DecodedCars2011 Audi S5
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2011 models.
- Class
- Subcompact Cars
- Body styles
- 2dr Cabriolet AWD, 2dr Coupe AWD
- Engines
- 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.2L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 20 combined · 17 city / 26 hwy
- Length
- 182.7 in
- Curb weight
- 3,737–4,134 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 20 similar 2011 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2011 Audi S5 is a subcompact car offered with 2 engines (3.0L 6-cyl and 4.2L 8-cyl) and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 183 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,737 lb (2dr Cabriolet AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 20 MPG combined (17 city / 26 highway), 10% worse than the 2011 subcompact car average of 22.2 MPG, for an estimated $4,100 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2011
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2010 S5 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2010; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2010 S5 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2dr Cabriolet AWD | 182.7 in | 72.8 in | 53.9 in | 108.3 in | 61.8 / 61 in | 3,737 lb | 51/49 |
| 2dr Coupe AWD | 182.7 in | 72.8 in | 53.9 in | 108.3 in | 61.8 / 61 in | 4,134 lb | 51/49 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S5 Cabriolet | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | -10% | $4,100 | 444 |
| S5 | 4.2L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 24 / 19 | -14% | $4,350 | 468 |
| S5 | 4.2L 8-cyl | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 22 / 17 | -23% | $4,850 | 523 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2011 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2011 Audi S5.
Similar 2011 subcompact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Audi S5 (this car) | 20 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2011 BMW 3 Series | 27 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 20 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2011 Lexus IS | 24 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 21 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2011 Lexus GS | 23 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2011 Lexus ES | 22 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
Recalls (3)
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Jan 30, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V082000 · 162,782 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Feb 10, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V078000 · 659,493 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail · Jan 20, 2015
NHTSA campaign 15V019000 · 26,008 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Not every 2011 Audi S5 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2011 Audi S5 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 6 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Power Train — 4 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Electronic Stability Control (Esc) — 2 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 65,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2011 Audi S5. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other S5 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 S5 | 23 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 S5 | 23 | 190.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 S5 | 23 | 185.4 in | Not rated | 2 | 11 |
| 2024 S5 | 24 | 185.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 2 |
| 2023 S5 | 24 | 185.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 3 |
| 2022 S5 | 24 | 185.4 in | Not rated | 2 | 1 |
| 2021 S5 | 23 | 185.4 in | Not rated | 5 | 1 |
| 2020 S5 | 23 | 184.6 in | Not rated | 4 | 25 |
| 2019 S5 | 24 | 184.6 in | Not rated | 4 | 6 |
| 2018 S5 | 24 | 184.6 in | Not rated | 3 | 26 |
| 2017 S5 | 21 | 182.7 in | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2016 S5 | 21 | 182.7 in | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →