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2016 Audi Q5

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Audi Q5 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 52.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

24 reports with mileage · 53 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 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

77 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2022
Steering

on a cold day got in vehicle, and red light came on saying do not drive, power steering failure. Was able to drive later in day after vehicle warmed up. Audi syracuse said our car has an extended warranty, steering box rack issues. Car went in to check no codes were found. Said to bring back if happened again.They said they ha…

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on a cold day got in vehicle, and red light came on saying do not drive, power steering failure. Was able to drive later in day after vehicle warmed up. Audi syracuse said our car has an extended warranty, steering box rack issues. Car went in to check no codes were found. Said to bring back if happened again.They said they have other vehilces in shop waitinfg for parts to fix them. This is a serious safety issue it it happens on the road, and they are not offering a recall. Totally unacceptable

NHTSA ODI #11459405

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2022
Engine

I bought this vehicle with 57,000 miles on it the water pump was replaced under recall at 60,000 miles now the water pump is bad at 97,000 miles so that’s three water pumps 97,000 miles

NHTSA ODI #11457539

Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2022
Engine

The car started needing 1 quart of oil every 1,000. now it needs a quart of oil in less than 200 miles. I have found a lot of reports about Audi's burning oil. There was a recall for 2009-2013. There are a fair amount of people complaining about this issue with Audi's. I reported it to audi but haven't heard back.

NHTSA ODI #11453324

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2021
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

On Wednesday, December 1, 2021 I filled my car up with gas. Shortly after I noticed a fuel smell from the outside and on the inside of the car. On Thursday, December 2, 2021 I drove to Jupiter fl approx a two hour car drive it smelled like gas the whole entire drive there on the inside of the car and even worse on the outside. W…

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On Wednesday, December 1, 2021 I filled my car up with gas. Shortly after I noticed a fuel smell from the outside and on the inside of the car. On Thursday, December 2, 2021 I drove to Jupiter fl approx a two hour car drive it smelled like gas the whole entire drive there on the inside of the car and even worse on the outside. When I got home on Friday night December 3, 2021 it was still just as bad. I took my car to the mechanic today Saturday, December 4, 2021 and upon the mechanic putting it on the lift you could see two leaks on the gas tank one at the front and one at the rear. He will be removing the seat on Monday to look further into the issue.

NHTSA ODI #11442651

74,000 miles · Jun 16, 2021
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2016 Audi Q5. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, an abnormal rattling sound was coming from the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the coolant pump and serpentine belt needed to be replaced. The contact w…

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The contact owns a 2016 Audi Q5. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, an abnormal rattling sound was coming from the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the coolant pump and serpentine belt needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V229000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and that the repair would be an out of pocket expense. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the Vin was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

NHTSA ODI #11421134

14,000 miles · Apr 30, 2021
Engine

WHILE ON AN EXTENDED TRIP AT FREEWAY SPEED IN THE VEHICLE, THE "ADD OIL" INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASH .ON MAY 11 2018, I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO RUSNAK AUDI IN PASADENA, CA. THEY TOLD ME THAT A NEW "SENSOR" WAS REQUIRED , AS THE OIL WAS AT NORMAL LEVEL, AND REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE. IN JAN OF 2021 I TOOK A SHORT TRIP AT …

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WHILE ON AN EXTENDED TRIP AT FREEWAY SPEED IN THE VEHICLE, THE "ADD OIL" INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASH .ON MAY 11 2018, I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO RUSNAK AUDI IN PASADENA, CA. THEY TOLD ME THAT A NEW "SENSOR" WAS REQUIRED , AS THE OIL WAS AT NORMAL LEVEL, AND REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE. IN JAN OF 2021 I TOOK A SHORT TRIP AT FREEWAY SPEED WITH THE VEHICLE THE "ADD OIL" LAMP FLASHED ON AGAIN. I AGAIN BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO RUSNAK AUDI IN PASADENA, CA. ON APRIL 22, 2021. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME, AFTER A DAY AND A HALF, THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION SINCE THE ACTUAL OIL LEVEL IN THE ENGINE WAS AT A NORMAL LEVEL. I TRIED TO MAKE A POINT TO THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT IF I IGNORE THE WARNING LIGHT, HOW CAN I BE SURE I WON'T BURN OUT THE ENGINE DUE TO AN ACTUAL LOW OIL LEVEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NO MANUAL ( PHYSICAL) DIPSTICK. AS IT STANDS NOW, I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH A " ADD OIL WARNING LAMP LIT ON THE DASH AND NO WAY TO PHYSICALLY CHECK THE OIL. THIS SEEMS INAPPROPRIATE TO ME AS IF I BURN OUT THE ENGINE, I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. RUSNAK AUDI SEEMS UNCONCERNED! PLEASE ADVISE.

NHTSA ODI #11414651

29,000 miles · Nov 16, 2020
Air BagsVisibility/wiper

THERE IS A LEAK FROM THE PANORAMA SUNROOF INTO REAR SIDE CABINET OF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS ALREADY A RECALL #17V001000 BUT MY VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE LIST EVEN THOUGH THE ISSUE IS IDENTICAL TO THE RECALL DESCRIPTION. THE LEAK CAN POTENTIAL CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE SIDE REAR AIRBAG SO IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME. HOWEVER, THE CAUSE…

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THERE IS A LEAK FROM THE PANORAMA SUNROOF INTO REAR SIDE CABINET OF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS ALREADY A RECALL #17V001000 BUT MY VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE LIST EVEN THOUGH THE ISSUE IS IDENTICAL TO THE RECALL DESCRIPTION. THE LEAK CAN POTENTIAL CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE SIDE REAR AIRBAG SO IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME. HOWEVER, THE CAUSE IS REALLY A DEFECTIVE DRAIN HOSE CONNECTING TO THE SUNROOF DRAIN THAT IS NOT SECURELY ATTACHED OR MAYBE DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11374832

44,000 miles · Nov 6, 2020
Engine

BOUGHT IT 7 WEEKS AGO, 44,000 MILES. SEVERE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM I'M FINDING OUT EVERYONE KNOWS ABOUT ALREADY WITH AUDI TURBOS AND WAS PREVIOUSLY A CLASS ACTION. I'M PUTTING OIL IN EVERY OTHER DAY AND FEEL THE PISTONS MISSING WHEN I DRIVE IN THE MORNING.

NHTSA ODI #11373463

36,000 miles · Oct 11, 2020
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN AUDI AT FULL STOP WHEN STRUCK FROM THE REAR BY VEHICLE TRAVELING AT SPEED SUFFICIENT FOR THEIR AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE BOTH WEARING SEAT BELTS, BUT ACCIDENT RESULTED IN BOTH BEING HOSPITALIZED WITH INJURIES. DRIVER WITH EYE AND ABDOMINAL INJURIES FROM STRIKING THE STEERING WHEEL…

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AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN AUDI AT FULL STOP WHEN STRUCK FROM THE REAR BY VEHICLE TRAVELING AT SPEED SUFFICIENT FOR THEIR AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE BOTH WEARING SEAT BELTS, BUT ACCIDENT RESULTED IN BOTH BEING HOSPITALIZED WITH INJURIES. DRIVER WITH EYE AND ABDOMINAL INJURIES FROM STRIKING THE STEERING WHEEL, AND PASSENGER SUFFERED CONCUSSION FROM STRIKING THE WINDSHIELD WITH SUFFICIENT FORCE TO SHATTER IT, PLUS SUSTAINING NUMEROUS MUSCLE AND JOINT SPRAINS FROM IMPACT WITH DASHBOARD.

NHTSA ODI #11363817

55,442 miles · Aug 6, 2020
Steering

ON 7/26/20, WHILE BACKING OUT OF A COSTCO'S PARKING LOT, A MESSAGE SUDDENLY APPEARED ON MY DASHBOARD, 'STEERING DEFECTIVE DO NOT DRIVE VEHICLE'. THE WEATHER WAS HOT WITH TEMPERATURE READING OF 99 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. MY VEHICLE WAS STILL MOVING, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF I DID NOT HAVE FULL CONTROL OF MY VEH…

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ON 7/26/20, WHILE BACKING OUT OF A COSTCO'S PARKING LOT, A MESSAGE SUDDENLY APPEARED ON MY DASHBOARD, 'STEERING DEFECTIVE DO NOT DRIVE VEHICLE'. THE WEATHER WAS HOT WITH TEMPERATURE READING OF 99 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. MY VEHICLE WAS STILL MOVING, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF I DID NOT HAVE FULL CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. LUCKILY, I WAS IN THE PARKING LOT AND THERE WAS NO ONCOMING CARS. I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT TO DRIVE AND MOVED BACK INTO MY PARKING SPACE. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPENED IF I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY/STREET AND THIS ERROR OCCURRED. I ENDED UP HAVING MY VEHICLE TOWED TO A NEARBY AUDI DEALER SERVICE LOCATION. THEY CONFIRMED A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING RACK AND FOUND FAULT C10AD29 MOTOR POSITION SENSOR RANGE/ PERFORMANCE STATIC IN THEIR INSPECTION REPORT. CONTROL MODULE ON STEERING RACKED HAS FAILED ACCORDING TO THE REPORT. THEY RECOMMENDED REPLACING STEERING RACK FOR $3752.25. SINCE THE CAR WARRANTY ALREADY EXPIRED AT 55442 MILES, THE AUDI SERVICE LOCATION REFUSED TO COVER THE COST. I WOULD ASSUME THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT COMPONENTS IN A CAR AND THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, SO I REACHED OUT TO AUDI USA. I EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE WITH THEIR FAULTY STEERING WHEEL, BUT THEY RESPONDED THAT THIS IS JUST NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY A RECALL IN PLACE AND THEY WOULD NOT COVER ANY REPAIR COSTS UNLESS THE CAR IS TILL UNDER WARRANTY. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND HAS ALWAYS BROUGHT TO AUTHORIZED AUDI DEALERSHIP FOR ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE SERVICES. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS THAT SHOULD BE FURTHER INVESTIGATED.

NHTSA ODI #11343587

Official recalls

5

18V229000 · 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.

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.