Recall 18V325 affects 548 2018 Audi S5 Cabriolet vehicles with an incorrectly folded passenger seat air bag. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
Audi is recalling 548 2018 S5 Cabriolet vehicles with Super Sport seats because the recall concerns an incorrectly folded front passenger seat-mounted head/thorax air bag. Improper deployment in a crash increases injury risk, and Audi dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The 2018 Audi S5 Cabriolet uses a seat-mounted head and thorax side air bag in the front passenger seat. It is built into the seat, not the door, so it can deploy next to the passenger's head and upper body in a side impact. On cars with Super Sport seats, that air bag depends on precise folding so it opens in the intended shape and position.
In the affected S5 Cabriolet, the passenger-side head and thorax air bag was folded outside Audi specifications during supplier installation. Testing found that this incorrect fold can place the air bag in an unfavorable position as it deploys. Audi's review said head coverage remained ensured and regulatory requirements were met, but the fold did not meet Audi's specified recommendations for side air bag performance.
There is no warning sign before failure. The air bag is hidden inside the seat, and an incorrect fold is not something an owner can see, hear, or feel during normal driving.
Who's affected?
NHTSA lists both the side air bag and the broader air bag system for the same 2018 S5 Cabriolet.
| 2018 Audi S5 Cabriolet | side air bag |
|---|---|
| 2018 Audi S5 Cabriolet | air bag system |
| Units affected | 548 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2018 Audi S5 Cabriolet is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the front passenger seat-mounted air bag was folded incorrectly during installation, the air bag is at risk of improper deployment in a crash, increasing injury risk. There is no warning sign before deployment, so confirm your VIN and schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Audi dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Audi S5 Cabriolet is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule the free front passenger seat-mounted head/thorax air bag replacement that fixes the incorrectly folded air bag.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If you do not, reference recall number 18V325 when you call.
- Avoid using the front passenger seat until the seat-mounted air bag is replaced.
- Call Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834 with questions and reference Audi recall 69W6.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Audi technician replaces the front passenger seat mounted head and thorax air bag. The recall repair is available now, and the replacement parts and labor are free of charge. If you already paid for the same air bag replacement before the recall notice, ask Audi customer service or the dealer service desk how to submit documentation under Audi's general reimbursement plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 16, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 12, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| July 12, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 13, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| July 13, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| July 13, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V325?
Recall 18V325 covers 548 2018 Audi S5 Cabriolet vehicles with Super Sport seats. The front passenger seat-mounted head/thorax air bag was folded incorrectly during installation, which can cause improper deployment in a crash and increase injury risk.
What should I do if my 2018 Audi S5 Cabriolet is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V325. If it is, contact a franchised Audi dealer to schedule replacement of the front passenger seat-mounted head/thorax air bag. Reference recall 18V325 or Audi recall number 69W6 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Audi dealers will replace the front passenger seat-mounted head/thorax air bag free of charge for included 2018 Audi S5 Cabriolet vehicles.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is improper front passenger side air bag deployment during a crash. Under NHTSA campaign 18V325, an incorrectly folded seat-mounted head/thorax air bag can deploy the wrong way and increase the risk of injury to the front passenger.
What if I bought my Audi S5 Cabriolet used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2018 Audi S5 Cabriolet is included, then call a franchised Audi dealer with recall 18V325 or Audi recall number 69W6.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V325000 |
|---|---|
| Audi customer service | 1-800-253-2834 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V325 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V325000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →