KnownCarProblems2012 Audi Q5 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 168 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Audi Q5, most often about the air bags (51% of complaints, typically around 50,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Q5 model year since 2000 and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2012 Audi Q5 problems
Air bags
85 complaints · 51%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles.
Takata airbag - recall dated feb 2016 for a defect that can cause serious injury or death. 9 months later Audi still does not have a solution to this recall. It is very frightening to continue driving a vehicle that has a serious open recall.
Takata recall head curtain bag recall fuel pump flange recall I've had no accident or malfunction as yet, but want the products to be replaced in my vehicle as soon as possible. I've contacted the dealership and in the last 6 months they have not been able to schedule any time for the recommended repair.
Engine
47 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 80,500 miles.
Im loosing a liter of oil every 200-500 miles and tyranny feels like it slips a little but the oil consumption is why im writing this I bought my 2012 Audi Q5 premium sport edition with a 2.0 turbo with 80,000 miles and was not told about the oil consumption!!
Catastrophic engine failure caused by jumped timing chain caused by defective timing chair tensioner. I purchased my vehicle on 12/03/2015 with 45,483 miles. I maintained my vehicle at independent mechanics due to the dismal service at the only dealership in town and its poor online reviews. I frequently added oil to…
Fuel system
23 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: fuel injection system.
Im loosing a liter of oil every 200-500 miles and tyranny feels like it slips a little but the oil consumption is why im writing this I bought my 2012 Audi Q5 premium sport edition with a 2.0 turbo with 80,000 miles and was not told about the oil consumption!!
Drive 2012 Audi Q5 2.0t premium plus. I was driving back home and malfunction indicator light (mil) showed up. The engine is making whistling sound. I took my car to Audi dealership and they informed me that the high pressure fuel pump and some other parts would need replacement. I got a letter from Audi about…
Other or unspecified
10 complaints · 6%My husband and I were driving in my 2012 Audi Q5 on the highway on may 4 when the sunroof shattered, dropping glass all over the interior of the car and US. There were no other vehicles ahead of or next to US, no overpasses, no people... The sunroof blew out from the inside and the vehicle behind US swerved as glass…
Due to extreme cold weather the rear sunroof glass pane shattered. The vehicle was parked over night in negative degree weather; not in motion. Audi dealership recognizes this as a natural caused instance, not covered by warranty and not covered under the past recall, which was only for the front sunroof glass pane.
Body and structure
9 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 77,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Due to extreme cold weather the rear sunroof glass pane shattered. The vehicle was parked over night in negative degree weather; not in motion. Audi dealership recognizes this as a natural caused instance, not covered by warranty and not covered under the past recall, which was only for the front sunroof glass pane.
While driving at steady highway speed and all windows closed, the car front sunroof glass section "exploded" quite loudly with glass bits thrown into the air and other small chunky sections falling into the fabric liner area. Happily not into the cabin. About 2-3 inch broken perimeter edge of glass remains in place.…
Visibility and wipers
7 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 8,000 miles.
The rear view mirror fell off. A small clip that holds it on was broken simply adjusting the mirror. I was sitting at a red light when it happened. The mirror was put back on but if I touch it or adjust it will fall off.
Wipers stop- the wipers have "off", "intermittent", slow, fast. When the wipers are in "slow" and the car comes to a stop (such as a red light, stop sign, pedestrian, turning across traffic) the wipers stop! While the car is stopped they may start in 5 sec, 10 sec , 20 sec (based on rain sensor?) or when you start…
Electrical
5 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles.
My vehicle is equipped with optional keyless entry/operation called Audi advanced key. I drove the vehicle using the keyless feature for approximately 15-20 minutes to pick up child from school. The key was in my purse and placed in the front passenger side seat. Upon returning home, the car was parked in its usual…
I was driving at highway speed (~65 MPH) today when traffic quickly came to a stop and I brake fairly hard. About when the car came to a stop, a "TPMS malfunction" (tire pressure monitoring system) error message came on the dash and the car could no longer accelerate, as the engine was disconnected from the…
Transmission
5 complaints · 3%I was driving at highway speed (~65 MPH) today when traffic quickly came to a stop and I brake fairly hard. About when the car came to a stop, a "TPMS malfunction" (tire pressure monitoring system) error message came on the dash and the car could no longer accelerate, as the engine was disconnected from the…
The car would not start when I went to pull out of garage. The car was stationary. On the 8th attempt it started and I drive it to work. It felt like it was going to stall out when I stopped or slowed down. I put the key in ignition it would go on but not start and turn off. The epc light went on. This is the first…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Audi Q5 recalls
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: side/window
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: fuel pump
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 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Visibility and wipers: sun/moon roof assembly
Risk: Should the sunroofâs 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2012 Audi Q5
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Audi Q5?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (85 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles); engine (47 complaints, typically around 80,500 miles); fuel system (23 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Audi Q5 have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 19, 2018 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Audi Q5?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Q5 model year since 2000, with 168 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.