NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
99 reports75,000 miles · Nov 6, 2023
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q5. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was discovered that oil had leaked into the engine coolant. Due to the failure, the oil cooler was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back t…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q5. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was discovered that oil had leaked into the engine coolant. Due to the failure, the oil cooler was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where an oil consumption test was performed. The test showed that the piston rings were defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #11553817
Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2023
Engine
The car presently has about 92,000 miles on it. Around 80,000 miles (back over the winter) the oil light started to come on indicating I'm down a quart or so. I would find myself putting in a quart of oil every 1,000 miles or so. It has progressed. I understand the vehicle has a problem with the piston ring design such that the …
Read full complaint
The car presently has about 92,000 miles on it. Around 80,000 miles (back over the winter) the oil light started to come on indicating I'm down a quart or so. I would find myself putting in a quart of oil every 1,000 miles or so. It has progressed. I understand the vehicle has a problem with the piston ring design such that the ring allows excess oil into the chamber and the ring itself might shatter. The problem, at best, prevents acceleration and deceleration...problematic on or off a highway. At worst, the ring shatters and engine stops. The 2012 - 2017 models and other models were involved in class action lawsuits. The 2015 escaped that litigation somehow. Though I'll be taking it to an Audi dealer for an oil consumption test as recommended. No one has yet to inspect the vehicle.
NHTSA ODI #11553503
75,200 miles · Oct 13, 2023
Structure
The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q5. The contact stated that after taking the vehicle to the dealer for service, the dealer determined that the vehicle was unsafe to drive due to severe rust on the rear subframe. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage wa…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q5. The contact stated that after taking the vehicle to the dealer for service, the dealer determined that the vehicle was unsafe to drive due to severe rust on the rear subframe. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 75,200.
NHTSA ODI #11549773
Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2023
EngineSteering
Car worked fine with no signs of any issues or concerns. I stopped at a light and the car turned off as the start-stop system normally does. However when the light went green, the car would refuse to start flashing "Steering Malfunction, Do not drive"... I'm at a light on a highway, what do you mean "do not drive"! The power ste…
Read full complaint
Car worked fine with no signs of any issues or concerns. I stopped at a light and the car turned off as the start-stop system normally does. However when the light went green, the car would refuse to start flashing "Steering Malfunction, Do not drive"... I'm at a light on a highway, what do you mean "do not drive"! The power steering was completely lost and it seems because of it, the entire system would refuse to allow the car to even start. The car had to eventually be pushed off the highway after causing an incredible amount of traffic and then towed. I contacted Audi and they appear to know about this issue, however will only warranty a very specific fault code, and will not honor any other faults in the system or any car that doesn't have a perfect history. Estimated cost to repair this absurd faulty steering rack according to online sources is almost $4000. Audi even recalled this system on they're higher package cars like the SQ5 but still wont recall this system in the Q5 line up.
NHTSA ODI #11545298
Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2023
EngineFuel/propulsion System
Faulty pistons, piston rings and piston heads responsible for excessive oil consumption. Excessive oil consumption occurs because the combustion chamber is not properly sealed off from the Audi turbo engine parts that need to remain lubricated. Because of inadequate lubrication, fragments of the piston rings flow through the Aud…
Read full complaint
Faulty pistons, piston rings and piston heads responsible for excessive oil consumption. Excessive oil consumption occurs because the combustion chamber is not properly sealed off from the Audi turbo engine parts that need to remain lubricated. Because of inadequate lubrication, fragments of the piston rings flow through the Audi 2L turbo engines and damage important components. As a result, our 2015 Audi Q5is at risk for immediate loss of engine power. There is currently a class action law suit against Audi for this problem for cars in this year range, but nothing has been solved.Audi's answer to this problem is to bring the car in every 300-500 miles for free oil top offs. This does NOT solve the underlying problem nor eliminate the deadly risk of total engine failure. People are driving around in vehicles at risk for complete failure. The Audi dealership states that to replace piston rings, it will cost between $10,000 and $12,000. Absolutely unsafe and unacceptable.
NHTSA ODI #11545019
Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2023
Unknown Or Other
My 2015 Q5 is experiencing excessive oil consumption and has failed the oil consumption test. This is a known defect in older cars for which there was a successful class action suit and now it seems that this defect is also present in certain Audi cars between 2010-2017. The excessive oil consumption stems from a piston and ring…
Read full complaint
My 2015 Q5 is experiencing excessive oil consumption and has failed the oil consumption test. This is a known defect in older cars for which there was a successful class action suit and now it seems that this defect is also present in certain Audi cars between 2010-2017. The excessive oil consumption stems from a piston and ring defect. The defect is causing the cars' pistons and piston heads to break off into pieces. This causing a number of problems requiring costly repairs and makes the car unsafe to drive. In addition to excessive oil consumption, the car can experience a sudden loss of power while driving (which is a safety issue) and engine knocking. My mechanic has inspected the car, run the oil consumption test (which the car failed) and told me that the piston and rings need to be replaced. He also stated that he has seen this in Audi's and that it is a known problem. Currently, my low oil light is coming on every 800 miles (normal would be 5000+miles). You are welcome to inspect my car at any time.
NHTSA ODI #11541937
30,000 miles · Aug 1, 2023
Air BagsVisibility
The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q5. The contact stated that water was leaking into the vehicle through the sunroof. The contact stated that water also soaked into the foam surrounding the side head air bag inflator canister. The contact stated there was mold in the rear passenger’s and driver’s side seats and inside the trunk. The …
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q5. The contact stated that water was leaking into the vehicle through the sunroof. The contact stated that water also soaked into the foam surrounding the side head air bag inflator canister. The contact stated there was mold in the rear passenger’s and driver’s side seats and inside the trunk. The contact stated that the battery and electrical equipment were under water and covered in mold. The vehicle was towed to a service station where it was inspected and determined that water had leaked through the sunroof and the surrounding foam needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V001000 (Visibility, Air Bags). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed at the dealer, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
NHTSA ODI #11535832
Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2023
Engine
When I reached approximately 101,000 miles my low oil indicator yellow light came on. The car does not have a dipstick so I could not manually check this. I thought the oil level sensor was broken, as I have not had this light come on in the first 101,000 miles. I regularly change the oil according to manufacturer guidelines …
Read full complaint
When I reached approximately 101,000 miles my low oil indicator yellow light came on. The car does not have a dipstick so I could not manually check this. I thought the oil level sensor was broken, as I have not had this light come on in the first 101,000 miles. I regularly change the oil according to manufacturer guidelines of every 10K miles. Eventually the red low oil level light came on and the car told me to add oil. I went and had the oil changed and they told me there was only 2.9 quarts of oil remaining in the car when they changed it. Obviously the car is buring oil as I have no indicated leaks on my garage floor or driveway. I note this is an issue on many online forums. If the negine were to sieze at speed while driving it will be very dangerous.
NHTSA ODI #11526842
Mileage unknown · May 13, 2023
Visibility
Driving on the highway the panoramic sun roof window shattered. Sounded like an explosion. Glass shattered and flew throughout car and blew away. Posed hazard to those in car as the glass shattered. Could have caused hazard if driver did not maintain control due to sudden sound and sudden incidence. Extremely dangerous.
NHTSA ODI #11521845
58,000 miles · Apr 11, 2023
Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q5. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the message "Pull Over Immediately" and a chime started to sound. The contact pulled off the road and placed the vehicle into park (P) and turned off the vehicle down for approximately 20 minutes. The contact was able to restart the vehicle h…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q5. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the message "Pull Over Immediately" and a chime started to sound. The contact pulled off the road and placed the vehicle into park (P) and turned off the vehicle down for approximately 20 minutes. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle started to overheat, and the warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure became reoccurring. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to a dealer who diagnosed that the radiator was cracked and lost all coolant, and that the radiator, thermostat and seals needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V229000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
NHTSA ODI #11516581
Official recalls
6Apr 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.
Jan 28, 2016
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles manufactured January 15, 2015, to January 21, 2015, and 2015 Audi Q5 vehicles manufactured January 13, 2015, to February 3, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with driver and front seat passenger seat-mounted air bag inflators that may rupture in the event of a crash.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of a seat-mounted air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began July 7, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69M1 (for Audi) and 69L9 (for VW).
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗