Audi Q5 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 1,343 owner complaints and 33 safety recalls on file for the Audi Q5, across 19 model years (2008–2026). The 2018 model year has the most complaints (207). The most reported problem area overall is engine.
Audi Q5 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Q5 year: 2011, 2012, 2014, 2018. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2018 Q5: 207 complaints, 6 recalls
- 2012 Q5: 168 complaints, 6 recalls
- 2011 Q5: 143 complaints, 5 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Audi Q5 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine problems | 327 | 18 | 3 |
| Air Bags problems | 257 | 14 | 19 |
| Electrical System problems | 217 | 18 | 7 |
| Fuel/propulsion System problems | 138 | 15 | 2 |
| Steering | 96 | 14 | 6 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 89 | 9 | 9 |
| Power Train | 88 | 17 | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 81 | 15 | 15 |
| Structure | 77 | 15 | 10 |
| Suspension | 59 | 11 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 47 | 14 | 11 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 31 | 10 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 30 | 10 | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 24 | 8 | 5 |
| Visibility/wiper | 24 | 13 | 4 |
| Visibility | 21 | 12 | 1 |
| Lane Departure | 20 | 10 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 19 | 8 | 1 |
| Wheels | 13 | 7 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention | 11 | 6 | 0 |
| Seats | 11 | 5 | 2 |
| Tires | 11 | 8 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 8 | 4 | 0 |
| Equipment | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Carry Handle, Shell, Base | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Other/i Am Not Sure | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tether, Lower Anchor (on Car Seat or Vehicle) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Audi Q5 problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
All Audi Q5 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Q5 | 3 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2025 Q5 | 42 | 1 | 5★ | Forward Collision Avoidance | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2024 Q5 | 20 | 4 | 5★ | Forward Collision Avoidance | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2023 Q5 | 44 | 5 | — | Forward Collision Avoidance | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2022 Q5 | 22 | 4 | — | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2021 Q5 | 74 | 8 | 5★ | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 2020 Q5 | 25 | 6 | 5★ | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2019 Q5 | 52 | 5 | 5★ | Electrical System | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2018 Q5 | 207 | 6 | 5★ | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2017 Q5 | 42 | 5 | 4★ | Engine | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2016 Q5 | 77 | 5 | 4★ | Engine | More complaints than other years |
| 2015 Q5 | 99 | 6 | 4★ | Engine | More complaints than other years |
| 2014 Q5 | 105 | 5 | 4★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2013 Q5 | 89 | 5 | — | Engine | More complaints than other years |
| 2012 Q5 | 168 | 6 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2011 Q5 | 143 | 5 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2010 Q5 | 100 | 4 | — | Air Bags | More complaints than other years |
| 2009 Q5 | 31 | 6 | — | Air Bags | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2008 Q5 | 0 | 1 | — | — |
More from Audi: all Audi models · Audi VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Audi Q5 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2011 (143), 2012 (168), 2014 (105), 2018 (207) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Q5 year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Audi Q5?
Engine, with 327 complaints across 18 model years.
How many recalls does the Audi Q5 have?
33 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.