2018 Audi S5 Problems
- Complaints
- 26filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 4,750miles, 8 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns 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
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 24 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl AWD · 21 city / 30 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2018 Audi S5 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 2018 Audi S5. The part named most often is engine, with 9 complaints (35% of the total), followed by other or unknown (8) and air bags (3). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 4,750 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 819 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 46 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 80 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Engine9 35%
- Other or unknown8 31%
- Air bags3 12%
- Brakes3 12%
- Electrical system2 7.7%
- Seat belts2 7.7%
Also reported: Fuel system (1), Lane departure (1), Seats (1), Steering (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1).
Example complaints
Engine: “I was returning home from visiting family. My drive was approx 140 miles home. The car was running/driving normally when I stopped at a gas station to get a snack. When I came back to my car and attempted to start it, it would not start and had camshaft and crankshaft sensor DTC's. I had to tow the car to my repair shop who determined that the issue was the rocker arms. …”
NHTSA complaint #11558380, filed 2023-12Other or unknown: “I was driving on a big highway doing about 75mph and all of a sudden for no reason I get a big presense warning flash on my console, then a transmission error, then tire pressure error, then engine malfunction all in a row and my car just totally shuts off and I had to coast over onto the shoulder. I'm honestly just shocked I managed to get to the shoulder without being hit by someone. After I turned the car off and back on it seems to be okay other than the malfunction indicator lamp mil light is still on. …”
NHTSA complaint #11289072, filed 2019-12, 14,000 milesAir bags: “•Parking Brake Issue: The parking brake failed to disengage after stopping, leading to an accident. •Intoxalock Device Malfunction: The Intoxalock device malfunctioned with incessant beeping and intermittent error messages, causing distractions. •Previous Complaints and Lack of Resolution: Previous complaints about the parking brake and Intoxalock device were dismissed without proper investigation or resolution. •Parking Brake Failure: The parking brake failed to hold the car, leading to uncontrollable movement and collision with an obstacle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11621015, filed 2024-10Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 200 and 14,000 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.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Audi S5. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S5 Sportback · sedan AWD | not rated | — | — | — | 5 · 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.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2018 Audi S5 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S5 AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 21 | 30 | 24 | $3,400 |
| S5 Sportback AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 21 | 30 | 24 | $3,400 |
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
- 21V874000Nov 10, 2021Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passengerCovers: Audi S5 2018–2020, A4 2017–2020, A5 2018–2020 +2 more
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2017-2020 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, 2018-2019 RS5 Coupe, 2019 RS5 Sportback, 2018-2020 A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, and Audi S5 Sportback vehicles. The cable…
- 19V547000Jul 24, 2019Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator moduleCovers: Audi S5 2018, A4 Allroad 2017–2018, Allroad 2017–2018 +5 more
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2018 S5 Cabriolet, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, S4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, and 2017-2018 A4 Sedan and A4 Allroad vehicles. Oxidation on the Passenger…
Recall details for the 2018 Audi S5 → · 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. 819 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11038130Sep 25, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
- 11038027Sep 25, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
- 11038042Sep 22, 2026Steering. This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
- 11038024Sep 22, 2026Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). This bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning.
- 11038056Sep 18, 2026Body and structure. This bulletin provides information about billing for a broken sunroof glass panel.
- 11038025Sep 15, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.
- 11038090Sep 14, 2026Engine. This bulletin provides information when there is an abnormal knocking noise from the engine compartment; V6 3.0L TFSI.
- 11038033Sep 8, 2026Body and structure. This TSB describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases.
- 11038026Sep 8, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides infomraiton abou the Audi frequency analysis application, which is available in the App Store for Android and Apple phones.
- 11038061Sep 2, 2026Electrical system. This bulletin provides information regarding fault finding and repair information for electric tailgate.
Other model years of the Audi S5
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 11 | 8,577 | 2 | — | 23 | — | Too new |
| 2020 | 25 | — | 4 | — | 23 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
| 2019 | 6 | 43,300 | 4 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 26 | 4,750 | 2 | — | 24 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
| 2014 | 6 | 47,080 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 16 | 79,000 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Falling |
| 2012 | 10 | 70,000 | 1 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 8 | 65,000 | 1 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 20 | 58,273 | 0 | — | 19 | — | Rising |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 Audi S5 have?
NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 2018 Audi S5 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2018 Audi S5 is reported most often?
Engine is named most often, in 9 complaints (35% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 8.
Has the 2018 Audi S5 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Audi S5 get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Audi S5 (S5, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,400 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2018 Audi S5 reported?
Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 4,750 miles and the middle half falls between 200 and 14,000 miles; 100% 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.