YearToAvoid

2017 Audi Q5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

0/100

#16 most-complained of 16 Q5 years

The 2017 Audi Q5 has a complaint index of 0 and ranks 1st out of 16 model years, earning a "Best" verdict. It has 42 complaints and 5 recalls, with Engine issues making up 50% of complaints at a median 17,500 miles.

Complaints
42
Recalls
5
Crashes / fires
3 / 0
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
21.5
19 city / 26.5 hwy

Top 2017 Audi Q5 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine21 (50%)
  2. Fuel System7 (17%)
  3. Brakes4 (10%)
  4. Electrical System4 (10%)
  5. Steering4 (10%)
  6. Airbags3 (7%)
  7. Other3 (7%)
  8. Structure & Body3 (7%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (5%)
  10. Seat Belts1 (2%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the brake pedal feeling like it slows the vehicle but fails to bring it to a complete stop, with the vehicle continuing to roll and the engine revving unexpectedly.
  • Some drivers describe airbags failing to deploy and seatbelt pretensioners not engaging during moderate-speed collisions.
  • Owners report a fuel system warning light urging them to drive under 35 mph and get to a dealer, tied to a recall for a fuel pump flange that can crack.
  • A clicking or clunking noise from the rear suspension was reported when starting from a stop or accelerating, traced to a rear sub-frame bushing.
  • Owners describe receiving recall notices for the coolant pump or fuel pump but being told replacement parts were unavailable for an extended period.
2017 Audi Q5 complaints: complaints filed per month3Mar 2017Jun 2018Mar 2019May 2020Nov 2022Aug 2023Dec 2025
54 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2017 to Jun 2026; peak Oct 2017 (3).

2017 Audi Q5 recalls

5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. NHTSA 17V297000May 3, 2017Transmission & Powertrain5 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Audi Q5 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing defect within the gearbox, despite selecting the Park position, the vehicle may still unexpectedly roll.

    Risk: Despite selecting 'Park', if the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the geabox in the affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37K6.

  3. 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.

See all 5 recalls for the 2017 Audi Q5 →

2017 Audi Q5 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
19 MPG
Highway
26.5 MPG
Combined
21.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,725
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium or E85
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.

2017 compared with other Q5 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Good4799624
2016Caution5377524
2017Best042521.5
2018Avoid1002046 !25
2019Good4052524

All Audi Q5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Audi Q5 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2017 Q5 has a complaint index of 0, the lowest of all 16 model years covered, giving it a "Best" verdict relative to other Q5 years.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Audi Q5?
Engine issues account for 50% of complaints (21 of 42), with a median failure mileage of 17,500 miles. Fuel System problems make up 17% of complaints, with a median mileage of 42,900 miles.
Does the 2017 Audi Q5 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2017 Audi Q5, covering the engine coolant pump, transmission/gearbox, fuel pump flange, and airbag inflator affected by sunroof drainage water.
How does the 2017 Q5 compare to other Q5 model years?
The 2017 Q5 ranks 16th out of 16 years worst-to-best (meaning it ranks 1st best), with a complaint index of 0 versus 100 for the worst year, 2018, and 80 for 2012.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.