IllustrationTIMING CHAIN TENSIONER, TENSIONER ETC FOR CAMSHAFTS WITH ENGINE REPAIR. DURING OIL CONSUMPTION REPAIR THE MECHANIC NOTICED THIS ISSUE AND IT WAS REPAIRED DURING THE OIL CONSUMPTION REPAIR. 2011 AUDI Q5 75K MILES
2011 Audi Q5
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Q5 years
Owner complaints for the 2011 Audi Q5 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 52.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Q5 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
60–25K
825–50K
1750–75K
2175–100K
15100–150K
1150K+
68 reports with mileage · 75 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
143 reports2011 AUDI Q5 MISFIRING AFTER OIL CONSUMPTION REPAIR. TOOK BACK TO SERVICE CENTER AND IT WAS MISFIRING. FOUND PIPE FOR THE OIL SEPARATOR WAS NOT ATTACHED.
2011 AUDI Q5 WOULDN'T HOLD IDLE, WOULDN'T ACCELERATE ON CITY STREET, STALLED AT A TURN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WOULDN'T START BACK UP NOT EVEN TURN OVER. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE MECHANIC. FUEL PUMP ELECTRONICS FAULTY, THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP MODULE. AUDI HAS 96K MILES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED NUMEROUS UNKNOWN AUDI DEALERS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR T…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED NUMEROUS UNKNOWN AUDI DEALERS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR PARTS AVAILABILITY FOR OVER A YEAR AND DO NOT APPEAR TO BE MAKING PROGRESS ON THE WAITLIST AT MY DEALERSHIP (PENSKE AUDI). THE DEALERSHIP BLAMES THE MANUFACTURER AND THE MANUFACTURER BLAMES THE DEALERSHIP. IN THE MEANTIME I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE PART WILL BECOME AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE WORK.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI Q5. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A FUEL ODOR. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED. THE VE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI Q5. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A FUEL ODOR. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE CONTACT CALLED THE COLLECTION AUDI (200 BIRD RD, CORAL GABLES, FL 33146, (305) 444-5555), BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE DELAMINATED HALF WAY AROUND THE TIRE
THE CAR SMELLS TO RAW GAS SITTING IN THE GARAGE. WHEN I GET IN IT THE ISIDE SMELLS TO RAW GAS ALSO. I AM NOT GETTING ANY WARNING SIGNS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI Q5. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE F…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI Q5. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 ON THE HIGHWAY, A LIGHT CAME ACROSS MY DASH THAT SAID 'PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTION!' MOMENTS LATER MY 2011 AUDI Q5 CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP CAUSING A 3 CAR PILE UP. MY CAR HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED IN JUNE AND GOTTEN NEW BRAKES AT THAT TIME AS WELL.
Official recalls
518V818000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Nov 19, 2018
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
18V082000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Jan 30, 2018
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
17V001000 · Air Bags:side/window; Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly
Jan 3, 2017
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:side/window
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.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly
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.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
16V660000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Sep 13, 2016
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
16V078000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Feb 10, 2016
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.