IllustrationAUDI Q5 TFSI 2.0T ENGINE UPPER TIMING COVER OIL LEAK, CAUSES WATER PUMP TO LEAK OVER AND OVER AGAIN. UNTIL YOU FIX THE OIL LEAK, YOU CANNOT FIX THE WATER PUMP LEAKING.
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
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
70–25K
825–50K
1850–75K
1375–100K
12100–150K
4150K+
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
Engine complaints
47 reportsCLASS ACTION LAW SUIT FOR AUDI USA FOR EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION IN MODELS UP TO 2011, HAS NOT FIXED THE ISSUE BECASUE ALOT OF PEOPLE CLAIM THE SAME ISSUE WITH AUDI INCLUDING MY 2012 AUDI Q5. MORE THAN 1 QT OF OIL EVERY 200 MILES IS ALOT AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A ISSUE WITH AUDI, I HAVE HAD MU ENGINE CHECK BY MORE THAN ONE SHOP, HA…
Read full complaint
CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT FOR AUDI USA FOR EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION IN MODELS UP TO 2011, HAS NOT FIXED THE ISSUE BECASUE ALOT OF PEOPLE CLAIM THE SAME ISSUE WITH AUDI INCLUDING MY 2012 AUDI Q5. MORE THAN 1 QT OF OIL EVERY 200 MILES IS ALOT AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A ISSUE WITH AUDI, I HAVE HAD MU ENGINE CHECK BY MORE THAN ONE SHOP, HAD A SKOKE TEST AND OIL CONSUMPTION TEST DONE ON IT AND THE OIL IS BURNING EXCESSIVELY WITH NO RESOLUTIONS.
IM LOOSING A LITER OF OIL EVERY 200-500 MILES AND TYRANNY FEELS LIKE IT SLIPS A LITTLE BUT THE OIL CONSUMPTION IS WHY IM WRITING THIS I BOUGHT MY 2012 AUDI Q5 PREMIUM SPORT EDITION WITH A 2.0 TURBO WITH 80,000 MILES AND WAS NOT TOLD ABOUT THE OIL CONSUMPTION!!
CAR BURNING EXCESSIVE OIL. THE OIL LIGHT COMES ON ALL THE TIME. OIL CONSUMPTION IS NOT NORMAIL. I HAVE TO ADD OIL EVERY 1000 MILES. FROM WHAT I HEAR FROM OTHER AUDI OWNERS TO REPAIR THE ENGINE IT WILL COST AROUND $6,000.00. THE PISTONS AND RINGS ARE DEFECTIVE AND SINCE THERE ARE SOOOO MANY COMPLAINTS, AUDI SHOULD RECALL THIS…
Read full complaint
CAR BURNING EXCESSIVE OIL. THE OIL LIGHT COMES ON ALL THE TIME. OIL CONSUMPTION IS NOT NORMAIL. I HAVE TO ADD OIL EVERY 1000 MILES. FROM WHAT I HEAR FROM OTHER AUDI OWNERS TO REPAIR THE ENGINE IT WILL COST AROUND $6,000.00. THE PISTONS AND RINGS ARE DEFECTIVE AND SINCE THERE ARE SOOOO MANY COMPLAINTS, AUDI SHOULD RECALL THIS ISSUE AND FIX IT FOR ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES.
WITH 100,000 MILES THE VEHICLE STARTED USING OIL QUICKLY. OVERTIME AFTER OIL CHANGES HAD TO CONSISTENTLY ADD 1 LITER EVERY TWO WEEKS. WITHOUT NOTICE VEHICLE COMPLETELY FAILED AND WOULDN'T TURN OVER. EVERYTHING LIGHTS UP AND WORKS ON THE INSIDE BUT THE ENGINE WON'T TURN OVER WHICH IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS 2011 RECALL. THIS CAUS…
Read full complaint
WITH 100,000 MILES THE VEHICLE STARTED USING OIL QUICKLY. OVERTIME AFTER OIL CHANGES HAD TO CONSISTENTLY ADD 1 LITER EVERY TWO WEEKS. WITHOUT NOTICE VEHICLE COMPLETELY FAILED AND WOULDN'T TURN OVER. EVERYTHING LIGHTS UP AND WORKS ON THE INSIDE BUT THE ENGINE WON'T TURN OVER WHICH IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS 2011 RECALL. THIS CAUSES ME TO HAVE A NON WORKING VEHICLE AND STILL HAVING PAYMENTS. WHEN ASKED ABOUT REPAIRING WAS TOLD I NEED A WHOLE NEW MOTOR AT A MINIMUM OF $8,000.
ENGINE DIES WITH OUT NOTICE WHILE IN MOTION .RECEIVING WARNING NOT TO EXCEED 4000RPMS ,LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING WITH FLASHING EPC. *TR
I NOTICED MY OIL LIGHT COMING ON FREQUENTLY AND AUDI TOLD ME THAT THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A FAULTY HOOD LATCH SENSOR. AFTER ABOUT 6 MONTHS I ENDED UP PAYING TO REPLACE THE HOOD LATCH ONLY TO FIND OUT A MONTH LATER THAT MY OIL LIGHT CAME BACK ON SO THEY TOLD ME JUST ADD OIL. AFTER ANOTHER YEAR THEY AMOUNT OF OIL HAS INCREASED RAPIDLY…
Read full complaint
I NOTICED MY OIL LIGHT COMING ON FREQUENTLY AND AUDI TOLD ME THAT THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A FAULTY HOOD LATCH SENSOR. AFTER ABOUT 6 MONTHS I ENDED UP PAYING TO REPLACE THE HOOD LATCH ONLY TO FIND OUT A MONTH LATER THAT MY OIL LIGHT CAME BACK ON SO THEY TOLD ME JUST ADD OIL. AFTER ANOTHER YEAR THEY AMOUNT OF OIL HAS INCREASED RAPIDLY AND I'M CURRENTLY AT 79,600 MILES. I FOUND OUT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ON MY CAR UP TO YEAR 2011 ON THIS EXACT ISSUE. PROBLEM IS I HAVE A 2012 THAT WAS ORDERED IN 2011 AND I HAVE THE SAME ENGINE MODEL CAEB HAS THE OTHERS. I FILL UP 1 QUART EVERY TIME I FILL MY TANK. AUDI TOLD ME IT WAS OKAY TO KEEP FILLING WITH OIL AND IT WOULDN'T BE ANY DAMAGE, WHEN I FOUND OUT IT DOES CAUSE DAMAGE. THERE IS NO OIL LEAKING FROM THE BOTTOM, SO IT IS SCORING IN MY PISTON RINGS.
SINCE JANUARY 2019, THE VEHICLE OIL LIGHT HAS BEEN TURNING MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY. I WAS TOLD BY AUDI DEALERSHIP THAT IT IS NORMAL TO ADD A QUART EVERY 1000 MILES OR SO. I AM ADDING A QUART PER 100 MILES. WHEN COMMUNICATING WITH AUDI DEALERSHIP MY CLAIMS WERE DISMISSED AND I WAS TOLD WORK COSTS TO REPLACE PISTON RINGS WOULD BE…
Read full complaint
SINCE JANUARY 2019, THE VEHICLE OIL LIGHT HAS BEEN TURNING MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY. I WAS TOLD BY AUDI DEALERSHIP THAT IT IS NORMAL TO ADD A QUART EVERY 1000 MILES OR SO. I AM ADDING A QUART PER 100 MILES. WHEN COMMUNICATING WITH AUDI DEALERSHIP MY CLAIMS WERE DISMISSED AND I WAS TOLD WORK COSTS TO REPLACE PISTON RINGS WOULD BE OVER $6000 DOLLARS. WHEN RESEARCHING CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, MY ENGINE CODE IS THE ONE THAT IS AFFECTED BY THE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM, BUT WHEN COMMUNICATING THAT TO AUDI OF AMERICA HOTLINE, I WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REWARDED ANY EXTENDED WARRANTY.
OIL LEAK AND ENGINE COOLING PIPES UO
THE COOLANT/WATER PUMP LEAKS COOLANT. THIS PUMP IS LOCATED UNDER THE HOOD NEXT TO THE ENGINE.
Official recalls
618V818000 · 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 SUNROOFS 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.