Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 45 | 3.7× | 1 | Collision Avoidance | Avoid |
| 2024 | 20 | 1.5× | 4 | Collision Avoidance | Caution |
| 2023 | 44 | 2.4× | 5 | Collision Avoidance | Avoid |
| 2022 | 22 | typical | 4 | Electrical | Average |
| 2021 | 74 | 2.2× | 8 | Electrical | Avoid |
| 2020 | 25 | −52% | 6 | Electrical | Good |
| 2019 | 52 | −18% | 5 | Electrical | Average |
| 2018 | 208 | 2.9× | 6 | Electrical | Avoid |
| 2017 | 42 | −42% | 5 | Engine | Good |
| 2016 | 78 | typical | 5 | Engine | Average |
| 2015 | 99 | typical | 6 | Engine | Average |
| 2014 | 105 | typical | 5 | Engine | Average |
| 2013 | 89 | typical | 5 | Engine | Average |
| 2012 | 168 | 1.9× | 6 | Airbag | Caution |
| 2011 | 143 | 1.7× | 5 | Airbag | Caution |
| 2010 | 100 | typical | 4 | Airbag | Average |
| 2009 | 31 | −73% | 6 | Airbag | Good |
* Complaints compared with the median Q5 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Audi Q5 problems
Latest Audi Q5 recalls
Seat belts › Pretensioner
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2025 Q5, Q5 Sportback, SQ5, and SQ5 Sportback vehicles. The driver and front passenger seat belts may have been manufactured incorrectly, and fail to properly restrain occupants during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 29, 2026. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Engine
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Q5 Quattro and Q5 Sportback Quattro vehicles. The cylinder head cover screws may have been improperly tightened.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the screws as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 5, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Electrical system › Propulsion system › Traction battery
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Audi Q5, and 2022 A7 E Hybrid Electric PHEV vehicles. The high-voltage battery may overheat.
Remedy: Dealers will install advanced diagnostic software , free of charge. Volkswagen will monitor available online vehicle data and contact owners as necessary, to advise them not to charge the vehicle until the battery can…
Electrical system › Propulsion system › Traction battery
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Audi Q5 PHEV and 2022 Audi A7 PHEV vehicles. The high-voltage battery may overheat.
Remedy: Dealers will install advanced diagnostic software as the final remedy, anticipated to be available in the second quarter of 2025.
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 Audi S5 Cabriolet, A4 Allroad, Q5 Sportback, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, SQ7, TT Coupe, TT Roadster, RS5 Sportback, 2024 A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q8, RSQ8, 2023-2024 Q3, Q5, and Q7 vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger seat occupant detection system control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 8, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Audi Q5 should you avoid?
2025, 2018, 2023, 2021, 2012 and 2011 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Q5 years at the same age, led by driver assistance problems in the 2025.
What is the best year for the Audi Q5?
2020 has the fewest complaints compared with other Q5 years at the same age, followed by 2017 and 2019. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Audi Q5 problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (352), air bags (258) and electrical system (217). Engine complaints peak in the 2012 model year.
How many recalls has the Audi Q5 had?
33 recalls across 2009–2025. The model year with the most is 2021. See all Audi Q5 recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.