Car Defect Radar
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 22, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

143 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Minor
59

Most reports here involve fluid leaks.

fluid leaks 19sudden stalling 14
A recent report: The contact's wife owns a 2011 Audi Q5. The contact stated that after he parked the vehicle in his garage, he smelled a fuel odor outside of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The…
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The contact's wife owns a 2011 Audi Q5. The contact stated that after he parked the vehicle in his garage, he smelled a fuel odor outside of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the flange had cracked and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and advise the contact to call the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the recall was previously performed under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V818000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000. The contact stated that the dealership was able to resolve the issue.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11492317 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
6

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 3fire 2
A recent report: Rear driver side door will not unlock when keypad, nor inside unlock button is pressed. Once inside, door will not unlock in sequence with other doors when vehicle is shut off and it is time to exit…
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Rear driver side door will not unlock when keypad, nor inside unlock button is pressed. Once inside, door will not unlock in sequence with other doors when vehicle is shut off and it is time to exit the vehicle.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11654307 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
3

Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

loss of braking 3
A recent report: TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR NEW BRAKE PADS BRAKES AND ROTORS. UPON LEAVING THE CAR WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I CALLED THE DEALER TO COMPLAIN AND WAS TOLD IT WILL WEAR OFF. EXT…
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TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR NEW BRAKE PADS BRAKES AND ROTORS. UPON LEAVING THE CAR WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I CALLED THE DEALER TO COMPLAIN AND WAS TOLD IT WILL WEAR OFF. EXT FEW TIMES I DROVE THE BRAKES FAILED. I CALLED AUDI AND BROUGHT MY CAR BACK AND NOW THEY WANT ME TO BY BACK BRAKES AND CALLI ER FOR BOTH SIDES WHEN THE WORK WASN'T DONE PROPERLY TO BEGIN WITH.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11355375 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
2

Most reports here involve loss of steering.

loss of steering 1
A recent report: I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND CITY AND IT APPEARS THE STEERING IS SOMETIMES STIFF AND THEN SOFT , I HAVE CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL AND ITS FULL. THIS IS AN ISSUE BECAUSE ITS…
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I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND CITY AND IT APPEARS THE STEERING IS SOMETIMES STIFF AND THEN SOFT , I HAVE CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL AND ITS FULL. THIS IS AN ISSUE BECAUSE ITS HARD TO MAKE TURNS AS THE STEERING WHEEL STIFFENS UP. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE CAR CONSUMES ABOUT 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 300 MILES, IT WAS PART OF A LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER REPAIRED

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11312004 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
60

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 3 mention a crash, 2 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 3airbags deploying unexpectedly 1
A recent report: Accident head on collision with wall airbags didn't deploy

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11504366 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
10

Most reports here involve corrosion.

corrosion 4fluid leaks 1
A recent report: 1) The rear structural subframe (crossmember) has completely rotted, perforated, and failed due to severe corrosion. The factory-installed plastic underbody rock shields trapped road salt and water…
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1) The rear structural subframe (crossmember) has completely rotted, perforated, and failed due to severe corrosion. The factory-installed plastic underbody rock shields trapped road salt and water, causing the frame to rust from the inside out. The corrosion has spread, completely fusing and compromising the rear suspension mounting points and the rear differential brackets. The vehicle is fully available for physical inspection upon request. 2) My safety and the safety of others on the road was severely put at risk because the structural integrity of the rear suspension is completely compromised. The rusted metal anchors could snap under driving loads, causing a catastrophic rear suspension collapse, loss of vehicle control, or a high-speed wheel separation on the highway. 3) Yes. The structural failure was independently confirmed by two independent automotive service centers and an authorized Audi dealership service center (Audi Dallas). 4) Yes. An authorized Audi dealership representing the manufacturer physically inspected the vehicle on the lift during a goodwill evaluation. They confirmed the extensive structural damage and issued an official diagnostic repair quote of $20,873.78 to completely rebuild the failed rear subframe, effectively totaling the vehicle. 5) No. There were absolutely no dashboard warning lamps, electronic messages, or obvious driving symptoms prior to the inspection. Because the factory plastic underbody shields completely hidden the metal frame from view, the structural rot developed entirely out of sight until the vehicle was placed on a mechanical lift.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11759438 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
3

Most reports here involve electrical shorts.

electrical shorts 1
A recent report: I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR PARTS AVAILABILITY FOR OVER A YEAR AND DO NOT APPEAR TO BE MAKING PROGRESS ON THE WAITLIST AT MY DEALERSHIP (PENSKE AUDI). THE DEALERSHIP BLAMES THE MANUFACTURER AND THE…
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I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR PARTS AVAILABILITY FOR OVER A YEAR AND DO NOT APPEAR TO BE MAKING PROGRESS ON THE WAITLIST AT MY DEALERSHIP (PENSKE AUDI). THE DEALERSHIP BLAMES THE MANUFACTURER AND THE MANUFACTURER BLAMES THE DEALERSHIP. IN THE MEANTIME I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE PART WILL BECOME AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE WORK.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11165269 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 143 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2010 and 2026, roughly 9 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.