What's Wrong with the Audi Q5?

Busted Timing Chains
Audi's EA888 2.0-liter engine has a history of tensioner problems in its timing chain. The loose chain is to blame for multiple occurances of catastrophic engine failure. Audi was forced to offer settlement offers, including an extended war…
Continue reading article "Busted Timing Chains"
Start-Stop Defects
There are multiple problems with Audi's start-stop technology that outweigh the modest fuel efficiency gains. Owners complain that the system will shut off the power steering and brake systems at dangerous times and cause the accelerat The …
Continue reading article "Start-Stop Defects"
Excessive Oil Consumption
It's normal for cars with six-figure odometer readings to burn a little oil. But recently a few automakers have been building specific engines that require a topping off of the oil reservoir in between changes. Audi tries to tell you this i…
Continue reading article "Excessive Oil Consumption"
Fuel Pump Flange Leaking
It’s been quite a journey figuring out how to stop Audi's Continental fuel pump flanges from leaking, but it appears the automaker is finally offering a solution after years of interim repairs.
Continue reading article "Fuel Pump Flange Leaking"
Cheating Diesel Emissions
Audi was caught cheating on its diesel emissions with defeat devices. Twice. It started with the widespread dieselgate story for 2.0L 4-cylinder engines and was followed with a lesser known cheat for vehicles with the ZF 8-speed transmiss…
Continue reading article "Cheating Diesel Emissions"

What Q5 Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

oil consumption excessive in the 2012 Q5
21 complaints
excessive oil consumption in the 2013 Q5
8 complaints
excessive oil consumption in the 2014 Q5
5 complaints
excessive oil consumption in the 2011 Q5
5 complaints
sunroof shattered in the 2012 Q5
4 complaints

What Breaks the Most

Engine
52 complaints
Transmission
8 complaints
Windows
8 complaints
Brakes
6 complaints
HVAC
6 complaints

Years to Avoid

2012
33 complaints
2013
16 complaints
2011
13 complaints
2014
13 complaints
2018
7 complaints

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

2nd Generation Q5
Years
2018–2020
Reliability
24th out of 39
PainRank^™
1.31
Complaints
7
Learn more about the 2nd Generation Q5
1st Generation Q5
Years
2009–2017
Reliability
36th out of 39
PainRank^™
3.91
Complaints
93
Learn more about the 1st Generation Q5

Q5 Key Numbers

100 complaints
Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.
1,813 service bulletins
Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.
20 recall campaigns
Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Q5 Class-Action Lawsuits

The Q5 has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

Dismissed
Pitts, et al., v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., et al.
1. Dismissed
  March 2021
  The case was dismissed when a judge ruled Audi's owner's manuals clearly say the Start-Stop system "may turn off the engine before the car comes to a complete stop."
2. Case Filed
  July 2020
  The lawsuit wanted refunds for the purchase price of the vehicles for class members, plus compensation for overpaying and for loss of values.
Problem
Start-Stop Defects
Class Vehicles
2017-2020 A3
2017-2020 A4
2017-2020 A5
2017-2020 A6
2017-2020 A7
2017-2020 A8
2017-2020 S3
2017-2020 S4
2017-2020 S6
2017-2020 S8
2017-2020 TT
2017-2020 TTS
2017-2020 Q5
2017-2020 Q7
2017-2020 Q8
2017-2020 SQ5
Location
Virginia
Dusanjh v. Audi AG, et al.
1. Case Filed
  September 2020
  The Audi Start-Stop system allegedly requires expensive repairs, car rentals, towing charges, time off work and other costs, while customers allegedly lose money as the vehicles lose their values.
Problem
Start-Stop Defects
Class Vehicles
2017-2020 A3
2017-2020 A4
2017-2020 A5
2017-2020 A6
2017-2020 A7
2017-2020 A8
2017-2020 S3
2017-2020 S4
2017-2020 S6
2017-2020 S8
2017-2020 Q5
2017-2020 Q7
2017-2020 Q8
2017-2020 SQ5
2017-2020 TT
2017-2020 TTS
Location
British Columbia
Swinburne, et al., v. Audi of America, Inc., et al.
1. Case Filed
  August 2020
  Class action lawsuit alleges the systems cause the engines to hesitate, lag and fail to immediately activate when drivers try to accelerate from full or rolling stops.
Problem
Start-Stop Defects
Class Vehicles
2019-2020 A3
2017-2020 A4
2017-2020 A5
2017-2020 A6
2017-2020 A7
2017-2020 Q3
2017-2020 Q5
2017-2020 Q7
2017-2020 Q8
Location
Virginia
Settlement
Coffeng, et al. v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
3:17-cv-01825-JD
1. Settlement
  April 2020
  A VW water pump class action settlement has been reached for these Volkswagen and Audi vehicles equipped with 2-liter EA888 TSI or TFSI turbocharged four-cylinder multi-valve engines with codes CCTA, CAEB, CAED and CBFA.
2. Case Filed
  March 2017
  The VW water pump class action was filed over the primary engine water pump driven off one of the balance shafts, not the electric auxiliary water pump. According to the lawsuit, the pump consists of the thermoplastic water pump module that includes the water pump, thermostat and integrated sensors.
Settlement
Filing deadline is April 29, 2020.
Class Vehicles
2008-2013 Audi A3
2009-2014 Audi A4
2009-2014 Audi A5
2011-2014 Audi Q5
2012-2014 Audi A6
2009-2014 Audi TT
Location
California
Anzhelya Makaryan, et. al., v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc
2:2017cv05086
1. Case Filed
  July 2017
  An Audi timing chain lawsuit alleges Audi and Volkswagen vehicles have defects that cause the timing chains to suddenly fail without warning, causing the engines to fail.
2. Dismissed
  October 2017
  The case was voluntarily dismissed in November 2017 after a motion to dismiss by Audi was filed earlier that same month.
Problem
Start-Stop Defects
Class Vehicles
2013-2017 A3
2013-2017 A4
2013-2017 A5
2013-2017 A6
2013-2017 A7
2013-2017 A8
2013-2017 S3
2013-2017 S4
2013-2017 S5
2013-2017 S6
2013-2017 S7
2013-2017 S8
2013-2017 RS 5
2013-2017 RS 7
2013-2017 allroad
2013-2017 Q3
2013-2017 Q5
2013-2017 Q7
2013-2017 SQ5
2013-2017 TT
2013-2017 TTS
2013-2017 TT RS
2013-2017 R8
Location
California
Settlement
Stockalper, et al., vs. Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, et al.
1. Settlement
  May 2018
  A VW timing chain class-action lawsuit may be nearing the end as the automaker has agreed to settle the multidistrict litigation that comprises seven class-action lawsuits.
2. Case Filed
  August 2016
  An Audi timing chain lawsuit alleges Audi and Volkswagen vehicles have defects that cause the timing chains to suddenly fail without warning, causing the engines to fail.
Problem
Busted Timing Chains
Class Vehicles
2008-2012 A3
2008-2012 A4
2008-2012 A5
2010-2012 A6
2012 A7
2008-2012 TT
2010-2012 Q3
2009-2012 Q5
2012 Q7
Location
New Jersey
Settlement
David Zimand, et al v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. and Audi of America, Inc.
1. Settlement
  May 2018
  A VW timing chain class-action lawsuit may be nearing the end as the automaker has agreed to settle the multidistrict litigation that comprises seven class-action lawsuits.
2. Case Filed
  May 2016
  A Volkswagen timing chain tensioner lawsuit alleges numerous VW and Audi vehicles have defects in the timing chain tensioning systems that cause complete engine failure.
Problem
Busted Timing Chains
Class Vehicles
2008-2012 A3
2008-2012 A4
2008-2012 A5
2010-2012 A6
2012 A7
2008-2012 TT
2010-2012 Q3
2009-2012 Q5
2012 Q7
Location
New Jersey

Recent Q5 News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

There's growing concern that more than 46,000 Audi vehicles can end up with misaligned rear axles.
The automaker recalled the vehicles after discovering a certain batch of lock nuts on the axle's trailing arm are more suceptible to snap because of corrosion.…
keep reading article "Audi Recalls 46,000 Vehicles With Potentially Misaligned Rear Axles"
Posted on
May 6, 2021
Source
carcomplaints.com
Tagged
#recall
Another Audi start-stop lawsuit has been dismissed
after the judge ruled that the owner's manual clearly states the Start-Stop system may turn off the engine before the car comes to a complete stop. Is that all it takes to win in court? Be prepared for your next owner's manual to say "cars might catch on fire due to thermodynamics" just to cover all the bases.…
keep reading article "A Judge Just Ruled That Audi's Start-System Operates As Intended"
Posted on
March 15, 2021
Source
carcomplaints.com
Tagged
#lawsuit
For the third time in three months Audi has been sued for failing to do something about their dangerous start-stop defects.
It's almost as if owners don't appreciate suddenly losing access to their power steering and brakes while slowing down or not knowing whether their vehicle will accelerate through a busy intersection.…
keep reading article "Canada Joins the Lawsuit Party Against Audi's Defective Start-Stop System"
Posted on
September 6, 2020
Source
carcomplaints.com
Tagged
#lawsuit
Audi's parent company, Volkswagen, thinks some welding mistakes were made during the manufacturing of certain 2020 vehicles.
A bad weld in the backrest adjustment will likely break in a rear-end crash, allowing the seat to move and turning a minor rear-end collision into a trip to the hospital.…
keep reading article "The 2020 Q5 and SQ5 Recalled for Welding Mistakes in the Seats"
Posted on
September 2, 2020
Source
carcomplaints.com
Tagged
#recall
A Virginia based lawsuit says Audi's start-stop system suffers from defects that cause delayed acceleration or lurching that can put occupants in danger.
The plaintiffs say that Audi HQ and dealerships will just tell owners to deactivate the start-stop system if they don't like it, but the system starts up automatically each time the ignition is pressed and must be manually deactivated by pressing a separate burden. Something the case refers to as a inconvenience and mandatory burden that is not disclosed to the Class Members ar the time of the sale.…
keep reading article "Another Audi Start-Stop Lawsuit Says the Technology Causes Dangerous Acceleration Delays"
Posted on
August 26, 2020
Source
carcomplaints.com
Tagged
#lawsuit
Start-stop technology shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a complete stop in order to save on fuel consumption and emissions.
That's a good thing. But it also disables the power steering and brakes way too early. And it is a little slow to re-engage those systems when the vehicle starts moving again. That's a really bad thing.…
keep reading article "Defects in Audi's Start-Stop Technology Make it Dangerous to Drive"
Posted on
July 13, 2020
Source
carcomplaints.com
Tagged
#lawsuit
There’s an important deadline coming up for Audi owners who previously paid for repairs to their timing chain system or damaged engine from a timing chain failure, and want the automaker to pick up the tab.
A recently approved settlement benefits thousands of owners by providing them with an extended “new vehicle limited warranty” for any future repairs, plus conditional reimbursements for any previous repairs.…
keep reading article "Upcoming Deadline for Timing Chain Reimbursements"
Posted on
January 8, 2019
Source
vwproblems.com
Tagged
#lawsuit

See All Q5 News

Audi Thinks Excessive Oil Consumption is Fine
Car suddenly stopped while driving. A lot of lights on the dashboard came on. there was smoke and a burning smell inside the car. Car had to be manually pushed to the side of the road ... After inspection, I was told the engine is damaged on the inside and [had] to be replaced at my cost!

2014 Q5 Owner in WA

Audi Thinks Excessive Oil Consumption is Fine
We've had the car since it was new and I've have personally maintained the car. Started noticing that it was using about 3 quarts between oil changes. Scheduled service but they said that's not bad when I mentioned 3 quarts between oil changes.

2012 Q5 Owner in KS

Busted Timing Chains

Start-Stop Defects

Excessive Oil Consumption

Fuel Pump Flange Leaking

Cheating Diesel Emissions

What Q5 Owners Complain About

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

2nd Generation Q5

1st Generation Q5

Q5 Key Numbers

Dismissed

There's growing concern that more than 46,000 Audi vehicles can end up with misaligned rear axles.

Another Audi start-stop lawsuit has been dismissed

For the third time in three months Audi has been sued for failing to do something about their dangerous start-stop defects.

Audi's parent company, Volkswagen, thinks some welding mistakes were made during the manufacturing of certain 2020 vehicles.

A Virginia based lawsuit says Audi's start-stop system suffers from defects that cause delayed acceleration or lurching that can put occupants in danger.

Start-stop technology shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a complete stop in order to save on fuel consumption and emissions.

There’s an important deadline coming up for Audi owners who previously paid for repairs to their timing chain system or damaged engine from a timing chain failure, and want the automaker to pick up the tab.

Other Audi Models