2012 Audi Q5 Air Bags Problems
Owners have filed 85 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the 2012 Audi Q5, 51% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 50,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “takata air bags” (25% of reports).
- 85air bags complaints
- 50,000median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 3related recalls
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Takata air bags: mentioned in 21 of 85 complaints (25%)
At what mileage do air bags problems happen?
Based on 9 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 85 complaints, 2 mention a crash.
Audi Q5 air bags complaints by model year
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Air bags:side/window; visibility:sun/moon roof assembly
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Audi Q5 vehicles. The sunroof drainage system may allow water to soak into the foam surrounding the side head air bag inflator canister resulting in the corrosion of the canister. If this happens, the corrosion can weaken the canister and the inflator could fracture without air bag deployment, propelling fragments into the passenger compartment, striking and causing serious injury to vehicle occupants.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator and either coat it or replace it, as necessary, after removing the surrounding foam, free of charge. The recall is expected to began March 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69P1.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Unknown
I had an accident on 4/15/2024. I blacked out and ran into an oak tree but none of my airbags deployed.
This 2012 Audi Q5 has an apparent bad passenger occupant sensor connection that could deactivate the vehicle's passenger-side airbags and increase the risk of injury or death in the event of a crash. It appears the problem specifically stems from a faulty connection between the passenger seat…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2012 Audi Q5s have air bags problems?
No. NHTSA has 85 owner complaints about air bags for the 2012 Audi Q5 (51% of the 168 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2012 Audi Q5 air bags?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do air bags problems start?
The median reported mileage is 50,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about air bags problems on the 2012 Audi Q5?
The most frequent phrase is “takata air bags”, in 21 of 85 complaints.
See all 2012 Audi Q5 problems or air bags problems across all Q5 years.