YearToAvoid

2010 Audi Q5 Fuel System Problems

NHTSA lists 32 fuel system complaints for the 2010 Audi Q5, 32% of all 100 complaints filed for the model year. The issue is tied to two recalls (16V660000 and 18V818000) covering a cracked fuel pump flange that can leak fuel. Median mileage at failure was 94,000.

Fuel System complaints
32
32% of 100 complaints
All complaints this year
100
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
94,000 mi
Related recalls
2

Typical fuel system symptoms owners report

  • Owners report a strong fuel odor inside the cabin, sometimes strong enough to trigger a carbon dioxide alarm in an attached garage.
  • Several describe the fuel pump flange cracking, letting gas leak out near the top of the tank close to the hot exhaust pipe.
  • One owner reported a sudden loss of power followed by a complete stall on the highway, leaving the vehicle stopped in traffic.
  • Multiple owners said dealers could not get replacement fuel pump flange parts for months after the recall notice, leaving the leak unresolved.
  • One owner said the fuel odor appeared only after an unrelated airbag recall repair was completed, with the fuel system left undiagnosed.

When 2010 Audi Q5 fuel system complaints were filed

First complaint Feb 17, 2016, latest Sep 22, 2026.

2010 Audi Q5 fuel system complaints: complaints filed per month2Feb 2016Oct 2016Mar 2017Aug 2018Oct 2019Oct 2020Apr 2023
32 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2016 to Sep 2026; peak Nov 2016 (2).

Fuel System recalls for the 2010 Audi Q5

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

Fuel System complaints by Q5 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20080 (0%)
  2. 20096 (19%)
  3. 201032 (32%)
  4. 201132 (22%)
  5. 201223 (14%)
  6. 20136 (7%)
  7. 201412 (11%)
  8. 201512 (12%)
  9. 20169 (12%)
  10. 20177 (17%)
  11. 20184 (2%)
  12. 20193 (6%)
  13. 20200 (0%)
  14. 20216 (8%)
  15. 20222 (9%)
  16. 20232 (5%)
  17. 20240 (0%)
  18. 20252 (5%)

Frequently asked questions

How many fuel system complaints does NHTSA have for the 2010 Audi Q5?
NHTSA lists 32 fuel system complaints for the 2010 Audi Q5, which is 32% of the 100 total complaints filed for this model year.
Is there a recall for the 2010 Audi Q5 fuel system?
Yes. Two recalls cover it: 16V660000 (2016) and 18V818000 (2018), both addressing a fuel pump flange that can crack and leak fuel. The 2018 recall was issued because vehicles repaired under the 2016 recall still needed a fix.
What mileage do fuel system problems show up at on the 2010 Q5?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 94,000 at the time of the reported failure.
Did the fuel system issue cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA records 2 crashes and 2 injuries linked to complaints in this area for the 2010 Audi Q5, with no fires reported.
Which model years have the most fuel system complaints besides 2010?
The 2011 Q5 also has 32 fuel system complaints (22% share), while 2012 has 23 complaints (14% share), based on NHTSA data.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.