2018 Audi A5 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
37 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
7,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 37 complaints (21.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 10.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 10.8% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 10.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Structure:Body | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 3 |
| Power Train | 2 |
Engine: 8; Unknown Or Other: 8; Electrical System: 4; Service Brakes: 4; Structure:Body: 4; Air Bags: 3; Visibility/Wiper: 3; Power Train: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 24 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2017: 2; 2018: 3; 2019: 2; 2020: 2; 2021: 3; 2022: 5; 2023: 3; 2024: 3; 2025: 10; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11000302 · 2017-06-20 (June 20, 2017)
CAR WAS IN PARK WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT ON. WHEELS TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND TIGHT TO THE CURB. SOMEHOW THE CAR ROLLED DOWN HILL AND STRUCK A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE POLICE TOOK PICTURES OF THE INTERIOR SHOWING BOTH THE IN PARK LIGHT AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT ON. THERE IS NO LOGICAL EXPLANATION.
Owner-reported narrative. 360 miles reported. Look up ODI 11000302 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11032604 · 2017-10-09 (October 9, 2017)
VEHICAL SPEEDS FORWARD WHEN TURNING WHEN STEPPING ON BRAKES.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11032604 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11641542 · 2025-02-08 (February 8, 2025)
I am writing to formally bring to your attention a potential violation of federal vehicle safety reporting requirements by Audi regarding an Electronic Control Unit (ECU)/Comfort Control Module failure in my 2018 Audi A5. As the original owner of this vehicle, I experienced a critical ECU failure approximately 2yrs after purchase (Sept 2017), which I believe qualifies as a major safety defect under 49 CFR 573.6-577.7. According to federal regulations, manufacturers are required to report such safety defects to the NHTSA within five (5) days of…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11641542 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11641550 · 2025-02-09 (February 9, 2025)
In connection to my previous filing : NHTSA tracking # 11641542, please see the below, thank you. On June 24, 2022, I checked my 2018 Audi A5 into Audi Cherry Hill’s service department to diagnose and repair an issue with the front right tire. The dealership indicated that service would take approximately two days. However, upon returning for an update, I was shocked to learn that my car had been towed, without my knowledge, consent, or any lawful justification. Suspicious Connection to ECU Failure & Audi’s Potential Non-Compliance with NHTSA …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11641550 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11130023 · 2018-09-17 (September 17, 2018)
CLICKING AND VIBRATION IN STEERING COLUMN, ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEEDS
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11130023 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11319824 · 2020-03-31 (March 31, 2020)
WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT, FLAT SECTION OF I-95 IN FLORIDA AT 70MPH, MY 2 YEAR OLD 2018 AUDI A5 CABRIO'S DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR SUDDENLY BROKE OFF AT ITS BASE AND LANDED WITH FORCE ON MY STEERING WHEEL. I'D MOVED THE VISOR INTO THE UP POSITION, FLUSH WITH THE FRAME, AND IN DOING SO, THE VISOR BROKE OFF AT THE BASE. I HAD NOT, NOR HAD I EVER, MOVED THE VISOR WITH A LOT OF FORCE. EVEN WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW, THE VISOR HAD ALWAYS BEEN TOO TIGHT, TOO SHORT, AND DIFFICULT TO MOVE. THE RESULTANT DISTRACTION OF A HEAVY VISOR DROPPING ONTO MY STEERING…
Owner-reported narrative. 65,809 miles reported. Look up ODI 11319824 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11496449 · 2022-12-07 (December 7, 2022)
The contact owns a 2018 Audi A5. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the gears unexpectedly shifted. Additionally, on one occasion, the vehicle lost motive power for two full days. The vehicle was later able to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the Engine Control Unit (ECU) was replaced; however, the contact stated that the failure recurred. The vehicle also experienced a loss of power steering. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was taken to various o…
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11496449 at NHTSA ↗