YearToAvoid

2018 Audi Q5 Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 44 engine-area complaints for the 2018 Audi Q5, making up 22% of all 204 complaints filed for the year. Owners report sudden unintended acceleration, engine shut-off while driving, and coolant leaks from the thermostat housing, with a median failure mileage of 21,371.5. No related recalls are listed for this issue.

Engine complaints
44
22% of 204
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
21,372 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration while pulling into or out of parking spaces, with the car surging forward despite braking.
  • Some report the engine shutting off entirely while driving at highway speed, forcing the vehicle to coast to the shoulder and requiring a tow.
  • A malfunction indicator light has appeared shortly after purchase in some cases, including one report of a full engine replacement not resolving the warning.
  • Several owners describe the vehicle continuing to accelerate after taking their foot off the gas pedal, requiring hard braking to stop.
  • One owner reported a leaking thermostat housing causing coolant loss, describing it as a known issue at low mileage.

When 2018 Audi Q5 engine complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 2, 2018, latest Aug 27, 2026.

2018 Audi Q5 engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Mar 2018May 2020Feb 2023Aug 2023Jul 2024May 2025Apr 2026
44 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2018 to Aug 2026; peak Feb 2024 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2018 Audi Q5

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Q5 model year

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

  1. 20109 (9%)
  2. 201144 (31%)
  3. 201249 (29%)
  4. 201335 (39%)
  5. 201440 (38%)
  6. 201545 (45%)
  7. 201637 (48%)
  8. 201721 (50%)
  9. 201844 (22%)
  10. 201912 (23%)
  11. 20206 (24%)
  12. 202119 (26%)
  13. 20227 (32%)
  14. 20237 (16%)
  15. 20241 (5%)
  16. 20259 (21%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2018 Audi Q5 have?
NHTSA lists 44 engine-related complaints for the 2018 Audi Q5, which is 22% of the 204 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2018 Audi Q5 engine problems?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this engine issue as of the latest update.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up on the 2018 Audi Q5?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this engine issue is 21,371.5 miles.
What kind of engine problems do 2018 Audi Q5 owners report?
Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration, the engine shutting off while driving, dashboard warning lights, and coolant leaks from the thermostat housing.
Have any crashes or injuries been linked to these engine complaints?
NHTSA data tied to this problem area for the 2018 Audi Q5 shows 4 crashes and 1 injury, with no fires reported.

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.