2018 Audi A5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
93/100
#2 most-complained of 16 A5 years
The 2018 Audi A5 has a complaint index of 93, ranking 2nd worst of 16 model years, with 38 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and engine problems (24% of complaints, median 9,550 miles) as the top issue.
- Complaints
- 38
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 27
- 24 city / 34 hwy
Top 2018 Audi A5 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine9 (24%)
- Other8 (21%)
- Electrical System5 (13%)
- Brakes4 (11%)
- Structure & Body4 (11%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (11%)
- Airbags3 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (8%)
- Steering2 (5%)
What owners report
- Sunroof or moonroof glass has spontaneously shattered while driving at highway speed with no visible impact.
- Engine coolant leaks from a faulty thermostat and water pump have led to overheating risk, sometimes with no warning before failure.
- The passenger airbag on/off indicator has flickered erratically even after the recall repair, so the system cannot reliably detect occupancy.
- The powertrain has unexpectedly shifted gears or lost motive power entirely for an extended period before restarting on its own.
- The automatic trunk/hatch has continued closing on a person instead of stopping, causing a head injury in one case.
- A rear coil spring broke and rear spring mounts corroded well before 30,236 miles, failing a state inspection.
2018 Audi A5 recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V874000Nov 10, 2021Airbags208,332 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
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.
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.
- NHTSA 19V547000Jul 24, 2019Airbags145,337 vehicles
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.
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.
- NHTSA 18V893000Dec 17, 2018Suspension, Wheels & Tires36 vehicles
Suspension:front
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.
Risk: 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.
2018 Audi A5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24 MPG
- Highway
- 34 MPG
- Combined
- 27 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2018 compared with other A5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Audi A5 a bad year?
- Among 16 model years of the A5, 2018 ranks 2nd worst with a complaint index of 93 and 38 NHTSA complaints, so it is rated Avoid relative to other A5 years.
- What is the most common problem with the 2018 Audi A5?
- Engine issues are the top problem area, making up 24% of complaints (9 of 38), with a median failure mileage of 9,550 miles.
- Does the 2018 Audi A5 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2018 Audi A5, covering airbags (three separate campaigns), front suspension fasteners, structure/body trim, and none are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2018 Audi A5 compare to other years?
- 2018 has a complaint index of 93, worse than most other A5 years except 2020, which has the highest index at 100; years like 2015, 2016, and 2021 score far lower with indexes of 13, 7, and 20.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Audi A5?
- The 2018 Audi A5 gets an EPA-rated 27 mpg combined (24 city / 34 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950.