2014 Audi Q5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2014 Audi Q5 has a complaint index of 65 and ranks 7th worst out of 18 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate with 40 complaints (38% of the total), followed by steering issues, and NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 65/100
- #7 of 18 Q5 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 105
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 7
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21.5 city / 28.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
Top 2014 Audi Q5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine40 (38%)
- Steering17 (16%)
- Electrical System12 (11%)
- Fuel System12 (11%)
- Structure & Body12 (11%)
- Other11 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (8%)
- Brakes7 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (6%)
- Airbags3 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering wheel loses resistance or fails to respond to speed changes while driving at highway speed.
- Electromechanical steering unit locks up and requires heavy force to turn, sometimes recurring after a prior repair.
- Vehicle rolls backward from a stop when the accelerator is pressed due to the auto start/stop system malfunctioning.
- Brakes, steering, and accelerator all become unresponsive simultaneously at low mileage, leading to loss of vehicle control.
- Smoke appears from the rear of the vehicle shortly after purchase, tied to an engine issue.
- Brake rotors and pads wear out or develop hot spots at low mileage, causing pulsating and grinding.
2014 Audi Q5 recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V229000Apr 11, 2018Engine342,867 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.
Risk: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.
- NHTSA 17V622000Oct 5, 2017Electrical System216,913 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad and Q5 vehicles. Contact corrosion within the electrical connector for the auxiliary heater may cause the heater wires to overheat or melt.
Risk: The melted wires can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary heater and, as necessary, update the software, free of charge. The Recall began November 27, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 80C5 and 80C6.
- NHTSA 17V298000May 3, 2017Fuel System240,487 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Audi Q5 and 2013-2017 Audi Q7 vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel pump flange that 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 replace the fuel pump flange if cracks are present. Flanges that do not have cracks will have a protective film applied. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20Z8. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 16V-660.
2014 Audi Q5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21.5 MPG
- Highway
- 28.5 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,650
- 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.
2014 compared with other Q5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Audi Q5 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2014 Q5 carries a complaint index of 65 and a Caution verdict, ranking 7th worst among 18 Q5 model years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2014 Audi Q5?
- Engine complaints lead with 40 reports (38% of all complaints), followed by steering at 17 complaints and electrical system and fuel system issues at 12 complaints each.
- Does the 2014 Audi Q5 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2014 Q5, covering the engine coolant pump, an electrical auxiliary heater connector, a fuel pump flange that may crack and leak, and side airbag inflators affected by sunroof drainage water.
- How does the 2014 Q5 compare to other years?
- The 2014 Q5's complaint index of 65 is worse than years like 2017 (18, Best) and 2013 (35, Good), but better than 2012 (82, Avoid) and 2018 (100, Avoid).
- What mileage do problems typically show up at on the 2014 Q5?
- The median mileage at failure across complaints is 50,000, though engine complaints show a median of 64,683 miles and electrical issues appear much earlier at 16,000 miles.