2018 Audi S5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2018 Audi S5 has a complaint index of 80, ranking 4th worst of 16 model years, with 26 complaints and 2 recalls. Engine problems make up 35% of complaints, driving the Avoid verdict for this year compared to other S5 years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #4 of 16 S5 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 26
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21 city / 30 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2018 Audi S5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine9 (35%)
- Other8 (31%)
- Brakes4 (15%)
- Airbags3 (12%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (12%)
- Electrical System2 (8%)
- Seat Belts2 (8%)
- Structure & Body2 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (8%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine oil level drops and warning lights trigger after gasoline is found mixed into the oil.
- Owners describe rocker arm failure inside the engine that Audi reportedly revised on later build dates without addressing older cars.
- The gearbox and parking brake reportedly released while parked, letting the vehicle roll away and crash.
- Multiple warning flashes (pre-sense, transmission, tire pressure, engine) appeared in sequence at highway speed followed by the car shutting off.
- The rearview and top-view camera systems reportedly fail intermittently or black out while reversing.
- A sunroof reportedly separated and blew off the vehicle while driving on the highway.
2018 Audi S5 recalls
2 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.
2018 Audi S5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 30 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,300
- 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 S5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Audi S5 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2018 S5 has a complaint index of 80, the 4th worst of 16 model years for this model, so it ranks as Avoid relative to other S5 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Audi S5?
- Engine issues account for 35% of complaints (9 of 26), followed by brakes at 15% and airbags at 12%, based on NHTSA complaint data.
- Does the 2018 Audi S5 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2018 S5, both related to airbags, and neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- At what mileage do 2018 Audi S5 problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure across all reported issues for this year is 4,750 miles, though brake-related complaints show a median of 7,000 miles.
- How does the 2018 S5 compare to other S5 years?
- The 2018 S5's complaint index of 80 is close to the 2020 model's 87, both rated Avoid, while 2014 and 2019 are rated Good with much lower indexes of 33 and 47.