IllustrationWHEN GOING INTO REVERSE. THE REAR VIEW CAMERA MODE WILL NOT STAY WITH THE "CARMERA VIEW" BUT INSTEAD, REVERTS BACK TO THE "GRAPHIV VIEW". EXTREMELY ANNOYING.
2018 Audi Q5
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Q5 years
Owner complaints for the 2018 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
390–25K
825–50K
850–75K
475–100K
2100–150K
3150K+
64 reports with mileage · 138 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.
- Electrical System. Review the 71 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports0 fire reports4 injury reports
Unknown Or Other complaints
44 reportsI AM WRITING TO FORMALLY REPORT AN INCIDENT OF CONCERN. I PARKED MY AUDI Q5 IN MY DAUGHTER'S DRIVEWAY, LEAVING MY (VERY MINIMAL, NO METAL, JUST FLANNEL) POCKETBOOK IN THE CAR WITH THE AUDI FOB. IN ABOUT 15 MINUTES, I BROUGHT MY GRANDDAUGHTER WHO IS 4 DOWN TO THE CAR AND STRAPPED HER IN HER CAR SEAT IN THE BACK SEAT ON THE PASSEN…
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I AM WRITING TO FORMALLY REPORT AN INCIDENT OF CONCERN. I PARKED MY AUDI Q5 IN MY DAUGHTER'S DRIVEWAY, LEAVING MY (VERY MINIMAL, NO METAL, JUST FLANNEL) POCKETBOOK IN THE CAR WITH THE AUDI FOB. IN ABOUT 15 MINUTES, I BROUGHT MY GRANDDAUGHTER WHO IS 4 DOWN TO THE CAR AND STRAPPED HER IN HER CAR SEAT IN THE BACK SEAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN I WENT TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR, THE CAR LOCKED UP. IT STAYED LOCKED. NONE OF THE DOORS OR THE HATCHBACK WOULD OPEN. THE KEYS WERE INSIDE. FORTUNATELY, MY GRANDDAUGHTER IS 4 AND CAN UNDERSTAND COMMANDS. SHE GOT HERSELF OUT OF THE CAR SEAT AND UNLOCKED THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE. BUT THIS WAS VERY TROUBLING. WHAT IF SHE WERE 18 MONTHS OR YOUNGER STILL? WHAT IF SHE PANICKED? I THINK THIS IS A VERY BAD DESIGN FEATURE. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT HAPPENED? WHAT IF I WERE IN A REMOTE LOCATION AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO CHECK ON SOMETHING AND THEN COULDN'T GET BACK IN. I NEVER TOUCHED THE FOB FROM THE TIME I EXITED THE CAR UNTIL I OPENED THE BACK DOOR FOR MY GRANDDAUGHTER. IT WASN'T LOCKED THEN; IT LOCKED ITSELF AFTER I BELTED HER IN.
SINCE WE LEASED THIS CAR LAST YEAR IN APRIL, WE HAVE HAD MANY ISSUES WITH THE PRE-SENSE PREMATURELY GOING OFF IN THE LATE SETTING ( AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM TO PREVENT REAR COLLISIONS. THERE HAVE MANY TIMES WHERE MY WIFE WAS BACKING OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY AND EVEN IN THE LATE SETTING IT PICKED UP VEHICLES FROM THE OPPOSITE LANE…
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SINCE WE LEASED THIS CAR LAST YEAR IN APRIL, WE HAVE HAD MANY ISSUES WITH THE PRE-SENSE PREMATURELY GOING OFF IN THE LATE SETTING ( AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM TO PREVENT REAR COLLISIONS. THERE HAVE MANY TIMES WHERE MY WIFE WAS BACKING OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY AND EVEN IN THE LATE SETTING IT PICKED UP VEHICLES FROM THE OPPOSITE LANE AND ABRUPTLY SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES, SCARING MY WIFE. ONE OF THESE TIMES WHEN IT DID THIS, IT CAME EXTREMELY CLOSE TO WHERE BY THE TIME SHE WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL , ENGAGING IT IN DRIVE SHE WAS ALMOST HIT IN THE BACK OF THE CAR UNTIL SHE COULD ACCELERATE TO THE SPEED LIMIT OF THE ROAD WE LIVE ON WHICH IS 35 MPH. THERE HAS BEEN OTHER TIMES, LIKE BACKING UP IN OUR DRIVEWAY AND IT JUST DECIDES TO GO OFF WITH NO VEHICLES IN THE THE DRIVEWAY??? I HAVE HAD THE DEALER LOOK AT THIS TWICE AND HAVE BEEN IN CONVERSATIONS WITH AUDI CORPORATE. THEIR LAST COMMENT TO ME IS THE SYSTEM IS WORKING AS DESIGNED. THIS IS MY 20+ AUDI AND CURRENTLY HAVE ONE OTHER 2018 AUDI AND 2018 VW. LAST YEAR ALONE I HAD 4 AUDI'S SO I AM FAMILIAR WITH THE PRODUCT, THIS IS WORKING PROPERLY AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH CONCERNS ME THAT COULD CAUSE MY WIFE TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE PREMATURE ENGAGEMENT. I WANT TO MENTION THAT MY WIFE IS NOW INCONVENIENCED HAVING TO BACK INTO OUR DRIVEWAY THUS PREVENTING IT TO GO OFF WHEN LEAVING FOR WORK EVERY DAY. SINCE WE LIVE ON A SCENIC BYWAY, THERE IS A STEADY FLOW OF CARS BUT AGAIN AT A SLOWER SPEED OF 35 MPH. LASTLY THIS SYSTEM IS SET TO LATE WARNING BUT CAN NOT BE TURNED OFF PERMANENTLY OR WE WOULD. I HAVE SENT MANY EMAILS TO AUDI , SPOKEN WITH THE DEALER AND THE EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT. THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE WITH PEOPLE HAVING ISSUES WITH THE NEW PRE-SENSE SYSTEM.
MY VEHICLE HAS A SAFETY FEATURE CALLED AUDI PRESENCE. MY NEW VEHICLE Q5 PRESTIGE (LESS THAN 150 MILES, JUST 6 DAYS OLD) HAD MALFUNCTIONED WITH AN UNEXPECTED AUTOMATIC BREAK ON JAN 17TH 2018 AT AROUND 7:29PM CENTRAL TIME WHILE ON SERVICE ROAD OF HIGHWAY 114 GOING TOWARDS WEST (STRAIGHT ROAD IN MOTION) BEFORE REACHING THE INTERSE…
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MY VEHICLE HAS A SAFETY FEATURE CALLED AUDI PRESENCE. MY NEW VEHICLE Q5 PRESTIGE (LESS THAN 150 MILES, JUST 6 DAYS OLD) HAD MALFUNCTIONED WITH AN UNEXPECTED AUTOMATIC BREAK ON JAN 17TH 2018 AT AROUND 7:29PM CENTRAL TIME WHILE ON SERVICE ROAD OF HIGHWAY 114 GOING TOWARDS WEST (STRAIGHT ROAD IN MOTION) BEFORE REACHING THE INTERSECTION OF FREEPORT IN IRVING, TX. THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE STREET THAT COULD BE IDENTIFIED AS AN OBJECT THAT WOULD CAUSE A COLLISION OR ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT. THE SUDDEN BREAK REALLY CAUSED A MENTAL SHOCK TO ME. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE NO VEHICLE JUST BEHIND ME. I WAS DRIVING AT AROUND 40 MILES PER HOUR. I HAVE USED COLLISION AVOIDANCE TECHNOLOGY FOR THE LAST 3.5 YEARS (MERCEDES BENZ, SUBARU FORESTER AND THE LATEST BEING TOYOTA COROLLA) AND I AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE TECHNOLOGY AND NEVER RAN INTO SUCH ISSUES. I CONTACTED AUDI SUPPORT AND THEY MENTIONED IT IS NOT UNUSUAL AND YOU SHOULD TAKE IT TO DEALER. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY INFORMED IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME AND AUDI IS VERY SENSITIVE TO THIS COMPARED TO OTHER BRANDS TO BE MORE SAFE. THEY WERE NOT EVEN WILLING TO CHECK THE VEHICLE AND WANTED ME TO COME BACK IF IT HAPPEN AGAIN. THEY ALSO TOLD THEY HAVE NO WAY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED. ON MY ESCALATION ONE OF THE SENIOR MANAGER IN SALES TOLD ME HE OWNS AUDI AND PRE SENSE RUN INTO THIS ISSUES BUT NEED NOT BE WORRIED.FINALLY THEY RAN AN AUTOMATED TEST AND CONFIRMED THEIR REPORT DOES NOT SHOW ANY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE NOW BUT HAS THE FOLLOWING CONCERNS:1) AUDI CUSTOMER SUPPORT NOT DEALER IS APPEARS TO BE NOT TRAINED HOW TO HANDLE SAFETY ISSUES WHEN REPORTED. 2) DEALER DID NOT REGISTER MY REPORTED ISSUE. THEIR REPORT PROVIDED DID NOT CAPTURE WHAT ISSUE WAS REPORTED. TO ME THIS IS A BAD PRACTICE. IT IS UNCLEAR IF THIS WAS DELIBERATE.I APPRECIATE WHAT NHTSA DO.
Official recalls
621V947000 · Electrical System:body Control Module/bcm; Structure:body
Dec 8, 2021
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, 2018-2022 Q5, and SQ5 vehicles. A liquid spill in the rear seat, or water ingress from an insufficient body seam underneath the vehicle may allow liquid to penetrate the gateway control module, causing it to shutdown.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover on the gateway control module and seal an underbody seam as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90S9.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Structure:body
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, 2018-2022 Q5, and SQ5 vehicles. A liquid spill in the rear seat, or water ingress from an insufficient body seam underneath the vehicle may allow liquid to penetrate the gateway control module, causing it to shutdown.
Consequence: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover on the gateway control module and seal an underbody seam as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90S9.
Electrical System:body Control Module/bcm
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, 2018-2022 Q5, and SQ5 vehicles. A liquid spill in the rear seat, or water ingress from an insufficient body seam underneath the vehicle may allow liquid to penetrate the gateway control module, causing it to shutdown.
Consequence: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover on the gateway control module and seal an underbody seam as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90S9.
19V737000 · Structure:body
Oct 16, 2019
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi SQ5 and 2018-2020 Audi Q5 vehicles. The rear wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach from the vehicle.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four clips securing the forward part of the rear wheel arch trim, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 66K8.
19V416000 · Wheels:hub
Jun 5, 2019
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will secure the wheel arch trim with an additional screw and nut, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 66K6.
19V277000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
Apr 8, 2019
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake master cylinder casting may be too short.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A short casting can cause a sudden loss of brakes, increasing the risk of crash. The electronic parking brake and its emergency brake function are not affected and will still function.
Remedy: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the brake master cylinder, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 3, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 47O9.
18V369000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper
Jun 1, 2018
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.
16V955000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:side/window; Seat Belts:pretensioner
Dec 29, 2016
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Seat Belts:pretensioner
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Air Bags:side/window
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or 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.