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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 · May 17, 2016
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 NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED O…

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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 NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10865426

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2016
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA ODI #10864480

Mileage unknown · May 10, 2016
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL: I RECEIVED THE TAKATA RECALL 69N1 FOR TAKATA SDI DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG FOR MY 2012 AUDI Q5. THE RECALL NOTICE ALSO NOTIFIES ME THAT A RECALL REPAIR IS NOT YET AVAILABLE DUE TO UNAVAILABLE PARTS. AUDI OF AMERICA INFORMED ME THAT THEY ARE NOT LOANING OUT VEHICLES TO THOSE AFFECTED BY THE RECALL SINCE NOT AUDI VEHICL…

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TAKATA RECALL: I RECEIVED THE TAKATA RECALL 69N1 FOR TAKATA SDI DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG FOR MY 2012 AUDI Q5. THE RECALL NOTICE ALSO NOTIFIES ME THAT A RECALL REPAIR IS NOT YET AVAILABLE DUE TO UNAVAILABLE PARTS. AUDI OF AMERICA INFORMED ME THAT THEY ARE NOT LOANING OUT VEHICLES TO THOSE AFFECTED BY THE RECALL SINCE NOT AUDI VEHICLES WORLD WIDE HAVE NOT HAD A INJURY OR DEATH DUE TO THE AIRBAG. I DO NOT WANT TO BE THE FIRST AUDI DEATH OR INJURY DUE TO THE AIRBAG ESPECIALLY SINCE I LIKE IN A VERY HUMID AREA (CENTRAL ALABAMA) WHICH I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE AIRBAGS ARE MORE LIKELY TO DEPLOY BROKEN IN HUMID AREAS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR. I CANNOT SPEND MONTHS CROSSING MY FINGERS THAT I WILL NOT GET IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE WAITING FOR PARTS. I WOULD LIKE A CAR AVAILABLE FOR ME TO DRIVE. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10864159

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2016
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL. I OWN A 2012 AUDI Q5. I DRIVE MY 2 YOUNG CHILDREN TO SCHOOL IN MY AUDI AND HAVE NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION. I FEEL INCREDIBLY NERVOUS AND IN DANGER DRIVING MY CHILDREN AND MYSELF IN SUCH AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. AUDI REFUSES TO GIVE ME A LOANER VEHICLE AND HAS NO TIME FRAME AS TO WHEN REPAIRS MAY BE…

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TAKATA RECALL. I OWN A 2012 AUDI Q5. I DRIVE MY 2 YOUNG CHILDREN TO SCHOOL IN MY AUDI AND HAVE NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION. I FEEL INCREDIBLY NERVOUS AND IN DANGER DRIVING MY CHILDREN AND MYSELF IN SUCH AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. AUDI REFUSES TO GIVE ME A LOANER VEHICLE AND HAS NO TIME FRAME AS TO WHEN REPAIRS MAY BE DONE. I CONTACTED AUDI HEADQUARTERS AND MY LOCAL DEALER SEVERAL TIMES VOICING MY SAFETY CONCERN. I WAS TOLD BY BOTH PARTIES THAT EACH OTHER WERE TO BLAME FOR THE LACK OF RESOLUTION. IT'S UNBELIEVABLE TO ME, THAT AUDI, BEING AN EXPENSIVE LUXURY BRAND, WOULD GIVE ME SUCH A RUN AROUND AND HAVE NO PROTOCOL ON HOW TO HANDLE THIS TAKATA RECALL SITUATION. IT'S SHOCKING HOW BLATANTLY AUDI HAS NO REGARD FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS SAFETY. MY HUSBAND'S VEHICLE, ACURA TL 2012 HAD THE SAME RECALL. ACURA DEALER INSTRUCTED MY HUSBAND TO STOP DRIVING THE CAR IMMEDIATELY AND PROVIDED A LOANER FOR CONCERN OF MY HUSBANDS SAFETY. WITHIN 2 MONTHS, THEY FIXED THE VEHICLE AND ALL IS WELL. IT WAS A PAINLESS EXPERIENCE HE GREATLY APPRECIATED. I EXPECTED THE SAME FAIR TREATMENT FROM AUDI BEING A PREMIER LUXURY CAR BRAND. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY AUDI DOESN'T FEEL ANY OBLIGATION TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. ALL I'M ASKING FOR IS A SAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE UNTIL THEY CAN REPAIR MY Q5. IT IS A HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP REMEDY MY DESPERATE CONCERN. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10862593

Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2016
Air Bags

*** TAKATA RECALL *** I AM FILING A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA BECAUSE I FEEL I AM DRIVING A, SO TO SPEAK, "LOADED GUN." I FIND IT COMPLETELY IRRESPONSIBLE THAT MY VEHICLE MAKER, AUDI, AS WELL AS TAKATA, HAVE NOT REACHED OUT TO ME REGARDING A VERY SERIOUS DEFECT IN MY CAR. AS YOU ARE WELL AWARE, THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS LED TO SE…

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*** TAKATA RECALL *** I AM FILING A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA BECAUSE I FEEL I AM DRIVING A, SO TO SPEAK, "LOADED GUN." I FIND IT COMPLETELY IRRESPONSIBLE THAT MY VEHICLE MAKER, AUDI, AS WELL AS TAKATA, HAVE NOT REACHED OUT TO ME REGARDING A VERY SERIOUS DEFECT IN MY CAR. AS YOU ARE WELL AWARE, THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS LED TO SERIOUS HARM AND DEATH, YET, BY SHEER COINCIDENCE, I JUST SO HAPPENED TO STUMBLE UPON THIS STORY AND FIND THAT MY CAR IS ONE OF THE AFFECTED. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, I FIND OUT THAT THERE IS NO REMEDY TO THIS PROBLEM. NEITHER TAKATA NOR AUDI ARE TAKING MEASURES TO GET MY CAR OFF THE ROAD PROTECTING ME AND MY FAMILY.

NHTSA ODI #10861099

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.