2018 Audi Q5 Body Problems

Which parts fail

• Body
  15

Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  333%
• 25k–50k
  222%
• 50k–75k
  222%
• 75k–100k
  111%
• 100k–150k
  00%
• 150k+
  111%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Audi Q5 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

I was pulling into (my usual) handicapped parking space, at a slow speed. As I approached the curb my brakes did NOT respond to stop my car. Not only did my brakes not respond, the car actually sped up - going up the curb and hitting the handicapped sign pole. The pole broke and stopped my vehicle! I was afraid my (out of control) vehicle would keep going through a store front - it did not. Folks gathered around- thinking I had put my foot on the gas . I DID NOT put my foot anywhere except on my BRAKES ...which went 'mushy' . would not stop my vehicle. My research has found similar incidents reported by other drivers. I am NOT ALONE. Of course the dealership could not reproduce the incident. But they did suggest many other services for a car with 60,000 miles. The AUDI dealership took NO responsibility for the incident. …

The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while driving 35-40 MPH and accelerating, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled to the side of the road, and the vehicle was able to restart. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the body control module(BCM) was floating in water. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V947000 (Electrical System, Structure), and the additional repairs were at the contact's expense. The contact stated that the recall remedy was inadequate for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while pulling into a business at an undisclosed speed, there was an unknown warning light illuminated, and the message "Left and Right Rear Signal and Center Rear Brake Light Malfunction" was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that the key warning light and engine malfunction warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that there was water intrusion into the rear cargo area of the vehicle, due to a clogged drain. The contact was informed that the drain tube needed to be cleaned, the module needed to be replaced, and the vehicle needed to be rewired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle in a severe rainstorm, the vehicle experienced electrical failures, which included the head lights flashing and the horn activating before the vehicle suddenly became inoperable. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who discovered that rainwater had leaked into the rear of the vehicle and the electrical components were submerged in water causing an electrical failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V947000 (Electrical System, Structure). The failure mileage was 53,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated the vehicle was parked during a rainstorm and the contact attempted to start the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed a diagnostic test and stated that water entered the vehicle through a fractured seal causing the electrical wiring to get wet. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V947000 (Electrical System, Structure) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V737000 (Structure) however, the front driver's side wheel arch trim panel was detaching from the frame. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V737000 (Structure). The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that the repair was not covered. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 32,827.

In early July, 2023 various warning and fault lights began to show on the dashboard: engine start system, brake lights, start/stop system, and others - indicating malfunctions with systems important to safety. Also, the car alarm system sounded without cause and key pods would not lock/unlock the doors electronically. These warning lights proliferated over several days. We took our car into our local Audi dealership. They diagnosed the problem as follows: "Performed GFF and found code for 3393 comfort system control module replacement. Control module faulty due to control unit being submerged in water and fried the control unit. Water leak due to rear drains clogged causing the water to overflow. …

The car is totalled. My car tripped 9+ malfunction warnings, after starting and driving. These included rear brake lights, directionals, start/stop system, and more. It appears that the sunroof leaks, and the roof drains were clogged (even though they were specifically checked and cleaned by the dealer 2 months earlier). This led to water accumulating in the areas under the back seat (a prior recall which allegedly had been addressed...NHTSA campaign number: 21V947000. Audi's number for this recall is 90S9.), and in the rear wheel well area, where electronics control modules live. The car eventually had to be towed to the dealer. It was initially estimated to cost $9,500 to repair. But, after several weeks, more water was found and it was declared not worth repairing.

The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, upon reaching the destination, the contact became aware that the headlights would not turn off. After which, the vehicle failed to restart, and the vehicle was towed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V947000 (Electrical System, Structure); the VIN was included, but the vehicle had already been repaired under the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

The Audi Q5 sunroof drain that is intended to keep water out of the vehicle, leaked where water collected and pooled in the car beneath the car liner. The water collected on the "comfort module" and electrical fuse box resulting in immediate electrical failure of several vehicle features/systems including brake lights, turn signals, reverse lights, windshield wipers, etc. to name a few. In addition to repairs in excess of $10k, the vehicle will be totaled by the insurance company. After an exhaustive search, several Audi users of the same make, model and year have faced a similar issue. This issue must be addressed by Audi and should be reviewed immediately.

Related recalls

Body complaints in other Q5 years