2023 Audi Q5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2023 Audi Q5 has a complaint index of 88, ranking 3rd worst out of 18 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 43 complaints, 5 recalls, 6 crashes and 1 fire, with false emergency braking and electrical faults as the top problem areas.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 88/100
- #3 of 18 Q5 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 43
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22.5 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2023 Audi Q5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras13 (30%)
- Electrical System10 (23%)
- Other9 (21%)
- Engine7 (16%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (12%)
- Brakes4 (9%)
- Airbags3 (7%)
- Lane Departure3 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (7%)
- Fuel System2 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Audi pre-sense emergency braking activates suddenly on clear roads or empty driveways with no obstacle present.
- Owners report loss of braking or unintended acceleration leading to crashes into fixed objects.
- The vehicle sometimes shuts down completely while driving, disabling keys and hazard lights.
- Dashboard malfunction indicator lights recur repeatedly despite software updates from the dealer.
- Airbag or occupant-detection system errors appear periodically, sometimes tied to a minor collision with airbag deployment issues.
2023 Audi Q5 recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V294000May 7, 2025Engine89,417 vehicles
Engine
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Q5 Quattro and Q5 Sportback Quattro vehicles. The cylinder head cover screws may have been improperly tightened.
Risk: The screws can loosen, allowing oil to leak and increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the screws as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 5, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 15ZK.
- NHTSA 25V080000Feb 12, 2025Electrical System20,201 vehicles
Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Audi Q5, and 2022 A7 E Hybrid Electric PHEV vehicles. The high-voltage battery may overheat.
Risk: A high-voltage battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install advanced diagnostic software , free of charge. Volkswagen will monitor available online vehicle data and contact owners as necessary, to advise them not to charge the vehicle until the battery can be replaced. For vehicles in which online data is unavailable, owners are advised not to charge their batteries until the final remedy becomes available. Repairs will be performed free of charge. This will be a Phased recall. Phase 1 will include Interim letters 2022-2023 model year vehicles. Phase 2 will include Owner letters 2021-2024 model year vehicles, and Phase 3 will include Interim letters 2022-2023 model year vehicles. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed February 28, 2025, and May 7, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 93AA. This recall expands and replaces previous NHTSA recall number 24V898.
- NHTSA 24V898000Nov 27, 2024Electrical System4,616 vehicles
Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Audi Q5 PHEV and 2022 Audi A7 PHEV vehicles. The high-voltage battery may overheat.
Risk: A high-voltage battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install advanced diagnostic software as the final remedy, anticipated to be available in the second quarter of 2025. Volkswagen will monitor available online vehicle data and contact owners as necessary, to advise them not to charge the vehicle until the battery can be replaced. For vehicles in which online data is unavailable, owners are advised not to charge their batteries until the final remedy becomes available. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 93AA. This recall has been replaced by NHTSA recall number 25V080.
2023 Audi Q5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29 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.
2023 compared with other Q5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2023 Audi Q5 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2023 Q5 ranks 3rd worst of 18 model years with a complaint index of 88 and an Avoid verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2023 Audi Q5?
- NHTSA data shows Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues lead with 13 complaints (30% share), followed by Electrical System problems with 10 complaints (23%) and Engine issues with 7 complaints (16%).
- Does the 2023 Audi Q5 have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recalls covering the engine cylinder head cover screws, high-voltage battery overheating risk, an airbag occupant-detection module, and a charging cable warning, though none are do-not-drive recalls.
- Are there crashes or fires linked to the 2023 Audi Q5?
- NHTSA complaint data ties 6 crashes and 1 fire to the 2023 Q5, along with 5 reported injuries.
- How does the 2023 Q5 compare to other Q5 years?
- The 2023 model's complaint index of 88 is higher than most other Q5 years; only the 2018 (100) and 2025 (94) score worse, while years like 2024 (6) and 2017 (18) score much lower.