2015 Audi Q5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2015 Audi Q5 has a complaint index of 53, ranking 9th out of 18 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate at 45% of complaints, with 6 recalls covering engine, fuel system, electrical, and airbag issues.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 53/100
- #9 of 18 Q5 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 99
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21.5 city / 28.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2015 Audi Q5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine45 (45%)
- Other14 (14%)
- Steering14 (14%)
- Fuel System12 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires11 (11%)
- Electrical System6 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (5%)
- Brakes4 (4%)
- Structure & Body4 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (4%)
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 locked up or became hard to turn while driving at low speed, making it impossible to steer out of a curve.
- Steering gear reportedly became dislodged, affecting vehicle control.
- Owners noticed an abnormal burning odor from the front of the vehicle, later tied to a recalled component.
- Rear brake experienced sudden failure with no prior warning around 15,200 miles.
- Passenger-side mirror blocked view during a turn, which owners say contributed to a crash.
- Owners reported delays getting recall parts and said dealers gave no clear repair timeline.
2015 Audi Q5 recalls
6 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.
2015 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.
2015 compared with other Q5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Audi Q5 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2015 Audi Q5 a complaint index of 53, placing it 9th out of 18 model years and earning a Caution verdict relative to other Q5 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2015 Audi Q5?
- Engine issues are the top complaint area, making up 45% of all complaints for this model year, with a median failure mileage of 65,000 miles.
- Does the 2015 Audi Q5 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2015 Audi Q5, covering the engine, electrical system, fuel system, and airbags. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2015 Audi Q5 compare to other years?
- The 2015 model's complaint index of 53 is better than 2011, 2012, and 2018, which are rated Avoid, but worse than 2013, 2017, and other Good or Best years.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2015 Audi Q5?
- EPA rates the 2015 Audi Q5 at 24 mpg combined (21.5 city / 28.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,650.