KnownCarProblems2018 Audi A5 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 38 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Audi A5, most often about the engine (24% of complaints). It is the 2nd most complained-about A5 model year since 2000 and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2018 Audi A5 problems
Engine
9 complaints · 24%The contact owns a 2018 Audi A5. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the gears unexpectedly shifted. Additionally, on one occasion, the vehicle lost motive power for two full days. The vehicle was later able to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer…
Other or unspecified
8 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 3,000 miles.
The electronic trunk of my Audi A5 failed to stop closing once it hit me on the head. The hatch kept closing in until I was able to move my body out of the way however at this point the hatch already caused a laceration to my skull which resulted in a visit to the emergency room. Vehicle was parked and the engine was…
Brakes
4 complaints · 11%Visibility and wipers
4 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: sun/moon roof assembly.
I was driving my new 2018 Audi A5 cabriolet (approx. 4500 miles) on a local road. The driver side sun visor was in the 'down' position when driving this morning headed into the rising sun. As the sun shifted from in front of me to my left side, I released the sun visor from the clip and moved it to the left side to…
Driving straight, about 60 MPH on a two lane road, far removed from any other vehicles, my sunroof/moonroof glass exploded. There was no previous visible damage that I was aware of. No other vehicles around to have 'kicked up' a rock or stone. Exploded without warning.
Body and structure
4 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: body.
The electronic trunk of my Audi A5 failed to stop closing once it hit me on the head. The hatch kept closing in until I was able to move my body out of the way however at this point the hatch already caused a laceration to my skull which resulted in a visit to the emergency room. Vehicle was parked and the engine was…
Electrical
4 complaints · 11%Air bags
3 complaints · 8%With the front passanger seat occupied by an adult, display on the dash randamly diplays "passanger airbag off" then displays "passanger airbag on". Display switches between the two. This happens when the car is in motion on a highway or city road driving.
Transmission
3 complaints · 8%
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 Audi A5 recalls
Air bags: front passenger
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.
Full defect 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.
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Full defect 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.
Suspension: front
Risk: A loose front wheel may increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the front suspension fasteners, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began january 23, 2019. Owners may contact audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40o2.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of north america (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 audi a5 sportback vehicles. The front suspension fasteners may not have been sufficiently tightened during vehicle production, possibly resulting in a front wheel becoming loose.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: If the air bag does not deploy correctly in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of an injury.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag mounting screw, tightening or replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began december 19, 2018. Owners may contact audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69y4.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 audi a5 sportback and 2017-2018 audi a4 allroad vehicles. A passenger air bag module mounting screw may not have been sufficiently tightened, possibly affecting the deployment of the air bag in the event of a crash.
Air bags: side/window
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the head curtain air bag, if the air bag does not deploy properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will modify the head curtain air bags so that they deploy properly, free of charge. The recall began on january 18, 2018. Owners may contact audi customer service at 11-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69t7.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 audi a5 coupe vehicles. The affected vehicles were built with head curtain air bag assemblies that may not unfold properly. As such, these vehicle fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 226, "ejection mitigation."
Body and structure: hinge and attachments
Risk: The sharp edges of the speaker trim increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the speaker cover aluminum trim, free of charge. The recall began march 13, 2018. Owners may contact audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 70g6.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2018 audi a4 sedan and a4 allroad, and 2018 a5 sportback vehicles. The aluminum trim on the front and rear doors can come loose from around the door speakers, leaving sharp edges exposed.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2018 Audi A5
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Audi A5?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (9 complaints); other or unspecified (8 complaints, typically around 3,000 miles); brakes (4 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2018 Audi A5 have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 10, 2021 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the Audi A5?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about A5 model year since 2000, with 38 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.