2019 Audi Q5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2019 Audi Q5 has a complaint index of 41, ranking 11th worst out of 18 model years, and earns a Good verdict relative to other Q5 years. NHTSA lists 52 complaints and 5 recalls, with Electrical System issues topping the list at 27% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 41/100
- #11 of 18 Q5 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 52
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 22 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2019 Audi Q5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System14 (27%)
- Engine12 (23%)
- Brakes7 (13%)
- Steering7 (13%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras6 (12%)
- Other6 (12%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (12%)
- Seat Belts5 (10%)
- Structure & Body4 (8%)
- Airbags3 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering malfunction warnings appear at highway speed with sudden loss of power steering assist.
- Adaptive cruise control misreads roadside speed signs and abruptly slows the vehicle from 75 mph to 55 mph.
- Active lane keeping assist and driver attention monitoring trigger frequent false alerts on straight roads.
- Brakes reportedly fail to respond during slippery conditions, leading to loss of control and collisions.
- Vehicle allegedly moved forward on its own after being parked with the engine idling, striking a building.
- Rear wheel arch trim covered by recall loosens and detaches from the body.
2019 Audi Q5 recalls
5 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 19V473000Jun 19, 2019Airbags28 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. In the event of a crash deploying the passenger's frontal air bag, the instrument panel carrier may break due to incorrect welding. If the carrier breaks, there may be damage to the passenger frontal air bag.
Risk: A damaged frontal air bag may not provide adequate protection, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the instrument panel and the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began August 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 90N1.
2019 Audi Q5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,300
- 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.
2019 compared with other Q5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Audi Q5 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2019 Q5 has a complaint index of 41, ranking 11th worst of 18 Q5 model years, and carries a Good verdict relative to other years of the same model.
- What problems does the 2019 Audi Q5 have?
- NHTSA lists 52 complaints, led by Electrical System issues (27%), Engine (23%), and Brakes and Steering (13% each). Median mileage at failure ranges from 1,350 for engine issues up to 33,000 for transmission and powertrain issues.
- Does the 2019 Audi Q5 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2019 Q5, covering the airbag instrument panel, brake master cylinder, wheel arch trim, and structure/body water ingress, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2019 Q5 compare to other Q5 years?
- The 2019 Q5's complaint index of 41 is well below the worst year, 2018, which has a complaint index of 100, and better than Avoid-rated years like 2011, 2012, 2023, and 2025.
- What is the top complaint area for the 2019 Audi Q5?
- Electrical System complaints are the most common, making up 27% of all complaints with a median failure mileage of 22,000.