The 2018 Audi A5 is associated with 34 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 7 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Engine, accounting for 10 reports (29% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 8 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2l 4-cyl, 3l 6-cyl, and 2.9l 6-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 21 to 27 MPG combined. Detailed NHTSA crash-test ratings are not available in the current AutoUtility dataset for this model year. The 2018 Audi A5 belongs to the 2nd generation (Typ F5) A5 platform spanning model years 2018–2024.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 34 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 7 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Engine (10 / 29%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 2 crash / 0 fire / 1 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: Not rated by NHTSA
- • EPA Efficiency: 21–27 MPG (8 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| A5 Cabriolet quattro | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S7) | 24 MPG | 34 MPG | 27 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| A5 quattro | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 24 MPG | 33 MPG | 27 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| A5 Sportback quattro | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S7) | 24 MPG | 34 MPG | 27 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| A5 quattro | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S7) | 24 MPG | 34 MPG | 27 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| S5 | 3L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S8) | 21 MPG | 30 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $3,150 / yr |
| S5 Sportback | 3L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S8) | 21 MPG | 30 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $3,150 / yr |
| S5 Cabriolet | 3L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S8) | 20 MPG | 29 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $3,300 / yr |
| RS 5 | 2.9L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S8) | 18 MPG | 26 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| 2 DR AWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| C AWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Standard and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2018 Audi A5 models.
View complete 2018 Audi A5 crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2018 Audi A5 problems & component breakdown (19 categories) →
Affected Component: SEATS
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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
Defect Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi RS5 Coupe vehicles. An incorrect positive battery terminal cover was installed.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive terminal cover, free of charge. The recall began January 19, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 27i6.
Affected Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
View all 2018 Audi A5 recalls & campaign history (7 campaigns) →