2025 Audi Q5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2025 Audi Q5 has 42 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 94, ranking 2nd worst of 18 model years, with an Avoid verdict. Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues drive 55% of complaints, plus one seat-belt recall.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 94/100
- #2 of 18 Q5 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 42
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 23 city / 28.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2025 Audi Q5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras23 (55%)
- Electrical System19 (45%)
- Brakes10 (24%)
- Engine9 (21%)
- Lane Departure6 (14%)
- Airbags4 (10%)
- Seat Belts4 (10%)
- Other3 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (7%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicles reportedly slam on the brakes without warning on two-lane highways, apparently misreading intersections that don't require stopping.
- Owners describe phantom braking events tied to the forward collision avoidance system, calling it a recurring critical failure.
- Some drivers report the vehicle unexpectedly applies heavy braking at highway speed with no obstacle present, causing whiplash-type injuries.
- Multiple owners report driver assistance systems failing randomly, with dealers unable to diagnose or promptly service the vehicle.
- An abnormal knocking sound was reported coming from the dashboard, with the vehicle left at the dealer unrepaired.
- Some owners report the engine loses power during hard acceleration, which the dealer attributed to turbo lag, and describe multiple technology failures involving cameras, traffic sign recognition, and adaptive cruise systems.
2025 Audi Q5 recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V266000Apr 24, 2026Seat Belts7,425 vehicles
Seat belts:pretensioner
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2025 Q5, Q5 Sportback, SQ5, and SQ5 Sportback vehicles. The driver and front passenger seat belts may have been manufactured incorrectly, and fail to properly restrain occupants during a crash.
Risk: Improperly restrained occupants have an increased risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 29, 2026. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69GT.
2025 Audi Q5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23 MPG
- Highway
- 28.5 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.
2025 compared with other Q5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2025 Audi Q5 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2025 Q5 has a complaint index of 94, the second-highest among 18 model years of the Q5, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other Q5 years.
- What are the main problems with the 2025 Audi Q5?
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues account for 55% of complaints, followed by Electrical System problems at 45% and Brakes at 24%, according to NHTSA complaint data.
- Does the 2025 Audi Q5 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists one recall (campaign 26V266000) for seat belts that may have been manufactured incorrectly and fail to properly restrain occupants in the 2025 Q5, Q5 Sportback, SQ5, and SQ5 Sportback.
- How does the 2025 Q5 compare to other Q5 model years?
- The 2025 Q5 ranks 2nd worst of 18 model years with a complaint index of 94, close to the 2018 Q5's index of 100, while years like 2024 and 2022 rate Best with indexes of 6 and 24.
- What is the median mileage at failure for 2025 Audi Q5 complaints?
- Across all reported problems, the overall median mileage at failure is 6,005 miles, though the Electrical System category alone shows a median of 10 miles.