Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 20 | 44% | 0 miles |
| 2024 | 2 | 10% | — |
| 2023 | 10 | 23% | — |
| 2022 | 7 | 32% | 23,000 miles |
| 2021 | 27 | 36% | 20,000 miles |
| 2020 | 8 | 32% | 2,000 miles |
| 2019 | 12 | 23% | 22,000 miles |
| 2018 | 74 | 36% | 32,000 miles |
| 2017 | 4 | 10% | — |
| 2016 | 10 | 13% | 43,000 miles |
| 2015 | 4 | 4% | — |
| 2014 | 9 | 9% | 59,000 miles |
| 2013 | 9 | 10% | 56,000 miles |
| 2012 | 5 | 3% | 63,000 miles |
| 2011 | 8 | 6% | 109,000 miles |
| 2010 | 7 | 7% | 75,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% | 48,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2025 Audi Q5. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speed on three occasions, the contact noticed that there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10.
Brake Electronics Control Unit Failure (DTC U041800): Logged active diagnostic code U041800 (implausible signal in address 812C). Dealership records confirm no permanent remedy exists, with software patches delayed into Q3 2026, leaving active braking and electronic system faults unaddressed. Electrical Grid Collapse & Parasitic Battery Drain: Vehicle experienced exterior lights activating independently during sleep mode and cyclical 300mA to 2.0A parasitic draws. Required warranty replacement of the Central Electrical Control Module (J519), Low Voltage Power Distributor Module (J1282), and primary 12V battery (RO #AUCS214055). Powertrain & Transmission Engagement Failures: Experienced Check Engine Light cycling and a total failure to engage "Park" for 20 minutes. …
My wife and I were in the 2023 Audi Q5 with 1000 miles. I had complained to the dealer and manufacturer that this car was unsafe to drive. On June 9, 2023 I was driving slowly in my community. I tried to stop at a stop sign. NO brakes then at the same time the car had unintended sudden acceleration. We had no control, no brakes and hit a fence and shrubbery and cement fence. All airbags deployed.
I moved forward and hit this stone and then when I hit the stone. I tried to reverse and I lost control of my car. The car began spinning and I had no control of the car. The car finally crashed on it' s own. I could not brake or nothing. I was rushed to the emergency room. I had a headache and my body was sore.
The contact owns a 2022 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle was started, and the message "Electrical System Malfunction - Stop Safely" was displayed. A red warning light flashed and then turned yellow. In another occurrence, while on the freeway, the vehicle accelerated independently, and the collision warning light flashed with a beeping sound, although there were no vehicles nearby. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure due to invalid data that was received. The contact was informed by the dealer to avoid driving the vehicle when the red light was illuminated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 23,000.
The charging cable and outlet the charging cable was plugged into caught on fire about 1 year ago. I had to replace the wiring and outlet and purchase a new cable which is now an open recall and apparantly still defective.
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.
Related recalls (4)
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.
Electrical system › Propulsion system › Charging › Cable/cord › Onboard
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 RS e-tron GT, e-tron GT, Q4 e-tron Sportback, Q4 e-tron, 2020-2021 Audi A8, 2019-2024 e-tron Quattro, 2020-2024 e-tron Sportback Quattro, Q5, and 2021-2022 A7 vehicles.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to use the 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable and only use the 110V home charging cable or public charging stations.
Electrical system › Wiring
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Audi Q5 years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2018 (74), 2021 (27), 2025 (20), 2019 (12) and 2016 (10) model years. Electrical complaints make up 36% of all complaints for the 2018.
Is there a recall for Audi Q5 electrical problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 25V-080 (traction battery, Feb 12, 2025); 24V-898 (traction battery, Nov 27, 2024); 23V-842 (onboard, Dec 13, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Audi Q5 electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles; 55% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the wiring › front underhood (1 mentions), followed by the ignition (1).
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.