2016 Audi Q5 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (19) · Steering (10) · Fuel/Propulsion System (5)
🧭 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
24 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 (856)
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 856 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-16 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“vehicle was in a head-on collision at a speed of approximately 30-35 mph. both airbags in the front compartment failed to deploy while the airbags in the vehicle that made the illegal u-turn deployed. i suffered injuries to my chest and neck as a result of direct impact to the steering wheel. vehicle purchased through mcdonald audi.…”
2026-07-17 · Steering“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 action code 48m1. if i had been on a highway or busy…”
2026-07-01 · Suspension“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 appeared, 6/29/26 at garage for oil change, garag…”
2026-05-19 · Suspension“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 customer service told me it was because the dealersh…”
2026-05-03 · Structure:body“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. …”
2026-05-01 · Fuel/Propulsion System“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 inside the cabin. this appears to be the same cond…”
2026-01-29 · Engine“i am reporting a defect related to carbon buildup in the secondary air injection (sai) system on my 2016 audi q5 3.0l supercharged (engine code ctuc). my vehicle has been diagnosed by an audi dealer with dtc p0491 – secondary air injection system insufficient flow, and restricted secondary air flow has been confirmed through audi-authorized diagno…”
2026-01-18 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i was driving down the highway and all of a sudden my sunroof exploded. it sounded like a loud gunshot. i got off the exit pulled over and i saw that my sunroof was shattered. on my audi q5 2016.…”
2025-08-17 · Fuel/Propulsion System“while driving and when parked, a strong odor of gasoline enters the cabin and garage. this poses a significant risk of fire and health hazards from fumes. the issue relates to the fuel system. the vehicle was previously serviced for the 2017 fuel system recall, but the problem has reappeared. this defect puts my safety and the safety of others at …”
2025-04-21 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“vehicle: 2016 audi q5 2.0 premium plus date of incident: march 31, 2025 i was in a front-end collision at approximately 20–25 mph when i struck a concrete pole. the impact was hard enough to severely damage the vehicle—the pole intruded deep into the engine bay, fluids leaked, and the front end was totaled. despite this, none of the airbags deploye…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.