2012 Audi Q5 Airbags Problems
NHTSA lists 85 airbag complaints for the 2012 Audi Q5, 51% of all 168 complaints filed for that model year. Three related recalls cover the driver frontal airbag inflator and side head airbag inflator, with median failure mileage reported at 50,000 miles.
- Airbags complaints
- 85
- 51% of 168
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 50,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical airbag symptoms owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy during frontal collisions, including one crash at 55 mph and another where the vehicle struck a tree.
- Owners describe the Takata driver frontal airbag inflator recall (16V078000) as a defect they fear could injure them, even without a failure occurring.
- Multiple owners report being notified of the Takata recall but told replacement parts were unavailable for many months, leaving the airbag unrepaired.
- Dealers reportedly declined to provide loaner vehicles while owners waited for the recall part, despite the safety warning.
- Some owners say they only learned of the airbag recall long after it was issued, when bringing the vehicle in for another reason.
When 2012 Audi Q5 airbag complaints were filed
First complaint Apr 23, 2016, latest May 12, 2026.
Airbags recalls for the 2012 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 many airbag complaints does the 2012 Audi Q5 have?
- NHTSA lists 85 airbag complaints for the 2012 Audi Q5, which is 51% of the 168 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there an airbag recall for the 2012 Audi Q5?
- Yes. NHTSA lists three airbag-related recalls covering this year: campaign 16V078000 for the driver frontal airbag inflator, 18V082000 for an alternative inflator replacement, and 17V001000 for side head airbag inflators affected by sunroof drainage issues.
- At what mileage do 2012 Audi Q5 airbag problems occur?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for airbag complaints on this model year is 50,000 miles.
- Did the 2012 Audi Q5 airbag issue cause any crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data shows 2 crashes linked to airbag complaints for this model year, with 0 fires and 0 injuries reported.
- Is the 2012 Audi Q5 worse than other years for airbag complaints?
- Yes, relative to other Q5 model years. The 2012 model's 51% share of airbag complaints matches 2010 (51%) and exceeds most later years, which fall to single-digit percentages from 2013 onward.