YearToAvoid

2018 Audi S5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

86/100

#3 most-complained of 15 S5 years

The 2018 Audi S5 ranks 3rd worst of 15 model years with a Complaint Index of 86 and 26 NHTSA complaints. Engine problems account for 35% of complaints, and the model carries 2 recalls, giving it an overall Avoid verdict relative to other S5 years.

Complaints
26
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
24
21 city / 30 hwy

Top 2018 Audi S5 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine9 (35%)
  2. Other8 (31%)
  3. Brakes4 (15%)
  4. Airbags3 (12%)
  5. Visibility & Wipers3 (12%)
  6. Electrical System2 (8%)
  7. Seat Belts2 (8%)
  8. Structure & Body2 (8%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain2 (8%)
  10. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (4%)

What owners report

  • Engine develops excessive oil consumption with gasoline detected mixed into the oil, sometimes requiring removal of several quarts of contaminated oil.
  • Some owners describe rocker arm failure inside the engine that Audi is said to have revised on later build dates, leading to catastrophic damage requiring engine replacement.
  • The parking brake has released unexpectedly while the vehicle was in park, letting the car roll away and crash, with median mileage at failure around 7,000 miles for brake complaints.
  • The rearview and top-view camera system fails intermittently while reversing, going blank or unpredictable and making it hard to see obstacles.
  • The panoramic sunroof has separated from the vehicle at highway speed, sending glass backward onto the road.
  • The steering column adjustment lever has come loose and detached, leaving the steering wheel free to move while driving.
2018 Audi S5 complaints: complaints filed per month4Feb 2018Jan 2019Dec 2019Aug 2022Dec 2023Oct 2024Aug 2025
40 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2018 to Dec 2025; peak Aug 2018 (4).

2018 Audi S5 recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015No verdict142021
2016No verdict01021
2018Avoid8626224
2019Good436424
2020Avoid7925423

All Audi S5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Audi S5 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018 S5 has a Complaint Index of 86, the third-worst of 15 model years tracked, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other S5 years.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Audi S5?
Engine issues make up 35% of the 26 complaints logged, followed by brakes at 15% and airbags and visibility/wiper systems each at 12%.
Does the 2018 Audi S5 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2018 S5, both involving airbags, covering issues with a seat heating cable and a wiring harness needing cable ties.
What year Audi S5 should I avoid?
Among tracked years, 2018, 2020, and 2025 carry Avoid verdicts, with 2018 posting a Complaint Index of 86, 2020 at 79, and 2025 at 100.
What mileage do 2018 Audi S5 problems typically show up at?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 4,750 miles at failure overall, with brake-related complaints having a median mileage of 7,000 miles.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.