VehicleVerdict

2018 Audi A5 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 46 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.1 times the median A5 year — the 2018 model ranks #2 of 18 A5 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (9), other (8), and brakes (4), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

46

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2018 compare to other A5 years?

A5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted102 complaints2008: 8 complaints2009: 17 complaints2010: 37 complaints2011: 27 complaints2012: 25 complaints2013: 43 complaints2014: 38 complaints2015: 11 complaints2016: 9 complaints2017: 0 complaints2018: 46 complaints2019: 18 complaints2020: 102 complaints2021: 8 complaints2022: 7 complaints2023: 11 complaints2024: 13 complaints2025: 8 complaints
A5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all A5 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Audi A5 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine920%
Other817%
Electrical System49%
Visibility & Wipers49%
Brakes49%
Body & Structure49%
Driver Assistance24%
Steering24%
Transmission24%
Airbags24%
Lighting12%
Fuel System12%
Seat Belts12%
Suspension12%
Tires & Wheels12%

Does the 2018 Audi A5 have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V874000AirbagsNovember 10, 2021 · 208,332 units

Defect

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 connecting the seat heater to the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) may have a contact fault, causing the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.

Consequence

A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the connecting cable and either the heating mat or entire seat cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 74E3. This recall is an expansion of Recall 19V-547 (74D9). Vehicles previously repaired under 19V-547 will need to return for the new remedy.

19V547000AirbagsJuly 24, 2019 · 145,337 units

Defect

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 Occupant Detection System (PODS) connecting cable may cause the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.

Consequence

A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install cable ties to the harness, free of charge. The recall began September 9, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's number for this recall is 74D9.

18V893000SuspensionDecember 17, 2018 · 36 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of North America (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Audi A5 Sportback vehicles. The front suspension fasteners may not have been sufficiently tightened during vehicle production, possibly resulting in a front wheel becoming loose.

Consequence

A loose front wheel may increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the front suspension fasteners, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 23, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40O2.

18V836000AirbagsNovember 27, 2018 · 12 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Audi A5 Sportback and 2017-2018 Audi A4 Allroad vehicles. A passenger air bag module mounting screw may not have been sufficiently tightened, possibly affecting the deployment of the air bag in the event of a crash.

Consequence

If the air bag does not deploy correctly in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of an injury.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag mounting screw, tightening or replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 19, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Y4.

17V822000AirbagsDecember 20, 2017 · 8,037 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Audi A5 Coupe vehicles. The affected vehicles were built with head curtain air bag assemblies that may not unfold properly. As such, these vehicle fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the head curtain air bag, if the air bag does not deploy properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will modify the head curtain air bags so that they deploy properly, free of charge. The recall began on January 18, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 11-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69T7.

17V675000Body & StructureOctober 25, 2017 · 31,323 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad, and 2018 A5 Sportback vehicles. The aluminum trim on the front and rear doors can come loose from around the door speakers, leaving sharp edges exposed.

Consequence

The sharp edges of the speaker trim increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the speaker cover aluminum trim, free of charge. The recall began March 13, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 70G6.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“Large coolant leak due to faulty plastic thermostat and water pump which can cause overheating, catastrophic engine failure, and fire, putting consumers at risk. The thermostat housing has been replaced by the dealership, but not the water pump, just the water pump seal. There were no warnings…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 3, 2022

“CAR WAS IN PARK WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT ON. WHEELS TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND TIGHT TO THE CURB. SOMEHOW THE CAR ROLLED DOWN HILL AND STRUCK A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE POLICE TOOK PICTURES OF THE INTERIOR SHOWING BOTH THE IN PARK LIGHT AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT ON. THERE IS NO LOGICAL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 9, 2017 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 6, 2026

“AUDI PRE SENSE, IS THE 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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 27, 2019

“DRIVING STRAIGHT, ABOUT 60 MPH ON A TWO LANE ROAD, FAR REMOVED FROM ANY OTHER VEHICLES, MY SUNROOF/MOONROOF GLASS EXPLODED. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS VISIBLE DAMAGE THAT I WAS AWARE OF. NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND TO HAVE 'KICKED UP' A ROCK OR STONE. EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · April 18, 2021

2018 Audi A5 — common questions

Is the 2018 Audi A5 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 46 complaints put the 2018 model at #2 of 18 A5 years. It is one of the A5 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2018 A5 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (9 complaints), other (8 complaints), brakes (4 complaints).

Does the 2018 Audi A5 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Audi A5. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Audi A5 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the A5 years to avoid are 2020, 2018, 2013, 2014, 2010. The cleanest record among A5 years belongs to 2017.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.