Audi Q5 Best and Worst Years (2008–2025)
Audi Q5 years to avoid are 2011, 2012, 2018, 2023, and 2025, with complaint indexes of 76, 82, 100, 88, and 94. The best years are 2017, 2022, and 2024, each with low complaint indexes of 18, 24, and 6.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2011Avoid 2012Avoid 2018Avoid 2023Avoid 2025Best 2017Best 2022Best 2024
- Model years
- 18
- 2008–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 1,335
- Recall campaigns
- 33
- Crashes reported
- 64
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | No verdict | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | — | — |
| 2009 | Good | 12 | 31 | 2 | 0 | 6 | Airbags | 20 | — |
| 2010 | Good | 47 | 100 | 2 | 0 | 4 | Airbags | 20 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 76 | 143 | 4 | 2 | 5 | Airbags | 21 | — |
| 2012 | Avoid | 82 | 168 | 3 | 0 | 6 | Airbags | 21 | — |
| 2013 | Good | 35 | 89 | 1 | 4 | 5 | Engine | 22.5 | — |
| 2014 | Caution | 65 | 105 | 5 | 1 | 5 | Engine | 24 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 53 | 99 | 3 | 1 | 6 | Engine | 24 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 59 | 77 | 9 | 1 | 5 | Engine | 24 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Best | 18 | 42 | 3 | 0 | 5 | Engine | 21.5 | 4★ |
| 2018 | Avoid | 100 | 204 | 10 | 0 | 6 ! | Electrical System | 25 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Good | 41 | 52 | 5 | 0 | 5 | Electrical System | 24 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Good | 29 | 25 | 3 | 1 | 6 | Electrical System | 25.5 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 71 | 73 | 2 | 0 | 8 | Electrical System | 25 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Best | 24 | 22 | 4 | 1 | 4 | Electrical System | 25 | — |
| 2023 | Avoid | 88 | 43 | 6 | 1 | 5 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 25 | — |
| 2024 | Best | 6 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 24 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Avoid | 94 | 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 has the highest complaint index of all years at 100, with 204 complaints, and one do-not-drive recall. Electrical system issues lead at 38% of complaints (median mileage 30,950), followed by engine problems at 22% (median 21,371.5 miles) and suspension/wheel/tire issues at 15% (median 20,900 miles). Owners report sudden unintended acceleration, brakes failing to stop the vehicle, and false collision-avoidance activation. NHTSA lists six recalls, including wheel arch trim detachment and a body seam water-ingress fix.
2018 electrical system problems →2018 engine problems →2018 suspension, wheels & tires problems →
2025 Audi Q5 Index 94 · 42 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2025 Q5 has a complaint index of 94 from 42 complaints. Collision avoidance and camera issues lead at 55% of complaints, followed by electrical system problems at 45% (median mileage 10 miles) and brake issues at 24%. Owners describe sudden unexpected braking, transmission misfires and stalling after idling, and unexplained dashboard knocking sounds. One recall campaign covers driver and front passenger seat belts that may have been manufactured incorrectly.
2025 collision avoidance & cameras problems →2025 electrical system problems →
2023 Audi Q5 Index 88 · 43 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2023 Q5 has a complaint index of 88 from 43 complaints. Collision avoidance and camera problems lead at 30% of complaints, followed by electrical system issues at 23% and engine problems at 16%. Owners describe sudden loss of brakes paired with unintended acceleration, and false Audi Presense activations that slammed the brakes without cause. Five recall campaigns apply, including a high-voltage battery overheating fix and a cylinder head cover screw inspection.
2012 Audi Q5 Index 82 · 168 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2012 Q5 carries a complaint index of 82, with 168 complaints. Airbags dominate at 51% of complaints (median mileage 50,000), followed by engine problems at 29% (median 77,700 miles) and fuel system issues at 14% (median 70,200 miles). Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration and airbags that did not deploy during crashes. Six recall campaigns apply to this year, including fuel pump flange replacement and the same driver airbag inflator recall seen in 2011.
2012 airbags problems →2012 engine problems →2012 fuel system problems →
2011 Audi Q5 Index 76 · 143 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2011 Q5 has a complaint index of 76 out of 1,335 total complaints across all years, with 143 complaints for this year alone. Airbags account for 47% of complaints, at a median mileage of 55,000 miles, followed by engine issues (31%, median 78,000 miles) and fuel system problems (22%, median 92,642 miles). Owners describe airbags failing to deploy in collisions and report fires. NHTSA lists five recall campaigns, including a sunroof-drainage recall that let water reach the side airbag inflator and a driver frontal airbag inflator replacement tied to the same defect family as other Audi and Volkswagen models.
2011 airbags problems →2011 engine problems →2011 fuel system problems →
Most common Audi Q5 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine388 (29%)
- Airbags256 (19%)
- Electrical System231 (17%)
- Fuel System158 (12%)
- Other152 (11%)
- Steering96 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras94 (7%)
- Brakes89 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain88 (7%)
- Structure & Body86 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Audi Q5 should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the years to avoid are 2011, 2012, 2018, 2023, and 2025, with the 2018 model having the highest complaint index of 100.
- What are the best Audi Q5 years?
- The 2017, 2022, and 2024 model years are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 18, 24, and 6 respectively, the lowest among all Q5 years.
- What is the most common problem with the Audi Q5?
- Across all years, engine problems make up 29% of the 1,335 total complaints, followed by airbags at 19% and electrical system issues at 17%.
- Does the 2018 Audi Q5 have a recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists six recall campaigns for the 2018 Q5, including a do-not-drive recall, plus wheel arch trim detachment and a body seam water-ingress issue.
- Is the 2011 or 2012 Audi Q5 reliable?
- Both years are rated Avoid based on NHTSA data. The 2011 has a complaint index of 76 and the 2012 has 82, with airbags making up 47% and 51% of complaints respectively.