RoadVitals

2018 Audi RS 5

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
1
Latest Dec 5, 2021
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Nov 10, 2021
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2018 Audi RS 5. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 659 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
21V874000

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER; SEATS

Nov 10, 2021
208,332 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 74E3View on NHTSA.gov
20V760000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

Dec 9, 2020
2,355 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi RS5 Coupe vehicles. An incorrect positive battery terminal cover was installed.
The risk: In the event of a rear crash, the incorrect cover can cause the 12-volt power supply to be compromised, preventing the vehicle doors from being opened from the outside, or the hazard warning lights from functioning, increasing risk of injury.
The remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive terminal cover, free of charge. The recall began January 19, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 27i6.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 27i6View on NHTSA.gov
19V547000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Jul 24, 2019
145,337 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 74D9View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Filed Dec 5, 2021

Autonomous Emergency Services Notification Feature: Audi has informed its owners of vehicles made from 2018 and earlier that a safety feature provided as standard equipment in the vehicle will no longer be available because of the inevitable shut down of 3G wireless systems across North America. However, features that are not free (which require a subscription) are supported by a 4G radio in the car and will not be impacted. Owners were NEVER notified that two different wireless systems were used in the car, a 20 year old technology for safety related features, and a 4GLTE module for expensive, subscription based telematics which have nothing to do with safety. I purchased and selected my vehicle based on these exact safety systems, especially as I'm a disabled driver. I'm not even out of warranty yet and TWO features have now been or will about to be sunset, without a fix. I was also never notified that this was going to occur, I found out by accident and most dealers aren't even yet aware. Audi has stated they are working with an outside company to bandaid the issue, however, this bandaid was not integrated with the car and basically won't solve the problem that it isn't the car I purchased. In the posted letters other owners received, there is ZERO indication of when this might be available, no evidence or indication it will be approved by the DOT or NHTSA because it's a bandaid. I have already contacted Audi for resolution, without result. I have requested updates, without result. The process is supposed to take 20 business days. It has now been over 40 business days. Regardless of the price of the vehicle, there was NEVER any indication by the dealer or in the manual that would lead customers to believe two different technologies were in use in the car.... 4G is plastered everywhere, however, 3G is stated nowhere. In hindsight, this is not only a dangerous situation for many drivers, but also a fraudulent one. Need help.

NHTSA ID
11442724
Incident
Dec 5, 2021

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB_2082846_1

This bulletin provides a statement regarding the bottleneck of supply for VW approved oil types VW 504.00 and VW 507.00.

TSB_2081573_4

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This bulletin provides information when DTC B105A1A, B103E25 is stored in 0017; fuel tank level implausible.

TSB_2078648_2

STRUCTURE:BODY

This service information TSB provides warranty coverage information for vehicles with a broken sunroof panel.

TSB_2073282_1

STRUCTURE:BODY

This bulletin provides information when there is a film/visible rings on the clear glass cover of the headlight when the dipped beam is switched on.

TSB_2073747_4

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides informatoinw hent here are scratches or a coating on the cover of the instrument cluster, or particles inside of the housing.

TSB_2081573_3

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This bulletin provides information when DTC B105A1A, B103E25 is stored in 0017; fuel tank level implausible.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Audi RS 5 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025000—
2024000—
2023010—
2022010—
2021250—
2020020—
2019350—
2018Viewing130—
2017000—
2016000—
2015200—
2014500—
2013700—
2012000—
2011000—
2010000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.