2015 Audi Q5 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (25) · Steering (13) · 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
39 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (6)
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.
Air Bags:side/Window 2016-01-28 · campaign 16V045000 · 734 vehicles
Defect: 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).
Service bulletins (1,105)
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.
Visibility/Wiper 2026-09-22 · TSB_2020552_15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning.
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.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,105 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-21 · Structure:body“the subframe in the audi q5 has plastic that is connected to the bottom of the subframe which traps salt, water and dirt which can lead to premature rusting and failure. because this is where a lot of the suspension and other components are attached to, when this fails during operation of the vehicle, it can lead to loss of control and increase the…”
2026-09-10 · Engine“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. …”
2026-08-18 · Unknown Or Other“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 requested assistance to cover cost from audi. no responses rec…”
2026-05-22 · Structure:body“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.…”
2026-01-27 · Structure:frame And Members · 82,351 mi“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.…”
2026-01-15 · Tires“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 driver’s side tire had a blowout. the contact's wife …”
2025-12-17 · Power Train“1.what component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? epc light is on, car stalled on highway towed in audi dealership jan/2023, on august 18, 2025 the vehicle experience catastrophic engine failure, electrical issues, coolant system defects,and currently inoperable and safety risk. 2.how was your safe…”
2025-12-03 · Engine“engine consumed a quarter of oil every 300 miles. the epc light and engine light illuminated. the vehicle went into limp mode. i had the vehicle towed to a certified mechanic.vehicle was inspected by a certified mechanic and will need a new engine. engine only has 85,000 miles and oil was changed every 5000 miles.…”
2025-11-25 · Fuel/Propulsion System“the cooling system failed without warning! as i’m driving on the highway my vehicle began smoking! i smelled a burnt smell! upon getting off the highway , i noticed my coolant had leaked almost completely out! i check my vehicle every morning before work as i drive through three counties to get to work and my coolant was full as i had just topped i…”
2025-08-26 · Engine“i have had necessary service checks; however, the spark plugs keep getting burned out. the car is barley 10 yrs old i have replaced the spark plugs 4 times this year alone. its like every 2 months for the last year. this is abnormal…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.