This bulletin provides information regarding UV leak additive for finding oil leaks.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2010 Audi A5 engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2010 Audi A5 have filed 9 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 80,300 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
9
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 A5 | 3 |
| 2010 A5 (this page) | 9 |
| 2012 A5 | 6 |
| 2013 A5 | 13 |
| 2014 A5 | 10 |
When does it fail?
Of the 9 engine complaints filed for the 2010 Audi A5, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 6 model years of Audi A5 in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin provides informatin when the engine does not run smoothly at idling speeds.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information when the MIL is on; DTCs for misfire, air/fuel ratio imbalance, or lean fuel system stored in the ECM P030000.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides informatin when the engine does not run smoothly at idling speeds.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information when ther is an Engine: start/stop system fault shown and start/stop system not is working; mileage below 50 km/32 miles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
I bought the car used and within the first month of purchase and to start putting an additional 1qt of oil on every 1000 miles...now few mints later I have to do that more often on every 500miles... And recently I had to add cooling and now this has been an new issue... My mechanic told me this is a common issue for my car and he is surprised Audi hasn't done a recall on it. My car is under 90k…
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Audi a5. While driving 50 MPH, the check engine, epc, and engine oil warning indicators illuminated. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing chain failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,336.
The contact owns a 2010 Audi A5. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the failure could be related to the catalytic converter, but a diagnostic test was not performed. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced, but the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Audi a5. The contact stated that the vehicle was shaking violently upon starting and when driving over 40 MPH. The oil and electromagnetic parking sensor illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who diagnosed that the oil and oil filters needed to be replaced. The dealer also stated that the chassis needed to be lubed. The vehicle was…
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Audi a5. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing chain tensioner failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and informed the contact that there was no recall for the failure. The contact would have to…
Had engine trouble with your 2010 Audi A5?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2010 Audi A5?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 9 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 67,713 and 115,000 miles, with the median around 80,300. A quarter of owners report trouble before 67,713; a quarter make it past 115,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Audi/A5.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.