2014 Audi Q5 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (27) · Steering (16) · Fuel/Propulsion System (11)
🧭 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
53 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (5)
Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System 2018-04-11 · campaign 18V229000 · 342,867 vehicles
Defect: 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:wiring 2017-10-05 · campaign 17V622000 · 216,913 vehicles
Defect: 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 Pump 2017-05-03 · campaign 17V298000 · 240,487 vehicles
Defect: 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 2017-01-03 · campaign 17V001000 · 234,057 vehicles
Defect: 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 System 2017-01-03 · campaign 17V002000 · 342,867 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Service bulletins (1,389)
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.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2083409_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2052680_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
Steering 2026-09-22 · TSB_2074846_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · TSB_2030471_9 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.
Structure:body 2026-09-08 · TSB_2068999_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this tsb describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases.
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-26 · TSB_2074436_3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,389 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-01 · Structure:body“my q5 has a defective subframe. the system is defective because plastic coverings on the subframes of audi q5s and sq5s trap moisture and other elements, causing the subframe to rust, rot, and corrode undetected, which creates a dangerous safety hazard, the existence and extent of which is concealed by the plastic coverings. this results in a myri…”
2026-05-05 · Suspension“the rear sub frame has completely rusted through, on both driver and passenger sides. this makes the vehicle extremely unsafe to drive. it is a 2014 q5 with 160k miles. there is a hole on the bottom of the frame on both sides due to a poorly designed cover that traps salt and other road debris leading to premature failure.…”
2026-04-13 · Fuel/Propulsion System“post fix edr cooler failure causing coolant fluid loss " enough complaints =pressure on audi reference ea189 emissions fix subject: goodwill assistance request – 2014 q5 tdi egr cooler – vin [xxx] audi customer experience team, i am writing to request goodwill assistance for my 2014 audi q5 tdi, vin [xxx] , with 105,000 miles. vehicle issue …”
2026-04-09 · Suspension“severe corrosion of the rear subframe crossmember on a 2014 audi q5 premium plus, purchased with 65,464 miles. two independent inspections in south carolina confirmed structural failure. audi of greenville, an authorized audi dealership, marked the condition as very dangerous on the service invoice and quoted $4,711.52 for subframe replacement. the…”
2026-04-05 · Suspension“this vintage 2014 audi a5 has a well known serious rust perforation issue with the rear subframe. the corrosion / rust through of two major holes, approx 3 inches in diameter, causing structural failure of the sub frame. this is a major saftey concern with these cars from model year 2009 thru 2017. the only remedy is replacement of the sub f…”
2026-03-26 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 108,000 mi“the contact owns a 2014 audi q5. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. the contact stated that while exiting the vehicle, the fuel odor was also outside the vehicle. no warning lights were illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnose…”
2026-03-21 · Engine“i am filing a safety complaint regarding a progressive engine defect. beginning as early as 2019 (approximately 84,000 miles), i repeatedly reported excessive oil consumption and related engine concerns to authorized audi dealerships. these complaints continued over several years. at no point was i informed that these symptoms could be associated …”
2025-12-16 · Structure:body“vehicle rear subframe comes with plastic covers that trap road salt and cause severe corrosion. issue only presents itself when plastic covers are removed, revealing rust/corrosion and lost material, and a risk of the subframe to split resulting in lost of vehicle control on the road. this was found as a preventative action due to reports from othe…”
2025-09-22 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“on tuesday, september 2nd, i was in a car accident on the freeway. a car jump out in front of me and did not go quickly enough, i hit my breaks, but still hit them going around 55-60 mph. when the impact occurred, my car turned itself off and i saw smoke coming out of the dash / center area of the car. i was able to start my car and get it off o…”
2025-09-08 · Unknown Or Other“the rear subframe of my audi q5 has extensive rot and holes per an inspection done and deemed unsafe to drive. however i’ve only had the car about 3 years. to fix this will cost me around $5800.00.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.