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Audi S5 Coupé 4.2 FSI quattro common faults.

2007–2011, coupé, petrol, 354 HP.

The fault list covers: CAUA engine, ML451 transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

4 fault write-ups. 2 important. 11 recalls.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

2 important faults

expensive2

A small electric motor built into the rear brake calipers applies the parking brake. This is a known weak point of the B8 platform (A4 B8, A5 8T, Q5 8R, allroad B8): moisture and road salt get into the motor housing, the electronics corrode, and the gears seize. The symptom is a parking brake that will not apply or will not release, with a fault message.

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Two things are worth knowing about it. First, the system is sensitive to voltage: a weak battery dropping below 12.2 V can trigger an intermittent parking brake fault on its own, especially in the cold. In that case it is not the brake that needs replacing. Second, servicing the rear brake requires putting the caliper into service mode with a diagnostic tool; forcing the piston back by hand destroys the actuator itself.

above 50,000 km

What to check

  • Apply and release the parking brake several times in a row: it must work evenly and without a fault in both directions
  • Stop the car on a slope on the parking brake alone: it has to hold
  • After switching the ignition on, check for a parking brake or hill hold fault message
2 more steps in the write-up

With direct injection the fuel does not wash the intake valves: the petrol goes into the cylinder, not behind the valve. The oil mist and soot arriving through the EGR and the crankcase ventilation therefore build up on the valve stem and head, and from 80,000 to 100,000 km they restrict the flow. Symptoms are hesitation, loss of power, a rough cold start and misfire. It is not a part failure: it is a consequence of the design, and therefore it comes back. Cleaning (walnut or dry ice blasting) helps for a few tens of thousands of kilometres.

What to check

  • After a cold start watch the idle: rough running and shaking point to coked valves
  • Under load at low revs watch for hesitation
  • With a code reader look for per cylinder misfire (P0300 to P0304)
1 more steps in the write-up

comfort1

The G62 sensor tells the engine control unit how hot the coolant is. If it is faulty, the control unit thinks a warm engine is cold, and runs it rich: hard warm or cold starting, a rough idle, markedly increased fuel consumption, and a dash temperature gauge that jumps around or never reaches its usual reading. The part is cheap and can be replaced in half an hour: the trouble is that many people do not recognise it and replace an injector or a lambda sensor instead. If the fault persists, the rich mixture can destroy the catalytic converter too.

What to check

  • Warm it up and watch the dash temperature gauge: the needle should sit steadily at the middle reading, not jump around
  • Watch a cold start, then a warm start after twenty minutes standing
  • With a code reader look for the 17664 / P1256 code in the engine control unit
2 more steps in the write-up

cheap repair1

On the Sportback and the convertible the fuel flap often sticks, it does not open from the button or it stays open, and this shows up on cars built between 2010 and 2016. The part is cheap, but you still cannot refuel while the flap stays shut, and on a test drive it takes half a minute to check.

What to check

  • Open and close the fuel flap three times
  • Try it with the central locking locked and unlocked too
  • Look for signs of prying around the edge of the flap

Checklist

Audi S5 Coupé 4.2 FSI quattro

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

Ask the owner

vinkodex.com · Before you buy it, see what can go wrong.

Official recall11 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done.

Most recent: 23 April 2021

A12/01220/21Safety recallEnvironment23 April 2021 · EU Safety Gate

The vehicles are equipped with control software regarded as unauthorised by the competent authorities. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Importer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: 23/04/2021

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/00752/21Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The vehicles may be fitted with a towbar with a swivel mechanism that may have a defective locking pin. As a result, the pin could break while driving, increasing the risk of an accident.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/00784/23Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The airbag may deteriorate over time and if deployed, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to burst and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/0333/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Differences in the mixture ratio for the initiating devices for the airbags or seat-belt pre-tensioners could lead to the airbags or seat-belt pre-tensioners not activating in the event of an accident.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/0382/19Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

In certain vehicles, fuel can leak onto the engine fuel rail. Fuel leakage close to a source of ignition may increase the risk of the vehicle catching fire.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/0698/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The micro gas generator of the rear seat-belt pre-tensioners may be incorrectly installed. As a result, in the event of an accident, it can come loose and parts may inadvertently enter the passenger compartment, causing injuries.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/0713/17Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

The additional coolant pump can block due to foreign particles in the cooling system. This can result in the pump overheating which could lead to a fire.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/0718/18Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Decorative aluminium strips on the lower part of the front or rear door trims may become partly detached. The sharp ends of the strips could cause injuries.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/0834/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The handheld control unit for throttle and brake may develop a fracture in a welded joint in the relay mechanism. If this damage occurs this may lead to impaired functioning or even failure of the brake and gas control via the manual control device.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/0942/18Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

The auxiliary coolant pump may seize up. This could lead to the pump overheating after the engine has been switched off with the risk that the vehicle could catch fire.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

SR/00790/26Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The driver airbag inflator may cause uncontrolled inflation and release metal fragments when the airbag is activated, which can cause injury to the occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

CAUA · 4.2 FSI (S5)

260 kW (354 HP) · petrol

ML451 · 6-speed manual, longitudinal

manual · 6 speed

Torque limit500 Nm
MakerAudi

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
Coupé 4.2 FSI quattro
Body
coupé
Fuel
petrol
Transmission
manual
Engine size
4163 cc
Power
260 kW (354 HP)
Drive
AWD
Production
2007–2011

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

  • Air filter

    • 60,000 km or 4 years
  • Cabin (pollen) filter

    • 30,000 km or 2 years
  • Engine oil and oil filter

    • LongLife30,000 km or 2 years(valid only with LongLife-approved oil)
    • 15,000 km or 1 year
  • Brake fluid change

    • first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)
  • Coolant (antifreeze) change

    • first: 193,000 km or 10 years, then 97,000 km or 5 years(G13 / G12++: first change at 120,000 miles or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles or 5 years)
  • Spark plugs, petrol

    • 60,000 km or 6 years

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms