2018 AUDI S5 Problems & Complaints

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.

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 undone on both sides after spark plug removal → Improper reassembly risks damage to harness and engine/components — safety hazard. This matches TWO known EA839 defects: Piston Skirt Cracking – Sept 2025 Warranty Extension covers identical symptoms (debris + scoring). Denied only for 6,000 miles over 80k cap. Pre-06/2018 Rocker Arm Needle Bearing Failure – Audi revised mid-2018 (PN 06M109417H → 0P2109417, double bearing size) because originals shed metal. Garage Auto Sports: “Known to fail… Audi fixed it.” Link AudiWorld: 200+ cases Link AoA DENIAL – FALSE “Over mileage” → Rocker defect has no cap “Undocumented maintenance” LIE → All oil changes DIY with Audi 508.00 oil + OEM filters → Amazon invoices attached → Never asked for proof $32,000 quote. 100% denial. SAFETY RISK Sudden seizure at speed No warning Dealer damage worsens risk REQUESTED ACTION Investigate EA839 2017–2018 for piston + rocker failures Recall / extend warranty for pre-06/2018 builds Probe denials without proof request + dealer negligence ATTACHMENTS Denial letter Dealer Diagnostic 32k Quote Borescope report Amazon receipts Broken cover + undone retainers photos Screenshots (links above)

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

While driving, my Audi overheated randomly, started smoking, had to be towed. Had 72,800 miles, was serviced by Audi at 70k miles and all prior recommended services. Towed to Audi dealership, quoted 29k in engine repairs, Audi could never tell me why engine overheated. Would not cover any expense because “i didn’t buy it there”. Insurance denied two claims because Audi reported it as engine failure although they couldn’t prove what happened to cause the heating, said it was one of the worst engine overheating they had seen. Prior to overheating, service driver system popped up for the first time. Temperature gauges were normal. Will not start or run since. No accountability taken by Audi at all, even through corporate. I believe my safety was at risk because the engine would have caught on fire had I not of noticed or pulled over. A Good Samaritan even pulled behind me to check on me because they saw it smoking in passing. I have a video of Audi inspection. Date is estimate of event, I would have to research. Vehicle was purchased by prior owner as cpo from Audi at 30k miles and serviced since at same Audi dealer every recommended service and prior if issue arose, I have all service records.

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.

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.

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.

THE SUNROOF ON MY BRAND NEW 2018 AUDI S5 EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. THE PIECES OF GLASS FROM THE SUNROOF DAMAGED THE PAINT ON THE ROOF AND TRUNK-LID AS THEY BLEW BACK DURING THE INCIDENT.

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 defect. Audi has confirmed the recall applies to my VIN, but no local dealer exists to inspect or repair it. Manufacturer/Dealer Inspection: Audi has refused to cover shipping to the nearest authorized dealership on Oahu, which is the only location where the recall can be performed. Therefore, the defect has not been inspected due to lack of accessible remedy. Warnings/Symptoms: Airbag warning light illuminates and a message appears indicating the passenger airbag is off, along with a chime. Additional Notes: I cannot safely use or sell the car because the required safety repair is inaccessible. Audi’s refusal to provide transportation makes it impossible to complete the mandated recall.

•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 lockout fees. •Safety Concerns: Parking brake malfunction and faulty Intoxalock device. •Installation Issues: Unprofessional installation and lack of functionality. •Customer Impact: Dangerous situations and potential vehicle damage. Intoxalock’s faulty installation and negligent response to previous complaints led to a parking brake failure and subsequent accident. The incident resulted in significant damage to the vehicle and highlighted the company’s lack of accountability for customer safety. Legal action is being considered due to the ongoing safety risks and unresolved issues.

I received a coolant overheating message, pulled to side of road. Let vehicle cool off although it just showed coolant warning and actual engine temperature showed normal along with oil temperature. Started car back up and it was ok, drove about a mile, engine started steaming, white smoke out of exhaust, system failure had to pull off and be towed. Engine is destroyed at 72,833 miles.

The system warning keeps coming on, I’ve tried to schedule appointments with Audi since 2022 and they have zero appointments available

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.

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.

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 AN INTERSECTION, IT WILL MIS-CALCULATE THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND WILL BRAKE AND STALL THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION. ALSO, THE AUDI SENSOR WRONGLY DETECTS THE OBJECT AROUND THE CAR SUCH AS ELEVATED SIDEWALK CURBS OR FIRE HYDRANTS AND IT RANDOMLY AUTO-SLAM THE BRAKES EVEN WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING AT 30-40MPH. THE CAR WAS IN THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP AT LEAST 5 TIMES TO ATTEMPT TO FIX THE ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE "MOD BOX" TWICE, WHICH SEEM TO FIX MOST OF THE SENSOR RELATED ISSUES BUT ISSUES STILL ARISE AND I AM SKEPTICAL AND AFRAID OF DRIVING THIS CAR. *TR

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.

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.

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 AUDI S5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEARBOX AND PARKING BRAKE RELEASED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUDI GREENWICH (181 WEST PUTNAM AVENUE, GREENWICH, CT 06830, (203) 661-1800), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,000. *JS

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 TO EXISTING VEHICLES FOR 6+ MONTHS. IN THE TIME IT HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AUDI MISREPRESENTED THE SAFETY FEATURES OF THEIR NEW VEHICLES SOLD IN THE US, AND CONTINUED TO SELL VEHICLES WITH THIS EXPENSIVE SAFETY OPTION KNOWING THAT THE SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY -- AND, IN FACT, IS SO DISTRACTING AS TO REDUCE SAFETY WHILE REVERSING INSTEAD OF ENHANCING IT.

FORWARD COLLISION WARNING AND MITIGATION SYSTEM (PRE SENSE CITY) DID NOT WORK TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT WHERE I REAR ENDED A CAR THAT WAS STATIONARY. NO WARNING OR ACTION WAS TAKEN BY THE CAR. POLICE REPORT ATTACHED.