Audi Q5 Complaints

198 consumer complaints on file.

#11745650June 22, 2026
SEAT BELTS
The seat belts are sometimes locked when they should not be. I understand that the seat belts are designed to lock when the vehicle stops quickly, preventing the driver from leaning forward. However, sometimes my seat belts are locked while I am driving and have not made a fast stop. For example, several times the seat belts have been locked when I get to a drive up window or kiosk, and I cannot lean forward to get a parking lot ticket or interact with the kiosk. The seatbelts have also been locked when I am stopped at an intersection. The locked seat belts prevent me from leaning forward to look for vehicles at the intersection or to see around my passenger. I have to pull on the seatbelt a few times and release to get the belt to unlock and let me lean forward.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11745548June 22, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and the vehicle decelerated before the vehicle stalled. During the failure, the check engine, oil, and coolant warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer determined that the engine bearings had failed, causing catastrophic damage to the engine. The contact was advised that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V753000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 43,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11745545June 22, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
If I have a sensor that will malfunction due to water then there should be a water indicator alert. My sunroof vent was blocked and water went into my trunk where the core module is. I had just come to a red light to turn on to a major highway and my car began to smell like fuel. I rolled down the windows and realized the smell was not as strong as inside. The light turned green and as I stepped on the gas the car went into limp mode as I was in the middle of my turn. The power steering then went out in the turn and the wheel yanked to the left and put me half way into the lane next to me. Thankfully no one was there. I had to yank it back to the right to get off of the highway on to the side of the road. I do not think that the power steering should be associated with that module or at least a water indicator sensor should be added. What happens if someone is on the interstate is driving 75 mph and their power steering goes out. It's in the shop and there is no damage other than now I am scared to drive it
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11744665June 17, 2026
ENGINE
Vehicle purchased new off the showroom floor with 22 miles, driven locally only and garage kept. At 270 miles, upon starting the vehicle the engine was shaking and idling rough exactly like a misfiring cylinder would. The check engine light immediately turned on and started flashing and the engined bogged down and stopped. The dealership towed it to their shop and witness the rough idle themselves. When diagnosing the fault, it was confirmed 3 cylinders were misfiring due to "catalytic converter sensor" that triggered the engine to misfire for "protection reasons". The dealership checked the distributor and spark plug wires with no issues found, ultimately they reset the code which immediately returned the engine to proper function and idling. They drove it for 60 miles confirming proper function. Their "theory" is possible bad gas could have been put in the engine prior to the dealership buying the vehicle?? We told the dealership that we have not even put gas in the vehicle ourselves yet thus no fault on us for this postulated issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743573June 11, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I was driving down a regular road by my house, full sunshine, perfect road, nothing unusual. In fact, it was such a nice day, the sunroof was open and windows were down. My dog was in the back seat after just being picked up from grooming happily enjoying the day with his head out the window. I was on a road with the speed limit of 30. I was going 30 mph. Nothing unusual. Literally, out of nowhere, like my car was possessed, is the best way I put it, my car abruptly braked in an attempt to stop on a dime. My car screeched to a stop while simultaneously my windows rolled up, my sunroof closed and my seat belt tightened, locking me in place. My dog was thrown forward. It was terrifying! Luckily, no one was behind me or they would have certainly rear-ended me. Nothing was in the road. Absolutely nothing. It happened so quickly in a split second. I put my hazards on and finished the next 2 miles home. I called Audi for a service appointment. I took my car in, again going down back roads with my hazards on. Audi charged me $400 to run a diagnostic report and shows there is a fault code J428. This fault code I researched is for the front/right ACC radar sensor that powers Adaptative Cruise control and Pre-Sense braking system. The fault code erroneously detected an obstacle and did abrupt braking. Audi told me that they would charge me $4,000 to fix it. I contested that as a safety issue it should be fixed as there is also Audi TSB2063502 referencing problems. This is a major safety issue as if I was going 70 MPH, I could cause a massive accident where I could be killed, anyone in my car, as well as others behind me in a massive car pile up. I feel ethically, this must be a safety recall to replace this fault in all vehicles. I am also requesting payment to fix from Audi. As an attorney (#[XXX]), Audi is under notice that they have a major safety defect on their hands and should take steps to protect drivers safety. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741249June 1, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Our '22 Audi Q5 experienced a spontaneous sunroof implosion while driving on the highway. Temperature would not have been a considering factor here, nor did anything hit the sunroof but it exploded and showered the occupants with glass - both pebble-sized pieces and small shards. The curtain was open at the time and glass went everywhere. Thankfully, the driver had the good sense to pull over immediately without an accident. This incident interrupted their trip, they had to find someone to tape a plastic cover over the gaping hole, then have the sunroof replaced, all at considerable expense and hassle. This was both a very dangerous AND frightening experience. Audi headquarters was contacted and denied any responsibility, saying that we need to handle this through our insurance company which I find outrageous as it has been recorded that quite a few Audis have experienced this same situation. It should be covered under their warranty!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11740979May 30, 2026
ENGINE
2022 Audi Q5 (VIN: [XXX] ). Engine lubrication system failure — persistent abnormal oil consumption across two separate engines over 14 months. Beginning March 2025, the low engine oil warning light began activating repeatedly, sometimes after as few as 300 miles. AutoNation Audi Bellevue confirmed 1 quart low and initiated oil consumption tests. Their technician noted in writing that oil found externally was "not enough to cause a 1 quart low oil light" — meaning the root cause was never identified. A PCV valve replacement was attempted July 2025; the warning returned after only 300 miles — same as before the fix. Audi of America approved a full engine replacement in September 2025, completed December 2025. Within weeks of pickup in January 2026, the low oil warning activated again on the brand new engine, and again after 4,000 miles in April 2026. The defect has persisted across two engines despite multiple repair attempts. Audi now claims consumption is "within spec" at 0.16 qt/1,000 miles but has not explained why the warning light keeps activating. Safety risk: unpredictable oil loss risks sudden engine seizure at highway speeds with insufficient warning to stop safely. Confirmed and inspected by AutoNation Audi Bellevue and Audi of America. Vehicle available for inspection. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11740956May 29, 2026
Carry Handle, Shell, Base
The car seat comes loose every month and has to be reinstalled
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11740423May 27, 2026
AIR BAGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The airbag light and the driving assistance warning lights appeared on the dashboard randomly one day. I took the vehicle to the dealership (Audi of Columbia), where they kept it for a week and said the software needed to be updated. They updated it multiple times, but the car would not complete the update until the last attempt. When I picked up the car, they reported that several other 2025 Q5 (new model) vehicles were being brought in for the same issue. When I picked up the car, there were no warning lights on the dashboard. Approximately 1-2 weeks later, the same warning lights appeared on the dashboard again. I brought it to the dealership again, where they recalibrated the systems, disconnected the battery, and then cleared the fault code. That cleared the warning lights, and they planned to drop off my vehicle the next business day. While they were driving to drop off the vehicle, the warning lights came back on, so they returned it to the dealership. They have replaced the airbag control module without resolution. They have been working on my vehicle for >1 month to resolve the airbag issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11740396May 27, 2026
ENGINE
I purchased a new 2025 Audi Q5 Sportback on 4/13/2026. I brought my car home that day and then had to go to the hospital for surgery so didn't drive my car for two weeks. I get in my car after a couple of weeks and the engine light came on and didn't come off I took it into Audi on May 7th. Audi said I could pick up my car on Monday May 11th and said the car battery was charged and I should be good. I brought my car home and then didn't drive it again for a week. I got in my car again and the engine light came on again. I called Audi on the Thursday before Memorial day and was told I needed to bring this back in. I took it in on Tuesday, and was told this code is a known issue and Audi is putting a fix in place to update the modules. They provided me the attached from Audi. If this is a known issue, I feel this should have been provided to me about this before buying the car. I was also told to continue to drive the car and with the light on. How dangerous is that to drive a car with the engine light and ignore it. If something is seriously wrong, I won't know cause I am told to ignore. I would like to know how to return this car as a lemon has this was a known issue and they don't know when the fix will be in place. I am asking for assistance on how to proceed with Audi. I have read several reviews on line with others that have experienced the same issues over a year ago. Thank you !
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739966May 25, 2026
TIRES
The component that failed was the tire/wheel system on a rental vehicle from Enterprise. While driving on a dry highway in New Mexico, a tire pressure warning light appeared. Because we were in a remote area, we stopped at the nearest gas station and added air to the tire. After adding air, the warning light temporarily turned off, so I believed the issue was low tire pressure. However, while continuing to drive, the warning light came back on. We were traveling through an isolated area where towns and service stations were very far apart, and I was attempting to safely make it to the next available gas station or service area. While driving at highway speed, I suddenly heard a loud “boom boom boom” noise. Immediately afterward, I saw the tire detach from the vehicle and roll in front of me before going off to the side of the roadway. I quickly attempted to safely pull the vehicle over. The sudden tire separation created a serious safety hazard for myself, my passengers, and other drivers on the highway. There was a risk of losing control of the vehicle, rollover, collision, or secondary accidents caused by debris or the detached tire. Other vehicles had to maneuver around us after the incident. The problem was not caused by weather conditions, debris impact, or unsafe driving. The failure happened during normal highway driving in dry conditions. The tire itself was not recovered after the incident. An Enterprise representative later asked where the tire was, but due to the sudden nature of the event and the remote location, we were unable to retrieve it. To my knowledge, the vehicle has not yet been formally inspected by the manufacturer or an independent repair facility. However, the vehicle should be inspected for possible tire defects, maintenance failures, wheel assembly problems, or improper installation. The incident was reported to Enterprise, and I contacted customer service multiple times regarding the safety issue and resulting damages and expenses.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739245May 21, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Adaptive cruise control not working....,Intermitently shutting off. This is coinciding with numerous engine, oil and gas warning lights going off in the Audi MMI system. Lead tech at Audi dealership in Norwell MA is telling me that this is a well known issue with the 2025 Audi Q5 needing a software update that will not be available until sometime in the 3rd quarter
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739045May 20, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Regarding the adaptive cruise control, sometimes the system won't engage. The first time this happened a warning popped on the screen saying something about seatbelts. I've learned that the problem can be "fixed" by pulling off the road and turning the car completely off. That includes opening a door to silence the radio. The cruise has always worked afterwards. Sometimes while driving on cruise control, in a straight line, the car brakes abruptly for no apparent reason. Granted we were on the interstate and there was traffic but no reason whatsoever to brake. The cruise control is easily confused on roads with multiple lanes and sharp curves, like on [XXX] between Asheville, NC and Knoxville, TN. The car will brake abruptly, seemingly sensing a car in front of me but in a different lane. Sometimes when reengaging cruise control the speed goes not to the speed I had set but what it "sees" as the posted speed limit. This caused the car to speed up in a construction zone and slow to a speed below the prevailing speed of traffic around us. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11738774May 19, 2026
SEAT BELTS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
May 11, 2026 approx 9:35am. I was in a flat parking area at a gas station waiting for a friend. There were 2 other cars parked near me. No one was in them. Neither were moving. I backed out of my space into a large, empty, open area to turn my car around to have a better view. Because the audi pre-sense chronically malfunctions, I always turn it off before I drive. But I left it on this time because I was only driving about 15 feet in a parking area. I backed out, then stepped on the brake to turn the wheel. While I was AT A FULL STOP, the seatbelt motor started up loudly and grabbed my chest with the seatbelt, slamming me back against the seat. No one was there. No cars were moving. I was at a stop. When the seatbelt let me go, I noticed a red lighted image of some sort on the screen. I believe there was a red star-shaped image and some text indicating a collision. Then the image disappeared. I turned off pre-sense and backed into my parking space. It was painful and frightening - especially as I have osteoporosis. This car has previously slammed the brakes on an empty road while I was driving 45-50 mph. Dealer says there are no codes or errors and I need to clean the sensors. I bought it new. Likewise, the rear cross-traffic, pedestrian detection etc. rarely works and sometimes fires for no reason. If the brakes slam when there's a car behind me, I'll be rear-ended. If the seatbelt slams while I'm on the road, I'll certainly swerve from the discomfort and being startled. Very dangerous. NOTE: My previous report seems to be removed from this website. Bad idea.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11737704May 13, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The vehicle exhibits multiple, unresolved safety-critical defects across software and mechanical systems that create an unpredictable and dangerous driving environment. Despite multiple repair attempts, the manufacturer has failed to certify the vehicle as safe for operation. 1. Critical ADAS Failures (Forward Collision/Lane Keeping): Automatic Emergency Braking (Pre-Sense): The vehicle suffers from unprompted alerts and phantom braking incidents, creating an immediate risk of rear-end collisions. Lane Keeping Assistance: The system has experienced unexpected steering pull, which could lead to an unprompted lane departure. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): The system consistently fails to detect lead vehicles in 40% to 50% of instances. The most recent failure was documented via timestamped screenshot on May 12, 2026, around 4:07 PM PT. This defect is reproducible and renders the automated safety suite unreliable. 2. Powertrain & Mechanical Defects: Pneumatic Air Leaks: The vehicle exhibits 100% pneumatic air leaks during acceleration. The service center has dismissively characterized a total pneumatic system failure as "normal," which I find technically unacceptable and a sign of neglected mechanical integrity. 3. Electrical & Starting System: Recurring Ignition Failures: The vehicle has experienced multiple failures to start, most recently leaving my child and me stranded for 10 minutes. Safety & Use Impairment: These intermittent failures compromise the vehicle's utility and the safety of my family. Incident History: The first time this occurred, I called Audi Roadside Assistance, but the engine started approximately 30 minutes later; as a result, I do not call roadside assistance now when it happens and instead attempt to restart it repeatedly. Current Status: I am forced to drive the car in a constant dilemma, knowing it might fail at any time and leave me stranded.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737047May 11, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
All of my display screens went blank at 108 miles. I had no speedometer, no fuel level gauge, no warning indicators, and no audio alerts including turn signals. The vehicle was towed to the dealership since it was a safety issue for me to drive. It has been there since November 2025.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736640May 8, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious brake-related safety issue involving my Audi vehicle after recent brake service performed by an authorized Audi Meadowland dealership in [XXX] . In December 2025, I brought my vehicle to an authorized Audi dealership for replacement of the brake pads. The repair was completed by the dealership, and I trusted that the vehicle was safe to drive afterward. However, only approximately six months later, and after driving only around 1,000 miles since the repair, the vehicle experienced a dangerous brake-related failure involving the brake pad assembly becoming loose/detached while the vehicle was in operation. This incident occurred while my entire family was inside the vehicle, creating a serious safety hazard and placing all occupants at risk. A brake system component should not fail after such a short period of time and limited mileage following dealership service. In addition to the safety concern itself, I am also extremely dissatisfied with the dealership’s handling of the matter. The dealership did not proactively contact me regarding the repair status, and multiple attempts to contact them by phone went unanswered. I believe this issue may involve improper installation, defective parts, insufficient inspection procedures, or other serious safety-related service failures. I respectfully request that NHTSA review and investigate this matter to determine whether similar incidents may affect other vehicles serviced under similar conditions. Thank you in advance for your review on this matter. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11734604April 29, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
I am reporting a safety-related defect involving my 2025 Audi vehicle. Shortly after leasing the vehicle in 09/2025, I experienced electrical and system malfunctions while driving, including warning lights, intermittent adaptive cruise control malfunctions, erratic acceleration, sputtering, and sudden braking without warning. These issues occurred during normal driving and raised safety concerns. On 11/03/2025, the vehicle failed to start and required multiple jump starts, displaying multiple system errors including a check engine light and malfunctioning displays. During a brief attempt to drive, the steering wheel began vibrating, additional warnings appeared, and the vehicle behaved as if on rough terrain despite normal pavement. The vehicle was towed to the dealership on 11/04/2025. While there, Audi’s Technical Assistance Center (TAC) and engineers were involved, and I was informed that internal technical guidance was issued related to this issue, indicating it may not be isolated. After more than two weeks, I was told the vehicle was repaired. On 11/19/2025, immediately after pickup, it malfunctioned again at highway speed. During lane changes, the vehicle resisted steering input and attempted to keep me in the lane despite signaling, creating a loss-of-control situation that required abrupt correction. A rear crash assist malfunction warning also appeared. I returned the vehicle the same day. Although it may start and run, I do not believe it is safe to operate due to the prior loss-of-control event and continued system instability. I have been asked to drive it again to reproduce the issue, which I do not feel is safe. This may involve a defect in driver assistance and electronic control systems.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11733352April 23, 2026
SEAT BELTS
My car was not operating effectively and was displaying many dash lights. I brought it to the local Audi dealership and they kept it for several days - they did a software update but most of the dash lights stayed on. They did an investigation and diagnostic review and they told me that the passenger seatbelt igniter needs replacement and that i could not safely transport passengers in my vehicle and they would order the part. The seatbelt igniter is a safety component and I am unable to use my vehicle safely/effectively as a family vehicle until this issue is resolved. The dealership has an order with Audi but there is an unexplained parts hold and no one can communicate any updates or ETA to me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732436April 20, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The module that controls the car’s electronics is located inside a special protective bag. A hole developed in this bag, and water leaked inside. The module is now completely submerged in water. When we started the car, many error messages appeared, but after we turned the car off and tried to start it again, the car would no longer start.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Audi Q5