Problems · NHTSA complaints

2018 Audi S5 problems

Owners filed 26 complaints about the 2018 Audi S5 with NHTSA between Feb 2018 and Dec 2025. The most-cited component is engine (9).

Complaints
26
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine9
  2. Air bags3
  3. Visibility/wiper3
  4. Seat belts2
  5. Parking brake2
  6. Power train2
  7. Electrical system2
  8. Seats1
  9. Fuel/propulsion system1
  10. Forward collision avoidance1
  11. Lane departure1
  12. Suspension1
  13. Steering1
  14. Electronic stability control (esc)1

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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20185
20195
20201
20210
20222
20234
20243
20256

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

9 reports
“An Audi dealer has just diagnosed my 2018 S5 Cabriolet Prestige with vacuum system contamination caused by water pump failure. I had requested the diagnostic due to small coolant leaks on the engine and loss of coolant in the expansion tank. No warning lights and no overheating yet. Not yet aware of any loss of performance. I have been advised it is unsafe to continue driving the car. Dealer has quoted me $7800 estimate to repair the car. Purchased the car in 2021 as a Certified Pre Owned vehicle, and it now has about 84K miles on the OD.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 14, 2025EngineODI 11704929

Air bags

3 reports1 related recall
“Component/System: Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) / Airbag system — Recall 74E3 / NHTSA 21V874. What Happened: The passenger airbag may switch off even when the seat is occupied due to a faulty PODS wiring connection. The warning message “Passenger Airbag Off” appears with a chime. This is an active safety recall that was issued before I purchased the vehicle, but the recall was not disclosed at the time of sale. Safety Risk: If the system shuts off the airbag incorrectly, the passenger may have no airbag protection in a crash, creating a serious risk of injury or death. Inspection Availability: Vehicle is available for inspection. I live on the Big Island of Hawaii, where there is no Audi-authorized repair facility. Reproduction/Confirmation: Symptoms match the known recall defect. Audi has confirmed the recall applies to my VIN, but no local dealer exists to inspect or repair it. Manufacturer/Dealer Inspection: Audi has refused to cover shipping to the nearest authorized dealership on Oahu, which is the only location where the recall can be performed. Therefore, the defect has not been inspected due to lack of accessible remedy. Warnings/Symptoms:…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 8, 2025Air bags, Seat belts, SeatsODI 11703772

Visibility/wiper

3 reports
“THE CAR'S OVERALL ELECTRONIC RELIABILITY AND SAFETY ARE HUGE AREAS OF CONCERN. REARVIEW CAMERA AND SENSORS DO NOT ALWAYS WORK. SOMETIMES IT WILL OPERATE WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION BUT IT WILL BLACK OUT WHICH ULTIMATELY IMPAIRS THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO REVERSE AND AVOID ANY OBJECTS AND PEDESTRIANS. THIS IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS IN HIGH-FOOT TRAFFIC AREA LIKE SHOPPING MALL. IN ADDITION, THE CAR'S LANE ASSISTANCE MECHANISM IS NOT ACCURATE AT TIMES AND COULD HAVE CAUSED ACCIDENTS SEVERAL TIMES. FOR EXAMPLE, THE SENSOR SOMETIMES WILL MIS-DETECT THE LANES AND WRONGLY DRIFT THE CAR OUT OF LANES, ALMOST CAUSING COLLISION WITH ONCOMING CARS OR ADJACENT CARS. MOREOVER, THE AUDI SENSOR WHICH DETECTS OBJECT AND BRAKES FOR THE DRIVER DOESN'T WORK TOO WELL. FOR INSTANCE, WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN AT AN INTERSECTION, IT WILL MIS-CALCULATE THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND WILL BRAKE AND STALL THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION. ALSO, THE AUDI SENSOR WRONGLY DETECTS THE OBJECT AROUND THE CAR SUCH AS ELEVATED SIDEWALK CURBS OR FIRE HYDRANTS AND IT RANDOMLY AUTO-SLAM THE BRAKES EVEN WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING AT 30-40MPH. THE CAR WAS IN THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP AT LEAST 5 TIMES TO ATTEMPT TO…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 13, 2020Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc), Visibility/wiperODI 11324352

Seat belts

2 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 AUDI S5. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME CONTINUOUSLY SOUNDED EVEN WITH THE SEAT BELT ENGAGED AND IN USE. THE SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATOR ALSO REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AUDI BIRMINGHAM MICHIGAN (34602 WOODWARD AVE, BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009, 248-645-5930) WHERE AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,300.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 28, 2019Electrical system, Seat beltsODI 11251967

Parking brake

2 reports1 crash
“•Parking Brake Issue: The parking brake failed to disengage after stopping, leading to an accident. •Intoxalock Device Malfunction: The Intoxalock device malfunctioned with incessant beeping and intermittent error messages, causing distractions. •Previous Complaints and Lack of Resolution: Previous complaints about the parking brake and Intoxalock device were dismissed without proper investigation or resolution. •Parking Brake Failure: The parking brake failed to hold the car, leading to uncontrollable movement and collision with an obstacle. •Intoxalock Device Malfunction: The Intoxalock device malfunctioned, causing distractions and contributing to the accident. •Financial Burden and Lack of Refund: Intoxalock placed the account in collections despite timely payments and failed to refund lockout fees. •Safety Concerns: Parking brake malfunction and faulty Intoxalock device. •Installation Issues: Unprofessional installation and lack of functionality. •Customer Impact: Dangerous situations and potential vehicle damage. Intoxalock’s faulty installation and negligent response to previous complaints led to a parking brake failure and subsequent accident. The…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2024Parking brake, Air bags, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11621015

Power train

2 reports1 crash
“I received a coolant overheating message, pulled to side of road. Let vehicle cool off although it just showed coolant warning and actual engine temperature showed normal along with oil temperature. Started car back up and it was ok, drove about a mile, engine started steaming, white smoke out of exhaust, system failure had to pull off and be towed. Engine is destroyed at 72,833 miles.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 23, 2024Power train, EngineODI 11579095
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.