2011 Audi Q5 Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2011 Audi Q5. Part of Generation 1 (8R) — 2009–2017.

20102012
Complaints
192
per 10K Sold
77.1
US Sales
24,908
Crashes
6
Fires
4
Injuries
2
Fatalities
Recalls
5

Worst 2011 Audi Q5 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#167 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:53,159 mi
Crash-related:3
#242 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:81,090 mi
Fires:2
#325 complaints

Fuel System

Avg mileage:94,025 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2011 Audi Q5.

Airbags
67
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
53,159
Engine Problems
42
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
81,090
Fuel System
25
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
94,025
Transmission / Drivetrain
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
50,024
Electrical Faults
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
94,116
Gasoline Fuel System
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
349,239
Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Fuel Pump
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2011 Audi Q5. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2011 Audi Q5

5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,205,533 vehicles.

18V818000Fuel Pump
~5,987 affected

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2007-2012 Audi Q7 and 2009-2012 Audi Q5 vehicles, previously repaired under NHTSA recall 16V-660. These vehicles were previously repaired with an interim repair of installing butyl tape to the fuel pump flange, until replacement remedy parts became available.

18V082000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
~162,782 affected

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

17V001000Air Bags:side/window · Sunroof/Moonroof
~234,057 affected

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Audi Q5 vehicles. The sunroof drainage system may allow water to soak into the foam surrounding the side head air bag inflator canister resulting in the corrosion of the canister. If this happens, the corrosion can weaken the canister and the inflator could fracture without air bag deployment, propelling fragments into the passenger compartment, striking and causing serious injury to vehicle occupants.

16V660000Fuel Pump
~143,214 affected

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Audi Q5, and 2007-2012 Audi Q7 vehicles equipped with gasoline engines. The fuel pump flange on the affected vehicles may crack, allowing fuel to leak.

16V078000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
~659,493 affected

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Other Audi Q5 Years

2011 Audi Q5 — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2011 Audi Q5 reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2011 Audi Q5 has 192 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash-related, and 5 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 67 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2011 Audi Q5?
Top reported problems: Airbags (67 complaints, avg 53,159 mi); Engine Problems (42 complaints, avg 81,090 mi); Fuel System (25 complaints, avg 94,025 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2011 Audi Q5?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 81,466 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2011 Audi Q5?
NHTSA complaints for the 2011 Audi Q5 include 6 crash-related reports, 4 fire reports, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2011 Audi Q5 have any recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,205,533 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2011 Audi Q5?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Audi Q5 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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