The 2012 Audi S5 has 10 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 8 complaints, typically surfacing around 70,000 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 S5?
Generally reliable
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
Reliability score 8.6/10 — above the segment average
1 recall campaign on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2012 Audi S5? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
airbags — 8 owner reports
· tends to show around 70,000 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 8.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
airbags (~$1,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2012 S5· airbags
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?
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…
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
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…
Had a problem with your 2012 Audi S5?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Common questions
Is the 2012 Audi S5 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.6 out of 10 based on 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Audi S5 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2012 Audi S5?
On the NHTSA data, the 2012 Audi S5 does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.6/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2012 Audi S5?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 8 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 70,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2012 Audi S5 a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 10 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 70,000 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Audi S5?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 8 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 70,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 70,000 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Audi S5 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Audi S5?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 10 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 3 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Audi/S5.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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