KnownCarProblems2018 Audi Q5 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 208 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Audi Q5, most often about the electrical (36% of complaints, typically around 32,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Q5 model year since 2000 and has 6 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2018 Audi Q5 problems
Electrical
74 complaints · 36%Half of these problems showed up before 32,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, body control module/bcm.
I've had several issues with my vehicle when backing up and the presence going off without a reason. When backing up on several occasions, the sensors will beep and bring the vehicle to grinding stop. When I check the area, there are no vehicles, person, or objects in the path of the vehicle. Recently, when driving on…
I was about to get on the freeway when my car's electrical system failed and I got several warning lights. The braking/stop start system, lights and a few other lit up. I pulled off the road and had it towed. The dealership said water (rain) got in through my sunroof and shorted my system (warranty won't cover). There…
Other or unspecified
45 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 6,500 miles.
Going down the road and moon roof exploded. Audi says it was a rock, but no other vehicle was around. We were driving between 50 and 60 MPH. Sounded like a shot gun went off in our car. Glass went everywhere. High safety issue. Once again a rock didn't hit US the moon roof's are not safe.
5)establishing a bluetooth connection is intermittent with a samsung galaxy s9. Often the mmi will indicate that it can't connect. If the car is in reverse with the parking assist displaying the rear view camera, the bluetooth connection screen can suddenly appear replacing the rear view image while the car is…
Engine
33 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 49,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle started to vibrate abnormally with the message "engine fault detected" displayed. The driver was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle stalled and was unable to restart. The check engine warning light was…
The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure…
Suspension
25 complaints · 12%The contact owns 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was immediately driven to the local dealer who diagnosed that the rear driverâs side suspension coil spring had fractured also causing…
The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed that the suspension coil spring was cracked at the bottom. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the…
Brakes
22 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 7,500 miles.
Squealing brakes at slow speeds. Dealership able to replicate issue but unable to resolve adequately. They asking US to replace rotors and pads with several hundred dollar cost to US. Car is only 2 yrs old now. We bought cpo after car was used by dealer salesman for 6mo. Brakes have been squealing soon after we got…
The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. While the vehicle was in a parking lot with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle accelerated without warning and crashed into a stairway rail of an apartment building. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a body…
Body and structure
21 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 33,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 19v737000 (structure) however, the front driver's side wheel arch trim panel was detaching from the frame. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 19v737000 (structure). The manufacturer was…
I was about to get on the freeway when my car's electrical system failed and I got several warning lights. The braking/stop start system, lights and a few other lit up. I pulled off the road and had it towed. The dealership said water (rain) got in through my sunroof and shorted my system (warranty won't cover). There…
Driver assistance
20 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: automatic emergency braking, warnings, assist, blind spot detection.
The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. While driving 65 MPH, the collision alert system independently engaged the brake system, causing the vehicle to slow down. The contact was able to keep the vehicle under control and regain highway speed. The contact believed that the collision system may have sensed an object in the…
The contact owns a 2019 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, with no other vehicles or objects nearby, the forward collision avoidance system unintendedly activated. The contact stated that within seconds, the forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking system engaged…
Speed control
14 complaints · 7%The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. While the vehicle was in a parking lot with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle accelerated without warning and crashed into a stairway rail of an apartment building. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a body…
My vehicle was in motion after starting from a complete stop. I took my foot off the accelerator and the vehicle continued to accelerate without my foot on the gas pedal. It seemed liked the gas pedal was stuck. I then put my foot on the brake and slammed on the break to get the vehicle to stop.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 Audi Q5 recalls
Body and structure: body
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: body
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Wheels and tires: hub
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: master cylinder
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: caliper
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts: pretensioner
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.
Full defect summary
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.
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 2018 Audi Q5
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Audi Q5?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (74 complaints, typically around 32,000 miles); other or unspecified (45 complaints, typically around 6,500 miles); engine (33 complaints, typically around 49,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2018 Audi Q5 have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 8, 2021 (body and structure). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the Audi Q5?
- It is the most complained-about Q5 model year since 2000, with 208 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.