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2010 Audi S5 problems

The most common problem on the 2010 Audi S5 is transmission and drivetrain, typically around 58,273 miles. It has 3.3 times the complaints of a typical S5 model year.

Typical year3.3x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
20
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
636
Worst area
Transmission
Fuel economy
17-20mpg

The worst 2010 Audi S5 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Transmission
    10
  • Airbags
    7
  • Engine
    4
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Brakes
    1
  • Driver assistance
    1

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2010 Audi S5 636

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 636 bulletins for the 2010 Audi S5

2010 Audi S5 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.0L 6‑cylAWD172620
4.2L 8‑cylAWD14-1622-2417-19

What 2010 Audi S5 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 21, 2025 · Fuel system · 112,000 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2010 Audi S5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment, prompting the contact to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. Upon a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the aftermarket TRQ High-Pressure Fuel Pump (FPA-63379) exploded, covering the contact in hot gasoline. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000.

Filed Dec 10, 2018 · Airbags · SC

Cannot get audi to replace airbag. Have waited over a year. Called dozens of times.

Filed May 31, 2018 · Airbags · CA

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 audi s5. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Nov 16, 2017 · Airbags · PA

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.

Filed Sep 27, 2017 · Engine · 84,088 miles · PA

Engine overheated august 21, 2017. It left me stranded on the side of a busy highway. I took it to day audi monroeville, pa. The dealer advised that an audi thermostat recall was just issued. I paid for the repair $999.71 and was promised by audi customer care that I would be reimbursed. As of september 27, 2017, I was advised that my VIN number does not fall under the thermostat recall and that the recall has to be issued by the federal safety agency. Therefore I received an empty promise from audi that I would be reimbursed.

Filed Jun 6, 2017 · Transmission · 58,000 miles · PA

A "gearbox malfunction" intermittently occurs, leaving the car in a "non-moving" state. When this issue occurs, an attempt to start the vehicle from a dead stop will move the vehicle only enough to get you into traffic and potentially get broadsided or rear-ended. The car simply "stops moving" right when you need it to move in order to merge into traffic. It will not move but remains running and in gear. I've spent over $3000 dollars to fix the issue (replaced mechatronic unit and battery) but the error still occurs. The car is effectively useless and countless others have the same issue as seen with any simple google search. After turning the car off for approximately 5 minutes, the issue will stop, only to reappear again randomly at another intersection.

Filed May 30, 2017 · Transmission · CA

While driving in traffic the car will lose power without warning. Which makes it very dangerous to pull over almost hitting upcoming traffic with no acceleration. Audi says it's a mechatronic unit.

Filed Jan 5, 2017 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · CA

Car started of going on limp mode about once a month then it started to get more frequent. Limp mode was supposed to be designed to put your car into a lower gear to protect the transmission, but instead of doing that the car would shift itself into neutral position while on the freeway causing me not have a full control of the car making it very dangerous to pull over. As soon as I turn off the car and turn it on the car would run normal again. While driving on the freeway it will go off on limp mode into the neutral without warning. Right after that the car would start having starting up problems so I had to pay money out of my pocket to have the ecu replaced and the fuel regulator replaced as well. As of december 2016 I started having new problems with the fuel system. Seems to me like that limp mode has affected my whole car and it has to be fixed. The car is not safe to drive but it is my only form of transportation. I took it to audi dealership and they said the limp mode was related to the triptronic module that was located inside the transmission and it was a $5,000 fix. I have found out that putting the car into sport mode would make it less likely to get itself into limp mode than driving the car normally but even though driving the car into sport mode while driving on the freeway the car will still get itself into limp mode making the car unsafe to pull over the car. I almost got hit once trying to change lanes while the car was shifted into neutral without warning.

Filed Dec 12, 2016 · Airbags · TX

Takata recall- I was informed in february, it's now december will this ever get fixes?

Filed Sep 22, 2016 · Airbags · OH

Takata recall - notice dated feb. 9, 2016 - unreasonable delay in replacing drivers side airbag inflator when death or serious injury could occur. Why isn't audi expediting this recall?

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Questions about the 2010 Audi S5

Is the 2010 Audi S5 reliable?

Owners have filed 20 complaints about the 2010 Audi S5, 3.3 times a typical S5 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2010 Audi S5?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 10 complaints, typically around 58,273 miles. Next is airbags (7).

How many recalls does the 2010 Audi S5 have?

No recalls on record.

What year does the Audi S5 have bad transmission?

The Audi S5 model years with the most transmission complaints are 2010 (10 complaints) and 2013 (10 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2010 Audi S5 get?

Official estimates for the 2010 Audi S5 range from 17 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, AWD) gets 17 city and 26 highway.

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