2011 Audi Q5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
73/100
#5 most-complained of 16 Q5 years
The 2011 Audi Q5 has a Complaint Index of 73, ranking 5th worst out of 16 model years, with 143 complaints, 5 recalls, and a Caution verdict. Airbags account for 47% of complaints, followed by engine issues at 31%.
- Complaints
- 143
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 4 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 25 hwy
Top 2011 Audi Q5 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags67 (47%)
- Engine44 (31%)
- Fuel System32 (22%)
- Transmission & Powertrain12 (8%)
- Electrical System9 (6%)
- Other8 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (3%)
- Brakes4 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (3%)
- Steering3 (2%)
What owners report
- Airbag inflators failed to deploy in head-on collisions, with owners reporting recall repairs delayed due to unavailable parts.
- Engine fires occurred without warning, in one case starting while the vehicle was parked and unattended.
- High oil consumption forced some owners to add a quart of oil every few days, with dealers describing the burn rate as within acceptable limits.
- The transmission displayed a 'gearbox malfunction' error and refused to engage gears while shifting from 1st to 2nd during a turn.
- The engine abruptly shut down at low speeds multiple times, including while backing out of a garage, despite a full fuel tank and good battery.
- A dashboard warning for 'parking brake malfunction' preceded a sudden stop on the highway that led to a multi-car collision.
2011 Audi Q5 recalls
5 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 17V001000Jan 3, 2017Airbags234,057 vehicles
Air bags:side/window
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Audi Q5 vehicles. The sunroof drainage system may allow water to soak into the foam surrounding the side head air bag inflator canister resulting in the corrosion of the canister. If this happens, the corrosion can weaken the canister and the inflator could fracture without air bag deployment, propelling fragments into the passenger compartment, striking and causing serious injury to vehicle occupants.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator and either coat it or replace it, as necessary, after removing the surrounding foam, free of charge. The recall is expected to began March 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69P1.
2011 Audi Q5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,825
- 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.
2011 compared with other Q5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Audi Q5 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a Complaint Index of 73 for the 2011 Q5, ranking 5th worst among 16 model years tracked, earning a Caution verdict relative to other Q5 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Audi Q5?
- Airbags are the top problem area with 67 complaints (47% share) at a median mileage of 55,000, followed by engine issues with 44 complaints (31% share) at a median mileage of 78,000.
- Does the 2011 Audi Q5 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2011 Audi Q5, covering airbags and fuel system components, including a driver's frontal airbag inflator replacement and a fuel pump flange inspection.
- How does the 2011 Q5 compare to other Q5 model years?
- The 2011 Q5's Complaint Index of 73 is worse than 2010 (33), 2013 (27), 2015 (47), and several later years, but better than 2012 (80) and 2018 (100), which rank as Avoid.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Audi Q5?
- EPA rates the 2011 Audi Q5 at 21 mpg combined (19 city / 25 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,825.