2018 Audi S5

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. · up to 208,332 vehicles across all model years covered

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. · up to 145,337 vehicles across all model years covered

crash · towed · 200 miles

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.

NHTSA complaint 11067158. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

crash · towed · 7,000 miles

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

NHTSA complaint 11194999. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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.

NHTSA complaint 11704929. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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 …

NHTSA complaint 11703772, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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 …

NHTSA complaint 11699716, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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.

NHTSA complaint 11678414. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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 …

NHTSA complaint 11672422, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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 …

NHTSA complaint 11647150, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.