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Model year record

2018 Audi Q5 recalls & problems

The 2018 Audi Q5 has 6 safety recalls and 209 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (76 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls
Complaints209filed by owners
Crashes · fires10 · 0reported in complaints
NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars
2018 Audi Q5 in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

1 recall for this model year carries an NHTSA do not drive advisory. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Safety recalls

StructureDec 8, 2021

Body

Recall 21V947000288,991 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
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.

Components: Structure › Body; Electrical system › Body control module/bcm

StructureOct 16, 2019

Body

Recall 19V737000174,278 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix
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.
WheelsJun 5, 2019

Hub

Recall 19V416000126,161 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix
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.
Service brakes, hydraulicApr 8, 2019

Foundation components › Master cylinder

Recall 19V27700012,645 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Fix
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.
Service brakes, hydraulicJun 1, 2018

Foundation components › Disc › Caliper

Recall 18V36900010,225 vehicles

NHTSA advisory: do not drive affected vehicles until repaired.

Problem
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.
Risk
A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
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.
Seat beltsDec 29, 2016

Pretensioner

Recall 16V9550005,947 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Fix
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.

Components: Seat belts › Pretensioner; Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module; Air bags › Side/window; Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

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

2018 Audi Q5 SUV AWD Later Release

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk16.4%

Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Optional

2018 Audi Q5 SUV AWD Early Release

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk16.3%

Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Optional

2018 Audi Q5 NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2018 Audi Q5 NHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA side pole crash test

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

25mpg combined
City / highway23 / 27 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S7) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,300/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 areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Electrical systemIgnition; Body control module/bcm7600048,000 mi
Unknown or other452016,250 mi
Engine3100027,260 mi
Suspension25000—
Service brakes224007,375 mi
StructureBody2230142,913 mi
Forward collision avoidanceAutomatic emergency braking; Warnings2020112,000 mi
Vehicle speed control1440110,000 mi
Exterior lighting13100—
Air bags1310285,600 mi
Steering11000—
Power train102004,600 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.