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2012 Audi Q5

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Q5 years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Audi Q5 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 52.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

62 reports with mileage · 106 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 85 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

85 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 12, 2026
Air BagsStructureSuspension

Unknown

NHTSA ODI #11737442

Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2024
Air BagsCrash

I had an accident on 4/15/2024. I blacked out and ran into an oak tree but none of my airbags deployed.

NHTSA ODI #11586039

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2022
Air Bags

This 2012 Audi Q5 has an apparent bad passenger occupant sensor connection that could deactivate the vehicle's passenger-side airbags and increase the risk of injury or death in the event of a crash. It appears the problem specifically stems from a faulty connection between the passenger seat occupancy sensor and the seat heater…

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This 2012 Audi Q5 has an apparent bad passenger occupant sensor connection that could deactivate the vehicle's passenger-side airbags and increase the risk of injury or death in the event of a crash. It appears the problem specifically stems from a faulty connection between the passenger seat occupancy sensor and the seat heater wiring, which can cause the vehicle's computer to assume that there is no passenger present and defeat the airbag on that side. This system is typically meant to reduce the cost of repairs in a crash by not detonating unneeded airbags. Audi recently announced recall number 74E3 to fix other models with the same issue.

NHTSA ODI #11449958

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2022
Air Bags

On the dash, the airbag warning light is on. Something is wrong about the airbag

NHTSA ODI #11446948

Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2019
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED AUDI SHREWSBURY AT (508) 581-5800 (LOCATED AT 780 BOSTON TURNPIKE, SHREWSBUR…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED AUDI SHREWSBURY AT (508) 581-5800 (LOCATED AT 780 BOSTON TURNPIKE, SHREWSBURY, MA 01545) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #11166131

Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2019
Air Bags

TAMARA RECALL. MY DEALER, AUDI OF STRATHAM NH KEEPS SENDING ME CARDS TO HAVE THE AIRBAG REPLACED. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT A MONTH AGO AND WHEN I ARRIVED WAS TOLD THEY DIDN'T HAVE IT. MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT FOR TODAY, 1/4/19, ON THE BASIS OF BEING TOLD THAT THEY HAD IT IN HAND. WHEN I CALLED TODAY THEY DIDN'T. THEY BLAME IT …

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TAMARA RECALL. MY DEALER, AUDI OF STRATHAM NH KEEPS SENDING ME CARDS TO HAVE THE AIRBAG REPLACED. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT A MONTH AGO AND WHEN I ARRIVED WAS TOLD THEY DIDN'T HAVE IT. MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT FOR TODAY, 1/4/19, ON THE BASIS OF BEING TOLD THAT THEY HAD IT IN HAND. WHEN I CALLED TODAY THEY DIDN'T. THEY BLAME IT ON AUDI, SAY THEY ARE ONLY THE DEALERSHIP. I MUST HAVE RECEIVED 15 OR MORE NOTICES FROM THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE AIRBAG REPLACED. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AN UNSAFE CAR FOR 2 YEARS.

NHTSA ODI #11165772

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2018
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THELEN AUDI VOLKSWAGEN MAZDA (LOCA…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THELEN AUDI VOLKSWAGEN MAZDA (LOCATED AT 1112 N EUCLID AVE, BAY CITY, MI 48706, (989) 684-2980) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *TT PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED *JB

NHTSA ODI #11151534

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2018
Air Bags

TAKATA AIRBAGS - THE DEALERSHIP NEAR US THAT SERVICES OUR AUDI VEHICLES WILL NOT PERFORM THE RECALL WORK SERVICE. THEY CLAIM THE STEERING WHEEL WAS CHANGED. THEY QUOTED US A $2500 PRICE TO REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL AND THEN THEY CAN DO THE RECALL WORK. WE BOUGHT THE CAR USED. WE DID NOT CHANGE THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEER…

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TAKATA AIRBAGS - THE DEALERSHIP NEAR US THAT SERVICES OUR AUDI VEHICLES WILL NOT PERFORM THE RECALL WORK SERVICE. THEY CLAIM THE STEERING WHEEL WAS CHANGED. THEY QUOTED US A $2500 PRICE TO REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL AND THEN THEY CAN DO THE RECALL WORK. WE BOUGHT THE CAR USED. WE DID NOT CHANGE THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL IS AN AUDI S LINE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAR IS AN S LINE AS INDICATED ON VARIOUS PARTS THROUGHOUT THE CAR. I WENT TO LUXURY HAUS WHERE WE BOUGHT THE CAR AND THEY WENT OUT OF BUSINESS. I CONTACTED AUDI OF AMERICA AND THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE ISSUE BUT CLOSED OUR CASE WITH NO WRITTEN EXPLANATION. I SPOKE TO THE PERSON HANDLING MY CASE AND THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN IT TO ME AS THEY WERE NOT QUALIFIED. I ASKED TO SPEAK TO A QUALIFIED PERSON SO I CAN AT LEAST UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I NEVER RECEIVED AN EXPLANATION EITHER WRITTEN OR VERBAL OVER THE PHONE. WE DID NOT CHANGE THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL MATCHES THE MAKE AND MODEL OF THE CAR. THE STEERING WHEEL IS AN AUDI PRODUCT. WE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE NEED TO SPEND $2500 TO GET ANOTHER SAME STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO GET THIS SAFETY RECALL COMPLETED. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR. IT IS 6 YEARS OLD. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US WE CANNOT TRADE THE CAR IN UNTIL WE ADDRESS THE RECALL. I COULD NOT TRY TO SELL IT PRIVATELY KNOWING THIS SAFETY PROBLEM EXISTS AND DUMPING THIS PROBLEM ONTO SOMEONE ELSE. IT SEEMS VERY UNFAIR.

NHTSA ODI #11141070

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2018
Air Bags

EVERY TIME I CALL THE AUDI DEALER NEAREST ME WHICH IS MISHAWAKA, IN THEY NEVER HAVE ANY PARTS. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS FIXED SINCE OCTOBER OF 2017. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI #11129106

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2018
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL AUDI OF EL PASO STILL HAS NOT COMPLETED THE REPAIR, WHEN CONTACTED THEM THEY HAD NO ESTIMATED TIME FRAME FOR THE REPAIR TO BE COMPLETED

NHTSA ODI #11123346

Official recalls

6

18V818000 · 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.

12V299000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

Jun 28, 2012

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 AUDI Q5 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 21, 2011, THROUGH DECEMBER 9, 2011. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A FRONT SUNROOF GLASS PANEL THAT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO BREAKAGE IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER/TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SHOULD THE SUNROOF’S GLASS BREAK WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE, THE FALLING GLASS COULD CUT AND INJURE THE DRIVER OR PASSENGERS. IT COULD ALSO DISTRACT THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUNROOF GLASS PANEL, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.