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2018 Audi S5 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2018 Audi S5 has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 2safety recalls
- 26owner complaints
- 2crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 1injury reported
The most complained-about Audi S5 year on file: 26 complaints, against an average of 10 for the other 8 model years.
Every Audi S5 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2018 Audi S5?
The components named most often in the 26 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2018 Audi S5 owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 26 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2018 Audi S5 been recalled?
2 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Seats 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.
Risk: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags: Frontal: Passenger Side: Inflator Module 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.
Risk: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Is the 2018 Audi S5 recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
EU Safety GateIn 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.
Measures: 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
What do 2018 Audi S5 owners report?
12 of the 26 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
An Audi dealer has just diagnosed my 2018 S5 Cabriolet Prestige with vacuum system contamination caused by water pump failure. I had requested the diagnostic due to small coolant leaks on the engine and loss of coolant in the expansion tank. No warning lights and no overheating yet. Not yet aware of any loss of performance. I have been advised it is unsafe to continue driving the car. Dealer has quoted me $7800 estimate to repair the car. Purchased the car in 2021 as a Certified Pre Owned vehicle, and it now has about 84K miles on the OD.
Component/System: Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) / Airbag system — Recall 74E3 / NHTSA 21V874. What Happened: The passenger airbag may switch off even when the seat is occupied due to a faulty PODS wiring connection. The warning message “Passenger Airbag Off” appears with a chime. This is an active safety recall that was issued before I purchased the vehicle, but the recall was not disclosed at the time of sale. Safety Risk: If the system shuts off the airbag incorrectly, the passenger may have no airbag protection in a crash, creating a serious risk of injury or death. Inspection…
VEHICLE Year: 2018 Make: Audi Model: S5 Prestige Trim: 3.0 TFSI (EA839 V6 Turbo) Mileage: 86,000 Engine Code: CWGD COMPLAINT TITLE Latent Engine Failure – EA839 Piston Skirt + Rocker Arm Defects – Dealer Broke Engine Cover, Left Wiring Harness Dangling – Audi Denies Despite Having DIY Receipts For Maintenance DESCRIPTION At 86,000 miles, my 2018 Audi S5 Prestige suffered internal engine failure from metal debris and cylinder wall scoring. Dealer borescope showed: Metal in oil filter (bearing + non-ferrous “other metal”) Deep scoring on multiple cylinders No check engine light. No power loss…
To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint to report a mechanical issue with my 2018 Audi S5 Sportback. Around 57,000 miles, the engine began making a noticeable ticking noise, which I have been advised is due to failing rocker arms. This issue has raised serious concerns, as it can lead to engine misfires, reduced performance, and potentially catastrophic engine damage if left unresolved. The problem appeared without warning, despite regular maintenance and no prior engine alerts. I believe this may be a defect affecting other Audi models with similar engines, and I urge the NHTSA…
•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. •Intoxalock Device Malfunction: The Intoxalock…
I received a coolant overheating message, pulled to side of road. Let vehicle cool off although it just showed coolant warning and actual engine temperature showed normal along with oil temperature. Started car back up and it was ok, drove about a mile, engine started steaming, white smoke out of exhaust, system failure had to pull off and be towed. Engine is destroyed at 72,833 miles.
The system warning keeps coming on, I’ve tried to schedule appointments with Audi since 2022 and they have zero appointments available
THE CAR'S OVERALL ELECTRONIC RELIABILITY AND SAFETY ARE HUGE AREAS OF CONCERN. REARVIEW CAMERA AND SENSORS DO NOT ALWAYS WORK. SOMETIMES IT WILL OPERATE WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION BUT IT WILL BLACK OUT WHICH ULTIMATELY IMPAIRS THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO REVERSE AND AVOID ANY OBJECTS AND PEDESTRIANS. THIS IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS IN HIGH-FOOT TRAFFIC AREA LIKE SHOPPING MALL. IN ADDITION, THE CAR'S LANE ASSISTANCE MECHANISM IS NOT ACCURATE AT TIMES AND COULD HAVE CAUSED ACCIDENTS SEVERAL TIMES. FOR EXAMPLE, THE SENSOR SOMETIMES WILL MIS-DETECT THE LANES AND WRONGLY DRIFT THE CAR OUT OF LANES, ALMOST…
DURING A DRIVE ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY IN TENNESSEE ON12/27/19, THE SUNROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED. SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 75-80 MPH ON A CLOUDY DAY WITH THE TEMPERATURE IN THE LOW 60'S F. WITHOUT ANY PRIOR INDICATIONS, THERE WAS A LOUD BOOM. A SECTION OF THE SUNROOF APPROX 18' IN DIAMETER SEPARATED FROM THE WINDOW AND BLEW BACKWARDS ONTO THE ROAD. SMALLER SHARDS OF GLASS FELL INWARD ONTO THE SUN SHADE INSIDE THE CAR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 AUDI S5. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME CONTINUOUSLY SOUNDED EVEN WITH THE SEAT BELT ENGAGED AND IN USE. THE SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATOR ALSO REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AUDI BIRMINGHAM MICHIGAN (34602 WOODWARD AVE, BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009, 248-645-5930) WHERE AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,300.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 AUDI S5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEARBOX AND PARKING BRAKE RELEASED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUDI GREENWICH (181 WEST PUTNAM AVENUE, GREENWICH, CT 06830, (203) 661-1800), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,000. *JS
MY CAR HAS A "TOP VIEW" REAR CAMERA SYSTEM TO AID IN REVERSING. THIS SYSTEM FAILS AND IS IN AN UNPREDICTABLE STATE ON THE SCREEN EVERY TIME I REVERSE, NOT SHOWING THE VIEW AROUND MY CAR. THIS IS DISTRACTING, AND LEADS TO PROBLEMS IN TRYING TO SWITCH MY TOP-VIEW CAMERA ON (IT REQUIRES A COMPLEX SERIES OF 8 BUTTON PRESSES WHILE IN REVERSE!) WHILE BACKING UP. I HAVE NEARLY HIT OBJECTS AND PEDESTRIANS DUE TO THIS SAFETY DEFECT, AND IT DIMINISHES MY ABILITY TO SAFELY OPERATE MY VEHICLE WHEN IT IS REVERSING. THIS SAME DEFECT AFFECTS ALL AUDI MODELS WITH THIS OPTION SOLD IN CY 2017 AND 2018…
2018 Audi S5: questions owners ask
Is the 2018 Audi S5 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 26 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Audi S5; the most common categories were engine (9, 34.6%), air bags (3, 11.5%), visibility/wiper (3, 11.5%). There are 2 safety recalls. 2 complaints mention a crash, 1 injury was reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Audi S5?
Across 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (34.6% of complaints), air bags (11.5% of complaints), visibility/wiper (11.5% of complaints), electrical system (7.7% of complaints), parking brake (7.7% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2018 Audi S5 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2018 Audi S5; the most recent (campaign 21V874000, 2021-11-10) concerns Seats. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2018 Audi S5 overheat?
4 of the 26 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 Audi S5 (15.4%) describe the engine overheating or coolant loss. One owner wrote: "An Audi dealer has just diagnosed my 2018 S5 Cabriolet Prestige with vacuum system contamination caused by water pump failure. I had requested the diagnostic due to small coolant leaks on the engine and loss of coolant in the expansion tank." (NHTSA complaint 11704929, December 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Has the 2018 Audi S5 had engine failures?
3 of the 26 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 Audi S5 (11.5%) describe complete engine failure or a replaced engine. One owner wrote: "The 2018 year for the Audi S5 has a notorious rocker arm failure within the engine. Audi is aware of this problem because they have revised the part for later build dates." (NHTSA complaint 11480742, August 2022). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Can the sunroof on the 2018 Audi S5 shatter or fail?
3 of the 26 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 Audi S5 (11.5%) describe the sunroof or panoramic roof shattering, exploding or failing. One owner wrote: "The sunroof exploded. Driving on a good quality highway (CA76), no temperature extremes, no bumps or potholes. Heard what sounded like a gunshot. Pulled over thinking it might be a tire failure, to find my sunroof severely shattered." (NHTSA complaint 11542769, September 2023). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own S5
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2018 only; combines NHTSA's entries for S5 and S5 SPORTBACK.