2014 Audi Q5

The front subframe has experienced catastrophic failure due to severe and premature rust-through corrosion. Multiple holes have perforated the component, compromising the vehicle's structural integrity. The part is available for inspection upon request. The safety of my family and others was put at significant risk, as the subframe is the primary component that mounts the engine, suspension, and steering rack to the vehicle. A failure of the subframe while driving could cause a complete loss of steering control and the collapse of the front suspension, leading to a serious or fatal crash. The problem was independently reproduced and confirmed by both an independent service center and an authorized Audi dealership. Both establishments have deemed the vehicle unsafe to drive due to this specific issue. The manufacturer (Audi of America) has been made aware of the issue through their dealership network. They have acknowledged the defect by offering a "goodwill" repair to replace the subframe, confirming their awareness of this failure mode. However, the manufacturer has made this safety-critical repair contingent on the owner first paying for several thousand dollars of unrelated maintenance items, creating a financial barrier that prevents the safety fix from being implemented. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to the failure's discovery. This is a silent failure that provides no warning to the driver. It was only discovered during a routine service visit when the vehicle was on a lift.

I took my Audi Q5 TDI to the Garage for servicing and was told of heavy rusting on both sides of the rear subframe. The rusting is bad and can almost break the subframe It seems to be a known issue in Audi Q5 models, however, the dealership and Audi of America have refused to cover it as a manufacturing defect. The car has 88000 miles, and at this point, I think it may not be safe to drive. I am urging NTSB to review this issue and see if the issue can be resolved by the manufacturer at their cost.

THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY WITH MY PANORAMIC MOONROOF OPEN COMPLETELY. I WAS TRAVELING IN A SAFE SPEED, NO SPEED BUMPS OR POT HOLES, NO UNDERPASSES, AND NO TRAFFIC WHEN SUDDENLY MY MOONROOF GLASS POPPED AND SHATTERED EVERYWHERE. NEXT THING I KNOW, I AM GETTING A FACE FULL OF GLASS AND MY ENTIRE BACK SEAT IS COVERED IN GLASS. I HAVE SUSTAINED MICRO SCRATCHES FROM THE BROKEN GLASS ALL OVER MY CAR AND IT WAS UNDRIVEABLE AS I FEARED ALL THE GLASS CONTINUING TO FLY IN MY FACE. THANK GOD I WAS ALONE. I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND REALIZED THAT THIS IS A RECOGNIZABLE SAFETY CONCERN WITH MY VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL AROUND THE WORLD, BUT AUDI WILL NOT RECOGNIZE AS A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE. I'M JUST GLAD MY MOONROOF WAS NOT CLOSED AND ABOVE MY HEAD AS I PROBABLY COULD HAVE BEEN BADLY CUT AND THANK GOD I HAD NO PASSENGERS LIKE I NORMALLY DO AND PREVENTED THOSE INJURIES AS WELL. MY CAR IS NOW SITTING COVERED IN GLASS AS IF I WAS IN A HORRENDOUS CAR ACCIDENT WAITING FOR THE MANUFACTURE TO REPAIR THE ISSUE.