Problems · NHTSA complaints
2008 Audi S5 problems
Owners filed 3 complaints about the 2008 Audi S5 with NHTSA between Jan 2013 and Apr 2019. The most-cited component is power train (1).
Complaints
3
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Power train1
- Air bags1
- Visibility1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Power train
1 report
“WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEEDS THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION SYNCOS WEAR OUT PREMATURELY CAUSING GRINDING INTO GEARS AND FAILURE TO ENGAGE GEARS WICH CAN CAUSE STALLS OR SUDDEN LOSS OF SPEED. IV BEEN TOLD ITS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AMONG THESE VEHICLES.”
Air bags
1 report
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI S5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V376000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK THE FOLLOWING DAY TO THE DEALER (AUDI OMAHA, 808 N 102ND ST, SUITE B, OMAHA, NE 68114, 402-393-7000) AND THE TECHNICIAN DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE EXISTED PRIOR TO THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 129,000.”
Visibility
1 report
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI S5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDE AIR BAG WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE SUNROOF SHOULD HAVE DRAINED THE EXCESS WATER BUT IT WAS ENTERING THROUGH THE AIR BAG INSTEAD. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE SUNROOF CONNECTION WOULD NEED REPAIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 32,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.