2018 Audi Q5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2018 Audi Q5 ranks worst of 18 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100 and 204 complaints, mostly electrical (38%) and engine (22%) issues. It carries 6 recalls, including one do-not-drive brake recall, earning an Avoid verdict.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 18 Q5 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 204
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- 1 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 10
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 23 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2018 Audi Q5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System78 (38%)
- Engine44 (22%)
- Other44 (22%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires30 (15%)
- Structure & Body26 (13%)
- Brakes23 (11%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras22 (11%)
- Airbags13 (6%)
- Steering11 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain10 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration while slowly parking, with the car lurching forward despite the brake pedal being applied.
- Some report the vehicle failing to stop or actually speeding up when brakes were depressed in parking lots, leading to curb climbs and collisions with buildings or fences.
- One owner said the advertised pre-sense collision-avoidance system failed to prevent a low-speed accident at a red light.
- Another described being rear-ended while stopped in traffic, after which the airbags did not deploy despite the impact.
- Several incidents ended with the vehicle towed after crashing into walls, curbs, or parked cars during low-speed maneuvers.
2018 Audi Q5 recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V947000Dec 8, 2021Structure & Body288,991 vehicles
Structure:body
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, 2018-2022 Q5, and SQ5 vehicles. A liquid spill in the rear seat, or water ingress from an insufficient body seam underneath the vehicle may allow liquid to penetrate the gateway control module, causing it to shutdown.
Risk: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover on the gateway control module and seal an underbody seam as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90S9.
- NHTSA 19V737000Oct 16, 2019Structure & Body174,278 vehicles
Structure:body
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi SQ5 and 2018-2020 Audi Q5 vehicles. The rear wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach from the vehicle.
Risk: The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four clips securing the forward part of the rear wheel arch trim, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 66K8.
- NHTSA 19V416000Jun 5, 2019Suspension, Wheels & Tires126,161 vehicles
Wheels:hub
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach.
Risk: The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will secure the wheel arch trim with an additional screw and nut, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 66K6.
2018 Audi Q5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,200
- 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.
2018 compared with other Q5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Audi Q5 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018 Q5 has the highest complaint index (100) of any Q5 model year and ranks worst overall, so it is rated Avoid relative to other Q5 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Audi Q5?
- Electrical system complaints make up 38% of reports, followed by engine issues at 22% and suspension, wheels, and tires at 15%, according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2018 Audi Q5 have a brake recall?
- Yes. Recall 18V369000 covers brake caliper pistons and is a do-not-drive recall for certain 2018 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles.
- What year Audi Q5 should I avoid?
- The 2018, 2011, 2012, 2023, and 2025 model years all carry an Avoid verdict, with 2018 having the highest complaint index at 100 among the 18 years tracked.
- How many recalls does the 2018 Audi Q5 have?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2018 Audi Q5, including one do-not-drive brake recall.