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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

Other model years Selected 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 · Jun 6, 2018
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (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. THE DEALER (SUN MOTOR CARS AUDI-PO…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (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. THE DEALER (SUN MOTOR CARS AUDI-PORSCHE (356 WOODS DR., MECHANICSBURG, PA 17050, (717) 691-3333) WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #11100153

Mileage unknown · May 28, 2018
Air Bags

I AM A MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER ASSIGNED IN STUTTGART, GERMANY. MY VEHICLE WAS SHIPPED HERE IN DECEMBER 2017, AT THAT TIME THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS. NOW MY VEHICLE IS AFFECTED BY THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL. BELOW IS WHAT I SENT AUDI OF AMERICA AS WELL AS THEIR RESPONSE. PLEASE ASSIST IN RESOLVING THIS MATTER BECAUSE AUDI OF U…

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I AM A MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER ASSIGNED IN STUTTGART, GERMANY. MY VEHICLE WAS SHIPPED HERE IN DECEMBER 2017, AT THAT TIME THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS. NOW MY VEHICLE IS AFFECTED BY THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL. BELOW IS WHAT I SENT AUDI OF AMERICA AS WELL AS THEIR RESPONSE. PLEASE ASSIST IN RESOLVING THIS MATTER BECAUSE AUDI OF USA DID NOT PROVIDE A VIABLE, SAFE SOLUTION. THANK YOU MY VEHICLE IS IN STUTTGART, GERMANY AND WAS SHIPPED AS PART OF MY MILITARY WORK DIRECTED MOVE IN OCTOBER 2017. THIS VEHICLE HAS AN OPEN TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL AND YESTERDAY I VISITED A LOCAL GERMAN DEALERSHIP WHO INFORMED ME THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH INSPECTING MY CAR OR REPLACING AN AIRBAG IF NEEDED. COULD YOU PLEASE AND URGENTLY LET ME KNOW HOW I CAN RESOLVE THIS RECALL ISSUE WHILE MY VEHICLE IS IN STUTTGART, GERMANY? I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT ASSIST CONSIDERING THE RISK POSED TO THE DRIVER AND OTHER DRIVERS/PEDESTRIANS IF THIS AIRBAG ISSUE IS NOT RESOLVED IN A TIMELY MANNER. I ALSO HAVE CONCERNS CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO WORK IF THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL ITEM ISSUED.

NHTSA ODI #11098260

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2018
Air Bags

STILL WAITING FOR MY AIRBAG FIX

NHTSA ODI #11094146

Mileage unknown · May 3, 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 PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (AUDI S…

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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 PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (AUDI SOUTHAMPTON, 51 MONTAUK HWY, SOUTHAMPTON, NY 11976, (631) 283-0888) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #11091616

72,000 miles · Apr 17, 2018
Air Bags

TAKATA INFLATORS. I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR OVER 6 MONTHS FOR MY VEHICLE TO BE FIXED FROM THE TAKATA AIRBAG ISSUE. I WAS TOLD AGAIN 4/17/2018 THAT THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND WANT AUDI TO PAY FOR A LOANER VEHICLE UNTIL THE PARTS ARE REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE. PLEASE LET …

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TAKATA INFLATORS. I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR OVER 6 MONTHS FOR MY VEHICLE TO BE FIXED FROM THE TAKATA AIRBAG ISSUE. I WAS TOLD AGAIN 4/17/2018 THAT THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND WANT AUDI TO PAY FOR A LOANER VEHICLE UNTIL THE PARTS ARE REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO TO GET THESE PARTS IN AND REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #11088621

Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2018
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL: WE HAVE NOW RECEIVED 4 OR 5 LETTERS OVER THE PAST 9 MONTHS INFORMING US OF THE RECALL AND TELLING US OUR LIFE MAY BE IN DANGER AND TO CONTACT OUR DEALER IMMEDIATELY TO HAVE THE AIRBAG REPLACED. WHEN I CALL OUR DEALER (PEABODY, MA), THEY INFORM ME THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART AND DO NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WILL. WHEN I CON…

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TAKATA RECALL: WE HAVE NOW RECEIVED 4 OR 5 LETTERS OVER THE PAST 9 MONTHS INFORMING US OF THE RECALL AND TELLING US OUR LIFE MAY BE IN DANGER AND TO CONTACT OUR DEALER IMMEDIATELY TO HAVE THE AIRBAG REPLACED. WHEN I CALL OUR DEALER (PEABODY, MA), THEY INFORM ME THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART AND DO NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WILL. WHEN I CONTACTED AUDI USA THEY INDICATED IT IS NHTSA WHO DETERMINES WHICH DEALERS GET THE PARTS AND WHEN. IF YOU AREN'T SUPPLYING THE PARTS, DON'T REPEATEDLY REQUIRE AUDI TO SEND ME LETTERS TELLING ME MY LIFE MAY BE IN DANGER. IT'S A BIT LIKE THE BOY WHO CRIED WOLF, I NO LONGER BELIEVE YOU REALLY MEAN MY LIFE IS IN DANGER, BECAUSE IF YOU DID, YOU'D ENSURE THE PART IS AVAILABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE 2 MOST RECENT LETTERS ARE ATTACHED.

NHTSA ODI #11083147

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2018
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN SEPTEMBER OF 2017. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH AUDI LYNBROOK (855 SUNRISE HIGHWAY LYNBROOK, NY 11563, (516)-887-5300) SEVERAL TIMES A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN SEPTEMBER OF 2017. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH AUDI LYNBROOK (855 SUNRISE HIGHWAY LYNBROOK, NY 11563, (516)-887-5300) SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE ORDERED AND THE CONTACT WOULD RECEIVE A CALL WHEN THEY ARRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS NO LONGER A HIGH PRIORITY. THE MANUFACTURER INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT TO ONLY COMMUNICATE WITH THE DEALER REGARDING PART AVAILABILITY AND STATED THAT THE INTERIM REPAIR WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *TR

NHTSA ODI #11076364

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2018
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN MARCH OF 2017. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER (LYNNBROOK AUDI IN LYNNBROOK, NY), THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE DEFECT WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS INSTR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN MARCH OF 2017. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER (LYNNBROOK AUDI IN LYNNBROOK, NY), THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE DEFECT WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #11075782

Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2018
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED PRESTIGE IMPORTS (9201 W COLFAX AVE, DE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED PRESTIGE IMPORTS (9201 W COLFAX AVE, DENVER, CO 80215) AND WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11075674

49,000 miles · Jan 24, 2018
Air BagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE DRIVER BECAME DISTRACTED AND CRASHED ONTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE F…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE DRIVER BECAME DISTRACTED AND CRASHED ONTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11064590

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.