2018 Audi A5 recalls and problems
The 2018 Audi A5 has 6 safety recalls and 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Audi dealer.
Recalls may cover only some 2018 Audi A5 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.
2018 Audi A5 recalls
Recall 21V-874: Air Bags, Seats
Problem: 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.
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.
Recall 19V-547: Air Bags
Problem: 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.
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.
Recall 18V-893: Suspension
Problem: 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.
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.
Recall 18V-836: Air Bags
Problem: 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.
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.
Recall 17V-822: Air Bags
Problem: 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."
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.
Recall 17V-675: Structure
Problem: 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.
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.
2018 Audi A5 problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown or Other | 8 | |
| Engine | 8 | |
| Service Brakes | 4 | |
| Structure | 4 | |
| Electrical System | 4 | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 3 | |
| Air Bags | 3 | |
| Power Train | 3 | |
| Steering | 2 | |
| Suspension | 2 | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 2 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
Most reported parts
- Structure › Body — 4
- Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly — 1
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 1
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 1
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 7,000 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2018 Audi A5 complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Other Audi A5 years
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2018 Audi A5 have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2018 Audi A5: 21V-874 (air bags, seats), 19V-547 (air bags), 18V-893 (suspension), 18V-836 (air bags), 17V-822 (air bags) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Audi A5?
Owners report unknown or other problems most often (8 reports), followed by engine (8). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 7,000 miles.
Are Audi recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Audi dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.