IllustrationVacuum 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.
2018 Audi S5
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all S5 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 8 of 26 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility/wiper. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
Unknown Or Other complaints
8 reportsThe 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.
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 MA…
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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 TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON IT SEEMS TO BE OKAY OTHER THAN THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP MIL LIGHT IS STILL ON. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER SEVERAL MONTHS, PRESENSE WOULD ACCIDENTLY TRIGGER AND PUT MY CAR IN VERY COMPROMISING SITUATIONS AND ALMOST CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT MULTIPLE TIMES.
BANG AND OLFISEN SYSTEM SPEAKERS RATTLES A LOT AT VOLUME OVER 50 PERCENT AND SOUNDS VERY DISTORTED AT LOUDER VOLUMES SYSTEM ONLY PLAYS WELL AT 50 PERCENT AND LOWER VOLUME
MY S5 SPORTBACK'S TOP VIEW CAMERA DOES NOT WORK AS DESIGNED. IT REVERTS BACK TO "GRAPHIC" MODE EVERY TIME I START THE CAR. "GRAPHIC" MODE IS SIMPLY A BLACK SCREEN WITH A CARTOON CAR IN THE MIDDLE, AS OPPOSED TO THE ACTUAL "CAMERA" MODE THAT SHOWS YOU WHAT SURROUNDS YOUR VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DUE TO THE DIST…
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MY S5 SPORTBACK'S TOP VIEW CAMERA DOES NOT WORK AS DESIGNED. IT REVERTS BACK TO "GRAPHIC" MODE EVERY TIME I START THE CAR. "GRAPHIC" MODE IS SIMPLY A BLACK SCREEN WITH A CARTOON CAR IN THE MIDDLE, AS OPPOSED TO THE ACTUAL "CAMERA" MODE THAT SHOWS YOU WHAT SURROUNDS YOUR VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DUE TO THE DISTRACTING NATURE OF THE UNPREDICTABILITY OF THE STATE OF THE BACKUP CAMERA, AS YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH A SERIES OF BUTTON PRESSES TO GET THE CAMERA VIEW, WHICH MIGHT BE DANGEROUS IN A REAL-LIFE SETTING. THIS AFFECTS NEARLY EVERY AUDI WITH THIS OPTION SOLD IN THE 2018 MODEL YEAR. AUDI HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS SAFETY ISSUE BUT HAS REFUSED TO OFFER ANY SOLUTION FOR OVER A YEAR, AND HAS CONTINUED TO KNOWINGLY SELL THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES WITH THIS DEFECT.
MY CAR HAS A "TOP VIEW" REAR CAMERA SYSTEM TO AID IN REVERSING. THIS SYSTEM FAILS AND IS IN AN UNPREDICTABLE STATE ON THE SCREEN EVERY TIME I REVERSE, NOT SHOWING THE VIEW AROUND MY CAR. THIS IS DISTRACTING, AND LEADS TO PROBLEMS IN TRYING TO SWITCH MY TOP-VIEW CAMERA ON (IT REQUIRES A COMPLEX SERIES OF 8 BUTTON PRESSES WHILE IN…
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MY CAR HAS A "TOP VIEW" REAR CAMERA SYSTEM TO AID IN REVERSING. THIS SYSTEM FAILS AND IS IN AN UNPREDICTABLE STATE ON THE SCREEN EVERY TIME I REVERSE, NOT SHOWING THE VIEW AROUND MY CAR. THIS IS DISTRACTING, AND LEADS TO PROBLEMS IN TRYING TO SWITCH MY TOP-VIEW CAMERA ON (IT REQUIRES A COMPLEX SERIES OF 8 BUTTON PRESSES WHILE IN REVERSE!) WHILE BACKING UP. I HAVE NEARLY HIT OBJECTS AND PEDESTRIANS DUE TO THIS SAFETY DEFECT, AND IT DIMINISHES MY ABILITY TO SAFELY OPERATE MY VEHICLE WHEN IT IS REVERSING. THIS SAME DEFECT AFFECTS ALL AUDI MODELS WITH THIS OPTION SOLD IN CY 2017 AND 2018 (INCLUDING A4, S4, A5, S5, Q5, AND Q7). I COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SAFETY DEFECT TO MY DEALER ON SEPT 17, 2017. AUDI HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS DEFECT, AND CLAIMS IT HAS A FIX, BUT HAS REFUSED TO DISTRIBUTE THE FIX TO EXISTING VEHICLES FOR 6+ MONTHS. IN THE TIME IT HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AUDI MISREPRESENTED THE SAFETY FEATURES OF THEIR NEW VEHICLES SOLD IN THE US, AND CONTINUED TO SELL VEHICLES WITH THIS EXPENSIVE SAFETY OPTION KNOWING THAT THE SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY -- AND, IN FACT, IS SO DISTRACTING AS TO REDUCE SAFETY WHILE REVERSING INSTEAD OF ENHANCING IT.
THE SUNROOF ON MY BRAND NEW 2018 AUDI S5 EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. THE PIECES OF GLASS FROM THE SUNROOF DAMAGED THE PAINT ON THE ROOF AND TRUNK-LID AS THEY BLEW BACK DURING THE INCIDENT.
FORWARD COLLISION WARNING AND MITIGATION SYSTEM (PRE SENSE CITY) DID NOT WORK TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT WHERE I REAR ENDED A CAR THAT WAS STATIONARY. NO WARNING OR ACTION WAS TAKEN BY THE CAR. POLICE REPORT ATTACHED.
Official recalls
221V874000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger; Seats
Nov 10, 2021
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 & remedy
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 remedy.
Additional source detail variants (2)
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.
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 remedy.
Seats
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 remedy.
19V547000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
Jul 24, 2019
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 & remedy
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
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.
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.
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.