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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 →
26Owner complaints

Model-year median: 6

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
2
20151
201626
20186
201925
20201
2021
Compare all S5 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine
9Unknown Or Other
8Air Bags
3Visibility/wiper
3Electrical System
2
All reported categories
Parking Brake
2Power Train
2Seat Belts
2Electronic Stability Control (esc)
1Forward Collision Avoidance
1Fuel/propulsion System
1Lane Departure
1Seats
1Service Brakes
1Steering
1Structure
1Suspension
1

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

What owners actually said

26 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2019
Engine

MAXIMUM OIL LIGHT WARNING LIGHT, REDUCE OIL LEVEL, SINCE PURCHASED. GASOLINE GETTING INTO OIL. REMOVED 9 QUARTS OF GASOLINE SATURATED OIL OUT OF CAR. AUDI SAYS I NEED TO DRIVE CAR MORE. AUDI RECENTLY REPLACED OIL & FILTER AND SAID TO MONITOR . DROVE CAR FROM DEALERSHIP SERVICE, WARNING LIGHT CAME BACK ON, CHECKED ENGINE WITH AFT…

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MAXIMUM OIL LIGHT WARNING LIGHT, REDUCE OIL LEVEL, SINCE PURCHASED. GASOLINE GETTING INTO OIL. REMOVED 9 QUARTS OF GASOLINE SATURATED OIL OUT OF CAR. AUDI SAYS I NEED TO DRIVE CAR MORE. AUDI RECENTLY REPLACED OIL & FILTER AND SAID TO MONITOR . DROVE CAR FROM DEALERSHIP SERVICE, WARNING LIGHT CAME BACK ON, CHECKED ENGINE WITH AFTER MARKET OIL DIP STICK, STONE SMELL OF GAS IN OIL. VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO DEALERSHIP

NHTSA ODI #11164757

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2018
Unknown Or Other

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

NHTSA ODI #11122842

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2018
Unknown Or Other

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.

NHTSA ODI #11119956

15 miles · Aug 12, 2018
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

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.

NHTSA ODI #11119453

2,500 miles · Apr 10, 2018
Unknown Or Other

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.

NHTSA ODI #11084352

200 miles · Feb 5, 2018
StructureUnknown Or OtherCrash

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.

NHTSA ODI #11067158

Official recalls

2

21V874000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.