FaultScore

Audi S5 airbag problems

25 of the 211 complaints filed about the Audi S5 are about the airbag system — 12% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2012.

25

Complaints

12%

Share of all complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

Airbags complaints by model year

2008 S5 1 4.0%

Median failure at 129,000 miles

2010 S5 7 28.0%
2011 S5 4 16.0%
2012 S5 8 32.0%

Median failure at 70,000 miles

2018 S5 3 12.0%
2023 S5 1 4.0%
2024 S5 1 4.0%

Median failure at 6,000 miles

What owners said

2018 Audi S5 Pahoa, HI

AIR BAGS

Component/System: Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) / Airbag system — Recall 74E3 / NHTSA 21V874. What Happened: The passenger airbag may switch off even when the seat is occupied due to a faulty PODS wiring connection. The warning message “Passenger Airbag Off” appears with a chime. This is an active safety recall that was issued before I purchased the vehicle, but the recall was not disclosed at the time of sale. Safety Risk: If the system shuts off the airbag incorrectly, the passenger may have no airbag protection in a crash, creating a serious risk of injury or death. Inspection Availability: Vehicle is available for inspection. I live on the Big Island of Hawaii, where there is no Audi-authorized repair facility. Reproduction/Confirmation: Symptoms match the known recall defect. Audi has confirmed the recall applies to my VIN, but no local dealer exists to inspect or repair it. Manufacturer/Dealer Inspection: Audi has refused to cover shipping to the nearest authorized dealership on Oahu, which is the only location where the recall can be performed. Therefore, the defect has not been inspected due to lack of accessible remedy. Warnings/Symptoms: Airbag warning light illuminates and a message appears indicating the passenger airbag is off, along with a chime. Additional Notes: I cannot safely use or sell the car because the required safety repair is inaccessible. Audi’s refusal to provide transportation makes it impossible to complete the mandated recall.

NHTSA complaint #11703772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Audi S5 at 6,000 miles Plano, TX

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2024 Audi S5. The contact stated that while his wife was seated in the front passenger’s seat with dam clothing after a workout, the air bag malfunction warning light would illuminate. The contact's wife had to sit on a towel while seated in the passenger’s seat to activate the air bags, and to turn off the warning light. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer stated that the air bag sensor was not designed to activate if the seat was affected by moisture. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.

NHTSA complaint #11691603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Audi S5 Denver, CO Crash 4 injured

AIR BAGS

I got into a car accident that a ton of front end damage (the car was totaled) and none of the airbags deployed. I was alone in the car and wearing my seatbelt. I looked and found no noted recalls for the airbags in my specific car.

NHTSA complaint #11679977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Audi S5 Murphy, TX 1 injured

AIR BAGS

•Parking Brake Issue: The parking brake failed to disengage after stopping, leading to an accident. •Intoxalock Device Malfunction: The Intoxalock device malfunctioned with incessant beeping and intermittent error messages, causing distractions. •Previous Complaints and Lack of Resolution: Previous complaints about the parking brake and Intoxalock device were dismissed without proper investigation or resolution. •Parking Brake Failure: The parking brake failed to hold the car, leading to uncontrollable movement and collision with an obstacle. •Intoxalock Device Malfunction: The Intoxalock device malfunctioned, causing distractions and contributing to the accident. •Financial Burden and Lack of Refund: Intoxalock placed the account in collections despite timely payments and failed to refund lockout fees. •Safety Concerns: Parking brake malfunction and faulty Intoxalock device. •Installation Issues: Unprofessional installation and lack of functionality. •Customer Impact: Dangerous situations and potential vehicle damage. Intoxalock’s faulty installation and negligent response to previous complaints led to a parking brake failure and subsequent accident. The incident resulted in significant damage to the vehicle and highlighted the company’s lack of accountability for customer safety. Legal action is being considered due to the ongoing safety risks and unresolved issues.

NHTSA complaint #11621015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Audi S5 Austin, TX

AIR BAGS

The system warning keeps coming on, I’ve tried to schedule appointments with Audi since 2022 and they have zero appointments available

NHTSA complaint #11545179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Audi S5 Middletown, NJ

AIR BAGS

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

NHTSA complaint #11466128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Audi S5 Wadmalaw Island, SC

AIR BAGS

CANNOT GET AUDI TO REPLACE AIRBAG. HAVE WAITED OVER A YEAR. CALLED DOZENS OF TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #11160532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Audi S5 Palo Alto, CA

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI S5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (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 DEALER (AUDI FREMONT, 43191 BOSCELL RD, FREMONT, CA 94538) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #11099048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Audi S5 at 129,000 miles Lincoln, NE

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI S5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V376000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK THE FOLLOWING DAY TO THE DEALER (AUDI OMAHA, 808 N 102ND ST, SUITE B, OMAHA, NE 68114, 402-393-7000) AND THE TECHNICIAN DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE EXISTED PRIOR TO THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 129,000.

NHTSA complaint #11089135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Audi S5 Monroeville, PA

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. I'VE RECEIVED CARDS IN THE MAIL STATING THAT I'M OVERDUE ON GETTING THE AIRBAG RECALL COMPLETED. MY CAR HAS BEEN TO DAY AUDI IN MONROEVILLE, PA 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 1.5 YEARS AND THEY INFORM ME THAT THEY HAVE NO AIRBAGS IN STOCK.

NHTSA complaint #11046462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Audi S5 at 70,000 miles Raoid City, SD

AIR BAGS

FT. COLLINS DEALER SAYS REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS NOT AVAILABLE

NHTSA complaint #11041948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Audi S5 Monroe Township, NJ

AIR BAGS

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?

NHTSA complaint #11012187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Audi S5 Tiburon, CA

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10981664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Audi S5 Loudonville, NY

AIR BAGS

THE AIRBAG IN MY CAR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT AUDI HAS OFFERED NO TIMETABLE AS TO WHEN THIS MAY BE POSSIBLE. NO SOLUTION IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. I FIND IT DISCONCERTING TO BE DRIVING A CAR THAT HAS AN AIRBAG THAT COULD CAUSE SIGNIFICANT INJURY. UPDATED 10/10/2017

NHTSA complaint #10971077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Audi S5 Cincinnati, OH

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 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 FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #10949017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Audi S5 Canton, GA

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI S5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10948668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Audi S5 Plainfield, CT

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10948501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Audi S5 NEW Rochelle, NY

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10948353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Audi S5 Escondido, CA

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10946822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Audi S5 Frisco, TX

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL- I WAS INFORMED IN FEBRUARY, IT'S NOW DECEMBER WILL THIS EVER GET FIXES?

NHTSA complaint #10934858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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