2010 Audi Q5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2010 Audi Q5 has 100 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 47, and 4 recalls, ranking 10th worst out of 18 model years — a Good verdict compared to other Q5 years. Airbags and fuel system issues make up most complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 47/100
- #10 of 18 Q5 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 100
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- 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 2010 Audi Q5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags50 (50%)
- Fuel System32 (32%)
- Engine9 (9%)
- Electrical System8 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain8 (8%)
- Structure & Body5 (5%)
- Other2 (2%)
- Steering2 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (2%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report hard, jerky downshifts from 2nd to 1st gear and hard upshifts from 1st to 2nd, accompanied by a clunk and a lunge.
- Some describe hesitation or a total lack of acceleration from a stop, requiring the driver to floor the pedal before the transmission engages.
- Several owners report sudden coolant loss, sometimes traced to a failed water pump, disabling the vehicle and requiring a tow.
- One owner reported a camshaft sensor failure that triggered the EPC system and forced the vehicle into safe mode, with repeated failed repair attempts.
- A windshield wiper reportedly fractured off the vehicle during a car wash and in heavy rain.
- One driver reported sudden loss of power and stalling in fast-moving highway traffic linked to the fuel system.
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?
- NHTSA data shows the 2010 Q5 has a complaint index of 47 and ranks 10th worst of 18 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other Q5 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2010 Audi Q5?
- Airbags account for 50% of complaints and fuel system issues account for 32%, with a median failure mileage of 70,000 miles for airbags and 94,000 miles for the fuel system.
- Does the 2010 Audi Q5 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2010 Q5, covering airbag inflators (including a Takata-related campaign) and a fuel pump flange that could crack.
- How does the 2010 Q5 compare to the 2011 and 2012 Q5?
- The 2010 Q5 has a much lower complaint index (47) than the 2011 (76) and 2012 (82) model years, which are both rated Avoid.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2010 Audi Q5?
- The 2010 Q5 gets an EPA-rated 20 mpg combined (18 city / 23 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $4,000.