2011 Audi Q5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2011 Audi Q5 has a complaint index of 76, ranking 5th worst out of 18 model years, with a verdict of Avoid relative to other Q5 years. Owners logged 143 complaints, led by airbags (67, 47%) and engine issues (44, 31%), plus 5 recall campaigns, two of them for airbags.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 76/100
- #5 of 18 Q5 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 143
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2011 Audi Q5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
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 the airbag inflator failing to deploy during head-on collisions, even after the vehicle was serviced under a recall.
- Some describe waiting over a year for dealers to have replacement airbag parts in stock to complete a recall repair.
- Engine oil consumption complaints describe needing to add a quart of oil every few days despite no warning lights.
- Two owners reported the engine catching fire, in one case while the car was parked and unattended.
- A fuel system complaint describes the engine abruptly shutting down at low speed, including while backing out of a garage.
- One owner reported a transmission failure between 1st and 2nd gear that displayed a 'gearbox malfunction' warning.
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?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 Q5 ranks 5th worst out of 18 model years with a complaint index of 76 and carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Q5 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2011 Audi Q5?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 67 complaints (47% of all complaints), including reports of airbags not deploying in crashes.
- Does the 2011 Audi Q5 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2011 Q5, covering airbags (three separate campaigns) and the fuel system (two campaigns) for a cracking fuel pump flange.
- Are engine problems common on the 2011 Audi Q5?
- Engine complaints make up 31% of reports (44 complaints), with owners describing high oil consumption and, in two cases, engine fires, at a median mileage of 78,000.
- What years of Audi Q5 should I avoid?
- Among Q5 years, 2011, 2012, 2018, 2023, and 2025 all carry an Avoid verdict, while 2017, 2022, and 2024 carry a Best verdict based on NHTSA complaint and recall data.