IllustrationOIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. UNDER ANY ACCELERATION, SMOKE COMES OUT THE EXHAUST. USES ABOUT 1 QUART OF OIL PER 300 MILES. LEAK DOWN TEST WAS DONE, SHOWING LEAKAGE PAST PISTON RINGS. RESULTING IN A COMPLETE REBUILD OF ENGINE COSTING ME $5,000 PLUS. VEHICLE HAS JUST ABOUT 100,000 MILES.
2011 Audi Q5
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Q5 years
Owner complaints for the 2011 Audi Q5 are substantially higher than 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
60–25K
825–50K
1750–75K
2175–100K
15100–150K
1150K+
68 reports with mileage · 75 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 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
143 reportsTRANSMISSION SHIFT GEARS VERY BAD, WHILE BREAKING, FROM 2 GEAR TO 1ST GEAR CAR "JUMPS" FORWARD, I SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT IT. SOMETHIMES WHEN I PUT IN TO REVERSE, IT TAKES A MINUTE UNTIL IT START DRIVING.
TIMING CHAIN ISSUE THAT CAUSED IT TO JUMP, DAMAGING THE CYLINDER HEADS AND VALVES. AS I WAS PROCEEDING TO STOP AT AT A LIGHT, THE FRONT END OF THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE ENGINE SEEMED OFF. AT A FULL STOP, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AGAIN AND THEN PROCEEDED TO DIE. THE CAR WOULDN'T START, SO I COULD NOT PROCEED THROUGH THE INTE…
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TIMING CHAIN ISSUE THAT CAUSED IT TO JUMP, DAMAGING THE CYLINDER HEADS AND VALVES. AS I WAS PROCEEDING TO STOP AT AT A LIGHT, THE FRONT END OF THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE ENGINE SEEMED OFF. AT A FULL STOP, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AGAIN AND THEN PROCEEDED TO DIE. THE CAR WOULDN'T START, SO I COULD NOT PROCEED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. AUDI WILL NOT COVER ANY DAMAGE THAT WAS CAUSED AND IS INDICATING THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ISSUES WITH THE TIMING CHAINS. I'VE SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND MANY OTHER LAWSUITS WHERE THIS TYPE OF ISSUE HAS BEEN COVERED FROM AUDI.
AT ABOUT 63,000 MILES MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND I CHECKED CODE AND P0018 SHOWED UP. IT FAILED EMISSIONS TEST SUBSEQUENTLY FOR LICENSE RENEWAL. I TOOK IN TO DEALERSHIP AND FIRST TIME THEY SAID A SENSOR WAS SLIGHTLY LOOSE AND A LITTLE CORROSION ON. SAID IT WAS FIXED AND MEETS MANUF. SPECIFICATIONS. LIGHT CAME BACK ON 2…
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AT ABOUT 63,000 MILES MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND I CHECKED CODE AND P0018 SHOWED UP. IT FAILED EMISSIONS TEST SUBSEQUENTLY FOR LICENSE RENEWAL. I TOOK IN TO DEALERSHIP AND FIRST TIME THEY SAID A SENSOR WAS SLIGHTLY LOOSE AND A LITTLE CORROSION ON. SAID IT WAS FIXED AND MEETS MANUF. SPECIFICATIONS. LIGHT CAME BACK ON 2 DAYS LATER. JUST TOOK IN AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE LEFT SIDE TIMING BELT AND $6,100 TO FIX. WHAT TROUBLES ME IS THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME YEAR AUDI BUT ONLY FOR THE 2.0. MY CAR IS APPARENTLY THE ONLY 3.2 LITER HAVING THIS ISSUE. NO RECALL? IT OCCURRED AT THE SAME MOMENT IN TIME, AROUND 65,000 MILES. WHILE I WAS APPEASED SLIGHTLY BY THEM OFFERING TO FIX IT FOR PARTS COST..... ABOUT $3,300, AND THE SUBSEQUENT BILL WAS A SURPRISING (TO THE GOOD) BILL OF $2327.25 INCLUDING THE NECESSARY OIL CHANGE, I JUST QUESTION THE FACT THAT THERE IS NO PENDING RECALL ON THE AUDI Q5 3.2 LITER. AND UNFORTUNATELY STILL A SUSPICIOUS COST. EVERYTHING WAS DONE AMICABLY, AS TIME WAS OF THE ESSENCE. BUT STILL FEEL SHORTED THAT MY 3.2 DOESN'T FALL INTO THIS RECALL.
AT 79,000 MILES ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AFTER TIMING BELT AND TENSIONER FAILED. THIS IS THE 2ND ENGINE FOR THIS CAR. TIMING BELT DESTROYED PISTONS, RODS AND CYLINDERS. WARNING LIGHT WENT ON, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND IT FORTUNATELY EXHIBITED THE FAILURE AT THE DEALERSHIP.
CAR WAS SOLD WITHOUT AN OIL DIP-STICK. THE SEQUENCE OF BUTTONS TO PUNCH TO BRING UP AN OIL-LEVEL READOUT RARELY WORKS. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT.
TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER FAILED, CAR BECAME COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAJOR INTERSECTION IN RUSH HOUR.
THE SUNROOF SUNSHADE BROKE WHILE RETRACTING AND BLOCKED REAR WINDOW CAUSING A HAZARD. I HAD TO TAPE IT UP AS IT IS NOW ONLY PARTIALLY ATTACHED AND I AM UNABLE TO REMOVE. IT IS TAPED SO I CAN CONTINUE DRIVING SAFETLY. I WAS DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED.
UPON ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE, THE TIMING CHAIN SLIPPED CAUSING PISTONS TO HIT INTAKE VALVES, WRECKING ENGINE. ONLY 77,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. I DO NOT QUALIFY FOR CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT DUE TO FILING DEADLINES BUT AM FACING UP TO $14,000 IN REPAIR COSTS. IT IS UNREASONABLE FOR AN ENGINE TO FAIL CATASTROPHICALLY AT SUCH A L…
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UPON ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE, THE TIMING CHAIN SLIPPED CAUSING PISTONS TO HIT INTAKE VALVES, WRECKING ENGINE. ONLY 77,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. I DO NOT QUALIFY FOR CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT DUE TO FILING DEADLINES BUT AM FACING UP TO $14,000 IN REPAIR COSTS. IT IS UNREASONABLE FOR AN ENGINE TO FAIL CATASTROPHICALLY AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE ADN THERE TO BE NO MANUFACTURER LIABILITY.
TAKATA RCALL NOT DONE
Official recalls
518V818000 · 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.
17V001000 · Air Bags:side/window; Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly
Jan 3, 2017
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Audi Q5 vehicles. The sunroof drainage system may allow water to soak into the foam surrounding the side head air bag inflator canister resulting in the corrosion of the canister. If this happens, the corrosion can weaken the canister and the inflator could fracture without air bag deployment, propelling fragments into the passenger compartment, striking and causing serious injury to vehicle occupants.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator and either coat it or replace it, as necessary, after removing the surrounding foam, free of charge. The recall is expected to began March 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69P1.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:side/window
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Audi Q5 vehicles. The sunroof drainage system may allow water to soak into the foam surrounding the side head air bag inflator canister resulting in the corrosion of the canister. If this happens, the corrosion can weaken the canister and the inflator could fracture without air bag deployment, propelling fragments into the passenger compartment, striking and causing serious injury to vehicle occupants.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator and either coat it or replace it, as necessary, after removing the surrounding foam, free of charge. The recall is expected to began March 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69P1.
Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Audi Q5 vehicles. The sunroof drainage system may allow water to soak into the foam surrounding the side head air bag inflator canister resulting in the corrosion of the canister. If this happens, the corrosion can weaken the canister and the inflator could fracture without air bag deployment, propelling fragments into the passenger compartment, striking and causing serious injury to vehicle occupants.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator and either coat it or replace it, as necessary, after removing the surrounding foam, free of charge. The recall is expected to began March 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69P1.
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.