2010 Audi Q5

Routine

Owners filed 99 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

45 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles; the median is 75,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags50
100
Fuel/Propulsion System22
000
Engine5
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission4
000
Electrical System4
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System3
000
Suspension2
000
Fuel System, Gasoline2
102
Visibility/Wiper1
000
Visibility1
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump18V818000
Filed Nov 19, 20185,987 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

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.

Remedy. 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.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module18V082000
Filed Jan 30, 2018162,782 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

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.

Remedy. 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.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump16V660000
Filed Sep 13, 2016143,214 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy. 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.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module16V078000
Filed Feb 10, 2016659,493 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

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.

Remedy. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Suspension
Filed Aug 5, 2025NJ

Severe Frame rusting of sub frame and crossmember. Rear of car affecting steering , tire aligment and wear. Swaying of rear end of car bouncy ride , wear or cracking of control arm and shocks.

Suspension
Filed Aug 23, 2024MA

Rear Subframe has severe rust through caused by plastic covers that trap moisture. This is a danger as the rust is so severe it will impact suspension, lower control arm in the rear. It was not inspected by anyone other than myself. No warning lamps. I noticed one of the plastic pieces hanging down from the vehicle that led me to inspect the cause of this part coming loose.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 29, 2024PA

IN TANK FUEL PUMP CRACKED ON TOP ,LEAKING FUEL TO FLANGE AND ELECTRICAL CONECTION ON TOP OF TANK AND DOWN TO UNDER VEHICLE .NO RECALL ON AUDI SITE FOR THIS YEAR -2010 VEHICLE HAS 138000 MILES ONLY . i WAS NOT EXPECTING MATERIAL PROBLEM -PLASTIC NOT SUITABLE FOR FUEL ...

Engine
Filed Feb 8, 2024152,396 milesMO

The contact owns a 2010 Audi Q5. The contacted stated while sitting in the vehicle, there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside the vehicle. There was a leak coming from the front of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and was diagnosed with a secondary air injection system bank 1 and 2, insufficient flow, and a possible clogged left and right cylinder head. The vehicle was not repaired due to cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 152,396.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 23, 2023IL

Have water leaking on the driver side roof and upon Dealer servicing - it was due to faulty or worn out seals on the front windscreen- and even though the windscreen is not damaged - Audi recons it has to be replaced at customer cost including the windshield that is in good condition since to cover their inability to take the glass out w/o breaking it. In public forums I see quite a few such fixes enough to warrant this should be investigated and tagged under recalls

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 11, 2023VA

Fuel pump developed cracks and is leaking terribly. Looks like someone put a temporary seal when recalled (likely due to unavailability of parts at time).

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 18, 2023TX

Fuel vapor in cabin. Research indicated need to inspect fuel pump. Removed inspection cover and found fuel puddled all around pump and noted fuel would re-plenish through apparent micro-fractures in the plastic pump housing when wiped away. Crack not visible but fuel obviously coming through housing after being wiped. I am 4rth owner. NTSB site and Audi site shows no open recalls. CarFax received on purchase of the car shows no open recalls but at the same time shows no evidence of Audi or VW service since the recall was issued in 2016 (very strange). Very similar description in incident #11353734. Image and video taken of the pump housing and fuel surrounding it.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Mar 14, 2023190,000 milesVA

The contact owns a 2010 Audi Q5. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart after refueling. Additionally, a fuel odor was detected while driving. The vehicle was towed to the residence, where an independent mechanic diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer had previously replaced the fuel pump; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 8, 2023NY

Water leaked into the rear battery compartment and into the trunk passenger side fuse bay. No apparent reason for leak. All windows, doors, sunroof and truck lid were closed. Flooding shorted control modules (parking aid controller, CAN buss and etc) flooding also took out the battery causing car to stall on highway. Water gets in after rainy days. Suspected malfunction of sunroof drain, but not certain. Shorting of electrical components verified by mechanic. Multiple parts needed replacement. No warning lamps prior to events. Available for inspection upon request.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 10, 2022NY

- Fuel pump assembly leaking under rear passenger seat. Fuel odor in rear of car spreads to entire car quickly when engine is on. - Strong gasoline odor spreads quickly inside car cabin. Gasoline leaks from bottom of undercarriage near exhaust pipe causing a fire hazard. - The issue was confirmed by mechanic. A crack in fuel pump causes fuel to leak from pump when engine is on. - Vehicle has been inspected by a mechanic. Mechanic verified fuel leak from top of fuel pump. - No warning lamps or messages displayed prior or during the problem. Problem occurred 1 week ago.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 27, 2022MD

The Audi Q5 Premium Plus 2010 has a huge problem with the dashboard where it shows multiple dysfunctions! The worse is the back rear light and the steering wheels who makes awful noises, and so much more. I do not know why there is no recall for this model as they all have the same issues. Please advise.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 23, 2021MO

THERE'S A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE( AIR VENTS) AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE, WHILE DRIVING AND STATIONARY.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 2, 202081,000 milesKY

NOTICED PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD IS SOAKED AFTER IT RAINS. THIS HAPPENS IF IT IS PARKED OR IF YOUR DRIVING. ALL DRAINS ARE CLEAR AND WHEN DROPPING HEADLINER, NOTICED A "WATER" WAY RUNNING DOWN TOWARDS PASSENGER PILLAR, ON PILLAR AIRBAG AND DOWN TO FLOOR BOARD. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT MANY OTHER 2010 AUDI Q5'S HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AND IMPLIED THIS IS PROBABLY WHY MY SUNROOF MOTOR IS NOT FUNCTIONING ANYMORE DUE TO WATER GETTING IN AND THEY QUOTED ME $2500 TO FIX THIS MANUFACTURE FLAW. IF MY VEHICLE HASN'T BEEN IN A WRECK AND THE SUNROOF FRAME IS BAD, WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL FOR THIS?

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 4, 2020126,758 milesFL

I HAVE A 2010 AUDI Q5 THAT IS LEAKING GAS ON THE GROUND WHILE ENGINE IS RUNNING WHILE SITTING STILL OR DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD.. I REMOVED THE PASSENGER REAR SEAT WHICH IS DIRECTLY ON TOP OF WHERE THE LEAK IS COMING FROM. I THEN REMOVED THE ACCESS PANEL FOR THE FUEL PUMP . GAS WAS SITTING ON TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP IN PUDDLES. I DECIDED TO START THE CAR WITH THE ACCESS PANEL REMOVED TO SEE WHERE EXACTLY THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM AND HOW BIG OF LEAK IT WAS. UPON STARTING THE ENGINE GAS SPRAYED DIRECTLY OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP'S WHITE PLASTIC DOME TOP, NOT THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE. PERIMETER. IT IS A LARGE LEAK, IT SPRAYS LIKE A GEYSER UNHINDERED HITTING THE TOP OF THE ACCESS PANEL AND RUNNING ONTO THE GROUND. YOU CAN SEE VISIBLE CRACKS IN THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP. MY GAS MILEAGE WHICH WAS 21 MPG PER TANK IS NOW14 MPG ON LAST FILL UP SO MY GUESS IS ABOUT 7 GALLONS OF GAS LEAKS ONTO THE GROUND PER FILL UP. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION AND THE FUMES ARE OVERWHELMING IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE AND IF YOU ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW THE SMELL GETS WORSE...IN THE PICS UPLOADED YOU CAN SEE THE SPRAY AND VISIBLE CRACKS.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 25, 2020109,000 milesVA

VEHICLE STARTED LEAKING FUEL SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY AFTER STARTING CAR IN GARAGE FOR NO APPARENT REASON..STRONGLY BELIEVE IT'S A DEFECT SOMEWHERE. I SINCERELY BELIEVE WITH THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM THERE IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR TO DRIVE. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 8, 2020104,500 milesSC

I NOTICED A FUEL SMELL EMANATING FROM THE REAR SEAT AREA ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, A 2010 AUDI Q% WITH 104,500 MILES. THIS WAS NOTICEABLE BOTH WHILE DRIVING AND STATIONARY WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION I VISUALLY SAW FUEL DROPS AROUND THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT ON THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. I VISITED THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY WEBSITE AND FOUND A RECALL THAT MATCHED THE SYMTOMS I DESCRIBED ABOVE. I CONTACTED MY AUDI DEALER AND THEY INDICATED A FIX FOR THAT RECALL WAS COMPLETED IN 2016 ON MY VEHICLE. I AM NOT SURE WHAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED BUT IT SEEMS IT DIDN'T WORK. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE AUDI SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THE FUEL FLANGE AND VARIOUS OTHER ITEMS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. AS THIS IS A SAFETY ITEM AND THE CAR CAN'T BE DRIVEN UNTIL REPAIRED I AUTHORIZED THE REPAIR AT SUBSTANTIAL EXPENSE. I FEEL AS IF A TEMPORARY FIX WAS COMPLETED IN 2016 AND NOT A PERMANENT FIX WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 27, 2020WA

AUDI DIDN'T FINISH THEIR RECALL 20W9. THE Q5 WE HAVE HAD THE FIRST STEP DONE BUT NOT THE REST. THIS IS FROM THE TSB : AUDI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL CLEAN THE PUMP FLANGE AND INSTALL A BUTYL RUBBER BAND TO PROTECT THE PUMP, FREE OF CHARGE. PARTS ARE NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. INTERIM NOTICES WILL SENT IN EARLY NOVEMBER 2016. A SECOND NOTICE WILL BE SENT WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-253-2834. VOLKSWAGEN'S NUMBER FOR THIS RECALL IS 20W9. OUR BACK SEAT IS FULL OF FUEL. THE PUMP CRACKED. THE LOCAL AUDI SHOP SAID THE RECALL HAS BEEN DONE, BUT AFTER I INVESTIGATED THE AUDI DEALERSHIP THAT DID THE RECALL, THEY MENTIONED ONLY A PROTECTIVE KIT WAS PUT ON.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 9, 2019130,000 milesRI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE AFTER IT WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V660000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AT INSKIP'S WARWICK AUTOMALL (1515 BALD HILL RD, WARWICK, RI 02886). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUDI NATICK (549 WORCESTER ST, NATICK, MA 01760) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE ONLINE AND FOUND THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED PER THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Engine
Filed Dec 5, 2019140,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MISFIRED WHILE DRIVING AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUDI NYACK (127 NY-59, NYACK, NY 10960, (845) 353-7300) WHERE THE INTAKE COIL AND SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. *TR

Engine
Filed Dec 2, 2019140 milesNY

CAR IS MISFIRING MOST OF THE TIME , AFTER TUNE AND CHANGING THE INTAKE AND THE COILS AT THE DEALER. IT ALMOST STOPS

20 of 99 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2018
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20263000Routine
202542100Routine
202420400Routine
202343510Routine
202222410Routine
202171800Routine
202025610Routine
201952500Routine
2018202600Do not drive
201742500Routine
201677510Routine
201599610Routine
2014105510Routine
201389540Routine
2012168600Routine
2011143520Routine
2010 — this page99400Routine
200931600Routine
20080100Routine

Compare every Q5 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Nov 19, 2018. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.