Audi Q5 Reliability
1,732 NHTSA complaints (2009–2025). Complaint rate: 23.9 per 1,000 vehicles.
Audi Q5 Generations
Manufacturer redesigns the car every few years (a “generation”). Each generation has different engineering and common issues. Click a generation to see year-by-year breakdown.
| Generation | Years | Code | Complaints | Crashes | Volume | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 1 | 2009–2017 | 8R | 1,060 | 48 | Hide years | |||
| 2009 | 35 | 2 | View 2009View→ | |||||
| 2010 | 122 | 3 | View 2010View→ | |||||
| 2011 | 192 | 6 | View 2011View→ | |||||
| 2012 | 200 | 3 | View 2012View→ | |||||
| 2013 | 106 | 1 | View 2013View→ | |||||
| 2014 | 132 | 9 | View 2014View→ | |||||
| 2015 | 122 | 3 | View 2015View→ | |||||
| 2016 | 97 | 15 | View 2016View→ | |||||
| 2017 | 54 | 6 | View 2017View→ | |||||
| Gen 2 | 2018–2024 | FY | 610 | 57 | Show years | |||
| Gen 3 | 2025–present | GU | 62 | 3 | Show years | |||
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 2011–2012 Audi Q5. The 2022–2023 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: ENGINE.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
Too New
Need 3+ years on the road for reliable complaint data.
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Audi Q5 Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 313 | 1.0% |
| AIR BAGS | 251 | 7.2% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 184 | 3.8% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 138 | 5.8% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 132 | 1.5% |
| STEERING | 91 | 6.6% |
| POWER TRAIN | 73 | 5.5% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 69 | 18.8% |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 54 | 16.7% |
| SUSPENSION | 50 | 0.0% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009GOOD | Gen 1(8R) | 35 | 2 | — | View 2009View→ |
| 2010 | Gen 1(8R) | 122 | 3 | — | View 2010View→ |
| 2011AVOID | Gen 1(8R) | 192 | 6 | 4 | View 2011View→ |
| 2012AVOID | Gen 1(8R) | 200 | 3 | — | View 2012View→ |
| 2013 | Gen 1(8R) | 106 | 1 | 7 | View 2013View→ |
| 2014 | Gen 1(8R) | 132 | 9 | 1 | View 2014View→ |
| 2015 | Gen 1(8R) | 122 | 3 | 1 | View 2015View→ |
| 2016 | Gen 1(8R) | 97 | 15 | 3 | View 2016View→ |
| 2017GOOD | Gen 1(8R) | 54 | 6 | — | View 2017View→ |
| 2018AVOID | Gen 2(FY) | 307 | 15 | — | View 2018View→ |
| 2019 | Gen 2(FY) | 68 | 13 | — | View 2019View→ |
| 2020GOOD | Gen 2(FY) | 33 | 7 | 1 | View 2020View→ |
| 2021 | Gen 2(FY) | 97 | 4 | — | View 2021View→ |
| 2022GOOD | Gen 2(FY) | 23 | 6 | 1 | View 2022View→ |
| 2023GOOD | Gen 2(FY) | 56 | 12 | — | View 2023View→ |
| 2024TOO NEW | Gen 2(FY) | 26 | 0 | — | View 2024View→ |
| 2025TOO NEW | Gen 3(GU) | 62 | 3 | — | View 2025View→ |
See also: Audi Q5accident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
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