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Audi A5Model year report

2018 Audi A5 Problems

Compared with other Audi A5 years

More complaints than typical for this model

100/100 3.2× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
38filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
7,000miles, 13 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall
EPA fuel economy
27 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl AWD · 24 city / 34 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2018 Audi A5 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 2018 Audi A5. The part named most often is engine, with 8 complaints (21% of the total), followed by other or unknown (8) and brakes (4). 13 of the complaints include a mileage, and 77% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 7,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 1,062 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 34 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 88 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 5 Audi A5 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 100 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Engine cooling (1), Exterior lighting (1), Forward collision avoidance (1), Fuel system (1), Seat belts (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Engine: “I am experiencing an oil leak, the car has 49000 miles and Audi has issued a TSB, yet upon my outreach to Audi North they are aware of the issue of leaks developing yet have not offered either warranty extensions or a recall yet.”

NHTSA complaint #11498640, filed 2022-12

Other or unknown: “The electronic trunk of my Audi A5 failed to stop closing once it hit me on the head. The hatch kept closing in until I was able to move my body out of the way however at this point the hatch already caused a laceration to my skull which resulted in a visit to the emergency room. Vehicle was parked and the engine was on.”

NHTSA complaint #11361546, filed 2020-09, 30,000 miles

Brakes: “Audi pre sense, the new technology Audi uses for predictive safety. I have experienced several Audi pre sense braking malfunctions. The Audi pre sense in my vehicle will abruptly & violently come to a full stop, with no obstructions or hazards anywhere near the vicinity of the car. First occurrence happened on 405 highway heading north on october 27, 2018 at approximately 11:30 pm, driving approximately 60 MPH. The roads were clear no drivers anywhere in my vicinity. The road were wet from heavy rainfall earlier in the evening. …”

NHTSA complaint #11288922, filed 2019-12, 3,500 miles

Electrical system: “I turned on my car and several malfunctions came on the dash,and would not start and went in limp mode. A local mechanic stated it's the electrical component of the coolant pump causing malfunction. He also stated that could lead the car catching fire if overheats since the 5V is dipping below due to the faulty coolant /water pump. Ultimately forcing the car in limp mode for safety precautions. The problem is I purchase my car at 87,000 miles from the Audi dealership, and the extended warranty that covers the car is 80,000 miles”

NHTSA complaint #11717440, filed 2026-02

Mileage when problems were reported

77% of the 13 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 3,500 and 30,000 miles.

54%0–1015%10–258%25–5015%50–758%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (13 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 7,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

2018202020222024102026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Audi A5. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
A5 Sportback · sedan AWD★★★★★4 / 4555 · 9.9% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2018 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.

Neighbouring years: 2019: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2018 Audi A5 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
A5 Sportback quattro AWD2.0L 4-cyl7-speed automatic243427$3,050
A5 quattro AWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed manual243327$3,050
A5 quattro AWD2.0L 4-cyl7-speed automatic243427$3,050

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2018 Audi A5 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1,062 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 1,062 bulletins →

Other model years of the Audi A5

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202588812—26—Too new
2024819,7480527—Too new
20238—0—27—Too new
20227—2—27—Not enough data
2021830,1485527—Not enough data
20206067,000452778 · MoreRising
20191215,0003527—Not enough data
2018387,0006527100 · MoreRising
2016735,0003—26—Not enough data
2015825,0003—26—Not enough data
20142860,0003—260 · FewerStable
20133550,2503—2464 · TypicalStable
20122275,0000—25—Falling
20112566,5740—250 · FewerFalling
20103464,2240—2329 · FewerFalling
20091145,0001—20—Not enough data
2008546,3001—21—Not enough data

All Audi A5 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 Audi A5 have?

NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 2018 Audi A5 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2018 Audi A5 is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 8 complaints (21% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 8.

Has the 2018 Audi A5 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2018 Audi A5 do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2018 Audi A5 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Audi A5 get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Audi A5 (A5 Sportback quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 27 mpg combined, 24 city and 34 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2018 Audi A5 reported?

Among the 13 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 7,000 miles and the middle half falls between 3,500 and 30,000 miles; 77% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.