Audi Q5 Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Avoid the 2012, 2018, 2023, and 2025 Audi Q5 model years, which carry Complaint Index scores of 80, 100, 87, and 93. The 2017, 2020, 2022, and 2024 model years score lowest (0, 13, 20, 7) and are the best picks based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
Avoid 2012Avoid 2018Avoid 2023Avoid 2025Best 2017Best 2020Best 2022Best 2024
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 1,303
- Recall campaigns
- 31
- Crashes reported
- 62
- Fires reported
- 12
- Top problem area
- Engine
Q5 Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Audi Q5 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Good | 33 | 99 | 2 | 0 | 4 | Airbags | 20 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 73 | 143 | 4 | 2 | 5 | Airbags | 21 | — |
| 2012 | Avoid | 80 | 168 | 3 | 0 | 6 | Airbags | 21 | — |
| 2013 | Good | 27 | 89 | 1 | 4 | 5 | Engine | 22.5 | — |
| 2014 | Caution | 67 | 105 | 5 | 1 | 5 | Engine | 24 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Good | 47 | 99 | 3 | 1 | 6 | Engine | 24 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 53 | 77 | 9 | 1 | 5 | Engine | 24 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Best | 0 | 42 | 3 | 0 | 5 | Engine | 21.5 | 4★ |
| 2018 | Avoid | 100 | 204 | 10 | 0 | 6 ! | Electrical System | 25 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Good | 40 | 52 | 5 | 0 | 5 | Electrical System | 24 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Best | 13 | 25 | 3 | 1 | 6 | Electrical System | 25.5 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 60 | 73 | 2 | 0 | 8 | Electrical System | 25 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Best | 20 | 22 | 4 | 1 | 4 | Electrical System | 25 | — |
| 2023 | Avoid | 87 | 43 | 6 | 1 | 5 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 25 | — |
| 2024 | Best | 7 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 24 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Avoid | 93 | 42 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 25 | 5★ |
Q5 years to avoid: what went wrong
2018 Audi Q5 Index 100 · 204 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2018 Q5 ranks worst overall with a Complaint Index of 100, 204 complaints, 10 crashes, and 6 recalls including one do-not-drive recall. Electrical System issues lead at 38% (78 complaints), with a median failure mileage of 30,950 miles. Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration and brake failures in parking-lot situations, some resulting in crashes. Structure & body complaints, at 13% with median mileage of 32,827, relate to recalls for loosening rear wheel arch trim and water ingress affecting the gateway control module. Engine complaints (22%) surfaced earlier, around 21,371 miles.
2018 electrical system problems →2018 engine problems →2018 suspension, wheels & tires problems →
2025 Audi Q5 Index 93 · 42 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2025 Q5 has a Complaint Index of 93 from 42 complaints and 2 crashes, with only 1 recall so far covering incorrectly manufactured driver and front passenger seat belts. Collision Avoidance & Cameras complaints lead at 55% (23 complaints), including reports of brakes applying forcefully without warning. Electrical System issues follow at 45%, with one case citing a median failure mileage of 10 miles and an unexplained knocking sound from the dashboard. A separate report describes fuel flooding causing stalling and misfires during idling.
2025 collision avoidance & cameras problems →2025 electrical system problems →
2023 Audi Q5 Index 87 · 43 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2023 Q5 carries a Complaint Index of 87 across 43 complaints with 6 crashes and 5 injuries reported. Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues lead at 30% (13 complaints); owners describe the Audi pre sense system triggering unnecessary hard braking during normal driving. Electrical System complaints follow at 23%, including reports of sudden acceleration paired with brake unresponsiveness. Recalls for this year address engine cylinder head cover screws and high-voltage battery overheating risk. Exact failure mileages were not reported for this model year.
2012 Audi Q5 Index 80 · 168 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2012 Q5 has a Complaint Index of 80 with 168 complaints and 6 recalls. Airbags dominate the complaint mix at 51% (85 complaints), with a median failure mileage of 50,000 miles. Owners report crashes where airbags failed to deploy, plus a related recall covering the driver frontal air bag inflator and a sunroof drainage recall tied to airbag inflator corrosion. Engine complaints made up 29% of reports, with failures reported around 77,700 miles. A separate fuel system recall addressed fuel pump flange issues. No do-not-drive recalls apply to this year.
2012 airbags problems →2012 engine problems →2012 fuel system problems →
Most common Audi Q5 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine385 (30%)
- Airbags240 (18%)
- Electrical System230 (18%)
- Fuel System152 (12%)
- Other149 (11%)
- Steering95 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras94 (7%)
- Brakes88 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain86 (7%)
- Structure & Body85 (7%)
Frequently asked questions
- Which Audi Q5 years should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2012, 2018, 2023, and 2025 Q5 model years are the ones to avoid, with Complaint Index scores of 80, 100, 87, and 93 respectively — all relative to other Q5 years.
- What is the best Audi Q5 model year?
- The 2017, 2020, 2022, and 2024 Q5 model years score best based on NHTSA data, with Complaint Index values of 0, 13, 20, and 7.
- Is the 2018 Audi Q5 reliable?
- The 2018 Q5 has the highest Complaint Index of any year (100), with 204 complaints, 10 crashes, and 6 recalls including one do-not-drive recall, making it the worst-ranked Q5 year in NHTSA data.
- What are the most common Audi Q5 problems?
- Across all Q5 model years, Engine issues account for 30% of complaints (385), followed by Airbags at 18% (240) and Electrical System at 18% (230).
- Does the Audi Q5 have any do-not-drive recalls?
- Yes, the 2018 Audi Q5 has one do-not-drive recall on record, the only year in the dataset with this designation.