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2018 Audi Q5

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Q5 years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Audi Q5 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 52.

About this comparison →
202Owner complaints

Model-year median: 52

6Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
99
201577
201642
2017202
201852
201925
202071
2021
Compare all Q5 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
71Unknown Or Other
44Engine
31Suspension
24Service Brakes
22
All reported categories
Structure
21Forward Collision Avoidance
18Vehicle Speed Control
13Air Bags
12Exterior Lighting
12Steering
11Power Train
10Seat Belts
7Seats
5Wheels
5Back Over Prevention
3Electronic Stability Control (esc)
3Fuel/propulsion System
3Visibility
3Engine And Engine Cooling
2Lane Departure
2Visibility/wiper
2Fuel System, Gasoline
1Tires
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

64 reports with mileage · 138 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 71 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports0 fire reports4 injury reports

Wheels complaints

5 reports
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27,000 miles · Oct 30, 2019
Wheels

AUDI USA ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE WHEEL WELLS OF MY CAR, AND DESPITE MY REPEATED ATTEMPTS OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS TO GET AUDI SAN FRANCISCO TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR, THEY HAVE NOT RETURNED MY CALLS OR SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I'M CONCERNED THAT I'M DRIVING AROUND WITH A SAF…

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AUDI USA ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE WHEEL WELLS OF MY CAR, AND DESPITE MY REPEATED ATTEMPTS OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS TO GET AUDI SAN FRANCISCO TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR, THEY HAVE NOT RETURNED MY CALLS OR SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I'M CONCERNED THAT I'M DRIVING AROUND WITH A SAFETY ISSUE, AND AUDI SAN FRANCISCO DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE OR TO BE LIVING UP TO THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX SAFETY RECALL ISSUES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

NHTSA ODI #11277069

14,800 miles · Aug 13, 2019
Wheels

ON JULY 16, 2019 WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING 2018 AUDI A5 ONE OF THE RIMS BLOW OFF (CRACKED) FORTUNATELY, MY WIFE WAS NOT INJURED SINCE IT WAS THE REAR RIM, SHE WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR. THERE IS NO EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE RIM OR TIRE TYPICAL MARKS WHEN YOU HIT POTHOLE ON THE ROAD. I BELIEVE IT IS MANUFACTURE ISSUE OF…

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ON JULY 16, 2019 WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING 2018 AUDI A5 ONE OF THE RIMS BLOW OFF (CRACKED) FORTUNATELY, MY WIFE WAS NOT INJURED SINCE IT WAS THE REAR RIM, SHE WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR. THERE IS NO EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE RIM OR TIRE TYPICAL MARKS WHEN YOU HIT POTHOLE ON THE ROAD. I BELIEVE IT IS MANUFACTURE ISSUE OF THE RIMS. I SENT WRITTEN COMPLIANT REGARDING SAFETY OF DRIVING THIS CAR TO AUDI USA AND ASKED FOR INVESTIGATION. KNOWING THE OTHER THREE RIMS ARE FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURE BATCH I WOULD EXPECT AUDI USA WILL AT LEAST INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. AFTER ALMOST FOUR WEEKS I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY REPRESENTATIVE FROM AUDI CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER THAT COMPLAIN I FILED HAS BEEN DECLINE BASE OF TWO EVIDENCES. EVIDENCE ONE: PICTURES I PROVIDED AND EVIDENCE TWO: MY FEEDBACK FROM VISITING THE AUTHORIZED AUDI DEALER CHOSEN BY AUDI CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER THE PERSON I VISITED EVEN DIDN'T ASK FOR MY NAME, CHECK THE VIN # OR MILES ON THE CAR ALL WHAT HE ASK DO YOU PURCHASED ADDITIONAL INSURANCE FOR RIMS AND TIERS.

NHTSA ODI #11243585

Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2019
Wheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V416000 (WHEELS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT ROYAL AUTO GROUP SERVICE (LOCATED AT 1525 HOWARD ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103, (415) 241-8100) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V416000 (WHEELS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT ROYAL AUTO GROUP SERVICE (LOCATED AT 1525 HOWARD ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103, (415) 241-8100) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #11232579

5,065 miles · Jan 18, 2019
Wheels

YESTERDAY WHILE DRIVING ON US HWY 41 IN MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN (BELOW THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT - I WAS TRAVELING AT 40 MPH) AND WHILE BRAKING FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VEHICLE LOST TRACTION AND DID NOT ENTER THE SKID CONTROL MODE. UPON APPROACHING THE SIGNAL TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE SKID INTO THE ADJACENT RIGHT LANE. THERE WAS NO CAR I…

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YESTERDAY WHILE DRIVING ON US HWY 41 IN MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN (BELOW THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT - I WAS TRAVELING AT 40 MPH) AND WHILE BRAKING FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VEHICLE LOST TRACTION AND DID NOT ENTER THE SKID CONTROL MODE. UPON APPROACHING THE SIGNAL TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE SKID INTO THE ADJACENT RIGHT LANE. THERE WAS NO CAR IN THE ADJACENT RIGHT LANE AND NO COLLISION. MY AUDI IS EQUIPPED WITH AUDI'S RECOMMENDED WINTER WHEELS AND WINTER TIRES (AUDI WINTER WHEEL AND TIRE PACKAGE NUMBER: NPN071069), I STRONGLY SUSPECT THAT THE DEALER'S RECOMMENDATION TO MATCH THE WINTER TIRE PRESSURE TO THAT OF THE ALL-SEASON OEM TIRES CAUSE THE WINTER TIRES TO BE OVER-INFLATED, AND THUS NOT MAKE PROPER CONTACT WITH THE ROAD. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER DO NOT PROVIDE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURES SPECIFIC TO THE WINTER TIRES 1) ON THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION TAG ON THE B-FILLER, 2) NOR IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL, 3) AT THE DEALERSHIP, NOR ON 4) THE MANUFACTURER'S ONLINE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR DATABASE AUDI ERWIN PORTAL (WWW.ERWIN.AUDI.USA.COM). I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE ON 2 OCCASIONS, AND HAVE RECEIVED THE SAME ANSWER - THE COLD INFLATION PRESSURE OF 33 PSI FRONT AND 36 PSI REAR FOR THE ORIGINAL FACTORY TIRES (225/45 R20 101H) SHOULD BE USED FOR THE WINTER TIRES (235/65 R17 104H M+S). EVEN IF THIS ANSWER WOULD BE FOUND TO BE CORRECT, IT SHOULD BE SUPPORTED BY APPROPRIATE RESOURCES READILY AVAILABLE TO THE CUSTOMER. IF THE ERWIN PORTAL DID PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION (WHICH IS DOES NOT), THE CUSTOMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A SUBSCRIPTION TO ACCESS THIS INFORMATION. I'VE ATTACHED THREE (3) ITEMS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ARE ATTACHED.

NHTSA ODI #11170702

12,000 miles · Sep 29, 2018
Wheels

WHEN DRIVING, THERE WAS NO INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATING TO ALERT US OF LOW TIRE PRESSURE OR A FLAT TIRE. AFTER DRIVING FOR 2-3 MILES, WITH NO FLAT TIRE INDICATION, WE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND HEARD LOUD NOISES. WE STOPPED TO SEE A FLAT TIRE DOWN TO THE RIM. THERE WAS NEVER A WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD ABOUT A TIRE PROBLEM…

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WHEN DRIVING, THERE WAS NO INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATING TO ALERT US OF LOW TIRE PRESSURE OR A FLAT TIRE. AFTER DRIVING FOR 2-3 MILES, WITH NO FLAT TIRE INDICATION, WE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND HEARD LOUD NOISES. WE STOPPED TO SEE A FLAT TIRE DOWN TO THE RIM. THERE WAS NEVER A WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD ABOUT A TIRE PROBLEM. AUDI SAYS THAT THE LIGHT ONLY ILLUMINATES AT THE FIRST TIME THE TIRE PRESSURE GOES LOW AND NEVER ILLUMINATES AGAIN. WE NEVER SAW THIS FIRST INDICATOR LIGHT AND WHEN WE DROVE ON A DARK RURAL ROAD - WE HAD THE FLAT TIRE DESCRIBED ABOVE, WITHOUT ANY INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IF WE HAD EVER SEEN ANY INDICATION ( VISUALLY, OR IN THE HANDLING OF THE CAR)WE NEVER WOULD HAVE DRIVEN ON A DARK EVENING. WE WERE LEFT TO WAIT ALONE ON THIS DARK ROAD UNTIL 1 HOUR WHEN AAA ARRIVED. BOTH THE DEALERSHIP IN ALBANY, NY AND AUDI CORPORATE STATES THAT NO LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED - WE HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR WITHOUT THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT STAYING ON UNTIL YOU GET THE TIRE FIXED. THE LIGHT ALWAYS STAYED ON AND THIS IS A NEW DESIGN IN THE 2018 AUDI Q5. I THINK IT IS A DESIGN FLAW AND CAN CAUSE THE POSSIBLITY OF A DANGEROUS TIRE BLOWOUT THAT COULD CAUSE SWERVING INTO ANOTHER LANE, AND/OR A WORSE MORE DANGEROUS SITUATION. WE WERE DRIVING ON A RURAL UPSTATE NY ROAD GOING STRAIGHT. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO INDICATION TO US THAT OUR TIRE WAS LOOSING PRESSURE AND WOULD GO COMPLETELY FLAT.THIS WAS A HORRIFYING EXPERIENCE FOR US AS WE ARE EXPERIENCED AND COMPETENT DRIVERS AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS LACK OF ALERT ON A CAR IN MANY YEARS OF DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11132266

Official recalls

6

21V947000 · Electrical System:body Control Module/bcm; Structure:body

Dec 8, 2021

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, 2018-2022 Q5, and SQ5 vehicles. A liquid spill in the rear seat, or water ingress from an insufficient body seam underneath the vehicle may allow liquid to penetrate the gateway control module, causing it to shutdown.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover on the gateway control module and seal an underbody seam as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90S9.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Structure:body

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, 2018-2022 Q5, and SQ5 vehicles. A liquid spill in the rear seat, or water ingress from an insufficient body seam underneath the vehicle may allow liquid to penetrate the gateway control module, causing it to shutdown.

Consequence: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover on the gateway control module and seal an underbody seam as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90S9.

Electrical System:body Control Module/bcm

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, 2018-2022 Q5, and SQ5 vehicles. A liquid spill in the rear seat, or water ingress from an insufficient body seam underneath the vehicle may allow liquid to penetrate the gateway control module, causing it to shutdown.

Consequence: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover on the gateway control module and seal an underbody seam as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90S9.

19V737000 · Structure:body

Oct 16, 2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi SQ5 and 2018-2020 Audi Q5 vehicles. The rear wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach from the vehicle.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four clips securing the forward part of the rear wheel arch trim, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 66K8.

19V416000 · Wheels:hub

Jun 5, 2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will secure the wheel arch trim with an additional screw and nut, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 66K6.

19V277000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

Apr 8, 2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake master cylinder casting may be too short.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A short casting can cause a sudden loss of brakes, increasing the risk of crash. The electronic parking brake and its emergency brake function are not affected and will still function.

Remedy: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the brake master cylinder, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 3, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 47O9.

18V369000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper

Jun 1, 2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.

16V955000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:side/window; Seat Belts:pretensioner

Dec 29, 2016

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Seat Belts:pretensioner

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Air Bags:side/window

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

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.