Body complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2024 | 2 | 10% | — |
| 2021 | 3 | 4% | 37,000 miles |
| 2020 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2019 | 4 | 8% | 95,000 miles |
| 2018 | 21 | 10% | 33,000 miles |
| 2017 | 3 | 7% | 44,000 miles |
| 2016 | 2 | 3% | — |
| 2015 | 4 | 4% | 82,000 miles |
| 2014 | 10 | 10% | 3,000 miles |
| 2013 | 8 | 9% | 7,000 miles |
| 2012 | 9 | 5% | 77,000 miles |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% | 59,000 miles |
| 2010 | 5 | 5% | 78,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the windows independently rolled up and down, and the engine seized. While attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the failure had occurred three times within five days. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was purchased. The failure was diagnosed with a failed gateway control module. The contact was informed that the gateway control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The contact was informed that the plastic protective bag that covered the gateway control module was filled with water. …
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated and the windows started to go up and down. The contact lost power steering functionality however, the brakes was functional and she was able to safely stop the vehicle. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle but the vehicle would not restart. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer who diagnosed and determined that water had entered the vehicle and short circuited the gateway control module. The failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V947000 (Electrical System, Structure). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stopped and jerked, and the RED master warning light illuminated, and the message "Electrical Control Module" failure was displayed. On other occasions, while driving at undisclosed speeds, the turn signals and brake lights failed to operate as intended, and the message "Faulty Brake Light" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that there was water trapped in the clogged sunroof drain, and the water leaked, and the control module was covered in water. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
During a rear end collision, the vehicle, a 2019 Audi Q5, was stopped, stationary, on a city street at a red light. The vehicle was struck in the rear by another vehicle going approx. 30-40 MPH. Both rear seat passengers in the Audi sustained significant injuries. Of the major complaints, the lower back injury has been ongoing (6 months+) of significant back pain worsened and significantly increased due to the design of the rear seats and specifically the built in "lumbar support" in the rear passenger seats. This stiff and extruding lumbar protrusion built into the rear passenger seats was forced into the lower lumbar region of both rear seat passengers during the motor vehicle collision. Both rear seat passengers were wearing their seat belts at the time of the accident. This mva was documented by a police report, insurance claims, and ongoing litigation.
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.
We rear-ended a semi truck while driving on a highway as traffic began to slow . The entire front end of our vehicle was badly damaged. The airbags did not deploy and the pretensioners on the drivers seatbelt did not engage . The speed at which we were traveling is unknown but likely more than 15 miles per hour and less than 40 miles per hour. The driver looked away from the road briefly and rear-ended the truck ahead . We are extremely concerned that our airbags and seatbelt did not engage. The driver hit her head on the steering wheel and the passengers knees were jammed into the glove compartment.
Hit a stationary Honda crv on black ice at approx 45-50 MPH. Impact was straight on front of our car and rear of the crv. Our both vehicles were totaled, none of our air bags deployed. Our vehicle was then hit from the rear by a Jeep wrangler at about the same speed. Still no deployment of air bags. We are concerned that the airbags May have been defective. Accident happened in a 31 car pile up on I-68 near exit 29. We are very lucky there were no known injuries other than stiffness and sore spots. Occupants were driver 52 yrs old and front passenger 17 yrs old.
Related recalls (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.
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.
Structure › Body
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Audi Q5 years have body problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2018 (21), 2014 (10), 2012 (9), 2013 (8) and 2010 (5) model years. Body complaints make up 10% of all complaints for the 2018.
Is there a recall for Audi Q5 body problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 21V-947 (body, Dec 8, 2021); 19V-737 (body, Oct 16, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Audi Q5 body problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 49,000 miles; 43% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the body (61 mentions), followed by the frame and members (2).
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.