YearToAvoid

2018 Audi Q5 Brakes Problems

Brakes account for 23 complaints on the 2018 Audi Q5, 11% of all 204 complaints filed for the year, including 4 crashes. Two related recalls (19V277000 and 18V369000) cover a short brake master cylinder casting and brake caliper piston issues, with a median failure mileage of 5,750.

Brakes complaints
23
11% of 204
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
5,750 mi
Related recalls
2

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the Audi pre-sense system triggering sudden, harsh automatic braking with no obstacle present, sometimes bringing the car to a near or full stop unexpectedly.
  • Several drivers describe the vehicle lurching forward or accelerating on its own while braking, especially at low speed in parking lots, leading to collisions with structures or curbs.
  • Some owners report grinding or squealing brakes that dealers could not resolve, with one owner told rotors and pads needed replacement on a two-year-old vehicle.
  • A metallic clanging sound was reported when pressing the brake pedal, occurring inconsistently and described as a safety concern.
  • Owners describe sudden, forceful stops while driving at highway or moderate speeds accompanied by a loud grinding noise, occurring with no apparent cause.

When 2018 Audi Q5 brake complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 22, 2018, latest Aug 17, 2026.

2018 Audi Q5 brakes complaints: complaints filed per month2Jan 2018Mar 2019Sep 2019Sep 2020Jun 2022Jul 2023Mar 2026Aug 2026
23 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2018 to Aug 2026; peak Jul 2023 (2).

Brakes recalls for the 2018 Audi Q5

  1. NHTSA 19V277000Apr 8, 2019Brakes12,645 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake master cylinder casting may be too short.

    Risk: A short casting can cause a sudden loss of brakes, increasing the risk of crash. The electronic parking brake and its emergency brake function are not affected and will still function.

    Remedy: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the brake master cylinder, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 3, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 47O9.

  2. NHTSA 18V369000Jun 1, 2018Brakes10,225 vehiclesDo Not Drive

    Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.

    Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.

Brakes complaints by Q5 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20101 (1%)
  2. 20114 (3%)
  3. 20123 (2%)
  4. 20136 (7%)
  5. 20147 (7%)
  6. 20154 (4%)
  7. 20164 (5%)
  8. 20174 (10%)
  9. 201823 (11%)
  10. 20197 (13%)
  11. 20202 (8%)
  12. 20214 (5%)
  13. 20220 (0%)
  14. 20234 (9%)
  15. 20245 (25%)
  16. 202510 (24%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does the 2018 Audi Q5 have?
NHTSA lists 23 brake-related complaints for the 2018 Audi Q5, which is 11% of the 204 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a brake recall for the 2018 Audi Q5?
Yes. Recall 19V277000 covers a brake master cylinder casting that may be too short, and recall 18V369000 covers brake caliper pistons; the latter is a do-not-drive recall until repaired.
At what mileage do brake problems tend to show up on the 2018 Q5?
The median mileage at failure for brake complaints on the 2018 Audi Q5 is 5,750 miles.
Did the brake issues cause crashes?
NHTSA data shows 4 crashes tied to brake complaints on the 2018 Audi Q5, with no reported fires or injuries.

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.