Recalls
6campaigns
4 air bag · 1 suspension · 1 structure
Source: NHTSA
Complaints
38filed
Owner reports, 2014–2023 shown
Source: NHTSA ODI
Fuel economy
27mpg combined
$2,419/yr at this week's prices
Source: EPA · EIA
Specs
2 L 4-cyl· Automatic
4 engine and transmission configurations
Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recalls (6)
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2018 Audi A5. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Listed for 2018 Audi A5. Not checked against your VIN.
Disabled Passenger Air Bag
Air bags · sensor · occupant classification · front passenger
Official NHTSA text
- 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.
- Consequence
- A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- 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.
83.9% repairedof 208,332 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V874000
Listed for 2018 Audi A5. Not checked against your VIN.
Passenger Air Bag May Switch Off/FMVSS 208
Air bags · frontal · passenger side · inflator module
Official NHTSA text
- 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.
- Consequence
- A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- 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.
91.9% repairedof 145,337 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 19V547000
Listed for 2018 Audi A5. Not checked against your VIN.
Loose Front Suspension Fasteners
Suspension · front
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- A loose front wheel may increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
100% repairedof 36 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 18V893000
Listed for 2018 Audi A5. Not checked against your VIN.
Air Bag Mounting Screw may be Loose
Air bags · frontal · passenger side · inflator module
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- If the air bag does not deploy correctly in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of an injury.
- Remedy
- 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.
75% repairedof 12 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 18V836000
Listed for 2018 Audi A5. Not checked against your VIN.
Curtain Air Bag May Not Deploy Properly/FMVSS 226
Air bags · side/window
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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."
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
96.4% repairedof 8,037 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 17V822000
Listed for 2018 Audi A5. Not checked against your VIN.
Aluminum Trim for Speakers can Come Loose
Structure · body · door · hinge and attachments
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- The sharp edges of the speaker trim increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
- Remedy
- 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.
92.5% repairedof 31,323 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 17V675000
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (38)
38 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.
2involved a crash
0involved a fire
2injuries reported
0deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 38 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 8 | 21.1% |
| Unknown or other | 8 | 21.1% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 10.5% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 10.5% |
| Structure | 4 | 10.5% |
| Air bags | 3 | 7.9% |
| Power train | 3 | 7.9% |
| Visibility/wiper | 3 | 7.9% |
| Steering | 2 | 5.3% |
| Suspension | 2 | 5.3% |
How 2018 compares with other A5 years
Best and worst A5 years →201429
20159
20167
20172
201838
201912
202060
20218
20227
20238
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 29 | 3 |
| 2015 | 9 | 3 |
| 2016 | 7 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 | 3 |
| 2018 | 38 | 6 |
| 2019 | 12 | 3 |
| 2020 | 60 | 4 |
| 2021 | 8 | 5 |
| 2022 | 7 | 2 |
| 2023 | 8 | 0 |
This year (2018)Other yearsStill collecting reports
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 27 mpg combined
27
mpg combined
24
city
34
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,050
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 327 g/mi
- EPA class
- Subcompact Cars
What it costs you to run
$2,419per year
$202per month
556gallons a year
Miles ÷ 27 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 L 4-cyl · Automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 24 / 34 / 27 | $3,050 | 327 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual | All-Wheel Drive | 24 / 33 / 27 | $3,050 | 327 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · Automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 24 / 34 / 27 | $3,050 | 327 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · Automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 24 / 34 / 27 | $3,050 | 327 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2018 A5 for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2018 Audi A5 FAQ
How many recalls does the 2018 Audi A5 have?
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns: 21V874000 (air bag), 19V547000 (air bag), 18V893000 (suspension), 18V836000 (air bag), 17V822000 (air bag), 17V675000 (structure). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2018 Audi A5 problems?
Owners filed 38 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (8), Unknown or other (8), Electrical system (4) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2018 Audi A5 get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · Automatic version at 24 city, 34 highway and 27 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2018 A5 compare with other years?
Among the 2014–2021 Audi A5 model years at least five years old, the 2017 drew the fewest complaints (2) and the 2020 the most (60). The 2018 drew 38. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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