Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.
Risk: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.
Electrical system › Wiring
NHTSA recall 17V622000 · Oct 5, 2017 · 216,913 vehicles
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad and Q5 vehicles. Contact corrosion within the electrical connector for the auxiliary heater may cause the heater wires to overheat or melt.
Risk: The melted wires can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary heater and, as necessary, update the software, free of charge. The Recall began November 27, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 80C5 and 80C6.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
NHTSA recall 17V298000 · May 3, 2017 · 240,487 vehicles
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Audi Q5 and 2013-2017 Audi Q7 vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump flange if cracks are present. Flanges that do not have cracks will have a protective film applied. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20Z8. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 16V-660.
Air bags › Side/window
NHTSA recall 17V001000 · Jan 3, 2017 · 234,057 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Components: Air bags › Side/window; Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
NHTSA recall 17V002000 · Jan 3, 2017 · 342,867 vehicles
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system, resulting in the pump overheating.
Risk: If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19M1.
Air bags › Side/window
NHTSA recall 16V045000 · Jan 28, 2016 · 734 vehicles
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles manufactured January 15, 2015, to January 21, 2015, and 2015 Audi Q5 vehicles manufactured January 13, 2015, to February 3, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with driver and front seat passenger seat-mounted air bag inflators that may rupture in the event of a crash.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of a seat-mounted air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began July 7, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69M1 (for Audi) and 69L9 (for VW).
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
2015 Audi Q5 SUV AWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
15.1%
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No
2015 Audi Q5 HEV SUV AWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
15.1%
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Q5 Diesel
26mpg combined
City / highway
23 / 30 mpg
Fuel
Diesel
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Q5 Hybrid Hybrid
26mpg combined
City / highway
24 / 30 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,150/year to fuel
Q5 FFV
22mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel
Q5
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Engine
38
0
1
0
68,500 mi
Unknown or other
14
0
0
2
37,598 mi
Steering
14
2
0
0
39,500 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
12
0
0
0
—
Engine and engine cooling Cooling system › Radiator assembly
8
0
0
0
71,500 mi
Suspension Front › Wheel bearing
8
0
0
0
—
Electrical system Wiring › Front underhood
5
0
0
0
—
Structure Body; Frame and members
5
0
0
0
82,351 mi
Power train
4
0
0
0
—
Visibility Sun/moon roof assembly
3
0
0
0
—
Service brakes
3
0
0
0
—
Visibility/wiper
2
1
0
2
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Oct 1, 2026Structure › Body The subframe in the Audi Q5 has plastic that is connected to the bottom of the subframe which traps salt, water and dirt which can lead to premature rusting and failure. Because this is where a lot of the suspension and other components are attached to, when this fails during operation of the vehicle, it can lead to loss of control and increase the chance of an accident.
Oct 11, 2024Engine Ever since I have purchased the vehicle it has consumed alot of engine oil. I have to add engine oil every two months. I have reached out to Audi regarding the issue with no response or help.
Jul 31, 2026Unknown or other Bernardi Audiâs technician confirmed the rear subframe is rotted through (Repair Order #XXX/ Diagnostic Video: [XXX]), making the vehicle unsafe to drive.Given that this structural perforation falls within the window of Audiâs 12-Year Limited Warranty Against Corrosion Perforation, have requested assistance to cover cost from Audi. No responses received to Audi USA from 5 emails sent since XXX. Class Action lawsuit for rotten subframe and danger it creates in process but totally disregarded by Audi. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
May 21, 2026Structure › Body Vehicle failed inspection due to premature rust perforation damage of rear subframe caused by a plastic cover trapping water against the metal. Vehicle otherwise passed inspection.
Jan 19, 2026 · 82,351 milesStructure › Frame and members The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q5. The contact stated that the rear subframe was extremely rusted and could not pass a safety inspection. The vehicle was driven to the dealer, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,351.
Sep 15, 2025Tires The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q5 equipped with Firestone Tires, Tire Line: Firehawk A/S, Tire Size: P235/55/R19, DOT Number: 1RBE793E9. The tires were purchased in 2022. While the contactâs wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle, and the rear driverâs side tire had a blowout. The contact's wife was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact was unsure if the tire was replaced or if the vehicle was driven to the residence nearby with the blowout tire still on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a tire specialty shop, where the rear driverâs side tire was replaced. On another occasion, while the contact's wife was…
Aug 18, 2025Electrical system 1.What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? EPC light is on, car stalled on highway towed in Audi Dealership Jan/2023, On August 18, 2025 The vehicle experience catastrophic engine failure, electrical issues, coolant system defects,and currently inoperable and safety risk. 2.How was your safety or safety of others put at risk? vehicle stalled on street potentially public safety risk. 3.Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, Audi dealership service center recommendation buy $22,000 for brand new engine . 4.Has the vehicle or component been inspected by manufacturer, police,…
Nov 28, 2025Engine Engine consumed a quarter of oil every 300 miles. The EPC light and engine light illuminated. The vehicle went into limp mode. I had the vehicle towed to a certified mechanic.Vehicle was inspected by a certified mechanic and will need a new engine. Engine only has 85,000 miles and oil was changed every 5000 miles.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.