Last updated: 2026-10-10

RELIABILITY SCORE: 77/100 (GOOD)

2018 Audi A5 Reliability Report

The 2018 Audi A5 has a good reliability standing and no federal recalls, though a few owners report oil cooler and coolant pump failures.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

2.3per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$739

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,550

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity72/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs70/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact100/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity75/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

First year of the second generation, with no recalls and fewer complaints than 2019, though oil cooler and coolant pump failures show up in owner reports.

Top Issues to Watch

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2)
ENGINE (2)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (1)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Redesign Year

2018 is the first model year of the Second generation (RE9).

First-year models may have unresolved issues from the new design.
Redesigned for the 2018 model year.
Refreshed in 2022.
2nd generation A5 (US).

What this means for buyers

First-year models carry more risk — early production issues are common. Consider waiting for the second year if reliability is a priority.

Compare 2018 pricing and recall counts against 2019+ before deciding.

2018: Second generation (RE9) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2022: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

Should You Buy the 2018 Audi A5?

Good news first: this is one of the stronger years for the A5. Its reliability standing is good, and it sits well above average among 2018 sedans. It also has no federal recalls and a low number of owner complaints for its sales. The 2019 model rates worse, with more complaints and three recalls.

The problems on file are few but costly. One owner reports an oil cooler failure at 36,000 miles that let coolant into the engine oil, which can destroy the engine. Another says the engine shuts off without warning in slow, tight turns. On the electrical side, a failing coolant pump caused several dash warnings, a no-start and limp mode at 87,000 miles. Another owner says the MMI screen reboots about every 5 minutes, even with CarPlay running. Each issue has only two complaints, so these are isolated reports.

Ask for service records showing any oil cooler or coolant pump work. On a test drive, run CarPlay for a while and watch for warnings or stalling.

Compared to the 2019 Audi A5, which scored 4 points lower.

Pros

+Acceptable reliability score
+No recalls issued
+Below-average complaint rate for Sedan

Cons

−ENGINE: Oil cooler failure lets coolant get into the engine oil, which can destroy the... (2 complaints)
−ELECTRICAL SYSTEM issues reported (2 complaints)

Compare 2018 Audi A5 With

2018 BMW 4 Series

Reliability: 54/100

Mixed

2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Reliability: 51/100

Mixed

2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Reliability: 55/100

Mixed

2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Reliability: 48/100

Mixed

2018 Lexus IS

Reliability: 81/100

Excellent

Common Problem Categories

Other

HIGH RISK

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2)
ENGINE (2)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recalls on record

No recalls are on record for the 2018 Audi A5 — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

2.3

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 25.7

LowAvgHigh

Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 5/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2018 Audi A5? Check its history first

Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2018 Audi A5, and 0 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2018 Audi A5 NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 4/5Passenger: 4/5

Rollover risk: 9.9%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Curtain (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Pelvis/Torso (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (Rear Seat)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Standard)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Audi A5Repair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

3.5

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$739

Repair Frequency

0.6

unscheduled repair visits per year

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

27 MPG

Running cost: $3,300/yr

Fuel + repair

24 city / 33–34 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2018 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
A5 Cabriolet quattro 2.0L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (AM-S7)	24	34	27	$2,550
A5 quattro 2.0L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (AM-S7)	24	34	27	$2,550
A5 quattro 2.0L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Manual 6-spd	24	33	27	$2,550
A5 Sportback quattro 2.0L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (AM-S7)	24	34	27	$2,550

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2018 Audi A5.

Pull the dipstick and check under the oil fill cap for milky residue that points to coolant in the oil.
Ask whether the oil cooler has been repaired and request the service invoice.
Make slow, tight turns in a parking lot and watch for the engine stalling.
Start the car several times and watch for multiple dash warnings, a no-start, or limp mode.
Have a shop scan for stored fault codes tied to the coolant pump before you buy.
Connect CarPlay and use the main screen for the whole test drive, watching for random reboots.
Check the mileage limit on any extended warranty against the odometer before counting on it for coolant pump repairs.

2018 Audi A5 Common Problems by Component

6 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2)ENGINE (2)ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (1)POWER TRAIN (1)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 complaints

An electrical fault in the coolant pump can light up several dash warnings at once, prevent the car from starting, and push it into limp mode. A mechanic in one report traced the problem to a sagging 5V supply caused by the failing pump and warned that the car could overheat and possibly catch fire. That case surfaced at 87,000 miles. A separate complaint describes the main MMI screen rebooting about every 5 minutes, even while running CarPlay. That is a driver-distraction concern. Only 2 complaints are on file.

2 complaints total

ENGINE

2 complaints

Oil cooler failure lets coolant get into the engine oil, which can destroy the engine if it isn't caught. One report puts this failure at 36,000 miles on a car with careful maintenance. A separate complaint describes the engine shutting off without warning while cornering at very low speed, and says it has kept happening for several years. Losing power in the middle of a turn is a loss-of-control risk. Only 2 complaints are on file, so these are isolated reports rather than a broad pattern.

2 complaints total

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 complaint

2025-09-26

I own a 2018 Audi A5. Many critical cooling system parts — including the thermostat housing, water pump housing, radiator end tanks, breather tubes, and quick-connect hoses — are made of plastic and sit in constant exposure to coolant temperatures over 200°F. Over time, these components become brittle, crack, and fail prematurely. Recently, the plastic breather/return hose between the coolant reservoir and the radiator broke apart during routine service due to brittleness. When these parts fail, coolant leaks quickly, which can cause sudden overheating, engine damage, and potential vehicle disablement while driving. Based on owner reports and my own experience, this appears to be a widespread issue across Audi/VW vehicles of this generation. I request that NHTSA investigate whether the use of plastic in these high-heat, high-pressure components represents a design defect that creates a safety hazard.

POWER TRAIN (1 complaints)

POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

2025-02-28

The water pump failed on my vehicle. Initially reported 2/2025 at Authorized Audi Service Center. They claimed it was normal for coolant to dip. Audi USA Confirmed I have a settlement class vehicle in 03/2025. Mentioned an 80K Mileage limit. (Car only had 69K miles at the time) When the issue persisted I reached out for repair in accordance to Water Pump Settlement. McKenna Audi Service center initially stated the extended warranty expired 05/2025, and mentioned an 8 Year Limit (8/80K whichever comes first) 9/3 Reached out to Audi USA again and they initially provided an approval. Instructed to take to authorized service center for official diagnosis. 9/5 Audi USA recanted approval 2 days later. Instructed to Call Settlement Administrator. SA stated this is fully Audi responsibly warranty does not expire until 9/2025 unable to assist. Spoke to supervisor at Audi USA who stated extended warranty did not expire until 09/26/2025 09/08 Audi Beverly Hills confirmed water pump malfunction. Sent invoice to supervisor at Audi USA. $2338.25 Supervisor informed me later that warranty is expired after all. Stated a regional manager would look at it but no guarantees. At this point I have spent $350 for a diagnosis I did not need to satisfy the demands of the Audi warranty that is now being denied.

Best & Worst Audi A5 Years

Best Audi A5 Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

Top Pick

Excellent

2023

0Recalls

0Complaints

Good

2018

(Current Model)

0Recalls

6Complaints

Good

Audi A5 Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Audi A5 reliability scores by year
Year	Score	Rating
2018	77/100	Good
2019	73/100	Good
2020	70/100	Good
2021	71/100	Good
2022	74/100	Good
2023	81/100	Excellent
2025	77/100	Good
2026	82/100	Excellent

Audi A5 Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2026	82/100	+5	Excellent	0	0
2025	77/100	-4	Good	0	1
2023	81/100	+7	Excellent	0	0
2022	74/100	+3	Good	3	5
2021	71/100	+1	Good	5	7
2020	70/100	-3	Good	5	60
2019	73/100	-4	Good	3	12
2018(selected)	77/100	—	Good	0	6

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2018 Audi A5 reliable?

Yes, its standing is good. It sits well above average among 2018 sedans and ranks among the stronger A5 years. Owners filed only 6 complaints, and federal recall records show none. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly repairs at about $739 across the model. The few serious reports involve the engine and electrical system.

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Audi A5?

Owner complaints split evenly between the engine and the electrical system, two each. Engine reports cover an oil cooler failure and an engine shutting off in slow turns. Electrical reports cover a failing coolant pump and an MMI screen that keeps rebooting. With so few complaints, none is a broad pattern.

Does the 2018 Audi A5 have oil cooler problems?

One owner reported it. The oil cooler failed at 36,000 miles on a carefully maintained car and let coolant into the engine oil. That can destroy the engine if it goes unnoticed. It is a single report, not a widespread pattern, but ask for service records showing any cooler work.

Has the 2018 Audi A5 been recalled?

No. Federal recall records list no recalls for this model year. The 2019 A5 has three. Owners sometimes mention recalls loosely in complaints, so check the VIN with the manufacturer or the federal recall lookup before buying.

Is the 2018 Audi A5 better than the 2019?

On the data, yes. Both years have a good standing, but the 2018 rates better. It has 6 complaints and no recalls, while the 2019 has 12 complaints and 3 recalls. The 2018 is also the first year of the second generation.

Don’t buy a 2018 Audi A5 without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2018 Audi A5

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2018 Audi A5 does best on recall impact (100/100) and worst on repair costs (70/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

Get notified when new recalls or reliability data is added for the Audi A5.

No spam. Only data updates for this model.