2018 Audi S5 Safety Report
2018 Audi S5 Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Audi S5
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Audi S5. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (26) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 2 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2016 | Compare against the 2016 Audi S5 with 1 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2020 | Check the 2020 Audi S5 before buying across this generation. |
Audi S5 Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Audi S5 years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Audi S5 | 5 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Audi S5 | 25 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Audi S5 | 1 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Audi S5 | 1 | 5 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Audi S5 | 2 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2023 Audi S5 | 3 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2018 Audi S5 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Audi S5, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Audi onlyUnknown Or Other
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Audi onlyAir Bags,Seat Belts,Seats
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags,Seat Belts,Seats issues Audi onlyParking Brake,Air Bags,Fuel/Propulsion System
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Parking Brake,Air Bags,Fuel/Propulsion System issues Audi onlyPower Train,Engine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Engine issues Audi onlyAir Bags,Forward Collision Avoidance,Lane Departure
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags,Forward Collision Avoidance,Lane Departure issues Audi onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Audi S5
Reliability Score
The 2018 Audi S5 receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
Known Issues for the 2018 Audi S5
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Audi S5:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Overheating And Coolant Contamination Coolant contamination due to water pump failure can lead to engine overheating and potential engine failure. |
Medium | Common | 50k-70k miles |
| Airbag Malfunctions Recalls for passenger airbag inflator modules have been issued, posing a risk of airbag failure during deployment. |
High | Rare | 20k-60k miles |
| Suspension Issues Suspension warning lights have been reported, indicating potential issues with the vehicle's suspension system. |
Medium | Common | 30k-50k miles |
| Steering Column Malfunction The steering column lock lever has fallen off, leading to safety concerns and inconvenience. |
Low | Occasional | 20k-40k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Audi S5:
Engine overheating and coolant contamination are common issues.
Airbag malfunctions and recalls are frequent.
Suspension warning lights have been reported.
Steering column lock lever issues have been reported.
Recall Details for the 2018 Audi S5
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Audi S5 by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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 reme...
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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 Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Audi S5
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Audi S5 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
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 ...
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 di...
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 failur...
Vacuum line has coolant due to water pump failure and over heating of engine. Whole water pump and coolant reservoir plus hoses need to be replaced before additional damage to vehicle.
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 unreso...
While driving, my Audi overheated randomly, started smoking, had to be towed. Had 72,800 miles, was serviced by Audi at 70k miles and all prior recommended services. Towed to Audi dealership, quoted 29k in engine repairs, Audi could never tell me why engine overheated. Would not cover any expense because “i didn’t buy it there”. Insurance denied two claims because Audi reported it as engine failur...
•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...
After driving for 7 to 8 minutes less that 45 mph, a yellow warning lamp and an audible warning indicating unsafe coolant temperature displayed on the dash. An overheating engine is unsafe for me and drivers near me. I immediately pulled over and turned off the A/C. I then turned on the heater, and after 15 minutes slowly drove 5 minutes to a repair shop (Import Autohaus, Hull Street). The re...
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.
I was returning home from visiting family. My drive was approx 140 miles home. The car was running/driving normally when I stopped at a gas station to get a snack. When I came back to my car and attempted to start it, it would not start and had camshaft and crankshaft sensor DTC's. I had to tow the car to my repair shop who determined that the issue was the rocker arms. Despite performing regular ...
The system warning keeps coming on, I’ve tried to schedule appointments with Audi since 2022 and they have zero appointments available
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. There was no debris inside the car, other than the shattered glass itself.
My 2018 Audi S5 Prestige with 59K miles meticulously maintained by the dealer had the Suspension Warning light came on about a week ago. I brought it to my local Audi mechanic and they found the right rear spring had broken about 1/3 of the way from the base and the shock had been damaged from the spring breaking. They attributed it low quality steel being used in the springs Audi is using. Luckil...
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. However, they have failed to remedy the issue for the vehicles that fall within the problematic build dates. Once this failure occurs, it is catastrophic and will require a new engine.
The lever that locks and unlocks the steering column for proper driving position fell off. The single bolt holding the lever fell out followed by the lever. This occurred when the driver utilized the lever to reposition the steering wheel. The steering wheel was not locked into position when the lever fell off, so the steering wheel was subject to movement while driving.
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 ...
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 SH...
I WAS DRIVING ON A BIG HIGHWAY DOING ABOUT 75MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN FOR NO REASON I GET A BIG PRESENSE WARNING FLASH ON MY CONSOLE, THEN A TRANSMISSION ERROR, THEN TIRE PRESSURE ERROR, THEN ENGINE MALFUNCTION ALL IN A ROW AND MY CAR JUST TOTALLY SHUTS OFF AND I HAD TO COAST OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER. I'M HONESTLY JUST SHOCKED I MANAGED TO GET TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT BEING HIT BY SOMEONE. AFTER I TUR...
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...
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), BU...
Showing 20 of 26 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Audi S5
Has the 2018 AUDI S5 been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 AUDI S5 has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2018 AUDI S5 have?
The 2018 AUDI S5 has 26 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 2 involved crashes. 1 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 AUDI S5?
The 2018 AUDI S5 does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 AUDI S5?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 AUDI S5 involve engine (8 complaints), unknown or other (5 complaints), air bags,seat belts,seats (1 complaints). Other affected components include parking brake,air bags,fuel/propulsion system, power train,engine, air bags,forward collision avoidance,lane departure.
How many crash reports does the 2018 AUDI S5 have?
There are 2 crash reports associated with the 2018 AUDI S5 out of 26 total complaints (7.7% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2018 AUDI S5 have?
There are no fire reports for the 2018 AUDI S5 in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 AUDI S5?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 AUDI S5.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 AUDI S5?
1 injury has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 AUDI S5. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2018 AUDI S5?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 AUDI S5 is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 26 complaints, 2 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 AUDI S5?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 AUDI S5 are: 1. ENGINE (8 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (5 complaints), 3. AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SEATS (1 complaints), 4. PARKING BRAKE,AIR BAGS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (1 complaints), 5. POWER TRAIN,ENGINE (1 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 8 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 AUDI S5?
Be cautious of engine overheating and coolant contamination, as well as airbag malfunctions and suspension issues. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2018 AUDI S5 has 26 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2018 AUDI S5?
The 2018 AUDI S5 receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 26 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 2 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine Overheating and Coolant Contamination and Airbag Malfunctions.
What are the known issues with the 2018 AUDI S5?
Known issues with the 2018 AUDI S5 include: Engine Overheating and Coolant Contamination, Airbag Malfunctions, Suspension Issues, Steering Column Malfunction. These are based on patterns found across 26 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the common issues with the 2018 Audi S5?
Common issues include engine overheating, coolant contamination, airbag malfunctions, and suspension and steering problems.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 Audi S5?
Yes, there are recalls for airbag inflator modules and coolant contamination issues.
What should I do if I experience engine overheating?
Pull over safely, let the engine cool down, and seek professional assistance to diagnose and repair the issue.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of engine overheating and coolant contamination, as well as airbag malfunctions and suspension issues. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Audi S5
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Audi S5. The data includes 26 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported crashes, 1 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-13