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2012 Audi Q5

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Q5 years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Audi Q5 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 52.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected 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

62 reports with mileage · 106 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 85 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

85 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2017
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V384000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE …

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V384000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10979373

Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2017
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. TH…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #10967556

Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2017
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL. IT HAS NOW BEEN OVER 1 YEAR SINCE THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR THE AIRBAG PROBLEM AND IT HASN'T BEEN FIXED AND NOBODY CAN TELL US WHEN IT CAN BE FIXED. UNACCEPTABLE AND UNSAFE!

NHTSA ODI #10955377

Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2017
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL - I WAS MADE AWARE OF THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL VIA USPS POSTAL MAIL SERVICE IN APRIL OF 2016 BY AUDI OF AMERICA INC. LOCATED AT 3800 HAMLIN ROAD, AUBURN HILLS MI 48326. SINCE THEN, I HAVE MADE MULTIPLE INQUIRIES TO AUDI SERVICE DEPARTMENTS AS TO HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE FOR MY AIRBAG REPLACEMENT. EACH TIME I WAS TOLD…

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TAKATA RECALL - I WAS MADE AWARE OF THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL VIA USPS POSTAL MAIL SERVICE IN APRIL OF 2016 BY AUDI OF AMERICA INC. LOCATED AT 3800 HAMLIN ROAD, AUBURN HILLS MI 48326. SINCE THEN, I HAVE MADE MULTIPLE INQUIRIES TO AUDI SERVICE DEPARTMENTS AS TO HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE FOR MY AIRBAG REPLACEMENT. EACH TIME I WAS TOLD THAT AS SOON AS THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE, I WOULD BE INFORMED AND ASKED TO BRING IN MY VEHICLE FOR SERVICE. AT THIS POINT, I AM EXPERIENCING ANXIETY WHEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND DECIDED THAT I WOULD TRADE IT IN FOR A NEW VEHICLE IN ORDER TO FEEL SAFE WHILE ON THE ROAD. WHILE AT THE FARMINGTON HILLS DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE VALUE OF MY TRADE-IN WOULD ONLY BE $12,000 BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO RESELL THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAULTY AIRBAGS. AS A CONSEQUENCE, ANY VEHICLE THAT I PURCHASE WOULD HAVE A $10,000 DEBT ROLLED IN BECAUSE OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MY TRADE-IN VALUE AND THE BALANCE OF MY EXISTING CAR LOAN. IF SOMEONE IS TO EXPERIENCE FINANCIAL DAMAGES AS A RESULT OF THE FAULTY AIRBAGS, IT SHOULD BE TAKATA AND NOT ME AS A CONSUMER. I AM REQUESTING THAT AUDI TAKE MY TRADE-IN AT ITS FULL VALUE [NOT TAKE THE FAULTY AIRBAGS INTO CONSIDERATION] AND I AM SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT IN THE HOPES THAT WE CAN ARRIVE AT A MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL OUTCOME (WHERE I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FACT THAT THE CAR CANNOT BE RESOLD) AND AVOID ADDITIONAL OR FURTHER LITIGATION.

NHTSA ODI #10955289

Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2017
Air BagsVisibility

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V001000 (VISIBILITY AND AIR BAGS) AND 16V078000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE PARTS MAY BECOME AVAILABLE MID SEP…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V001000 (VISIBILITY AND AIR BAGS) AND 16V078000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE PARTS MAY BECOME AVAILABLE MID SEPTEMBER 2017. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #10955260

50,000 miles · Feb 17, 2017
Air BagsFuel/propulsion SystemStructure

TAKATA RECALL HEAD CURTAIN BAG RECALL FUEL PUMP FLANGE RECALL I'VE HAD NO ACCIDENT OR MALFUNCTION AS YET, BUT WANT THE PRODUCTS TO BE REPLACED IN MY VEHICLE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I'VE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO SCHEDULE ANY TIME FOR THE RECOMMENDED REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #10955252

Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2017
Air Bags

IT'S BEEN OVER A YEAR! THIS IS RIDICULOUS! DEALER WASN'T WILLING TO RENT ME A CAR LIKE VOLKSWAGEN DID FOR MY FRIEND AND THAT AIR BAG WAS REPLACED IN 3 MONTHS....I'VE BEEN DRIVING MY DEATH MACHINE FOR A YEAR THEY ONLY OFFERED ME TO TRADE UP FOR ANOTHER CAR BUT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE COLORS I WANTED. NOW THERE ARE 2 AIRBAG RECALL…

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IT'S BEEN OVER A YEAR! THIS IS RIDICULOUS! DEALER WASN'T WILLING TO RENT ME A CAR LIKE VOLKSWAGEN DID FOR MY FRIEND AND THAT AIR BAG WAS REPLACED IN 3 MONTHS....I'VE BEEN DRIVING MY DEATH MACHINE FOR A YEAR THEY ONLY OFFERED ME TO TRADE UP FOR ANOTHER CAR BUT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE COLORS I WANTED. NOW THERE ARE 2 AIRBAG RECALLS ON MY CAR AND NO SOLUTION! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10949499

Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2017
Air BagsFuel/propulsion System

TAKATA RECALL AND MORE: AUDI HAS NOT RESOLVED THIS ISSUE SINCE APRIL 2016 AND SEES NO SOLUTION IN SIGHT. THEY ARE NOT OFFERING TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLES, FIX THEM OR PROVIDE A LOANER AS A RESULT OF THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ISSUE. I AM STUCK IN A DANGEROUS VEHICLE WITH NO SOLUTION IN SIGHT. ON TOP OF THAT, SINCE THE PURCHASE OF T…

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TAKATA RECALL AND MORE: AUDI HAS NOT RESOLVED THIS ISSUE SINCE APRIL 2016 AND SEES NO SOLUTION IN SIGHT. THEY ARE NOT OFFERING TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLES, FIX THEM OR PROVIDE A LOANER AS A RESULT OF THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ISSUE. I AM STUCK IN A DANGEROUS VEHICLE WITH NO SOLUTION IN SIGHT. ON TOP OF THAT, SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE IN SEPTEMBER 2015 WE HAVE HAD ALL SORTS OF PROBLEMS INCLUDING A LOOSE MOONROOF THAT HAD TO BE FIXED 3 TIMES IN A MONTH. 4 RECALLS AND 7 VISITS TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN A YEAR AND 5 MONTHS. MAKES NO SENSE FOR SUCH AN EXPENSIVE VEHICLE AND THE SERVICE OF AUDI OF AMERICA HAS BEEN EXACTLY AS BAD AS THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10949486

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2017
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. …

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #10949020

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2017
Air BagsFuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V660000 (FUEL SYSTEM) AND 16V078000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V660000 (FUEL SYSTEM) AND 16V078000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUES. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #10945647

Official recalls

6

18V818000 · 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.

12V299000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

Jun 28, 2012

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 AUDI Q5 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 21, 2011, THROUGH DECEMBER 9, 2011. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A FRONT SUNROOF GLASS PANEL THAT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO BREAKAGE IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER/TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SHOULD THE SUNROOF’S GLASS BREAK WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE, THE FALLING GLASS COULD CUT AND INJURE THE DRIVER OR PASSENGERS. IT COULD ALSO DISTRACT THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUNROOF GLASS PANEL, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.