2016 Audi Q5 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jul 17, 2026 · 77 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Q5 years
More complaints than other years 8th of 19 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
4 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 77 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Audi Q5. That ranks 8th out of 19 Q5 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (26 complaints, 34%), typically at around 38,000 miles. Complaints mention 9 crashes, 1 fire, 7 injuries. There are 5 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 2016 Audi Q5 problems

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

Engine26 · ~38,000 mi
Unknown or Other11 · ~21,000 mi
Electrical System10 · ~21,591 mi
Steering10 · ~90,721 mi
Fuel/propulsion System9 · ~9,000 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling8 · ~100,000 mi
Air Bags5 · ~29,000 mi
Service Brakes4 · ~20,200 mi
Vehicle Speed Control4 · ~23,000 mi
Visibility/wiper4 · ~16,950 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine2634%38,000——
Unknown or Other1114%21,000——
Electrical System1013%21,591——
Steering1013%90,721——
Fuel/propulsion System912%9,000——
Engine and Engine Cooling810%100,000——
Air Bags56%29,000——
Service Brakes45%20,200——
Vehicle Speed Control45%23,000——
Visibility/wiper45%16,950——
Lane Departure34%———
Power Train34%30,744——
Structure23%———
Suspension23%———
Equipment11%———
Exterior Lighting11%———
Seat Belts11%36,000——

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

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2023, with 15 complaints
2015: 1201512016: 5201652017: 1201712018: 112018112019: 7201972020: 6202062021: 3202132022: 8202282023: 152023152024: 6202462025: 7202572026: 720267

n = 77 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2016 Audi Q5 recalls (5)

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.

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.

Driving on May 20, 2026 near my home in Florida, power steering assist failed suddenly making it very difficult to steer. Red light on dashboard lit up indicating steering failure. According to a search of the NHTSA records, this is a known issue with these cars. (NHTSA Campaign 15V452000, Audi…

Steering · received Jul 17, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11751001

1) Rear subframe supports differential, axels, suspension, brakes, wheels and tires 2) If rear suspension fails , above noted assemblies will fall out of the car 3) Yes, dealer and independent garage have inspected and condemned 4) Manufacturer is aware of the problem, 5) No warnings or messages…

Fuel/propulsion System · received Jul 1, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11747832

My Q5 failed inspection due to a rusted subframe, so badly there is a huge hole in it. The dealership sent photos and notes to Audi but the dealership claims Audi denied my warranty claim (12 Year Corrosion Warranty) because it's not a body panel (the verbiage used in the warranty). However, Audi…

Suspension · received May 19, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11738767

Mechanic was checking the car and noticed subframe is rusted through underneath the plastic cladding. Audi dealers should cover this under warranty as it’s a safety issue. This happened due to poor designing.

Structure · received May 3, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11735390

I am reporting a safety issue involving my 2016 Audi Q5. The vehicle previously underwent recall 20Z8/20W9, which addresses fuel pump flange cracking that can cause fuel leaks and fuel vapor odors. Despite this recall repair being marked as completed, I am now experiencing a strong gasoline smell…

Fuel/propulsion System · received May 1, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11735198

Other Audi Q5 years

← 2015 Q5 · 2017 Q5 →

YearComplaintsRecalls
2026 Q530
2025 Q5421
2024 Q5204
2023 Q5445
2022 Q5224
2021 Q5748
2020 Q5256
2019 Q5525
2018 Q52076
2017 Q5425
2016775
2015 Q5996
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 2016 Audi Q5?

Owners most often report engine, unknown or other, electrical system problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 26 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2016 Audi Q5?

Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2016 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 2016 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.