2018 Audi S5
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 9 of 26 complaints (35%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 0 in 2017 to 26 in 2018.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | vs. 2018 Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,700–3,900 | 3,700–3,900 | 3,250–3,350 | 3,250 | 3,350–3,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–21 | 20–21 | 23–24 | 24 | 22–23 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–18 / 26–28 | 17–18 / 26–28 | 20–21 / 29–30 | 21 / 29–30 | 19–20 / 26–27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 413–439 | 413–439 | 374–384 | 371–377 | 393–405 | |
| Complaints filed | 1 | 0 | 26 | 6 | 25 | |
| Recalls issued | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Audi S5 have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Audi S5?
Engine: 9 of 26 NHTSA complaints (35%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Audi S5 get?
EPA rates it 23–24 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Audi S5?
EPA estimates $3,250–$3,350 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AM-S8) | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $3,250 (low) | 374 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AM-S8) | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 20 mpg (low) | 29 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | $3,350 (high) | 384 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (AM-S8) | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $3,250 (low) | 374 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
SEATS; AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER · Campaign 21V874000 · Nov 12, 2021
Defect: 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.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 19V547000 · Jul 24, 2019
Defect: 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.