This bulletin contains instructions for additional reporting requirements for safety related inquiries (airbag/seatbelts, accidents, fire and overheat damage). 2008-2021A3, 2015-2021A3 Cabrio, 2005-2016 A3 Sportback, 1999-2021 A4, 2010-2021 A4 allroad, 1999-2012 A4 Avant, 2003-2009 A4 Cabrio, 2010-2021 A5 Cabrio, 2008-2021 A5 Coupe, 2018-2021 A5 Sportback, 1999-2021A6, 1999-2011A6 Avant, 2008-2020 A7, 1999-2021 A8, 2008-2019 e-tron, 2019-2021 e-tron quattro, 2015-2021 Q3, 2009-2021 Q5, 2007-2021 Q7, 2019 Q8, 2008-2020 R8 Coupe, 2011-2020 R8 Spyder, 2017-2019 RS3, 2007-2008 RS4, 2008 RS4 Cabrio, 2010-2021 RS5, 2010-2020 RS5 Cabrio, 2016-2018 RS6, 2016-2018 RS7, 2004-2012 S4, 2004-2009 S4 Cabr
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Audi A5 airbags problems
moderate Owners of the 2012 Audi A5 have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 A5 | 14 |
| 2012 A5 (this page) | 11 |
When does it fail?
Of the 11 airbags complaints filed for the 2012 Audi A5, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 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 airbags 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.
Brake-related vibration and pulsation has several causes that depend on driving style and resulting brake disc temperature, as well as environmental conditions. Both the intensity of the wear of the brake system and the type of wear depend on the operating conditions of the vehicle. The wear of the brake discs is determined by the frequency and intensity of the brake operations. Dirt build-up, exposure to sand, long standing times, and road salt or similar, can also promote wear as well as cause scoring marks on the brake discs. The driving style of the driver also influences the wear of the brake system. An overly-aggressive driving style, which results in frequent sharp braking, can lead t
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 69 number 13-26 dated October 21, 2013. After the airbag control module (J234) has been replaced, the control unit cannot be coded via SVM spec/actual. An SVM code is required to code and parameterize the new service replacement airbag control module. Each model's SVM code is provided in a parts bulletin (GP bulletin), which should have been referenced through ETKA when the module was replaced. The control module cannot be coded until the SVM code has been executed. If the SVM code was not acquired through the GP bulletin in ETKA, follow the instructions in the Service section of this bulletin to update the control module.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 69 number 12-25 dated April 25, 2012. After the airbag control module (J234) has been replaced, the control unit cannot be coded via SVM spec/actual. An SVM code is required to code and parameterize the new service replacement airbag control module. Each model?s SVM code is provided in a parts bulletin (GP bulletin), which should have been referenced through ETKA when the module was replaced. The control module cannot be coded until the SVM code has been executed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗ABS warning light on - wire harness damage
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2012 Audi A5 models describe a prolonged, unresolved Takata airbag recall nightmare. The core issue is simple: Audi issued recall notifications (campaigns 16V078000 and 18V082000) starting in 2016, but replacement parts were unavailable at dealerships and the manufacturer could not provide a delivery date. Multiple owners scheduled appointments only to be turned away; one reported being called in repeatedly by Rockville Audi (Maryland) only to be told parts still weren't in stock.
Communication broke down across the board. Owners who called Audi USA and their dealerships got no answers. One dealership simply told the owner to read about the recall online instead of helping. Another owner received the initial recall letter in April 2016 and heard nothing after that.
The financial impact hit hard. Owners couldn't trade in or sell vehicles with unresolved recalls—one dealership knocked $5,000 off the trade-in value, while another owner estimated losing between $3,000 and $8,000. One person stopped driving the car altogether because of safety concerns over the unrepaired defect, while another was left holding an unrepairable vehicle that dealerships refused to accept.
Same Audi A5 airbags reports on nearby years: 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Takata Recall Parts Unavailability (Campaign 16V078000)
Owners received recall notifications for Takata airbag defect (NHTSA Campaign 16V078000) but dealers and manufacturer could not provide replacement parts, leaving vehicles unrepaired for extended periods.
When: Recall issued 2016; owners reported unavailability through 2017
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notification received but parts unavailable at dealership; Extended wait times with no parts availability confirmation; Dealer unable to schedule repair due to parts shortage
Codes mentioned: 16V078000
Repairs/costs cited: Takata airbag replacement parts; dealers (Rockville Audi MD, Audi North Atlanta GA, and others) stated parts not in stock and manufacturer unable to confirm delivery date
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 16V078000 (Takata airbag recall); manufacturer confirmed parts unavailable; no loaner vehicle offered by some dealers
Takata Recall Parts Unavailability (Campaign 18V082000)
Owner received a subsequent Takata airbag recall notification (Campaign 18V082000) over a year before complaint, but parts remained unavailable and manufacturer could not provide timeline for remedy.
When: Recall notice received over one year prior to complaint filing
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notification received but parts unavailable; Manufacturer contacted multiple times unable to provide parts availability date; Extended delay exceeding reasonable repair timeframe
Codes mentioned: 18V082000
Repairs/costs cited: Audi North Atlanta confirmed parts not available for recall remedy
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 18V082000 (Takata airbag recall); manufacturer unable to confirm when parts would become available
Manufacturer Communication Failure
Owners reported inadequate communication from Audi and dealerships regarding recall status, repair timelines, and next steps. Multiple attempts to obtain information went unanswered.
When: Throughout recall period from 2016 onwards
Symptoms owners cite: No follow-up communication after initial recall letter; Phone calls to Audi USA and dealerships went unanswered; Dealership staff directed owner to research online instead of providing information; Questions about recourse left unaddressed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owners received initial recall notification but subsequent communication was absent or evasive
Economic Impact and Trade-In Penalty
Owners experienced significant financial losses due to the unresolved recall. Dealerships penalized trade-in values or refused to accept vehicles with pending recalls.
When: At time of trade-in or resale consideration
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle trade-in value reduced by $3,000–$8,000 due to recall status; Dealership refused to accept vehicle on trade because of recall; Owner concerned about resale value and unable to trade or sell vehicle
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 16V078000 and 18V082000 (Takata recalls); unresolved status impacted vehicle market value
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 10 most recent
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Audi a5. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 16v078000 (air bags); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms…
Takata recall; I am still waiting for my airbag to be replaced. Audi dealer says no solution yet. The wait to resolve this issue is very long.
Audi dealership contacted 3 times cannot provide any information , directed me to read about it online
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Audi a5. 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.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Audi a5. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 16v078000 (air bags) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The contact received the recall notification in august of 2017. The dealer (rockville Audi, 1125 rockville pike, rockville, md, 20852) scheduled an appointment for september and had reminder calls. At the time of the appointment,…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Audi a5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18v082000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair as the recall notice was received over a year ago. Audi north atlanta (11505 alpharetta hwy, roswell, ga 30076, (404) 994-4327) was contacted and confirmed that the…
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.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Audi a5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v078000 (air bags) and felt that the part expected availability date was unreasonable. The contact mentioned that the dealer declined a loaner vehicle. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Audi a5. 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…
Had airbags trouble with your 2012 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 airbags problem on the 2012 Audi A5?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 51,546 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags 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/2012/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.