IllustrationCOOLANT PUMP LOOSING COOLANT. NO OVERHEAT LIGHT ON WHEN IT'S ALMOST OUT. *TR
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.
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
90–25K
1025–50K
250–75K
075–100K
3100–150K
0150K+
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 reportsIS AN AUDI Q5 3T AND THE WATER PUMP BROKE, LEADING TO LEAKING OF THE COOLANT AND OVERHEAT THE ENGINE, THE Q5 WITH 2T ENGINES ALREADY HAVE THE RECALL FOR WATER PUMP PROBLEMS , BUT AUDI DOES NOT WANT TO APPLY THIS RECALL FR THE 3T , THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS IN THE HIGHWAY AND I HAD TO POOL OVER .
I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. AS I DID SO, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD STRIKING A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE CAR WAS WRITTEN OFF BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. I HAD NOTICED A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE THAT THE ENGINE WOULD REV AS I WAS SLOWING TO A STOP, BUT HAD NEVER HAD ANY ISSUE…
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I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. AS I DID SO, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD STRIKING A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE CAR WAS WRITTEN OFF BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. I HAD NOTICED A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE THAT THE ENGINE WOULD REV AS I WAS SLOWING TO A STOP, BUT HAD NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION.
FIRST OF ALL I AM A RETIRED POLICE OFFICER WITH 35 YEARS OF SERVICE..TWENTY FIVE YEARS AS A CERTIFIED ACCIDENT INVESTIGATOR. MY EXPERIENCE WITH SAFETY HAZARDS IN REFERENCE TO MOTOR VEHICLES I HAVE CONCLUDED THAT THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS ON THE Q5 (2016)ARE WAY TOO BIG AND OBSTRUCTS YOUR VISUAL FIIELD ESPECIALLY THE DRIVERS SIDE MIR…
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FIRST OF ALL I AM A RETIRED POLICE OFFICER WITH 35 YEARS OF SERVICE..TWENTY FIVE YEARS AS A CERTIFIED ACCIDENT INVESTIGATOR. MY EXPERIENCE WITH SAFETY HAZARDS IN REFERENCE TO MOTOR VEHICLES I HAVE CONCLUDED THAT THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS ON THE Q5 (2016)ARE WAY TOO BIG AND OBSTRUCTS YOUR VISUAL FIIELD ESPECIALLY THE DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THIS BLIND SPOT ALMOST INVOLVED MYSELF IN A VEHICULAR ACCIDENT.
VEHICLE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS COMPLETELY WORN OUT AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 20K MILES. WHEN QUESTIONED THE DEALER, THE SIMPLE REASON THEY GAVE US RUST. WHEN ASKED, WHERE THE RUST IS COMING FROM - THERE WAS NO ANSWER. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE, WHERE I HAVE TO REPLACES ROTORS AND BREAK PADS, FOR VEHICLE WHICH HA…
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VEHICLE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS COMPLETELY WORN OUT AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 20K MILES. WHEN QUESTIONED THE DEALER, THE SIMPLE REASON THEY GAVE US RUST. WHEN ASKED, WHERE THE RUST IS COMING FROM - THERE WAS NO ANSWER. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE, WHERE I HAVE TO REPLACES ROTORS AND BREAK PADS, FOR VEHICLE WHICH HAS LESS THAN 20K MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS REGULARLY COMMUTED 15 MILES EVERY DAY.
NOTHING HAS HAPPENED WITH MY VEHICLE YET. AUDI HAS ISSUED RECALL NHTSA 18V229. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN IN EFFECT FOR ABOUT ONE YEAR, AUDI HAS YET PROVIDE THE PART TO REPAIR THIS DISCREPANCY. HOW LONG DOES A MANUFACTURER HAVE TO FIX SOMETHING?
2016 AUDI Q5. CONSUMER WRITES IN REQUESTING INFORMATION FOR RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. *LD *TR
IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS I HAVE RECEIVED FOUR LETTERS FROM AUDI SAYING THAT THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL 19N4 ABOUT A ELECTRIC AFTER RUN COOLANT PUMP. IN THEIR LETTERS THEY SAY THIS CAN LEAD TO POTENTIAL VEHICLE FIRE. YET WHEN I CALL AUDI THEY TELL ME THEY HAVE TO PLACE ME ON A LIST TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED .I SURE HOPE MY WIFE …
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IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS I HAVE RECEIVED FOUR LETTERS FROM AUDI SAYING THAT THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL 19N4 ABOUT A ELECTRIC AFTER RUN COOLANT PUMP. IN THEIR LETTERS THEY SAY THIS CAN LEAD TO POTENTIAL VEHICLE FIRE. YET WHEN I CALL AUDI THEY TELL ME THEY HAVE TO PLACE ME ON A LIST TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED .I SURE HOPE MY WIFE AND I DON'T DIE IN A VEHICLE FIRE BECAUSE THIS DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A PRIORITY FOR AUDI. WHY AREN'T THEY FORCED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IN A MORE EXPEDIENT MANNER/
THIS CAR HAS SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING (IN MOTION) THREE TIMES, ONCE WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH, ONCE AT 75 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND LUCKILY THE LAST TIME IN A PARKING LOT.. THE FIRST TIME WAS NOVEMBER 23, 2018. THE ENGINE STOPPED AND WE WERE ABLE TO DRIFT OVER TO THE LEFT SHOULDER. THOUGHT IS WAS A FLUKE BECAUSE THE CAR STARTED UP …
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THIS CAR HAS SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING (IN MOTION) THREE TIMES, ONCE WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH, ONCE AT 75 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND LUCKILY THE LAST TIME IN A PARKING LOT.. THE FIRST TIME WAS NOVEMBER 23, 2018. THE ENGINE STOPPED AND WE WERE ABLE TO DRIFT OVER TO THE LEFT SHOULDER. THOUGHT IS WAS A FLUKE BECAUSE THE CAR STARTED UP AGAIN. THE NEXT TIME DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IT SHUT DOWN AGAIN DECEMBER 2, VERY SCARY. WE BROUGHT IT TO AUDI AND THE REPLACED A FUEL COMPOSITION SENSOR AND SAID IT WAS FIXED. AFTER THEY 'FIXED IT' AND RETURNED THE CAR, IT DID THE EXACT SAME THING AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT. WE BROUGHT THE CAR BACK IN. AUDI SAYS THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM, BUT WE ARE CONCERNED THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND OTHER CARS MAY HAVE THIS VERY SERIOUS ISSUE. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP A TOTAL THUS FAR OF 31 DAYS AND THEY CALLED TODAY TO TELL US TO TAKE THE CAR BACK, BUT THEY HAVE NOT FOUND THE PROBLEM. I GUESS THEY EXPECT US TO DRIVE IT AGAIN UNTIL IT SHUTS DOWN AGAIN AND WE GET REAR-ENDED AND KILLED.
COOLANT PUMP OVERHEATING ON GETTING CAR AFTER 3 WEEKS. DRIVING ON FREEWAY, COOLANT LIGHT COMES ON, THEN OIL SENSOR AND CAR STARTS TO SLOW DOWN WHERE ACCELERATION IS NO LONGER POSSIBLE, KILL SWITCH IS AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATED, BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE STARTS COMING OUT. CAR NO LONGER STARTS.
Official recalls
518V229000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.