The most-documented Audi Q5 problems are 2.0 TFSI oil consumption on 2011 models (TSB 2027731), EA888 timing chain failures on 2011–2015 models, sunroof-drain airbag recall 17V001, fuel pump flange recalls 16V660 and 17V298, and coolant pump recall 18V229. Second-generation Q5s have gateway recall 21V947 and connecting-rod bearing recall 22V753.
CarWhere lists 12 documented Q5 issues, including 10 NHTSA safety recalls, each with affected years, powertrains, symptoms, pre-purchase checks and a source.
Q5 generations at a glance
Audi Q5 generations and the known issues listed for each
Audi bulletin TSB 2027731 covers high oil consumption on 2011 Q5 (plus 2009–2011 A4 and 2010–2011 A5) with the 2.0L TFSI. Audi says internal crankcase pressure can raise oil use, especially in stop-and-go driving with long idles; the fix is a new crankcase pressure-regulating valve, a new front crankshaft seal and engine software, and crankcase pressure was reduced in production from model year 2012. A federal class settlement (Asghari v. Volkswagen) covered the same CAEB-engine cars and received final judgment on May 29, 2015.
Symptoms
Low-oil warning between oil changes
Having to add oil regularly
Blue smoke on start-up (in severe cases)
Check before buying
Check the oil level on the dipstick or MMI before buying
Ask for records showing TSB 2027731 parts (PCV valve, crankshaft seal, software) were installed
Two class settlements in New Jersey federal court alleged the EA888 2.0 TFSI timing chain system can fail early. Timing Chain I covered 2011–2012 Q5 along with other EA888 Audis; Timing Chain II covered 2012–2015 A4, A5 and Q5. Both reimburse qualifying repairs and extend coverage for timing chain or tensioner failure to 10 years or 100,000 miles from the in-service date, subject to claim rules. A failed tensioner can let the chain jump and damage the engine.
Symptoms
Rattle from the engine for a few seconds after a cold start
Check-engine light with cam/crank correlation codes
Engine will not start or stalls if the chain has skipped
Check before buying
Listen to a true cold start for chain rattle
Ask whether the timing chain tensioner has been replaced with the updated part, and for the receipt
Scan for stored camshaft/crankshaft correlation codes
Driver airbag inflator can rupture (recall 18V082) (2009–2012)
Safety recall
Generation:
8R (2009–2017)
Years:
2009–2012
Powertrain:
All
Volkswagen recalled 2009–2012 Q5s because excessive internal pressure can make the driver’s frontal airbag inflator explode on deployment. Dealers fit an alternative inflator; 18V082 partially supersedes earlier recall 16V078.
Symptoms
No symptoms before a crash
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Fuel pump flange can crack and leak (recalls 16V660 / 18V818) (2009–2012)
Safety recall
Generation:
8R (2009–2017)
Years:
2009–2012
Powertrain:
Gasoline engines
The fuel pump flange on 2009–2012 gasoline Q5s (and 2007–2012 Q7s) can crack and leak fuel. 16V660 inspected flanges, replacing cracked ones and taping the rest as an interim fix; 18V818 then replaced the taped flanges.
Symptoms
Fuel smell near the rear seat or under the car
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Confirm 18V818 is closed if the car had the interim 16V660 repair
Fuel pump flange can crack and leak (recall 17V298) (2013–2017)
Safety recall
Generation:
8R (2009–2017)
Years:
2013–2017
Powertrain:
Gasoline engines
Audi recalled 2013–2017 gasoline Q5s and Q7s because the fuel pump flange can crack and leak fuel. Dealers replace cracked flanges and apply a protective film to uncracked ones.
Symptoms
Fuel smell near the rear seat
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Sunroof drain water can corrode the side airbag inflator (recall 17V001) (2011–2017)
Safety recall
Generation:
8R (2009–2017)
Years:
2011–2017
Powertrain:
All
The sunroof drainage system on 2011–2017 Q5s can let water soak the foam around the side head-airbag inflator. Corrosion can weaken the canister so the inflator fractures without the airbag deploying, sending fragments into the cabin. Dealers inspect the inflator and coat or replace it.
Symptoms
Wet headliner or water stains near the roof pillars
Damp carpets after rain
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Audi recalled 2013–2017 Q5 with the 2.0 TFSI (along with A4, A5 and A6) with the 2.0 TFSI because the electric coolant (after-run) pump can be blocked by debris or short-circuit from moisture, overheat and raise the risk of a fire. Recall 17V002 first added software that cuts power to a blocked pump; recall 18V229 then replaced the pumps free of charge.
Symptoms
Coolant-temperature or coolant-system warning
Fan or pump running after shutdown
Burning smell from the engine bay
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Confirm both 17V002 (software) and 18V229 (pump replacement) are closed
Liquid can shut down the gateway module (recall 21V947) (2018–2022)
Safety recall
Generation:
FY (2018–2024)
Years:
2018–2022
Powertrain:
All
A spill in the rear seat, or water entering through an under-body seam, can reach the gateway control module on 2018–2022 Q5 and SQ5 and 2021–2022 Q5/SQ5 Sportback and shut it down, suddenly reducing engine power. Dealers fit a protective cover and seal the seam.
Symptoms
Sudden power loss with multiple warnings
Wet rear footwell carpet
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Connecting-rod bearings can be damaged (recall 22V753) (2021–2023)
Safety recall
Generation:
FY (2018–2024)
Years:
2021–2023
Powertrain:
See recall for engine applicability
Volkswagen recalled 2021–2023 Q5 and Q5 Sportback (with some VW Atlas) because the engine connecting-rod bearings may be damaged, which can cause engine failure and a stall, and a resulting oil leak can raise fire risk. Dealers inspect and replace the engine if necessary.
Symptoms
Knocking from the engine
Oil-pressure warning
Engine stall
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Cylinder head cover screws may loosen and leak oil (recall 25V294) (2022–2024)
Safety recall
Generation:
FY (2018–2024)
Years:
2022–2024
Powertrain:
See recall for engine applicability
The cylinder head cover screws on some 2022–2024 Q5 and Q5 Sportback quattro models may not have been tightened properly. They can loosen and let oil leak, raising fire risk. Dealers inspect and replace the screws.
Symptoms
Burning-oil smell
Oil residue on top of the engine
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Volkswagen recalled 2021–2024 Q5 plug-in hybrids (25V080) and 2022–2023 Q5 PHEVs (24V898) because the high-voltage battery may overheat and catch fire. Dealers install diagnostic software, and owners may be told not to charge until the battery is replaced.
Symptoms
High-voltage system warning
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Follow any do-not-charge instruction in the owner letter
Front seat belts may be manufactured incorrectly (recall 26V266) (2025)
Safety recall
Generation:
GU (2025–present)
Years:
2025
Powertrain:
All
The driver and front passenger seat belts on some 2025 Q5, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 and SQ5 Sportback may have been made incorrectly and fail to restrain occupants properly in a crash. Dealers replace the belts as necessary.
Symptoms
No symptoms before a crash
Check before buying
Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask an Audi dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
Owners filed 1,410 complaints about the Audi Q5 with NHTSA for the model years below, the most for the 2018 model year (234). The components cited most often are engine, electrical system and air bags. Counts are raw filings, not rates: newer and higher-volume years naturally collect more, and a complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect.
NHTSA owner complaints for the Audi Q5 by model year (all US body styles and S/RS variants, de-duplicated by NHTSA complaint number), as of November 2026
Model year
Complaints
Crash or fire reported
Injury reported
Safety-critical component
2026
8
0
0
2
2025
56
3
2
26
2024
41
0
4
17
2023
54
7
5
26
2022
52
7
3
27
2021
117
2
4
58
2020
45
5
3
22
2019
73
6
3
41
2018
234
11
5
86
2017
47
5
2
40
2016
85
11
5
66
2015
109
4
3
73
2014
118
6
4
84
2013
93
5
1
65
2012
4
0
0
2
2011
143
6
2
76
2010
100
2
1
49
2009
31
2
2
12
Most-cited components across these years: Engine (330) · Electrical system (272) · Air bags (178) · Unknown or other (166) · Fuel/propulsion system (136) · Forward collision avoidance (123). A complaint can name more than one component.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints database, queried by CarWhere for every NHTSA model name filed for this nameplate (AUDI Q5, AUDI Q5 PHEV, AUDI Q5 SPORTBACK, AUDI SQ5, Q5, Q5 E, Q5 HEV, Q5 PHEV, Q5 SPORTBACK, SQ5, SQ5 SPORTBACK). “Safety-critical component” counts complaints that report a crash, fire, injury or death, or name the engine, power train, steering, service brakes or fuel system.
Related Q5 research
This page explains specific mechanical issues and recalls. Which model years drew the most owner complaints relative to the rest of the model’s history is answered in the years-to-avoid research where CarWhere publishes it.
Engine, transmission and packages decide which of these issues apply. The CarWhere Audi build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.
What years of the Audi Q5 have oil consumption problems?
Audi bulletin TSB 2027731 and the Asghari class settlement cover the 2011 Q5 with the 2.0L TFSI (engine code CAEB). Audi reduced crankcase pressure in production from model year 2012.
Does the Audi Q5 have a timing chain problem?
2011–2012 Q5s were in the Timing Chain I class settlement and 2012–2015 Q5s in Timing Chain II, both over the EA888 2.0 TFSI tensioner. The settlements extend coverage for timing chain or tensioner failure to 10 years or 100,000 miles from the in-service date.
What is the Audi Q5 sunroof airbag recall?
Recall 17V001 covers 2011–2017 Q5s. Water from the sunroof drains can corrode the side head-airbag inflator, which may then fracture. Dealers inspect the inflator and coat or replace it free of charge.
Are there engine recalls on the 2021–2024 Audi Q5?
Yes. 22V753 covers 2021–2023 Q5s whose connecting-rod bearings may be damaged, and 25V294 covers 2022–2024 Q5s whose cylinder head cover screws may loosen and leak oil. Plug-in hybrids also have battery recalls 24V898 and 25V080.
How do I check a used Audi Q5 for open recalls?
Enter the 17-digit VIN in NHTSA’s recall lookup or have an Audi dealer run it. Recall repairs are free regardless of mileage or owner.
Is there a fuel pump recall on the Audi Q5?
Yes. 16V660 and 18V818 cover cracked fuel pump flanges on 2009–2012 Q5s, and 17V298 covers the same part on 2013–2017 Q5s. Dealers replace cracked flanges free of charge.
Sources
Issue descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs are shown only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.
Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by AUDI AG or Audi of America. Audi, quattro, TFSI, S tronic, e-tron and the model names are trademarks of their owners.