Skip to content
Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2018 Audi A5 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
8%of 38 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Audi A5, 8% of the 38 complaints for this model year.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I am writing to formally bring to your attention a potential violation of federal vehicle safety reporting requirements by Audi regarding an Electronic Control Unit (ECU)/Comfort Control Module failure in my 2018 Audi A5. As the original owner of this vehicle, I experienced a critical ECU failure approximately 2yrs after purchase (Sept 2017), which I believe qualifies as a major safety defect under 49 CFR 573.6-577.7. According to federal regulations, manufacturers are required to report such safety defects to the NHTSA within five (5) days of discovery. …”

NHTSA complaint #11641542, filed 2025-02

“The water pump failed on my vehicle. Initially reported 2/2025 at Authorized Audi Service Center. They claimed it was normal for coolant to dip. Audi USA Confirmed I have a settlement class vehicle in 03/2025. Mentioned an 80K Mileage limit. (Car only had 69K miles at the time) When the issue persisted I reached out for repair in accordance to Water Pump Settlement. McKenna Audi Service center initially stated the extended warranty expired 05/2025, and mentioned an 8 Year Limit (8/80K whichever comes first) 9/3 Reached out to Audi USA again and they initially provided an approval. …”

NHTSA complaint #11685814, filed 2025-09

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024113%
2022114%
2021113%
201838%
2016229%
201326%
2011416%
201013%
2009218%

Other parts of the 2018 Audi A5

Engine
8 complaints
Other or unknown
8 complaints
Brakes
4 complaints
Electrical system
4 complaints
Body and structure
4 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaints
Air bags
3 complaints
Steering
2 complaints
Suspension
2 complaints
Engine cooling
1 complaints
Exterior lighting
1 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 Audi A5

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology