The 2018 Audi S5 has 2 safety recalls and 26 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (9 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints26filed by owners
Crashes · fires2 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger
NHTSA recall 21V874000 · Nov 10, 2021 · 208,332 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Components: Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger; Seats
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Components: Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module; Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2018 Audi S5 2 DR AWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Optional
2018 Audi S5 C AWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Optional
2018 Audi S5 Sportback 4 DR AWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
9.9%
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Optional
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
S5
24mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 30 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (AM-S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,400/year to fuel
S5 Sportback
24mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 30 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (AM-S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,400/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Engine
9
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
8
1
0
0
1,350 mi
Visibility/wiper
3
0
0
0
15 mi
Air bags
3
0
0
1
—
Parking brake
2
1
0
1
—
Power train
2
1
0
0
—
Electrical system
2
0
0
0
—
Seat belts
2
0
0
0
—
Structure Body
1
1
0
0
—
Service brakes
1
0
0
0
—
Electronic stability control (esc)
1
0
0
0
—
Steering
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Dec 12, 2025Engine 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 quoted me $7800 estimate to repair the car. Purchased the car in 2021 as a Certified Pre Owned vehicle, and it now has about 84K miles on the OD.
Nov 10, 2021Air bags Component/System: Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) / Airbag system â 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 âPassenger Airbag Offâ appears with a chime. This is an active safety recall that was issued before I purchased the vehicle, but the recall was not disclosed at the time of sale. Safety Risk: If the system shuts off the airbag incorrectly, the passenger may have no airbag protection in a crash, creating a serious risk of injury or death. Inspection Availability: Vehicle is available for inspection. I live on the Big Island of Hawaii, where…
Nov 3, 2025Engine 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 â EA839 Piston Skirt + Rocker Arm Defects â Dealer Broke Engine Cover, Left Wiring Harness Dangling â Audi Denies Despite Having DIY Receipts For Maintenance DESCRIPTION At 86,000 miles, my 2018 Audi S5 Prestige suffered internal engine failure from metal debris and cylinder wall scoring. Dealer borescope showed: Metal in oil filter (bearing + non-ferrous âother metalâ) Deep scoring on multiple cylinders No check engine light. No power loss yet. Still drivable â but seizure is imminent. DEALER NEGLIGENCE AT [Audi Of Chantilly]…
Jun 20, 2025Unknown or other 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.
Jul 10, 2025Engine 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 unresolved. The problem appeared without warning, despite regular maintenance and no prior engine alerts. I believe this may be a defect affecting other Audi models with similar engines, and I urge the NHTSA to investigate whether a recall or technical service bulletin should be issued. Vehicle…
Mar 1, 2024Engine 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 âi didnât buy it thereâ. Insurance denied two claims because Audi reported it as engine failure although they couldnât prove what happened to cause the heating, said it was one of the worst engine overheating they had seen. Prior to overheating, service driver system popped up for the first time. Temperature gauges were normal. Will not start or run since. No accountability taken by…
Jun 12, 2024 · 1 injuryFuel/propulsion system â¢Parking Brake Issue: The parking brake failed to disengage after stopping, leading to an accident. â¢Intoxalock Device Malfunction: The Intoxalock device malfunctioned with incessant beeping and intermittent error messages, causing distractions. â¢Previous Complaints and Lack of Resolution: Previous complaints about the parking brake and Intoxalock device were dismissed without proper investigation or resolution. â¢Parking Brake Failure: The parking brake failed to hold the car, leading to uncontrollable movement and collision with an obstacle. â¢Intoxalock Device Malfunction: The Intoxalock device malfunctioned, causing distractions and contributing to the accident. â¢Financial…
Jul 8, 2024Engine 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 repair shop diagnosed a defective water pump. The pump has not been inspected by anyone other than the mechanics at the repair shop.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.