2018 Audi A5: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 36 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (23% of complaints); the 2016 and 2017 and 2019 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Nov 2021
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The MMI ( main screen) system randomly reboots every 5 minutes, even when using CarPlay, which is unsafe. Please check it out. Thank you!”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2026
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2026
“The vehicle has 36000 miles on it and the oil cooler has failed. The car is meticulously maintained. This failure compromises the ability for the engine to cool properly. Because of the failure, coolant is then forced into the engine oil potentially destroying the engine. Engine replacements are 10,000 for these types of cars. Audi is aware of this issue and should repair all vehicles with this known issue”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“I was driving along the express way when I heard a loud explosion, I look up to see my sunroof exploded and there was glass all over the kids and I. The explosion was so loud I lost control of the car and almost veered off the road. It was terrifying. It happened last year in the winter then happened this year as well. The temperature outside was about 30degrees, and I was driving about 70mph. There were no other cars in front of me at the time. My daughter and I had scratches from the glass on our back”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2025
“Start stop system failure Warning displayed Check engine light Car hesitates IF the start stop happens to decide to function At times it won't work at all”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2024
“Previous recall 19V-547 and 74D9 impacting the passenger air bag turning off even when a passenger is in the vehicle was repaired improperly, and the problem is still happening.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2024
“I was traveling around 7 pm on highway and sunroof shattered unexpectedly. The car ahead ahead of me was two car lengths ahead of me and I'm unsure as to why it shattered, specifically in the center of glass.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2023
“Sunroof exploded while driving down the highway. There was no impact from foreign objects and glass breakage shows upward breaks. No injury sustained due to shade being closed.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2023
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2022
“i have a 2018 audi a5 premium plus cabriolet 2D. At 13000 miles all tires were determined to be worn to the point of being unsafe by the audi dealer.they were at 2/32, 3/32.My complaint is against audi for putting a failed type of tire on this new car. This has caused a dangerous condition for this car.This can be verified at the audi in sarasota florida.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2022
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2018 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact A5 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Audi A5 reliable?
NHTSA has 36 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2018 Audi A5. The most complained-about area is engine (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2018 Audi A5 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 16,000 miles or less.
Does the 2018 Audi A5 have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning structure:body:door:hinge and attachments. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.