2015 Audi Q5 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 10, 2026 · 99 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Q5 years
More complaints than other years 6th of 19 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
4 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 99 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Audi Q5. That ranks 6th out of 19 Q5 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (38 complaints, 38%), typically at around 68,500 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes, 1 fire, 4 injuries. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year.

Audi Q5
Audi Q5 GU 2.0 TDI in Filderstadt. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2015 Audi Q5 problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Engine38 · ~68,500 mi
Steering14 · ~39,500 mi
Unknown or Other14 · ~37,598 mi
Fuel/propulsion System12 · ~59,024 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling8 · ~71,500 mi
Suspension8 · ~63,102 mi
Electrical System4
Power Train4 · ~50,000 mi
Structure4 · ~82,351 mi
Service Brakes3 · ~15,200 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine3838%68,500——
Steering1414%39,500——
Unknown or Other1414%37,598——
Fuel/propulsion System1212%59,024——
Engine and Engine Cooling88%71,500——
Suspension88%63,102——
Electrical System44%———
Power Train44%50,000——
Structure44%82,351——
Service Brakes33%15,200——
Visibility33%17,132——
Air Bags22%30,000——
Exterior Lighting22%53,000——
Visibility/wiper22%10,000——
Wheels22%———
Electronic Stability Control (esc)11%———
Lane Departure11%———
Tires11%———
Vehicle Speed Control11%20——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2023, with 13 complaints
2014: 1201412015: 3201532016: 1201612017: 7201772018: 122018122019: 122019122020: 9202092021: 5202152022: 8202282023: 132023132024: 122024122025: 112025112026: 520265

n = 99 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2015 Audi Q5 recalls (6)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Engine and engine cooling:cooling systemApr 11, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V229000 · 342,867 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.

Risk: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.

Electrical system:wiringOct 5, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V622000 · 216,913 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad and Q5 vehicles. Contact corrosion within the electrical connector for the auxiliary heater may cause the heater wires to overheat or melt.

Risk: The melted wires can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary heater and, as necessary, update the software, free of charge. The Recall began November 27, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 80C5 and 80C6.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpMay 3, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V298000 · 240,487 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Audi Q5 and 2013-2017 Audi Q7 vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump flange if cracks are present. Flanges that do not have cracks will have a protective film applied. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20Z8. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 16V-660.

Air bags:side/window; visibility:sun/moon roof assemblyJan 3, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V001000 · 234,057 vehicles

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.

Engine and engine cooling:cooling systemJan 3, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V002000 · 342,867 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system, resulting in the pump overheating.

Risk: If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19M1.

Air bags:side/windowJan 28, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V045000 · 734 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles manufactured January 15, 2015, to January 21, 2015, and 2015 Audi Q5 vehicles manufactured January 13, 2015, to February 3, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with driver and front seat passenger seat-mounted air bag inflators that may rupture in the event of a crash.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of a seat-mounted air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began July 7, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69M1 (for Audi) and 69L9 (for VW).

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

Ever since I have purchased the vehicle it has consumed alot of engine oil. I have to add engine oil every two months. I have reached out to Audi regarding the issue with no response or help.

Engine · received Sep 10, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11763272

Bernardi Audi’s technician confirmed the rear subframe is rotted through (Repair Order #XXX/ Diagnostic Video: [XXX]), making the vehicle unsafe to drive.Given that this structural perforation falls within the window of Audi’s 12-Year Limited Warranty Against Corrosion Perforation, have…

Unknown or Other · received Aug 18, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11757818

Vehicle failed inspection due to premature rust perforation damage of rear subframe caused by a plastic cover trapping water against the metal. Vehicle otherwise passed inspection.

Structure · received May 22, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11739494

The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q5. The contact stated that the rear subframe was extremely rusted and could not pass a safety inspection. The vehicle was driven to the dealer, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,351.

Structure · received Jan 27, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11713660

The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q5 equipped with Firestone Tires, Tire Line: Firehawk A/S, Tire Size: P235/55/R19, DOT Number: 1RBE793E9. The tires were purchased in 2022. While the contact’s wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle, and the rear…

Tires · received Jan 15, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11711288

Other Audi Q5 years

← 2014 Q5 · 2016 Q5 →

YearComplaintsRecalls
2026 Q540
2025 Q5441
2024 Q5204
2023 Q5445
2022 Q5224
2021 Q5748
2020 Q5256
2019 Q5525
2018 Q52086
2017 Q5425
2016 Q5775
2015996
2014 Q51055
2013 Q5895
2012 Q51686
2011 Q51435
2010 Q51004
2009 Q5316
2008 Q501

See all Audi Q5 problems by year, every Audi model, or the Audi VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Audi Q5?

Owners most often report engine, steering, unknown or other problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 38 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2015 Audi Q5?

Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2015 Audi Q5 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Q5 model years, the 2015 has more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.