Model year guide

2018 Audi s5

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2018 Audi s5 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 107 on record.

2018 Audi s5 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2018 Audi s5 at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints26
Combined24 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2018 Audi s5 recalls 2

Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger NHTSA Campaign #21V874000 · manufacturer #74E3 · 10/11/2021

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 dis…

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…

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #19V547000 · manufacturer #74D9 · 24/07/2019

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.

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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2018 Audi s5 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Visibility/wiper
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Parking Brake
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

2018 Audi s5 MPG & running costs

Combined24 mpg
City21 mpg
Highway30 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,400
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic (AM-S8)
Forced inductionTurbocharged
Engine start-stopYes
Passenger volume84 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$5,000 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2018 Audi s5 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,000
Fuel only$17,000
Per mile$0.23

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
184.6–187.0 in
Width
72.4–72.8 in
Height
53.9–54.3 in
Wheelbase
108.7–111.4 in
Curb weight
3,605–4,233 lb
Front track
62.6 in
Rear track
61.8 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2018 Audi s5 — ranges cover the 3 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 837

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 837.

This bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.

Bulletin TSB_2052680_2 · Sep 2026

This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.

Bulletin TSB_2083409_1 · Sep 2026

This bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning.

Bulletin TSB_2020552_15 · Visibility/wiper · Sep 2026

This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.

Bulletin TSB_2074846_5 · Steering · Sep 2026

This bulletin provides information about billing for a broken sunroof glass panel.

Bulletin TSB_2078648_4 · Structure · Sep 2026

This bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.

Bulletin TSB_2030471_9 · Sep 2026

This bulletin provides information when there is an abnormal knocking noise from the engine compartment; V6 3.0L TFSI.

Bulletin TSB_2081030_4 · Engine · Sep 2026

This bulletin provides infomraiton abou the Audi frequency analysis application, which is available in the App Store for Android and Apple phones.

Bulletin TSB_2051095_12 · Sep 2026

This TSB describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases.

Bulletin TSB_2068999_5 · Structure · Sep 2026

This bulletin provides information regarding fault finding and repair information for electric tailgate.

Bulletin TSB_2079214_4 · Electrical System · Sep 2026

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the S5 AWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 2

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2018 Audi s5. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Airbag

Issue: On certain vehicles, the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction. This could cause the airbag system to turn off the passenger-front airbag even when a passenger is seated. Note: This problem would cause an error message to display on the instrument panel and a warning chime to sound. The airbag indicator light would also display "passenger airbag off"…

Transport Canada #2021688 · Nov 2021

Airbag

Issue: On certain vehicles, the passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction. This could cause the airbag system to turn off the passenger-front airbag even when a passenger is seated. Note: This problem would cause an error message to display on the instrument panel and a warning chime to sound. The airbag indicator light would also display "passenger airbag off"…

Transport Canada #2019361 · Jul 2019

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Audi s5

The Audi S5 is one of two high-performance variants of Audi's A5. The B8 and B9 generations were marketed as the coupé, cabriolet, and five-door fastback sedan versions of the B8 and B9 Audi S4 saloon and estate models, while the B10 S5 is the direct replacement of the B9 S4 models.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2018 Audi s5 trims & engines on record

Trims
quattro Prestige, quattro Technik (Canada) · quattro Premium Plus, quattro Progressiv (Canada) · quattro Prestige
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl 354 hp

2018 Audi s5 vehicles on record

2018 Audi s5 2018 Audi s5 quattro Prestige, quattro Technik (Canada)WAUR4AF59JA046133 2018 Audi s5 2018 Audi s5 quattro Premium Plus, quattro Progressiv (Canada)WAUB4CF52JA107111 2018 Audi s5 2018 Audi s5 quattro Prestige, quattro Technik (Canada)WAUR4AF52JA011742 2018 Audi s5 2018 Audi s5 quattro PrestigeWAU24GF58JN003030 2018 Audi s5 2018 Audi s5 quattro Premium Plus, quattro Progressiv (Canada)WAUP4AF55JA055810 2018 Audi s5 2018 Audi s5 quattro Prestige, quattro Technik (Canada)WAUC4CF5XJA032906 2018 Audi s5 2018 Audi s5WAUB4CF56JA129032 2018 Audi s5 2018 Audi s5WAUC4CF52JA104150 2018 Audi s5 2018 Audi s5WAUC4CF56KA015053 2018 Audi s5 2018 Audi s5WAUR4AF55JA098407 2018 Audi s5 2018 Audi s5WAUC4CF5XKA005738 2018 Audi s5 2018 Audi s5WAUC4CF55JA122982 2018 Audi s5 2018 Audi s5WAUC4CF52KA015941 2018 Audi s5 2018 Audi s5WAUC4CF56JA098420 2018 Audi s5 2018 Audi s5WAUC4CF53JA071661 2018 Audi s5WAUB4CF54JA080445 2018 Audi s5 2018 Audi s5WAUB4CF51KA008555 2018 Audi s5 2018 Audi s5WAUC4DF52JA075836 2018 Audi s5 2018 Audi s5WAUB4CF59JA116517 2018 Audi s5 2018 Audi s5WAUP4AF54JA081122 2018 Audi s5 2018 Audi s5WAUP4AF52JA080003 2018 Audi s5 2018 Audi s5WAUC4CF50JA084870 2018 Audi s5 2018 Audi s5WAUB4CF50JA127129 2018 Audi s5 2018 Audi s5WAU24GF5XKN000681

Other Audi s5 model years

2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007

2018 Audi s5 — frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Audi s5 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2018 Audi s5. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Audi s5?

Across all 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, air bags, visibility/wiper.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Audi s5 get?

The 2018 Audi s5 has a U.S. EPA estimate of 24 mpg combined (21 city / 30 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.