Was driving on state highway and all of a sudden the warning light came on that the steering wheel has malfunctioned. I could not rotate the steering wheel easily, but fortunately was able to pull over without any accident. This could have been a fatal failure had it happened on a highway or a slope.
2015 Audi Q5
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2015 Audi Q5 do not stand out strongly from 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
39 reports with mileage · 60 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 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
99 reportsI WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AND STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. TURNING CORNERS AT SLOW SPEED WAS VERY TOUGH AND JERKY. CONTROL OF THE CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT THE SLOWER THE SPEED. HIGHWAY WASN'T TOO BAD BUT YOU IT STILL TOOK MORE EFFORT THAN WAS NORMALLY EXPECTED/EXPERIENCED. FIRESTONE SERVICE NOTED A OPENING IN THE UPPER S…
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I WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AND STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. TURNING CORNERS AT SLOW SPEED WAS VERY TOUGH AND JERKY. CONTROL OF THE CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT THE SLOWER THE SPEED. HIGHWAY WASN'T TOO BAD BUT YOU IT STILL TOOK MORE EFFORT THAN WAS NORMALLY EXPECTED/EXPERIENCED. FIRESTONE SERVICE NOTED A OPENING IN THE UPPER STEERING SHAFT. THEY SPRAY LUBRICATED THE SHAFT AND IT APPEARS TO BE BACK TO NORMAL, BUT SINCE THERE THE SHAFT IS OPEN TO WEATHERING THIS IS NOT A PERMANENT FIX.
ABOUT A MONTH AGO AFTER A DRIVE WHERE THE ENGINE GOT UP TO OPERATING TEMPERATURE I RECEIVED A WARNING ON THE DASHBOARD SAYING SHUTOFF ENGINE AND CHECK COOLANT LEVEL IT IS LOW. THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES TO HAPPEN, SPONTANEOUSLY, WHILE I'M DRIVING. ALSO, THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR DESPITE COOLANT LEVELS BEING WITHIN NORMAL PARAME…
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ABOUT A MONTH AGO AFTER A DRIVE WHERE THE ENGINE GOT UP TO OPERATING TEMPERATURE I RECEIVED A WARNING ON THE DASHBOARD SAYING SHUTOFF ENGINE AND CHECK COOLANT LEVEL IT IS LOW. THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES TO HAPPEN, SPONTANEOUSLY, WHILE I'M DRIVING. ALSO, THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR DESPITE COOLANT LEVELS BEING WITHIN NORMAL PARAMETERS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, A WARNING MESSAGE REGARDING THE POWER STEERING WAS DISPLAYED THAT ALSO INSTRUCTED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. DURING THE FAILURE, THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS VERY COLD. THE VEH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, A WARNING MESSAGE REGARDING THE POWER STEERING WAS DISPLAYED THAT ALSO INSTRUCTED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. DURING THE FAILURE, THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS VERY COLD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER AUDI OF BOISE LOCATED AT 8400 W. FRANKLIN RD #1, BOISE, ID 83709 WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING RACK WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
OIL CONSUMPTION - CHECK ENGINE ADD OIL LIGHTS COME ON EVERY 200 TO 300 MILES ADD A QUART OF OIL THEN AGAIN AFTER 200+ MILES ADD ANOTHER QUART. AUDI WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM AND RECALL. I HAVE 108K MILES 90% HIGHWAY. 5 YEAR 80K WARRANTY IT STARTED AFTER 80K MILES. I HAVE SPENT $3K THE PAST SIX MONTHS WITHOUT REPLA…
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OIL CONSUMPTION - CHECK ENGINE ADD OIL LIGHTS COME ON EVERY 200 TO 300 MILES ADD A QUART OF OIL THEN AGAIN AFTER 200+ MILES ADD ANOTHER QUART. AUDI WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM AND RECALL. I HAVE 108K MILES 90% HIGHWAY. 5 YEAR 80K WARRANTY IT STARTED AFTER 80K MILES. I HAVE SPENT $3K THE PAST SIX MONTHS WITHOUT REPLACING THE ENGINE.
THE ADD OIL LIGHT ON MY VEHICLE STARTED TO COME ON AS I WAS DRIVING. INITIALLY IT WAS REQUIRING OIL ADDED IN BETWEEN SERVICE APPOINTMENTS. I MENTIONED IT AT TIME OF SERVICE AND I WAS TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD ALL OF THE SERVICE ON THIS VEHICLE DONE. WHEN IT STARTED READING LOW OIL AT JUST UNDER EVERY 100…
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THE ADD OIL LIGHT ON MY VEHICLE STARTED TO COME ON AS I WAS DRIVING. INITIALLY IT WAS REQUIRING OIL ADDED IN BETWEEN SERVICE APPOINTMENTS. I MENTIONED IT AT TIME OF SERVICE AND I WAS TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD ALL OF THE SERVICE ON THIS VEHICLE DONE. WHEN IT STARTED READING LOW OIL AT JUST UNDER EVERY 1000 MILES I CONTACTED DEALER AGAIN WHO HAD ME BRING IT IN AND THEY PERFORMED A SCOPE OF THE SYSTEM. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT USING TOO MUCH OIL AND ACCORDING TO AUDI IT WAS WITHIN NORMAL USAGE OF OIL. I WAS VERY SKEPTICAL AND BROUGHT IT TO A DIFFERENT AUDI DEALERSHIP FOR THE NEXT SCHEDULED SERVICE. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS TOO MUCH OIL IN THE EXHAUST AND IT WAS INDEED USING TOO MUCH. AT HIS POINT I AM NEEDING TO ADD A QUART OF OIL AT JUST UNDER EVERY 500 MILES. I DID GET A THIRD OPINION FROM A FOREIGN MOTOR SPECIALIST WHO WORKS ON AUDI'S BUT IS NOT AFFILIATED. HE TOLD ME THE CAR IS USING WAY TOO MUCH OIL AND THAT THE AUDI Q5 VEHICLES ARE KNOWN FOR THIS. I HAVE HAD ALL RECOMMENDED SERVICE COMPLETED AT AN AUDI DEALER, MOST WAS DONE WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. I HAVE ONLY USED PREMIUM GASOLINE, WHICH IS WHAT AUDI RECOMMENDS. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED WITH THE CONFLICTING REPORTS AND BELIEVE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT AUDI CONTINUES TO IGNORE. THIS IS AN ONGOING INCIDENT WHICH FIRST HAPPENED AT ABOUT 60,000 MILES. THE DATE BELOW REFLECTS THE LAST TIME THE ADD OIL LIGHT CAME ON.
MY 2015 AUDI Q5 HAS 36,000 MILES ON IT, IS GARAGE KEPT AND TAKEN WELL CARE OF. IT JUST NOW HAD BOTH REAR BEARINGS GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME. IT MADE A HORRIBLE NOISE WHILE ON SMOOTH HIGHWAY, AND I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO DEEMED IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FRONT BEARINGS BUT AUDI REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILI…
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MY 2015 AUDI Q5 HAS 36,000 MILES ON IT, IS GARAGE KEPT AND TAKEN WELL CARE OF. IT JUST NOW HAD BOTH REAR BEARINGS GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME. IT MADE A HORRIBLE NOISE WHILE ON SMOOTH HIGHWAY, AND I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO DEEMED IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FRONT BEARINGS BUT AUDI REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ISSUE. UNSAFE AND COULD KILL PEOPLE.
I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH AN OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE ON MY 2015 AUDI Q5 FOR A GOOD PART OF THIS YEAR. I SERVICE MY VEHICLE REGULARLY AND OIL CONSUMPTION HAD NEVER BEEN AN ISSUE UNTIL THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN MARCH. I LIVE IN FL DURING THE WINTER MONTHS SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AUDI OF MELBOURNE ON MARCH 12, 2020, ODOMETER READ…
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I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH AN OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE ON MY 2015 AUDI Q5 FOR A GOOD PART OF THIS YEAR. I SERVICE MY VEHICLE REGULARLY AND OIL CONSUMPTION HAD NEVER BEEN AN ISSUE UNTIL THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN MARCH. I LIVE IN FL DURING THE WINTER MONTHS SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AUDI OF MELBOURNE ON MARCH 12, 2020, ODOMETER READING 75,755. AT THAT TIME, THEY COMPLETED PART 1 OF AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AND INFORMED ME TO RETURN THE VEHICLE IF THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON OR I DROVE 1,000 MILES. BECAUSE OF THE CORONAVIRUS, I RETURNED TO KY AND THE SECOND PART OF THE TEST WAS COMPLETED BY AUDI OF LEXINGTON ON MARCH 31, 2020, ODOMETER READING 76,920. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE PASSED THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST (NO REPORT PROVIDED) BASED ON THE PARAMETERS ESTABLISHED BY AUDI USA. I CONTINUED TO MONITOR THE OIL LEVEL, ADDING WHEN NEARING THE MINIMUM LEVEL. REALIZING THAT OIL CONSUMPTION WAS WORSENING, I CONTACTED AUDI OF LEXINGTON AND SCHEDULED A SECOND OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. PART 1 OF THAT TEST OCCURRED ON JUNE 23, 2020, ODOMETER READING 77,793. I WAS TOLD TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON OR I HAD DRIVEN 700 MILES. AUDI OF LEXINGTON COMPLETED PART 2 OF THE TEST ON JULY 21, 2020, ODOMETER READING 78,534, AND AGAIN THE VEHICLE PASSED WITHIN AUDI USA PARAMETERS. I BELIEVE THE OIL CONSUMPTION WAS .49 QUARTS. I PURCHASED THE CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE FROM AUDI OF LEXINGTON ON APRIL 18, 2015. THE CPO WARRANTY IS SET TO EXPIRE ON AUGUST 23, 2020 AND I FEAR THE ENGINE WILL FAIL SOMETIME BEFORE OR AFTER THAT DATE. I KNOW THERE IS A SERIOUS OIL BURN ISSUE THAT I HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED ON ANY OTHER VEHICLE OWNED DURING MY LIFETIME AND WHILE ACCEPTABLE TO AUDI USA, IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO ME. WHILE THE OWNER'S MANUAL MENTIONS MINOR OIL CONSUMPTION, QUART PER 600 MILES, I WAS NOT DISCLOSED THAT ISSUE PRIOR TO PURCHASING THE VEHICLE.
2015 AUDI Q5. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE STEERING GEAR. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING GEAR BECAME DISLODGED. *JS *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMALLY LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMALLY LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
Official recalls
618V229000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System
Apr 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.
17V622000 · Electrical System:wiring
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.
17V298000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
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.
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.
17V002000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System
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.
16V045000 · Air Bags:side/window
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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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