2011 Audi Q5 Airbags Problems
Airbags account for 67 of 143 complaints (47%) on the 2011 Audi Q5, the highest share among model years shown. Three Takata-related recalls cover driver frontal inflators and the side head airbag inflator, with 2 injuries and 3 crashes reported and a median failure mileage of 55,000.
- Airbags complaints
- 67
- 47% of 143
- Crashes reported
- 3
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 55,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical airbag symptoms owners report
- Owners report frontal airbags failing to deploy during head-on collisions, including two cases where the airbag did not activate on impact.
- Multiple owners describe long waits for Takata recall parts, with dealers unable to supply replacement inflators for a year or more after notification.
- Some owners say they felt unsafe driving the vehicle while waiting for the recall repair, including one owner with a young child in the car.
- Owners report difficulty trading in or selling the vehicle because of the open Takata airbag recall.
- One dealership employee reported inability to source recall parts even while trying to sell used Q5 units.
When 2011 Audi Q5 airbag complaints were filed
First complaint Mar 28, 2016, latest Jan 30, 2023.
Airbags recalls for the 2011 Audi Q5
- 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.
- NHTSA 16V078000Feb 10, 2016Airbags659,493 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Airbags complaints by Q5 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are airbag complaints on the 2011 Audi Q5?
- Airbags make up 67 of the 143 total complaints filed for the 2011 Audi Q5, or 47% of all complaints for that year.
- Is there an airbag recall for the 2011 Audi Q5?
- Yes. NHTSA lists three airbag-related recalls covering the 2011 Q5: campaign 16V078000 for driver frontal airbag inflators, 17V001000 for side head airbag inflators affected by sunroof drainage water, and 18V082000 for an alternative driver frontal inflator replacement.
- Have airbag failures caused injuries or crashes on the 2011 Q5?
- NHTSA data shows 3 crashes and 2 injuries linked to airbag complaints on the 2011 Audi Q5, with no fires reported.
- At what mileage do airbag problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure for airbag complaints on the 2011 Audi Q5 is 55,000 miles.
- Do other Q5 model years have similar airbag complaint rates?
- Yes, the 2010 and 2012 Q5 show comparable airbag complaint shares of 51% each, while later years like 2013 through 2019 show much lower shares, from 1% to 7%.