I was driving on a big highway doing about 75mph and all of a sudden for no reason I get a big presense warning flash on my console, then a transmission error, then tire pressure error, then engine malfunction all in a row and my car just totally shuts off and I had to coast over onto the shoulder. I'm honestly just shocked I managed to get to the shoulder without being hit by someone. After I turned the car off and back on it seems to be okay other than the malfunction indicator lamp MIL light is still on. This happened multiple times over several months, presense would accidently trigger and put my car in very compromising situations and almost caused a serious accident multiple times.
2018 Audi S5 owner complaints
26 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 1 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.
other 7 complaints shown
•Parking Brake Issue: The parking brake failed to disengage after stopping, leading to an accident. •Intoxalock Device Malfunction: The Intoxalock device malfunctioned with incessant beeping and intermittent error messages, causing distractions. •Previous Complaints and Lack of Resolution: Previous complaints about the parking brake and Intoxalock device were dismissed without proper investigation or resolution. •Parking Brake Failure: The parking brake failed to hold the car, leading to uncontrollable movement and collision with an obstacle. •Intoxalock Device Malfunction: The Intoxalock device malfunctioned, causing distractions and contributing to the accident. •Financial Burden and Lack of Refund: Intoxalock placed the account in collections despite timely payments and failed to refund
The sunroof exploded. Driving on a good quality highway (CA76), no temperature extremes, no bumps or potholes. Heard what sounded like a gunshot. Pulled over thinking it might be a tire failure, to find my sunroof severely shattered. There was no debris inside the car, other than the shattered glass itself.
Bang and olfisen system speakers rattles a lot at volume over 50 percent and sounds very distorted at louder volumes system only plays well at 50 percent and lower volume
My s5 sportback's top view camera does not work as designed. It reverts back to "graphic" mode every time I start the car. "graphic" mode is simply a black screen with a cartoon car in the middle, as opposed to the actual "camera" mode that shows you what surrounds your vehicle. This is a safety-related defect due to the distracting nature of the unpredictability of the state of the backup camera, as you have to go through a series of button presses to get the camera view, which might be dangerous in a real-life setting. This affects nearly every Audi with this option sold in the 2018 model year. Audi has acknowledged this safety issue but has refused to offer any solution for over a year, and has continued to knowingly sell thousands of vehicles with this defect.
My car has a "top view" rear camera system to aid in reversing. This system fails and is in an unpredictable state on the screen every time I reverse, not showing the view around my car. This is distracting, and leads to problems in trying to switch my top-view camera on (it requires a complex series of 8 button presses while in reverse!) while backing up. I have nearly hit objects and pedestrians due to this safety defect, and it diminishes my ability to safely operate my vehicle when it is reversing. This same defect affects all Audi models with this option sold in cy 2017 and 2018 (including a4, s4, a5, s5, q5, and q7). I complained about this safety defect to my dealer on sept 17, 2017. Audi has acknowledged this defect, and claims it has a fix, but has refused to distribute the fix
Vacuum line has coolant due to water pump failure and over heating of engine. Whole water pump and coolant reservoir plus hoses need to be replaced before additional damage to vehicle.
engine 6 complaints shown
An Audi dealer has just diagnosed my 2018 S5 Cabriolet Prestige with vacuum system contamination caused by water pump failure. I had requested the diagnostic due to small coolant leaks on the engine and loss of coolant in the expansion tank. No warning lights and no overheating yet. Not yet aware of any loss of performance. I have been advised it is unsafe to continue driving the car. Dealer has quoted me $7800 estimate to repair the car. Purchased the car in 2021 as a Certified Pre Owned vehicle, and it now has about 84K miles on the OD.
I was returning home from visiting family. My drive was approx 140 miles home. The car was running/driving normally when I stopped at a gas station to get a snack. When I came back to my car and attempted to start it, it would not start and had camshaft and crankshaft sensor DTC's. I had to tow the car to my repair shop who determined that the issue was the rocker arms. Despite performing regular maintenance above and beyond what the manufacturer recommends, two rocker arms fell apart inside the engine (needle bearings came out) and sent metal through the engine, causing it to need to be replaced. It was later determined that this was a known issue by Audi, and that they redesigned the rocker arms at a later date. The did not issue a recall or any extended warranty for the effected models.
VEHICLE Year: 2018 Make: Audi Model: S5 Prestige Trim: 3.0 TFSI (EA839 V6 Turbo) Mileage: 86,000 Engine Code: CWGD COMPLAINT TITLE Latent Engine Failure – EA839 Piston Skirt + Rocker Arm Defects – Dealer Broke Engine Cover, Left Wiring Harness Dangling – Audi Denies Despite Having DIY Receipts For Maintenance DESCRIPTION At 86,000 miles, my 2018 Audi S5 Prestige suffered internal engine failure from metal debris and cylinder wall scoring. Dealer borescope showed: Metal in oil filter (bearing + non-ferrous “other metal”) Deep scoring on multiple cylinders No check engine light. No power loss yet. Still drivable — but seizure is imminent. DEALER NEGLIGENCE AT [Audi Of Chantilly] (Penske Automotive Group): Engine cover broken — not reported Wiring harness retainers/harness clips left u
The 2018 year for the Audi S5 has a notorious rocker arm failure within the engine. Audi is aware of this problem because they have revised the part for later build dates. However, they have failed to remedy the issue for the vehicles that fall within the problematic build dates. Once this failure occurs, it is catastrophic and will require a new engine.
To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint to report a mechanical issue with my 2018 Audi S5 Sportback. Around 57,000 miles, the engine began making a noticeable ticking noise, which I have been advised is due to failing rocker arms. This issue has raised serious concerns, as it can lead to engine misfires, reduced performance, and potentially catastrophic engine damage if left unresolved. The problem appeared without warning, despite regular maintenance and no prior engine alerts. I believe this may be a defect affecting other Audi models with similar engines, and I urge the NHTSA to investigate whether a recall or technical service bulletin should be issued. Vehicle Information: Make: Audi Model: S5 Sportback Year: 2018
After driving for 7 to 8 minutes less that 45 mph, a yellow warning lamp and an audible warning indicating unsafe coolant temperature displayed on the dash. An overheating engine is unsafe for me and drivers near me. I immediately pulled over and turned off the A/C. I then turned on the heater, and after 15 minutes slowly drove 5 minutes to a repair shop (Import Autohaus, Hull Street). The repair shop diagnosed a defective water pump. The pump has not been inspected by anyone other than the mechanics at the repair shop.
airbags 2 complaints shown
Component/System: Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) / Airbag system — Recall 74E3 / NHTSA 21V874. What Happened: The passenger airbag may switch off even when the seat is occupied due to a faulty PODS wiring connection. The warning message “Passenger Airbag Off” appears with a chime. This is an active safety recall that was issued before I purchased the vehicle, but the recall was not disclosed at the time of sale. Safety Risk: If the system shuts off the airbag incorrectly, the passenger may have no airbag protection in a crash, creating a serious risk of injury or death. Inspection Availability: Vehicle is available for inspection. I live on the Big Island of Hawaii, where there is no Audi-authorized repair facility. Reproduction/Confirmation: Symptoms match the known recall
The system warning keeps coming on, I’ve tried to schedule appointments with Audi since 2022 and they have zero appointments available
electrical 2 complaints shown
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 Audi s5. While driving various speeds, the seat belt warning chime continuously sounded even with the seat belt engaged and in use. The seat belt warning indicator also remained illuminated while driving. The contact drove the vehicle to Audi birmingham michigan (34602 woodward ave, birmingham, mi 48009, 248-645-5930) where an appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 36,300.
The car's overall electronic reliability and safety are huge areas of concern. Rearview camera and sensors do not always work. Sometimes it will operate while car is in motion but it will black out which ultimately impairs the driver's ability to reverse and avoid any objects and pedestrians. This is potentially dangerous in high-foot traffic area like shopping mall. In addition, the car's lane assistance mechanism is not accurate at times and could have caused accidents several times. For example, the sensor sometimes will mis-detect the lanes and wrongly drift the car out of lanes, almost causing collision with oncoming cars or adjacent cars. Moreover, the Audi sensor which detects object and brakes for the driver doesn't work too well. For instance, when making a left turn at
visibility 1 complaint shown
During a drive on an interstate highway in tennessee on12/27/19, the sunroof suddenly exploded. Speed was approximately 75-80 MPH on a cloudy day with the temperature in the low 60's f. Without any prior indications, there was a loud boom. A section of the sunroof approx 18' in diameter separated from the window and blew backwards onto the road. Smaller shards of glass fell inward onto the sun shade inside the car.
steering 1 complaint shown
The lever that locks and unlocks the steering column for proper driving position fell off. The single bolt holding the lever fell out followed by the lever. This occurred when the driver utilized the lever to reposition the steering wheel. The steering wheel was not locked into position when the lever fell off, so the steering wheel was subject to movement while driving.
suspension 1 complaint shown
My 2018 Audi S5 Prestige with 59K miles meticulously maintained by the dealer had the Suspension Warning light came on about a week ago. I brought it to my local Audi mechanic and they found the right rear spring had broken about 1/3 of the way from the base and the shock had been damaged from the spring breaking. They attributed it low quality steel being used in the springs Audi is using. Luckily it was a rear spring as I understand a front spring breaking at speed could be catastrophic.