Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
170–25K
1025–50K
1550–75K
1075–100K
10100–150K
0150K+
62 reports with mileage · 27 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.
Engine. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports4 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
89 reports
36,000 miles · Jun 19, 2017
Unknown Or Other
THE GLUE THAT HOLDS THE PANORAMA SUN-SHADE TO THE SIDE RAILS FAILS IN HOT CLIMATES. SEPARATION FROM THE SIDE RAIL GUIDES CAUSES THE SUN-SHADE TO CATCH AND TEAR. THIS PART CANNOT BE REPAIRED AND MUST BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $1500+. I CONTACTED AUDI AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE OF THE GLUE IS NOT A COMMON ISSUE DESPITE FIN…
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THE GLUE THAT HOLDS THE PANORAMA SUN-SHADE TO THE SIDE RAILS FAILS IN HOT CLIMATES. SEPARATION FROM THE SIDE RAIL GUIDES CAUSES THE SUN-SHADE TO CATCH AND TEAR. THIS PART CANNOT BE REPAIRED AND MUST BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $1500+. I CONTACTED AUDI AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE OF THE GLUE IS NOT A COMMON ISSUE DESPITE FINDING DOZENS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND FINDING LOCAL REPAIR SHOPS THAT REPORT REPLACING DOZENS OF SUNSCREENS PER YEAR FOR EXACTLY THIS REASON. I TRULY BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH AND REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA ODI #10995822
61,000 miles · May 22, 2017
Power Train
AT 62000 MILES THERE IS A FAULTY BEARING IN THE TRANSMITION THAT IS CAUSING NOISE TO RESONATE IN THE CABIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO A REPUTABLE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC IN SAN FRANCISCO AND HIS DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT, AND I SHOULD NOT ACCEPT THIS FROM AUDI SINCE THIS PROBLEM SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED AT SUCH LOW MIL…
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AT 62000 MILES THERE IS A FAULTY BEARING IN THE TRANSMITION THAT IS CAUSING NOISE TO RESONATE IN THE CABIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO A REPUTABLE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC IN SAN FRANCISCO AND HIS DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT, AND I SHOULD NOT ACCEPT THIS FROM AUDI SINCE THIS PROBLEM SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE.
NHTSA ODI #10991023
80,000 miles · Mar 4, 2017
EngineFire
ARRIVED AT WORK. WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF ARRIVING A COWORKER ALERTED MY HUSBAND THAT HIS CAR WAS SMOKING. MY HUSBAND WENT OUT TO THE CAR AND THERE WAS SMOKE BILLOWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HE QUICKLY OPENED THE BACK DOOR, GRABBED HIS WORK ISSUED LAPTOP AND BY THEN IT HAD BURST INTO FLAMES. THIS HAPPENED IN MARCH 1, 2017. WE FOUND ON…
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ARRIVED AT WORK. WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF ARRIVING A COWORKER ALERTED MY HUSBAND THAT HIS CAR WAS SMOKING. MY HUSBAND WENT OUT TO THE CAR AND THERE WAS SMOKE BILLOWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HE QUICKLY OPENED THE BACK DOOR, GRABBED HIS WORK ISSUED LAPTOP AND BY THEN IT HAD BURST INTO FLAMES. THIS HAPPENED IN MARCH 1, 2017. WE FOUND ONLINE AUDI WAS TO RELEASE NEWS TO OWNERS OF A RECALL INVOLVING THE COOLANT PUMP BECOMING BLOCKED WITH DEBRIS AND CAUSING SMOLDERING AND POSSIBLE FIRE. WELL, THERE WAS DEFINITELY FIRE. THE CAR IS TOTALED- BURNED TO A CRISP. FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE RESPONDED. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT AND NO ONE AND NO OTHER PROPERTY WAS DAMAGED. PRAISE GOD IT DIDN'T HAPPEN IN OUR GARAGE!
NHTSA ODI #10958646
Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2016
Structure
PANORAMIC SUNROOF HAS BEEN MAKING NOISE SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REMEDY THE ISSUE 5-6 TIMES WITH NO RESOLUTION. IT'S NOISIER DURING THE WINTER THAN DURING THE SUMMER. NOISE IS HEARD ANYWHERE FROM 20 TO 50 MPH ON SMOOTH OR BUMPY ROAD MAKES NO DIFFERENCE.
NHTSA ODI #10894109
50,000 miles · Aug 8, 2016
Structure
FRONT BUMPER PAINT PEALING OFF. HAD THE BUMPER REPLACED JUST OVER A YEAR AGO AND PAINT IS ALREADY PEALING OFF THE NEW BUMPER. AUDI REFUSES TO REPLACE BUMPER AGAIN BECAUSE IT'S PAST THE WARRANTY. CAN'T EVEN WASH THE CAR WITHOUT MORE PAINT PEALING OFF.
NHTSA ODI #10894105
87,000 miles · Jul 4, 2016
Power Train
THE VEHICLE STOPPED AT THE HIGHWAY AT AROUND 65MPH DUE TO COOLANT LEAK/WATER PUMP LEAK. EMERGENCY STOP TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WAS NECESSARY AS WELL AS VEHICLE TOWING. ILLUMINATOR LIGHT TO TURN OFF ENGINE WAS ON. WEATHER CONDITIONS AT 100+ FAHRENHEIT HAD POTENTIAL OF DANGEROUS SITUATION IF I WOULD HAVE HAD MY LITTLE ONES.
NHTSA ODI #10882444
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2016
Seats
THE HEAD RESTRAINTS PUSH BOTH THE DRIVE AND THE PASSENGERS HEADS FORWARD AND IT CAUSE NECK PAIN. I CANNOT ADJUST THE HEAD RESTRAINT AND IT IS HIGHLY UNCOMFORTABLE. STOP MAKING THE MANUFACTURERS PRODUCE THESE HEAD RESTRAINTS. LET THEM MAKE ADJUSTABLE ONES AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #10876179
28,834 miles · Feb 22, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI Q5. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE RECURRED. WHILE IDLING AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH. THE CONTACT WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI Q5. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE RECURRED. WHILE IDLING AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,834.
NHTSA ODI #10837491
26,000 miles · Dec 5, 2015
Structure
CHRONIC SUNROOF RATTLING. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, PANORAMIC SUNROOF RATTLES CONSISTENTLY WHILE CLOSED. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX AFTER 4 ATTEMPTS. VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF ISSUE BUT IS UNAWARE OF A RESOLUTION.
NHTSA ODI #10808597
17,000 miles · Aug 31, 2015
Wheels
THE TIRE PRESSURE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAILED TO ALERT THAT THE LEFT REAR (DRIVER'S) SIDE TIRE DEVELOPED A SLOW LEAK. AS A RESULT, THE TIRE WAS DRIVEN WITH DANGEROUSLY LOW TIRE PRESSURE. THE TIRE WAS RUINED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE TPMS DID REGISTER A TIRE PRESSURE FAULT WHEN A NEW TIRE WAS MOUNTED.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The melted wires can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
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.
2013 Audi Q5 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year