacement. Besides this little hi-cup the car is a beauty. Feels great , great MPG and enough pep to run with the rest. Sporty steering wheel but if they tell you you can fit someone in the back seat forget it. I'll love the car for the 3 years until the lease is up. Then back to A4.

  2. Florencio Parker 2024-09-05

    I am extremely satisfied with Audi's performance and look. I have visited the dealer a few times after my purchase and have found them to be as courteous and friendly as they were on the day of purchase.

  3. Archibald Tromp 2024-08-20

    I've driven this car over 900 miles in three days, and it's been fantastic! I've received so many compliments on it and I really enjoy driving it. While the gears are close together, the system recommends that the car be in sixth gear at 50 mph. Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of compartment storage in the front for miscellaneous items. I ordered the light gray interior from the factory, but it looks more beige than gray. In hindsight, I should have gone with black.

  4. Jasmin Adams 2024-05-06

    The overall design and appearance of the vehicle is great! This vehicle is definitely easy on the eye... The braking going downhill is a little shaking but on the flag service it's great. To have a 2 engine the accelerating is unexpected, unexpectedly great. Also the food fuel economy is an added bonus. I haven't had the vehicle long enough to determine cost of Maintenance etc etc but for peace of mind I purchased an extended warranty

  5. Terrell Corwin 2024-04-01

    Color heated seats 4 cylinder all wheel drive

Leave your review of 2011 Audi A5

Additional sources

More sources of information about 2011 Audi A5 problems:

Audi A5 2.0 TFSI engine - what problems to expect past 80,000km ...
Audi A5 2.0 TFSI engine - what problems to expect past 80,000km ...
https://www.a5oc.com/threads/audi-a5-2-0-tfsi-engine-what-problems-to-expect-past-80-000km.166646/

May 28, 2018 ... I've had my car (A5 2.0) since beginning of 2010. So I have that model number CAEB engine that has all those problems like oil consumption, ...

10 of the most common problems with the Audi A5 - BreakerLink Blog
10 of the most common problems with the Audi A5 - BreakerLink Blog
https://www.breakerlink.com/blog/buying-selling/10-of-the-most-common-problems-with-the-audi-a5/

Jul 13, 2023 ... So what are the most common faults with the A5? · 1. Infotainment system issues · 2. Multitronic gearbox problems · 3. Airbags · 4. Timing chain ...

2010 A5 2.0T common issues/problems? - Forum
2010 A5 2.0T common issues/problems? - Forum
https://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/805299-2010-A5-2-0T...

Mar 20, 2018 ... It's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Audizine Family today! If you're new to forums in general, be sure to check out the Forum ...

2012 Audi A5 Common Issues : r/whatcarshouldIbuy
2012 Audi A5 Common Issues : r/whatcarshouldIbuy
https://www.reddit.com/r/whatcarshouldIbuy/comments/j8jv3s/2012_audi_a5_common_issues/

Oct 10, 2020 ... 2012 Audi A5 Common Issues · the timing chain/guides, else it can blow the engine · the rear man gasket, of not, make sure you add a new PVC valve.

2011 Audi A5 Problems | Kelley Blue Book
2011 Audi A5 Problems | Kelley Blue Book
https://www.kbb.com/audi/a5/2011/common-problems/

How reliable is the 2011 Audi A5? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.

Other years of Audi A5

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A5 2012
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A5 2013
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A5 2014
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A5 2015
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A5 2016
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A5 2018
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2011 Audi A5 photo