2012 Audi S5: common problems and reliability
· 8TAn average S5 year.
10 owner complaints, most about air bags. 1 recall.
Should I buy a 2012 S5?The 2012 Audi S5 has 10 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 1 recall on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and electrical system. Owners most often flag carbon buildup on direct-injected engines requiring periodic cleaning.
Safety record for the 2012 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 Audi S5 vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other S5 years only. How we score it
Is 2012 a good year for the S5?
Across the 16 S5 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2022) to 52 (2018). With 10 complaints, the 2012 S5 sits about the same as the model's median of 10.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2012 S5
fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel rail
Campaign 15V019000Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Audi S4, S5, Q7, 2012 Audi A6, Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles. In the affected vehicles the fuel injection system may experience a fuel leak.
What owners report on the 8T S5
Owners of the 8T S5 are split cleanly along engine lines.
- Very frequentCarbon buildup on direct-injected engines requiring periodic cleaning
- RecurrentTiming chain and tensioner wear requiring engine-out service
- RecurrentWater pump and thermostat failure
- RecurrentPCV valve failure, sometimes leaking coolant into oil
- RecurrentControl arm and suspension bushing wear
Owner insights for the 8T S5. Read the full 8T owner report.
Other S5 model years
Compare every S5 year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.
Compare the S5 against its rivals
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