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2010 Audi S5

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 11 of 20 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

20 reports
24,897 miles · Sep 18, 2016
Power Train

WHEN DRIVING IN HOT WEATHER, ON A BUSY BOULEVARD, COMING TO A RED LIGHT, AS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS DOWN TO FIRST GEAR, CAR LURCHES FORWARD WITH A STRONG BANG IN THE TRANSMISSION. ALMOST HIT PEDESTRIANS IN THE CROSSWALK. IF I WAS NOT HEAVY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THERE WOULD NO DOUBT HAVE BEEN INJURIES. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED…

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WHEN DRIVING IN HOT WEATHER, ON A BUSY BOULEVARD, COMING TO A RED LIGHT, AS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS DOWN TO FIRST GEAR, CAR LURCHES FORWARD WITH A STRONG BANG IN THE TRANSMISSION. ALMOST HIT PEDESTRIANS IN THE CROSSWALK. IF I WAS NOT HEAVY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THERE WOULD NO DOUBT HAVE BEEN INJURIES. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES AND WITHOUT WARNING. AUDI SERVICE TELLS ME IT IS THE MECHATRONIC UNIT IN THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONING WHEN IT GETS HOT. NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS TO AUDI SERVICE FOR MORE THAN FOUR YEARS AND IT IS GETTING WORSE. AUDI HAS BEEN STALLING AND HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE THE MECHATRONIC UNIT UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #10907437

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2016
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 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 NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE.…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 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 NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10892668

Mileage unknown · May 13, 2016
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI S5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CON…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI S5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD 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 UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10864720

36,800 miles · Mar 23, 2016
Power Train

2010 AUDI S5 S-TRONIC TRANSMISSION JUMPS AND JERKS WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP.

NHTSA ODI #10851241

65,000 miles · Nov 20, 2015
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI S5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING WHEN THE GEAR ENGAGED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE MECHATRONICS WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WENT BACK TO THE DEALE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI S5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING WHEN THE GEAR ENGAGED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE MECHATRONICS WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WENT BACK TO THE DEALER TWO MORE TIMES AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #10795144

58,273 miles · Nov 10, 2015
EnginePower Train

THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP TO COMPLAINT 10785783; AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE HISTORY IT REVEALED THE PROBLEMS DESCRIBED IN THE INITIAL COMPLAINT HAVE OCCURRED IN THE PAST AS WELL AND THIS CLEARLY INDICATES COMMON AND REOCCURRING MANUFACTURING ISSUES THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY VAG: 1) THE TRANSMISSION 0B5 DL501 HAD BEEN ALREADY SERV…

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THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP TO COMPLAINT 10785783; AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE HISTORY IT REVEALED THE PROBLEMS DESCRIBED IN THE INITIAL COMPLAINT HAVE OCCURRED IN THE PAST AS WELL AND THIS CLEARLY INDICATES COMMON AND REOCCURRING MANUFACTURING ISSUES THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY VAG: 1) THE TRANSMISSION 0B5 DL501 HAD BEEN ALREADY SERVICED FOR MECHATRONICS ISSUES AT 58.273 MILES. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS TRANSMISSION IS ALSO USED ON SIMILAR AND MORE COMMON MODELS: A4,S4, A7...IN THE PAST VW HAD ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR DSG TRANSMISSION BUT DID NOT INCLUDE THESE MODELS ALTHOUGH IT SHOULD. 2) THE THERMOSTAT HAD ALSO FAILED BEFORE AT 22.415 MILES...ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A CAMPAIGN FOR THE SAME PART NUMBER IT DIDN'T COVER THIS SPECIFIC MODEL. A TECHNICIAN ACTUALLY SAID THEY ARE KNOW TO FAIL. 3) FOR THE BRAKES AUDI SAYS IT IS SOMEHOW "NORMAL"

NHTSA ODI #10789693

5 miles · Oct 24, 2015
EnginePower TrainService Brakes

1) THE MAIN SAFETY CONCERN IS THE 7 SPEED DSG/S-TRONIC AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WHICH FEELS JERKY WHEN REACHING TO A STOP; THE BREAKS FULLY ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE TRIES A SUDDEN MOVE FORWARD DUE TO THIS. VARIOUS TPI'S RELATED TO THE PROBLEM (TPI 2023830/1 JERK WHEN STOPPING, HARD 2-1 SHIFT, S-TRONIC). AUDI DEALERSHIPS ARE ASKING …

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1) THE MAIN SAFETY CONCERN IS THE 7 SPEED DSG/S-TRONIC AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WHICH FEELS JERKY WHEN REACHING TO A STOP; THE BREAKS FULLY ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE TRIES A SUDDEN MOVE FORWARD DUE TO THIS. VARIOUS TPI'S RELATED TO THE PROBLEM (TPI 2023830/1 JERK WHEN STOPPING, HARD 2-1 SHIFT, S-TRONIC). AUDI DEALERSHIPS ARE ASKING FOR ABOUT 500$ JUST TO UPGRADE THE SOFTWARE ON THE TRANSMISSION WITHOUT A GUARANTEE THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. ALSO WHEN SHIFTING FROM N TO D IT IS VERY SUDDEN AND FORCEFUL WHICH FEELS UNSAFE. 2) BRAKE SAFETY CONCERN: THE BREAK PEDAL SINKS SLOWLY TO THE FLOOR UNDER PRESSURE ALTHOUGH THE BREAKS WERE COMPLETELY SERVICED (NEW ROTORS, PADS, MASTER BREAK CYLINDER AND BRAKE FLUID). TESTED OTHER AUDI VEHICLES AND A SIMILAR BEHAVIOR WAS NOTICED. 3) I HAD ALSO A FAILED THERMOSTAT WHICH I FOUND TO BE UNDER WORKSHOP CAMPAIGN 19H3 2024932/1 THAT INDICATED SAME PART NUMBER FOR THE THERMOSTAT TO FAIL BUT THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPLACE IT FOR FREE BECAUSE THE CAMPAIGN DID NOT INCLUDING MY CAR'S VIN. INITIALLY I WAS TOLD TO TAKE IN THE CAR AND THEY WILL FIX IT FOR FREE BUT THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN. WHY DOES IT MATTER IF THE CAMPAIGN DOES NOT INCLUDE A CERTAIN VIN WHEN THE SAME PART NUMBER WAS INVOLVED IN THE FAILURE. AS A FINAL NOTE I FIND OUTRAGEOUS THE FACT THAT AUDI REFUSES TO PROVIDE FREE SOFTWARE UPDATES TO FIX DESIGN ISSUES RELATED TO THE GEARBOX AND INSTEAD CHARGE A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT FOR FIXING SAFETY ISSUE ON THEIR VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #10785783

59,000 miles · Oct 9, 2015
Power Train

THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE AUDI S-TRONIC TRANSMISSION WHERE THE MECHATRONICS UNIT WHICH CONTROLS THE SHIFTS IS DEFECTIVE. THIS WILL RESULT IN THE MECHATRONIC NEEDING TO BE REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF 4 THOUSAND DOLLARS OR AT WORST THE TRANSMISSION TO BE REPLACED FOR 11 THOUSAND DOLLARS. THE CAR WILL START DOING HARD 2 TO FIRS…

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THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE AUDI S-TRONIC TRANSMISSION WHERE THE MECHATRONICS UNIT WHICH CONTROLS THE SHIFTS IS DEFECTIVE. THIS WILL RESULT IN THE MECHATRONIC NEEDING TO BE REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF 4 THOUSAND DOLLARS OR AT WORST THE TRANSMISSION TO BE REPLACED FOR 11 THOUSAND DOLLARS. THE CAR WILL START DOING HARD 2 TO FIRST SHIFTS AND ALMOST THROW YOU INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF YOU IF YOU DO NOT PUSH DOWN HARD ON THE BRAKES. THIS HAPPENS ON A CITY STREET OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY AND BEGINS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION OIL GETS HOT. TECHNICALLY THE VEHICLE CAN BE IN MOTION OR STATIONARY AS IT HAPPENS WHEN IT SHIFTS DOWN TO FIRST GEAR. THIS TRANSMISSION IS IN THE 2010 AUDI S5 CABRIOLET ONLY AS THE COUPE HAS A DIFFERENT DRIVETRAIN. THE AUDI S4 HAS THE TRANSMISSION AS WELL AND EXPERIENCES THE SAME ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #10781020

58,500 miles · Sep 16, 2015
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

AFTER DRIVING IN STOP AND GO DRIVING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME THE TRANSMISSION STARTS TO ACT UP. WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THE CAR WILL SHIFT DOWN INTO FIRST GEAR AFTER THE STOP AND CAUSE THE CAR TO LEAP FORWARD. I HAVE ALMOST REAR ENDED SEVERAL CARS AS A RESULT OF THIS. IT IS A WELL KNOW PROBLEM WITH THE AUDI S-TRONIC TRANSMIS…

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AFTER DRIVING IN STOP AND GO DRIVING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME THE TRANSMISSION STARTS TO ACT UP. WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THE CAR WILL SHIFT DOWN INTO FIRST GEAR AFTER THE STOP AND CAUSE THE CAR TO LEAP FORWARD. I HAVE ALMOST REAR ENDED SEVERAL CARS AS A RESULT OF THIS. IT IS A WELL KNOW PROBLEM WITH THE AUDI S-TRONIC TRANSMISSIONS FOUND IN THE AUDI S5 CABRIOLET AND THE AUDI S4 MODELS. THE OIL IN THE MECHATRONICS UNIT HEATS UP AND CAUSES PROBLEMS WITH THE CIRCUITRY WHICH CAUSES THE ISSUE. I HAVE ALREADY HAD IT IN ONCE FOR A "SOFTWARE UPDATE" TO THE TUNE OF 800 DOLLARS WHICH DID NOTHING. NOW IT IS LOOKING LIKE THEY WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE COMPONENT WHICH CAN COST UP TO 11 THOUSAND DOLLARS IF THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN DAMAGED.

NHTSA ODI #10764105

10,000 miles · Jan 7, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

2010 AUDI S5 OVERHEATED ON DEC. 6, 2010 IN COLD WEATHER (20 DEGREES) WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. AUDI REPORTED A WATER PUMP CRACK AND ORDERED THE PART. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED ON DEC. 31, 2010, RENDERING CAR DISABLED. AUDI REPORTED THAT THERMOSTAT REPLACED. I'VE SEEN NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINS ON AUDI S4 VEHICLES AND DEFECT IN WATE…

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2010 AUDI S5 OVERHEATED ON DEC. 6, 2010 IN COLD WEATHER (20 DEGREES) WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. AUDI REPORTED A WATER PUMP CRACK AND ORDERED THE PART. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED ON DEC. 31, 2010, RENDERING CAR DISABLED. AUDI REPORTED THAT THERMOSTAT REPLACED. I'VE SEEN NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINS ON AUDI S4 VEHICLES AND DEFECT IN WATER SEAL AND/OR PUMP, YET AUDI HAD DONE NOTHING TO WARN THE PUBLIC OR RECALL VEHICLES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED, WHETHER BY THE CAR BREAK DOWN OR GETTING STRANDED SOMEWHERE OUT OF CELL PHONE RANGE IN COLD WEATHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10375105

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.