2009 Audi Q5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2009 Audi Q5 has a complaint index of 12, the second-lowest among the 16 model years with data, and carries a Good verdict. It still logs 6 recall campaigns, mostly for airbags and fuel system issues, and its verdict is capped at Good rather than Best due to incomplete complaint records for 2005-2009.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 12/100
- #16 of 18 Q5 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 31
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 18 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2009 Audi Q5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags16 (52%)
- Fuel System6 (19%)
- Engine3 (10%)
- Other3 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (6%)
- Brakes1 (3%)
- Electrical System1 (3%)
- Steering1 (3%)
- Structure & Body1 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy in low-speed and frontal crashes, including one where the vehicle spun into a light pole.
- A strong gasoline smell develops from underneath the rear passenger area, traced to a cracked plastic fuel pump inside the tank.
- The transmission lunges forward unexpectedly when downshifting from second to first gear at very low mileage.
- A loud popping sound and dashboard warning appear after the car sits idle overnight before starting.
- The front driver-side wheel bearing makes an abnormal noise at various driving speeds.
- Owners report long waits for Takata airbag recall parts, with dealers unable to say when repairs will happen.
2009 Audi Q5 recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V818000Nov 19, 2018Fuel System5,987 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
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.
- NHTSA 18V082000Jan 30, 2018Airbags162,782 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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.
- NHTSA 16V660000Sep 13, 2016Fuel System143,214 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
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.
2009 Audi Q5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,000
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other Q5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Audi Q5 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2009 Q5 has a complaint index of 12, the lowest among most other Q5 years, and it ranks 16th worst (meaning close to best) out of the 16 model years with data.
- What is the top problem area for the 2009 Audi Q5?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 16 of 31 complaints (52%), including failures to deploy in crashes.
- Does the 2009 Audi Q5 have a fuel system recall?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 16V660000, later followed up by 18V818000, covers a fuel pump flange that can crack and leak fuel; owners also reported a related plastic fuel pump fracture around 50,800 and 61,000 miles median.
- Why isn't the 2009 Audi Q5 rated Best?
- Its verdict is capped at Good because NHTSA complaint records for 2005-2009 model years are considered less complete, not because of a high complaint count.
- How many recalls does the 2009 Audi Q5 have?
- NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2009 Q5, covering airbags, fuel system, and an A-pillar trim clip issue.