NHTSA vehicle safety data
2018 Audi RS 5 Recalls & Complaints
The 2018 Audi RS 5 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file as of October 21, 2026. try.vin has no NHTSA owner complaints on file for the 2018 Audi RS 5. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Audi dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2018 Audi RS 5. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Disabled Passenger Air Bag
NHTSA #21V874000 · Seats · NHTSA notice
Reported November 10, 2021 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 208,332 vehicles
Repair completion: 83.85% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated October 21, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 74E3 · Owners notified January 7, 2022
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Terminal Cover Can Compromise 12-Volt Power Supply
NHTSA #20V760000 · Electrical System — 12V/24V/48V Battery · NHTSA notice
Reported December 9, 2020 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 2,355 vehicles
Repair completion: 95.2% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated October 21, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 27i6 · Owners notified January 19, 2021
Defect description
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi RS5 Coupe vehicles. An incorrect positive battery terminal cover was installed.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Passenger Air Bag May Switch Off/FMVSS 208
NHTSA #19V547000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice
Reported July 24, 2019 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 145,337 vehicles
Repair completion: 91.9% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated October 21, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 74D9 · Owners notified September 9, 2019
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other Audi RS 5 model years
Check your 2018 Audi RS 5 VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Audi RS 5 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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