NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
89 reports32,000 miles · Jul 27, 2015
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKES SEIZED AS THE PARKING BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKES SEIZED AS THE PARKING BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000.
NHTSA ODI #10743757
1,000 miles · Feb 4, 2015
Electrical System
THE SPEAKERS IN THE AUDIO SYSTEM RANDOMLY EMIT A VERY LOUD POP! THIS NOISE HAPPENS EVEN WITH THE VOLUME OF THE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM ALL THE WAY DOWN AND ALSO HAPPENS WHEN RADIO OR ANY AUDIO IS PLAYING. THE NOISE IS VERY STARTLING! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10681204
7,000 miles · Jan 6, 2015
Service Brakes
SEVERE BRAKE SQUEELING WHEN BACKING UP AND MOVING FORWARD AT LOW SPEEDS. PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE. DEALER HAS TRIED SEVERAL FIXES (CLEANING) TO NO AVAIL. MY CONCERN (OTHER THAN THE HURTING THE EARS OF BY STANDERS) IS FURTHER BRAKE PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION.
NHTSA ODI #10670379
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2014
Equipment
2013 AUDI Q5. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE REAR SEAT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM MONITOR MOUNT CONFIGURATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE ASSUMED WHEN HE WAS HAVING THE VEHICLE BUILT, THE REAR SEAT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM DVD MONITORS WOULD BE MOUNTED IN THE BACK OF THE FRONT SEAT HEAD REST, LIKE THEY NORMALLY WERE IN OTHER V…
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2013 AUDI Q5. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE REAR SEAT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM MONITOR MOUNT CONFIGURATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE ASSUMED WHEN HE WAS HAVING THE VEHICLE BUILT, THE REAR SEAT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM DVD MONITORS WOULD BE MOUNTED IN THE BACK OF THE FRONT SEAT HEAD REST, LIKE THEY NORMALLY WERE IN OTHER VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIPPED FROM GERMANY, BACK TO THE US. HE DISCOVERED THE REAR SEAT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM DVD MONITORS WERE MOUNTED ON SOME STURDY BRACKETS THAT WERE PROTRUDING FROM THE BACK OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS APPROXIMATELY FOUR INCHES TO SIX INCHES OUTWARD AND DIRECTLY TOWARD THE FACES OF THE PASSENGERS WHO OCCUPIED THE REAR SEATS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10616508
26,600 miles · Jun 18, 2014
Visibility/wiper
THIS IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM WHEN IT RAINS. THE INTERMITTENT SETTING ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS IS INEFFECTIVE AND I BELIEVE DANGEROUS AS VISIBILITY IS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPAIRED. DURING MODERATE RAINY PERIODS, THE INTERVAL, WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE SENSED BY DEVICES IN THE WINDSHIELD RESPONDS ERRATICALLY, WITH INTERVALS VARYING FROM…
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THIS IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM WHEN IT RAINS. THE INTERMITTENT SETTING ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS IS INEFFECTIVE AND I BELIEVE DANGEROUS AS VISIBILITY IS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPAIRED. DURING MODERATE RAINY PERIODS, THE INTERVAL, WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE SENSED BY DEVICES IN THE WINDSHIELD RESPONDS ERRATICALLY, WITH INTERVALS VARYING FROM OVER 30 SECONDS TO ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS AND THEN INTERVALS IN-BETWEEN. THIS IS PARTICULARLY CHALLENGING WHEN PASSING TRUCKS ON LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAYS WHERE THE PASSING TIME CAN BE EXTENDED BY TRAFFIC. REQUESTS FOR REPAIR OF THIS ERRATIC OPERATION HAVE BEEN MADE, BUT WITHOUT RESOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE AND NO RESOLUTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10604363
20,000 miles · May 6, 2014
Service Brakes
I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AND HAD TO BRAKE. AS SOON AS I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL IT FELL TO THE FLOOR AND I FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE TO SWERVE TO THE SHOULDER AND AFTER HITTING THE BRAKES A FEW TIMES THEM CAME BACK. ABOUT A WEEK LATER MY WIFE AND KIDS EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE, AGAIN AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT. THIS SEEMS LIKE A COMM…
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I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AND HAD TO BRAKE. AS SOON AS I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL IT FELL TO THE FLOOR AND I FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE TO SWERVE TO THE SHOULDER AND AFTER HITTING THE BRAKES A FEW TIMES THEM CAME BACK. ABOUT A WEEK LATER MY WIFE AND KIDS EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE, AGAIN AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT. THIS SEEMS LIKE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH POSTS ON AUDI FORUM. THEY OFFERED AN EXTENSION ON THE VEHICLE WARRANTY BUT THAT DOESN'T PREVENT SOMEONE GETTING KILLED DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING BRAKES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10586881
6,000 miles · Sep 26, 2013
SteeringVisibility
NOTCHINESS, FRICTION WHILE ROTATING STEERING WHEEL WITHIN FEW DEGREES FROM 12'O CLOCK POSITION EITHER SIDE. PROBLEM PERSISTED DESPITE THE SOFTWARE UPDATE. ANOTHER ISSUE WAS WHISTLING SOUND FROM SIDE MIRROR. AT TIMES PARTICULARLY WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED, IT GET SO PRONOUNCED AS IF A "FLY" IS BUZZING NEXT TO THE DRIVERS EAR. I…
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NOTCHINESS, FRICTION WHILE ROTATING STEERING WHEEL WITHIN FEW DEGREES FROM 12'O CLOCK POSITION EITHER SIDE. PROBLEM PERSISTED DESPITE THE SOFTWARE UPDATE. ANOTHER ISSUE WAS WHISTLING SOUND FROM SIDE MIRROR. AT TIMES PARTICULARLY WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED, IT GET SO PRONOUNCED AS IF A "FLY" IS BUZZING NEXT TO THE DRIVERS EAR. I COMPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP AND AUDI ON 09/14/2013. SINCE THEN I'M DRIVING LOANER. DEALERSHIP TRIED TO RETURN CAR ON 09/17/13, NONE OF THE ISSUES WERE FIXED. I RETURNED CAR TO DEALERSHIP AGAIN. I COMPLAINED AGAIN TO AUDI OF USA. NOW, I AM TOLD THAT SIDE MIRRORS ARE REPLACED AND FIXED. HOWEVER, NOTCHINESS/FRICTION IN STEERING WHEEL STILL PERSIST. THERE IS NOTHING AUDI CAN DO TO FIX THIS. DEALERSHIP IS INSISTING ME TO ACCEPT MY CAR. HOWEVER, I AM RELUCTANT TO ACCEPT DUE TO CONCERN OF POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE ADVISE. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10545446
2,000 miles · Sep 17, 2013
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI Q5 HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER ACCESSING THE POWER LIFTGATE, THE DOOR WOULD OPEN AND CLOSE ABRUPTLY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
NHTSA ODI #10544119
2,000 miles · Jun 29, 2013
EnginePower Train
UNEXPECTED BRAKING. I AT ONCE PULLED OFF THE ROAD INTO A DRIVEWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK BUT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF DRIVE. I EVENTUALLY WAS ABLE TO STOP THE ENGINE WITH THE SHIFTER STILL IN DRIVE. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER 3 DAY…
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UNEXPECTED BRAKING. I AT ONCE PULLED OFF THE ROAD INTO A DRIVEWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK BUT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF DRIVE. I EVENTUALLY WAS ABLE TO STOP THE ENGINE WITH THE SHIFTER STILL IN DRIVE. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER 3 DAYS AT THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD THAT DIAGNOSTIC TESTS DID NOT REVEAL ANY PROBLEM AND THAT THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RETURNED TO ME AND I AM AWAITING FURTHER COMMUNICATION FROM AUDI AND/OR RECURRENCE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN THE SECOND PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE FIRST PROBLEM OCCURRED ON THE WAY HOME AFTER PURCHASE.. WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS ASKED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER UNDERGOING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10522431
1,500 miles · Jun 5, 2013
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE SUN ROOF. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND EVERY TIME THE ROOF WAS CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE SUN ROOF. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND EVERY TIME THE ROOF WAS CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,500. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10515158
Official recalls
5Apr 11, 2018
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.
Oct 5, 2017
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.
May 3, 2017
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.
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.
Jan 3, 2017
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 ↗