Audi Q5 Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Audi Q5 model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2009 drew the fewest (31) and the 2018 the most (207).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
3 | 0 | Electrical system | — | 24 |
| 2022 | 23 | 4 | Electrical system | — | 25–26 |
| 2009 Among the fewest complaints |
31 | 6 | Air bags | — | 20 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
34 | 4 | Forward collision avoidance | 5★ | 24–26 |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
37 | 6 | Electrical system | 5★ | 24–27 |
| 2017 Among the fewest complaints |
42 | 5 | Engine | 4★ | 21–22 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
43 | 1 | Forward collision avoidance | 5★ | 25–26 |
| 2023 | 50 | 5 | Electrical system | — | 25–26 |
| 2019 | 52 | 5 | Electrical system | 5★ | 24 |
| 2016 | 77 | 5 | Engine | 4★ | 21–26 |
| 2013 | 89 | 5 | Engine | — | 21–26 |
| 2015 | 99 | 6 | Engine | 4★ | 21–26 |
| 2010 | 100 | 4 | Air bags | — | 20 |
| 2021 | 103 | 8 | Electrical system | 5★ | 25–27 |
| 2014 | 105 | 5 | Engine | 4★ | 21–26 |
| 2011 Among the most complaints |
143 | 5 | Air bags | — | 20–22 |
| 2012 Among the most complaints |
168 | 6 | Air bags | — | 20–22 |
| 2018 Among the most complaints |
207 | 6 | Electrical system | 5★ | 25 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Audi Q5 years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2018 Audi Q5: 207 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 74 (36%); Engine 31 (15%); Suspension 25 (12%).
Reports mention 10 crashes, 5 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 15,483 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2012 Audi Q5: 168 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 85 (51%); Engine 47 (28%); Fuel/propulsion system 20 (12%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 72,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2011 Audi Q5: 143 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 67 (47%); Engine 42 (29%); Fuel/propulsion system 25 (17%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 77,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
The Audi Q5 years with the fewest complaints
2009 Audi Q5: 31 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 16 (52%); Fuel/propulsion system 5 (16%); Engine 2 (6%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 58,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2020 Audi Q5: 37 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 12 (32%); Engine 8 (22%); Service brakes 5 (14%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2017 Audi Q5: 42 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 19 (45%); Fuel/propulsion system 5 (12%); Electrical system 4 (10%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 22,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Audi Q5 owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 43 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 50 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 23 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 103 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 20,000 |
| 2020 | 37 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 52 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 7,900 |
| 2018 | 207 | 10 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 15,483 |
| 2017 | 42 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 22,000 |
| 2016 | 77 | 9 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 36,488 |
| 2015 | 99 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 53,000 |
| 2014 | 105 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2013 | 89 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 56,500 |
| 2012 | 168 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 72,000 |
| 2011 | 143 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 77,000 |
| 2010 | 100 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 75,000 |
| 2009 | 31 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 58,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Audi Q5 recalls
- Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture (2009–2012 model years; 659,493 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2016; 16V078000)
- Coolant Pump may Overheat or Short-Circuit (2013–2017 model years; 342,867 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2018; 18V229000)
- Coolant Pump May Overheat and cause Fire (2013–2017 model years; 342,867 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2017; 17V002000)
- Control Module Shutdown Can Reduce Engine Power (2018–2021 model years; 288,991 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2021; 21V947000)
- Fuel Pump Flange May Crack Causing Fuel Leak (2013–2017 model years; 240,487 vehicles across all models; filed May 2017; 17V298000)
All 33 Audi Q5 recall campaigns · Audi Q5 problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Audi Q5 years FAQ
Which Audi Q5 year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2009 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (31). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Audi Q5 years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2018, 2012 and 2011 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Audi Q5 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine (339 of 1,406 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Audi Q5 have?
NHTSA lists 33 recall campaigns covering the Audi Q5. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Audi Q5 recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.