2010 Audi Q5 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (39) · Fuel/Propulsion System (29) · Structure:body (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Audi Q5 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
45 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2018-11-19 · campaign 18V818000 · 5,987 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2007-2012 Audi Q7 and 2009-2012 Audi Q5 vehicles, previously repaired under NHTSA recall 16V-660. These vehicles were previously repaired with an interim repair of installing butyl tape to the fuel pump flange, until replacement remedy parts became available.
Risk: The butyl tape may not prevent fuel from leaking. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump flange and install butyl tape, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20BJ.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2018-01-30 · campaign 18V082000 · 162,782 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2016-09-13 · campaign 16V660000 · 143,214 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Audi Q5, and 2007-2012 Audi Q7 vehicles equipped with gasoline engines. The fuel pump flange on the affected vehicles 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 inspect the flange, replacing any flanges that are cracked. If the flange is not cracked, dealers will clean the pump flange and install a butyl rubber band to protect the pump. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20W9.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2016-02-10 · campaign 16V078000 · 659,493 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Service bulletins (997)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-08-21 · TSB_2069078_4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information on the zirconium insercts in the brake piston (ceramic brakes only).
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-11 · TSB_2079732_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when there is a paint issue on alloy wheels.
Service Brakes 2026-08-11 · TSB_2072304_4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when there is an abs/esc speed sensor implausible signal.
Structure:body 2026-07-09 · TSB_2073282_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when there is a film/visible rings on the clear glass cover of the headlight when the dipped beam is switched on.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-22 · TSB_2070568_6 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information about professional noise analysis with the vas 611 015 pico-nvh tool
Electrical System 2026-03-17 · TSB_2024323_13 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when the parking assistance gives false warnings.
Showing the 6 most recent of 997 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-22 · Fuel/Propulsion System“there is fuel leaking by the rear passenger tire under where the gas tank is. there was a recall for a cracked flange on the fuel pump.…”
2025-08-05 · Suspension“severe frame rusting of sub frame and crossmember. rear of car affecting steering , tire aligment and wear. swaying of rear end of car bouncy ride , wear or cracking of control arm and shocks. …”
2024-08-23 · Suspension“rear subframe has severe rust through caused by plastic covers that trap moisture. this is a danger as the rust is so severe it will impact suspension, lower control arm in the rear. it was not inspected by anyone other than myself. no warning lamps. i noticed one of the plastic pieces hanging down from the vehicle that led me to inspect the …”
2024-03-29 · Fuel/Propulsion System“in tank fuel pump cracked on top ,leaking fuel to flange and electrical conection on top of tank and down to under vehicle .no recall on audi site for this year -2010 vehicle has 138000 miles only . i was not expecting material problem -plastic not suitable for fuel ...…”
2024-02-08 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 152,396 mi“the contact owns a 2010 audi q5. the contacted stated while sitting in the vehicle, there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside the vehicle. there was a leak coming from the front of the vehicle. the check engine warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and was diagnosed with a secondary air injection system bank 1 an…”
2023-07-23 · Unknown Or Other“have water leaking on the driver side roof and upon dealer servicing - it was due to faulty or worn out seals on the front windscreen- and even though the windscreen is not damaged - audi recons it has to be replaced at customer cost including the windshield that is in good condition since to cover their inability to take the glass out w/o breaking…”
2023-07-11 · Fuel/Propulsion System“fuel pump developed cracks and is leaking terribly. looks like someone put a temporary seal when recalled (likely due to unavailability of parts at time).…”
2023-04-18 · Fuel/Propulsion System“fuel vapor in cabin. research indicated need to inspect fuel pump. removed inspection cover and found fuel puddled all around pump and noted fuel would re-plenish through apparent micro-fractures in the plastic pump housing when wiped away. crack not visible but fuel obviously coming through housing after being wiped. i am 4rth owner. ntsb sit…”
2023-03-14 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 190,000 mi“the contact owns a 2010 audi q5. the contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart after refueling. additionally, a fuel odor was detected while driving. the vehicle was towed to the residence, where an independent mechanic diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. the contact stated that the dealer had previously replaced the fuel pu…”
2023-02-08 · Electrical System“water leaked into the rear battery compartment and into the trunk passenger side fuse bay. no apparent reason for leak. all windows, doors, sunroof and truck lid were closed. flooding shorted control modules (parking aid controller, can buss and etc) flooding also took out the battery causing car to stall on highway. water gets in after rainy day…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.