Severe Frame rusting of sub frame and crossmember. Rear of car affecting steering , tire aligment and wear. Swaying of rear end of car bouncy ride , wear or cracking of control arm and shocks.
2010 Audi Q5
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2010 Audi Q5 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 52.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Q5 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
45 reports with mileage · 54 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.
- Air Bags. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
99 reportsRear Subframe has severe rust through caused by plastic covers that trap moisture. This is a danger as the rust is so severe it will impact suspension, lower control arm in the rear. It was not inspected by anyone other than myself. No warning lamps. I noticed one of the plastic pieces hanging down from the vehicle that le…
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Rear Subframe has severe rust through caused by plastic covers that trap moisture. This is a danger as the rust is so severe it will impact suspension, lower control arm in the rear. It was not inspected by anyone other than myself. No warning lamps. I noticed one of the plastic pieces hanging down from the vehicle that led me to inspect the cause of this part coming loose.
IN TANK FUEL PUMP CRACKED ON TOP ,LEAKING FUEL TO FLANGE AND ELECTRICAL CONECTION ON TOP OF TANK AND DOWN TO UNDER VEHICLE .NO RECALL ON AUDI SITE FOR THIS YEAR -2010 VEHICLE HAS 138000 MILES ONLY . i WAS NOT EXPECTING MATERIAL PROBLEM -PLASTIC NOT SUITABLE FOR FUEL ...
The contact owns a 2010 Audi Q5. The contacted stated while sitting in the vehicle, there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside the vehicle. There was a leak coming from the front of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and was diagnosed with a secondary air inject…
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The contact owns a 2010 Audi Q5. The contacted stated while sitting in the vehicle, there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside the vehicle. There was a leak coming from the front of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and was diagnosed with a secondary air injection system bank 1 and 2, insufficient flow, and a possible clogged left and right cylinder head. The vehicle was not repaired due to cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 152,396.
Have water leaking on the driver side roof and upon Dealer servicing - it was due to faulty or worn out seals on the front windscreen- and even though the windscreen is not damaged - Audi recons it has to be replaced at customer cost including the windshield that is in good condition since to cover their inability to take the gl…
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Have water leaking on the driver side roof and upon Dealer servicing - it was due to faulty or worn out seals on the front windscreen- and even though the windscreen is not damaged - Audi recons it has to be replaced at customer cost including the windshield that is in good condition since to cover their inability to take the glass out w/o breaking it. In public forums I see quite a few such fixes enough to warrant this should be investigated and tagged under recalls
Fuel pump developed cracks and is leaking terribly. Looks like someone put a temporary seal when recalled (likely due to unavailability of parts at time).
Fuel vapor in cabin. Research indicated need to inspect fuel pump. Removed inspection cover and found fuel puddled all around pump and noted fuel would re-plenish through apparent micro-fractures in the plastic pump housing when wiped away. Crack not visible but fuel obviously coming through housing after being wiped. I am 4…
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Fuel vapor in cabin. Research indicated need to inspect fuel pump. Removed inspection cover and found fuel puddled all around pump and noted fuel would re-plenish through apparent micro-fractures in the plastic pump housing when wiped away. Crack not visible but fuel obviously coming through housing after being wiped. I am 4rth owner. NTSB site and Audi site shows no open recalls. CarFax received on purchase of the car shows no open recalls but at the same time shows no evidence of Audi or VW service since the recall was issued in 2016 (very strange). Very similar description in incident #11353734. Image and video taken of the pump housing and fuel surrounding it.
The contact owns a 2010 Audi Q5. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart after refueling. Additionally, a fuel odor was detected while driving. The vehicle was towed to the residence, where an independent mechanic diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer had previously …
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The contact owns a 2010 Audi Q5. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart after refueling. Additionally, a fuel odor was detected while driving. The vehicle was towed to the residence, where an independent mechanic diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer had previously replaced the fuel pump; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.
Water leaked into the rear battery compartment and into the trunk passenger side fuse bay. No apparent reason for leak. All windows, doors, sunroof and truck lid were closed. Flooding shorted control modules (parking aid controller, CAN buss and etc) flooding also took out the battery causing car to stall on highway. Water get…
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Water leaked into the rear battery compartment and into the trunk passenger side fuse bay. No apparent reason for leak. All windows, doors, sunroof and truck lid were closed. Flooding shorted control modules (parking aid controller, CAN buss and etc) flooding also took out the battery causing car to stall on highway. Water gets in after rainy days. Suspected malfunction of sunroof drain, but not certain. Shorting of electrical components verified by mechanic. Multiple parts needed replacement. No warning lamps prior to events. Available for inspection upon request.
- Fuel pump assembly leaking under rear passenger seat. Fuel odor in rear of car spreads to entire car quickly when engine is on. - Strong gasoline odor spreads quickly inside car cabin. Gasoline leaks from bottom of undercarriage near exhaust pipe causing a fire hazard. - The issue was confirmed by mechanic. A crack in fuel…
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- Fuel pump assembly leaking under rear passenger seat. Fuel odor in rear of car spreads to entire car quickly when engine is on. - Strong gasoline odor spreads quickly inside car cabin. Gasoline leaks from bottom of undercarriage near exhaust pipe causing a fire hazard. - The issue was confirmed by mechanic. A crack in fuel pump causes fuel to leak from pump when engine is on. - Vehicle has been inspected by a mechanic. Mechanic verified fuel leak from top of fuel pump. - No warning lamps or messages displayed prior or during the problem. Problem occurred 1 week ago.
Official recalls
418V818000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Nov 19, 2018
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2007-2012 Audi Q7 and 2009-2012 Audi Q5 vehicles, previously repaired under NHTSA recall 16V-660. These vehicles were previously repaired with an interim repair of installing butyl tape to the fuel pump flange, until replacement remedy parts became available.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The butyl tape may not prevent fuel from leaking. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump flange and install butyl tape, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20BJ.
18V082000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Jan 30, 2018
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
16V660000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Sep 13, 2016
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Audi Q5, and 2007-2012 Audi Q7 vehicles equipped with gasoline engines. The fuel pump flange on the affected vehicles may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the flange, replacing any flanges that are cracked. If the flange is not cracked, dealers will clean the pump flange and install a butyl rubber band to protect the pump. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20W9.
16V078000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Feb 10, 2016
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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