2012 Audi S5 problems
The Audi S5 is one of two high-performance variants of Audi's A5. It is also the coupé, cabriolet, and five-door fastback sedan versions of the fourth-generation (B8) Audi S4 saloon and estate models.
Like all Audi "S" cars, they are only available with Audi's quattro four-wheel drive (4WD) system, here in S5 using a Torsen-based centre diff system.
Most versions of the S5 are manufactured at Audi's plant in Ingolstadt, Germany; they are available as a coupé, cabriolet, and five-door sportback, which was previously not available in North America until the 2018 model year, which was released in the United States in mid 2017. The cabriolets are built at Audi's factory in Neckarsulm, Germany.
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Common 2012 Audi S5 problems
The Audi S5, produced between 2007 and 2017, is a popular luxury sports car known for its performance and style. However, like any vehicle, it has its share of common problems. This article will focus on the 2012 Audi S5 and its most commonly reported issues based on owner complaints.
- Control Arm Bushings: The control arm bushings in the 2012 Audi S5 are known to wear out prematurely, leading to a rough ride and poor handling. This problem is often caused by the bushing's material, which can deteriorate over time due to exposure to road salt, water, and other environmental factors. Replacing the bushings can be a costly repair, but it is necessary to maintain the vehicle's performance and safety .
- Sunroof Leaks: Some 2012 Audi S5 owners have reported water leaks from the sunroof, which can damage the car's interior and electronics. The issue is typically caused by a faulty sunroof drainage system, where debris or corrosion can clog the drains, causing water to accumulate and leak into the car. Regular maintenance and cleaning of the sunroof drains can help prevent this issue, but if it persists, a professional repair may be necessary .
- Carbon Buildup: The 2012 Audi S5, like other direct-injection engines, is prone to carbon buildup on the intake valves. This buildup can negatively impact the engine's performance and fuel efficiency. Regular use of fuel additives or professional cleaning can help reduce carbon buildup, but severe cases may require engine disassembly and manual cleaning, which can be expensive .
- High Pressure Fuel Pump: The high-pressure fuel pump in the 2012 Audi S5 can fail prematurely, leading to poor engine performance, reduced fuel efficiency, and even stalling. This issue is often caused by the pump's internal components wearing out or failing due to the high pressure and heat generated during operation. Replacing the fuel pump is a complex and costly repair, but it is necessary to maintain the vehicle's performance and safety .
- Injector Issues: The fuel injectors in the 2012 Audi S5 can become clogged or fail, leading to poor engine performance, reduced fuel efficiency, and even stalling. This issue is often caused by the injectors' small nozzles becoming clogged with debris or contaminants in the fuel. Regular fuel filter changes and the use of high-quality fuel can help prevent this issue, but if it persists, professional cleaning or replacement of the injectors may be necessary .
- Timing Chain Guides: The timing chain guides in the 2012 Audi S5 can wear out prematurely, leading to a rattling noise from the engine and potential engine damage. This issue is often caused by the guides' material, which can deteriorate over time due to exposure to high temperatures and stress. Replacing the timing chain guides is a complex and costly repair, but it is necessary to maintain the vehicle's performance and safety .
In conclusion, the 2012 Audi S5, like any vehicle, has its share of common problems. These issues range from premature wear of suspension components to engine performance problems. Regular maintenance and the use of high-quality parts and fluids can help prevent these issues, but if they persist, professional repair may be necessary.
Is an Audi S5 expensive to maintain?
An Audi S5 will cost about $9,094 for maintenance and repairs during its first 10 years of service. This beats the industry average for luxury hatchback models by $2,261. There is also a 25.29% chance that a S5 will require a major repair during that time. This is 14.27% better than similar vehicles in this segment.
Is the Audi S5 a reliable car?
Audi S5 owners report bringing their vehicle in for sudden fixes 1.2 times a year, double the . 6 average for other luxury mid-size vehicles. If there is a need to bring the car in, there is a 17% chance the trouble will be severe, much higher than the 12% average of other luxury vehicles.
Is Audi S5 worth the money?
Upgrading to the S5 costs almost $10,000 over the base A5 but if you're like us you'll find the extra performance well worth it. The S5's personality is a little tamer than some of its direct competition, though, which include the Caddy CT4-V Blackwing and the Mercedes-AMG C43.
Is a 2011 Audi S5 V8 reliable?
The car has been extremely reliable. I have been tempted to sell this car just because of its age but I can't bring myself to do it. I love both the interior and exterior quality and look, especially the exterior. It is quick but not blindingly fast.
Is the Audi S5 a reliable car?
Audi S5 owners report bringing their vehicle in for sudden fixes 1.2 times a year, double the . 6 average for other luxury mid-size vehicles. If there is a need to bring the car in, there is a 17% chance the trouble will be severe, much higher than the 12% average of other luxury vehicles.
Is Audi S5 high maintenance?
An Audi S5 will cost about $9,094 for maintenance and repairs during its first 10 years of service. This beats the industry average for luxury hatchback models by $2,261. There is also a 25.29% chance that a S5 will require a major repair during that time.
Is a 2011 Audi S5 V8 reliable?
The car has been extremely reliable. I have been tempted to sell this car just because of its age but I can't bring myself to do it. I love both the interior and exterior quality and look, especially the exterior. It is quick but not blindingly fast.
Is the 2012 Audi S5 fast?
How fast is the 2012 Audi S5? The 2012 S5 boasts 333 horsepower and a 0-60 time of 5.1 seconds.
2012 Audi S5 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Audi S5 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Air bags problems
- Electrical system problems
- Power train problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2012 Audi S5 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2012 Audi S5 complaints
The NHTSA has received 10 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2012 Audi S5.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-05-23
- VIN: waucgafh3cn
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: I am affected by recall 69R6 for this vehicle. I moved to Germany in 2012 and took my car with me. Audi in Germany refused to honor the recall claiming that it is not applicable to Germany due to different "climate conditions". What can I do (other than shipping the car back to the US) ? Thanks
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-01-01
- VIN: WAUVVAFR3CA
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: THE CAR'S BACKUP CAMERA FEED HAS A LOT OF ISSUES FOR MANY OWNERS, MYSELF INCLUDED. THERE IS A PROBABLY 10% CHANCE OF THE BACKUP CAMERA NOT TURNING ON WHEN I FIRST START THE CAR EACH TIME. LOTS OF OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES ON THE A5/S5/RS5 PLATFORM FROM SIMILAR YEARS. IF YOU GOOGLE THE FOLLOWING: "SITE:A5OC.COM BACKUP CAMERA" YOU CAN SEE LOTS OF THREADS FROM A FORUM DEDICATED TO THE ABOVE MODELS. THE FAILING BACKUP CAMERAS ARE DANGEROUS SINCE THEY INTERMITTENTLY FAIL. SOMETIMES I CATCH MYSELF STARTING TO REVERSE ASSUMING THE BACKUP CAMERA WILL COME ON BUT IT NEVER DOES. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A WHILE NOW. I WILL PUT AN ESTIMATE FOR WHEN IT FIRST APPEARED.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-06-01
- VIN: WAUVGAFH8CN
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I GET THE GEARBOX MALFUNCTION AND TPMS LIGHT FLASHING AND THE CAR JERKS AND STUTTERS ESPECIALLY FROM START AND COMING TO A STOP. WHEN STOPPING, IT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE HIT YOU FROM BEHIND. RAN THE CODES AND IT IS A MECHATRONIC MALFUNCTION/FAILURE. *TR
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-02-01
- VIN: WAUCGAFH3CN
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: FT. COLLINS DEALER SAYS REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS NOT AVAILABLE
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-07-09
- VIN: WAUDH48H19K
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TAKATA RECALL.SAFETY RECALL 69N2. I CONTINUE TO GET DEFECT NOTICES FROM AUDI BUT NO ONE AT AUDI HAS ANY IDEA WHEN THE REPLACEMENT OR REPAIR PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. WHEN AND WHERE WILL THE REPAIR PARTS BE AVAILABLE IS MY QUESTION?
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-03-01
- VIN: WAUVGAFH8CN
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI S5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (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 MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-02-09
- VIN: WAUVGAFH4CN
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 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 MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-02-09
- VIN: WAUVGAFH4CN
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TAKATA RECALL. DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG INFLATOR COULD POTENTIALLY RUPTURE. REPEATED CALL AND INQUIRIES TO AUDI DEALER ABOUT REMEDY WITH NO TIMETABLE PROVIDED. I WAS TOLD THAT NO AIRBAGS HAVE THUSFAR BEEN REPAIRED OR REPLACED WITH NO ESTIMATE OF WHEN PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. IT HAS BEEN ALMOST ONE YEAR SINCE RECALL. UNACCEPTABLE.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-04-01
- VIN: WAUVGAFH5CN
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TIKATA AIRBAG RECALL AUDI SENT A RECALL LETTER SEVERAL MONTHS AGO (04/2016) BUT STILL HAS NOT DEVELOPED A SOLUTION FOR THE AIRBAG ISSUE. IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE OUR CAR? AUDI SAYS IT IS SAFE BUT BASED ON THE NHTSA RECALL IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE OUR CAR.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-02-09
- VIN: WAUCGAFH5CN
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI S5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
2012 Audi S5 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2012 Audi S5.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
- Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Audi S4, S5, Q7, 2012 Audi A6, Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles. In the affected vehicles the fuel injection system may experience a fuel leak.
- Consequence: A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails and corresponding seals, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 24AP for Audi customers and 24BK for Volkswagen customers.
Positive 2012 Audi S5 car reviews
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2012 Audi S5 problems:
Thinking of buying a 2012 Audi S5 Used. Need advice
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Keenan Leuschke 2024-10-18
Beautiful car inside and out and what a joy to drive. Handles so confidently and smoothly. I also looked at BMW 335iX coupe (no camera and too harsh style), Mercedes E coupe (no 4-wheel option). The extra power over the A5 changes the car considerably. You can't go wrong if you pick this car.
Ramiro Kessler 2024-09-07
I recently purchased this car and I absolutely love it. Everything about it is what you would expect and more from a premium performance coupe. One of the major factors that led me to choose this car was the sound of the engine starting; I knew at that moment that I had to have it. It is understated yet over-performing, and people can't help but admire it. Another great feature is that you don't see many of them on the road, with only 3600 sold in the entire country last year. If you are considering getting one, there is no reason to hold back!
Harvey Collier 2024-08-27
I bought my new S5 Quatro Coupe about a month ago after test driving the BMW5 and Mercedes E class. As soon as I left the dealership, I knew this was the car for me. It's hard to put into words just how much I enjoy driving and looking at this car. The handling is tight and responsive, especially in the corners. When I switch to sport mode, the acceleration is so powerful that it throws me back in my seat. The exterior has an aggressive look that makes it seem like it's always in motion, even when it's standing still. The interior is a beautiful combination of colors and textures that make me never want to leave. I'm always smiling when I'm behind the wheel, and my wife jokes that I'm having an affair - but at least it's with a car!
Dewitt Stehr 2024-08-25
Considered M3 - but this S5 is an overall awesome car. Great looks, ride, handling. Love it.
Jayde Ruecker 2024-08-16
I recently purchased my S5 in November and it has been an amazing experience so far! The engine produces an incredible roar and the car is just begging to be driven fast. I have to be careful to keep an eye on the speedometer, as it's easy to find yourself going over 100 without even realizing it. The handling is beautiful and the drive is truly enjoyable. The only downside is the sunroof, which can be a bit finicky at times. Overall, I highly recommend this car to anyone looking for a thrilling driving experience. Don't hesitate to get one!