2018 Audi A5 Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026

Good

Ranks 13th of 16 A5 years we score.

Owner complaints: 65; 1 is a recall notice
Per 10,000 cars: 13.9; 46,188 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.56×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 28; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 8
NHTSA crash rating: 5★; overall, out of 5

← 2017 A5 2019 A5 →

Should You Buy the 2018 Audi A5?

Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2018 Audi A5 is 75 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported about half as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 13th of the 16 A5 years we score.

The most reported problem is shattered sunroof glass, mostly shattering or cracking (8 of 65 complaints). Owners also complain about the cooling system and automatic emergency braking. 28 of the 65 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 8 recalls. Audi also offers three warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the air conditioning, fuel system and driver assistance systems. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. For comparison, the 2019 scores 83.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask an Audi dealer about warranty extension AWA-21-01 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Good reliability score of 75
About half the problems of the average car its age
Recent complaints at or below average
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls

Cons

Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking8 complaints
Cooling system: a leak7 complaints
Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead5 complaints
First year of a new generation

How the 2018 A5 Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems	0.57×	−8
Everyday problems	0.53×	−3
Problems in the last two years	0.71×	−7
Recalls	1.4×	−7
Score		75

What Owners Report

We read all 65 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Audi A5, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first. A complaint that describes more than one problem is counted under each, so the counts add up to more than 65.

Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
8 complaints (12%)
Shattering or cracking. 2 of these 8 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an injury. Median mileage when it started: about 29,000 miles.
Cooling system: a leak
7 complaints (11%)
A leak, a failure and overheating. 1 of these 7 complaints describes a serious outcome: a car that would not start.
Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
5 complaints (8%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead, the system not working when needed and a feature that stopped working. 4 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem, and in 3 it came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 4,000 miles.
Engine failure
4 complaints (6%)
A failure. 2 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 73,000 miles.
Passenger airbag sensor: wrong readings
4 complaints (6%)
Wrong readings and problems that come and go.
Rearview camera: reverts to graphic mode
4 complaints (6%)
Reverts to graphic mode and problems that come and go. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of visibility.
Steering: unusual noises
4 complaints (6%)
Unusual noises, parts breaking or coming apart and a feature that stopped working. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of steering control. Median mileage when it started: about 16,000 miles.
Coil spring: parts breaking or coming apart
3 complaints (5%)
Parts breaking or coming apart. Median mileage when it started: about 30,000 miles.
Control module (unspecified) failure
3 complaints (5%)
A failure that needed a new part.
Engine overheating
2 complaints (3%)
Overheating. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a tow.
Forward collision warning: the system not working when needed
2 complaints (3%)
The system not working when needed and the system acting on its own.
Screen and audio: unusual noises
2 complaints (3%)
Unusual noises and problems that come and go.
Sun visor: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (3%)
Parts breaking or coming apart. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Parking brake: the car rolling away
2 complaints (3%)
The car rolling away. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a crash.
Seat belts: warning lights
2 complaints (3%)
Warning lights and not closing or latching.

Show 3 more problems

Tires: early wear
2 complaints (3%)
Early wear.
Transmission: unexpected gear shifts
2 complaints (3%)
Unexpected gear shifts and failure or loss of drive. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a tow.
Valve train: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (3%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and unusual noises. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a car that would not start.

Reported Once (20)

Show the 20 problems reported once

Airbags: no deployment in a crash
Engine: stalling
Engine oil leak
Fuel diluting the engine oil
Lane keeping assist: the system acting on its own
Loss of power (cause not stated)
A/C evaporator: a leak
Engine cover: parts breaking or coming apart
Oil cooler failure
Rear spring mounts: rust or corrosion
Piston rings: damage
Power liftgate: kept closing after hitting a person
Stall (cause not stated)
Start-stop system: works on and off
Struts or shocks: damage
Sunroof: not closing or latching
Shifter or park: the car rolling away
Unexplained crash (cause not stated)
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
Warning lights (cause not stated)

How the 2018 Audi A5 Compares With Other Years

The other A5 years of the 2nd generation, 2018 to 2025, and the years just before and after it.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2026	Too new	–	–	16.7	0	–
2025	Not scored	–	–	22.5	2	Driver-assist camera and radar: works on and off
2024	Good	79	0.58×	3.7	0	A/C: stopped working
2023	Excellent	83	0.38×	2.8	1	Tires: parts breaking or coming apart
2022	Excellent	80	0.44×	5.1	3	Tires: parts breaking or coming apart
2021	Excellent	81	0.36×	4.8	5	Transmission: failure or loss of drive
2020	Caution	64	3.6×	114.4	4	Screen and audio: works on and off
2019	Excellent	83	0.29×	6.6	6	Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
2018 This year	Good	75	0.56×	13.9	8	Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
2017	Not scored	–	–	6.2	3	–

See every A5 year

2018 Audi A5 Recalls

Eight recalls cover the 2018 Audi A5. The most recent was issued in November 2021: “Disabled Passenger Air Bag.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Disabled Passenger Air Bag
A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
NHTSA 21V874000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Nov 10, 2021. By the fourth quarter of 2023, 77% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Terminal Cover Can Compromise 12-Volt Power Supply
In the event of a rear crash, the incorrect cover can cause the 12-volt power supply to be compromised, preventing the vehicle doors from being opened from the outside, or the hazard warning lights from functioning, increasing risk of injury.
NHTSA 20V760000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 9, 2020. By the fourth quarter of 2022, 90% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Air Bag May Switch Off/FMVSS 208
A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
NHTSA 19V547000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jul 24, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 92% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Loose Front Suspension Fasteners
A loose front wheel may increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 18V893000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 17, 2018. By the second quarter of 2020, 100% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air Bag Mounting Screw May Be Loose
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. If the air bag does not deploy correctly in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of an injury.
NHTSA 18V836000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Nov 27, 2018. By the first quarter of 2020, 75% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Incorrectly Folded Front Seat-Mounted Air Bag
If the air bag was not folded correctly during installation, the seat-mounted air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 18V325000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 16, 2018. By the fourth quarter of 2019, 90% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

Show 2 more recalls

Curtain Air Bag May Not Deploy Properly/FMVSS 226
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.
NHTSA 17V822000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 20, 2017. By the second quarter of 2019, 96% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Aluminum Trim for Speakers Can Come Loose
The sharp edges of the speaker trim increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
NHTSA 17V675000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Oct 25, 2017. By the first quarter of 2019, 92% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

2018 Audi A5 Warranty Extensions and Programs

Audi has three warranty extensions for the 2018 Audi A5, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the air conditioning, fuel system and driver assistance systems. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which an Audi dealer can check.

Warranty extensionAudi AWA-21-01
Air conditioning evaporator failure
The problem:
The air conditioning evaporator can fail. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
The fix:
An Audi dealer repairs or replaces a failed A/C evaporator, with any parts and labor needed.
Who qualifies:
Certain A4, S4 and Q7 from model year 2017 and A5, S5 and Q5 from 2018. The bulletin gives no last model year. Cars already repaired still qualify, but totaled cars do not.
Coverage:
10 years or 100,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-22-05
Faulty electric fuel pump
The problem:
The electric fuel pump can be faulty. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
The fix:
An Audi dealer repairs or replaces a faulty electric fuel pump, with any parts and labor needed.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2018 to 2021 S4, S5 and SQ5, 2019 to 2021 Q8 and A8, and 2020 and 2021 Q7. Cars already repaired still qualify, but totaled cars do not.
Coverage:
15 years or 150,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-24-04
Automatic emergency braking system faults
The problem:
The automatic emergency braking, or AEB, system can malfunction when its control unit, a camera, the LIDAR or a sensor fails.
The fix:
An Audi dealer repairs the AEB fault and Audi pays 75 percent of the cost. Damage from crashes, impacts, moved sensors or weather is not covered.
Who qualifies:
Certain Audis covered by the settlement, with a confirmed fault in the AEB control unit, cameras, LIDAR or sensors. If the new car warranty's time ran out by May 16, 2024, the extension's time limit was November 16, 2024.
Coverage:
Up to 12 months or 12,000 miles after the new car warranty ends. Ask an Audi dealer for the exact terms.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2018 A5 ratings on NHTSA.gov.

Sportback 4-door AWD

Overall5/5

Frontal crash4/5

Side crash5/5

Rollover5/5

S5 Sportback 4-door AWD

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Side crashNot rated

Rollover5/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2018 A5, from its eight recalls, three Audi warranty extensions that may still apply and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Disabled Passenger Air Bag NHTSA 21V874000
Terminal Cover Can Compromise 12-Volt Power Supply NHTSA 20V760000
Passenger Air Bag May Switch Off/FMVSS 208 NHTSA 19V547000
Loose Front Suspension Fasteners NHTSA 18V893000
Air Bag Mounting Screw May Be Loose NHTSA 18V836000
Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see all 8 recalls and which are still open.

Ask an Audi Dealer

Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

AWA-21-01: air conditioning evaporator failure
AWA-22-05: faulty electric fuel pump
AWA-24-04: automatic emergency braking system faults

On the Test Drive

Look for water stains or damp carpet, and test the sunroof.
Check the coolant level and watch the temperature gauge on the test drive.
Watch for sudden braking or steering with nothing ahead, and ask whether the driver-assist software updates were done.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Shattered sunroof glass
Cooling system
Automatic emergency braking
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All A5 Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Audi may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.