2010 Audi Q5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
33/100
#11 most-complained of 16 Q5 years
The 2010 Audi Q5 has 99 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and a complaint index of 33, ranking 11th of 16 model years. That places it in the "Good" tier relative to other Q5 years, well below the 2018 model's index of 100.
- Complaints
- 99
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 18 city / 23 hwy
Top 2010 Audi Q5 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags50 (51%)
- Fuel System32 (32%)
- Engine9 (9%)
- Electrical System8 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (7%)
- Structure & Body5 (5%)
- Other2 (2%)
- Steering2 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (2%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners describe a hesitation or lack of acceleration when moving from a stop, requiring them to floor the pedal before the transmission engages.
- Some report a hard downshift from 2nd to 1st gear and a hard upshift from 1st to 2nd, with a clunk and a jerk or lunge.
- Engine complaints describe sudden coolant loss, including cases where the vehicle had to be towed after the coolant light came on.
- One owner reported a camshaft sensor failure that triggered the EPC system and put the vehicle into safe mode, with an initial repair attempt that did not fix the issue.
- A windshield wiper reportedly fractured off the vehicle during driving in bad weather and again after a car wash.
2010 Audi Q5 recalls
4 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.
2010 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.
2010 compared with other Q5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Audi Q5 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2010 Q5 has a complaint index of 33 and ranks 11th out of 16 model years, putting it in the "Good" tier relative to other Q5 years.
- What problems does the 2010 Audi Q5 have?
- NHTSA data shows Airbags account for 51% of complaints and Fuel System 32%. Owners also reported transmission hesitation and hard shifting, coolant loss, and a camshaft sensor failure.
- Does the 2010 Audi Q5 have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2010 Q5, covering airbag inflators (two separate campaigns) and a fuel pump flange that can crack.
- How does the 2010 Q5 compare to other Q5 years?
- The 2010 Q5's complaint index of 33 is much lower than the 2018 Q5's index of 100 and the 2012 Q5's index of 80, both rated "Avoid," making 2010 a comparatively safer pick.