Audi Q5 reliability
The Audi Q5 fails its MOT less often than most cars 6 to 10 years old: 16.6% of 47,346 tests failed in 2023, against 24.4% on average.
29 DVSA recalls for the Audi Q5
Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.
Replacing seat belt with tensioner
On Audi Q5 vehicles manufactured within a specific period the belt tensioning function on the front seats does not comply with technical requirements. Although the seat belt is tightened in the event of an accident which requires this it cannot be held tight reliably which reduces the protective effect. For this reason one or both front seat belts – as required – will be replaced on affected Q5 vehicles.
Fix: Recall campaign 69GT must be performed on affected vehicles and the affected seat belts must be replaced as described in the Workshop Manual.
Recalled models: Q5 · 2,119 vehicles
Software update for battery control unit
On affected vehicles there may be defective battery modules which may result in a fire hazard when charging the high-voltage battery.
Fix: Update the software of the high-voltage battery to improve the self-diagnosis capabilities. Vehicle owners are advised to not charge the high-voltage battery using external charging sources and also not use the e-tron modes “Battery charge” and “Battery hold” until the update is applied.
Recalled models: Q5 · 4,630 vehicles
Stop-drive TAKATA PSAN
Urgent Safety Warning – Do Not Drive Your Vehicle Affected vehicles were originally allocated to or used for an extended period of time in a region with a climate zone considered to as HIGH RISK. Certain front airbags contain an ageing inflator propellant that may explode when deployed due to long-term exposure to heat and humidity. If the airbag inflator explodes metal fragments may be ejected causing life-threatening or fatal injuries to anyone in the vehicle.
Fix: Affected airbags will be be replaced. You can contact Audi's dedicated Takata Stop Drive helpline at 0113 526 9646 (MONDAY to FRIDAY 9:00AM to 5:00PM.
Recalled models: Q5 · 32 vehicles
Cylinder head cover bolts inspection
Audi conducts programmes to constantly monitor the quality of its products. As part of this we have discovered that individual bolts in the cylinder head cover area on your vehicle may become loose as a result of a manufacturing issue. Depending on the extent to which the bolts become loose engine oil may leak and drip onto hot surfaces which poses a fire risk. If you notice smoke in the engine compartment park the vehicle safely and without delay.
Fix: To ensure the bolts are secured correctly a check must be performed.
Recalled models: Q5 · 11,320 vehicles
Servicing high-voltage battery
On affected vehicles battery modules may become defective over the course of the vehicle’s service life. This may result in a fire hazard when charging the high-voltage battery with the associated risk of severe or fatal injuries to people inside and/or outside the vehicle as well as significant material damage. To minimise this risk do not charge the high-voltage battery using an external charging source. In addition do not use the e-tron modes “Battery charge” and “Battery hold” (refer to Owner’s Manual) until further notice.
Fix: Replace the defective modules. Further software fix being developed to improve monitoring.
Recalled models: Q5 · 1,585 vehicles
Replacing TAKATA passenger airbag gas generator
If a front airbag is deployed it is possible that the gas generator housing in which the propellant is generated may burst on vehicles manufactured within a limited period.
Fix: As a precautionary safety measure it is necessary to replace the airbag unit on the driver side.
Recalled models: Q5 · 1 vehicles
Inner and outer sheet metal components of rear tailgate may not have been joined sufficiently
The inner and outer sheet metal components of the rear lid may not have been joined together sufficiently well in the manufacturing process.
Fix: Replace the rear lid of the affected vehicles.
Recalled models: Q5 · 2 vehicles
Engine control units might be fitted with semiconductor components that do not meet specifications
On a small number of vehicles manufactured within a specific period it is possible that the engine control units were fitted with semiconductor components which do not meet the specifications.
Fix: The engine control unit must be replaced on the affected vehicles.
Recalled models: Q5 · 109 vehicles
Following a previous campaign the toe and/or camber values on the rear axle may in certain circumstances incorrectly be changed without this being noticed
Following a previous campaign the toe and/or camber values on the rear axle may in certain circumstances incorrectly be changed without this being noticed.
Fix: The wheel alignment must be checked and if necessary the suspension must be serviced on the affected vehicles.
Recalled models: Q5 · 5,327 vehicles
Rear axle suspension links nuts do not meet specifications
One or more nuts which do not meet the specifications may have been fitted on the rear axle suspension links.
Fix: The affected nuts on the rear axle will be replaced on affected vehicles.
Recalled models: Q5 · 10,089 vehicles
The backrest adjustment mechanism gap may be faulty on individual front seats
It is possible that the gap on the adjusting mechanism for the backrest may be faulty on individual front seats.
Fix: On the affected vehicles the backrests of the front seats are to be checked and replaced if necessary.
Recalled models: Q5 · 54 vehicles
Moisture may enter the belt-driven starter-alternator
It is possible that moisture may enter the belt-driven starter-alternator.
Fix: The starter-alternator must be replaced on the affected vehicles.
Recalled models: Q5 · 34,982 vehicles
There may be increased pedal travel as a result of production tolerances
There may be increased pedal travel as a result of production tolerances
Fix: The brake calliper housing (with actuator motor) must be replaced on the vehicles affected
Recalled models: Q5 · 380 vehicles
The collar of the wheel arch cover can become detached
The collar of the wheel arch cover could become detached
Fix: Secure the wheel arch cover with 2 modified clips.
Recalled models: Q5 · 36,971 vehicles
Latching connection on the wheel housing liner may fail
It is possible that the latching connection on the wheel housing liner may fail.
Fix: The wheel arch covers on the affected vehicles must be fixed in place.
Recalled models: Q5 · 5,605 vehicles
It is possible that the latching connection on the wheel housing liner may fail.
It is possible that the latching connection on the wheel housing liner may fail.
Fix: The wheel arch covers on the affected vehicles must be fixed in place with an additional bolt.
Recalled models: Q5 · 23,295 vehicles
The brake master cylinder may not meet the specifications
It is possible that the brake master cylinder may not meet the specifications.
Fix: The brake master cylinder on the affected vehicles must be checked and replaced if necessary.
Recalled models: Q5 · 1,059 vehicles
Brake piston may not have been coated correctly
Recalled models: Q5 · 1 vehicles
Rear brake pistons coated incorrectly
The rear brake pistons may have been coated incorrectly potentially causing the brake pedal travel to increase under braking and the effectiveness of the rear brakes to be reduced. Gas bubbles may form in the hydraulic system on the rear brake circuit under certain conditions as a function of temperature and time. In the event of a fault only the rear brake circuit will be affected. As a result the vehicle may take significantly longer to stop.
Fix: The rear brake hydraulic system (rear left and rear right brake calipers) must be bled on the affected vehicles.
Recalled models: Q5 · 606 vehicles
Auxilliary heater element in air conditioning may fail and/or overheat
The auxiliary heater element in the air conditioner may fail as the result of overheating in the area of the connectors. This can lead to smoulder damage or potentially a fire.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and change the auxiliary heater element for one with optimised electrical connectors.
Recalled models: Q5 · 114,287 vehicles
Passenger airbag may not deploy as intended
The weld joint that joins the central tube for the dash panel to the chute may be defective. The result could be damage to the passenger airbag potentially reducing the airbag�s protective capabilities.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the dashboard with a quality assured unit.
Recalled models: Q5 · 60 vehicles
Auxilliary heater element in air conditioning may fail and/or overheat
The auxilliary heater element in the air conditioner may fail as a result of overheating in the area of the connectors in conjunction with smoulder damage or potential fire.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and fit an auxilliary heater element with opimised electrical connectors. The activation of the electric auxilliary heater must be adjusted by updating the software for the air conditioning control console.
Recalled models: Q5 · 33,699 vehicles
Curtain airbag cylinder may corrode leading to possible rear passenger injury
If the water drain in the area of the panoramic sunroof is not functioning properly water can seep into the vehicle�s headliner. If sufficient water accumulates the foam adjacent to the pressure cylinder of the curtain airbag can become wet and cause the pressure cylinder to corrode. The corrosion can weaken the cylinder causing sudden pressure release possibly with fragments.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to check for water seepage and the drainage is correct from the panoramic sunroof area. Check the pressure cylinders for corrosion treat with anti-corrosion wax or replace as necessary. Remove foam which is next to the pressure cylinder.
Recalled models: Q5 · 14,157 vehicles
Coolant pump may overheat
Foreign particles in the engine coolant can lead to a blockage in the additional coolant pump and cause the pump to overheat.Foreign particles in the coolant can lead to a blockage in the additional coolant pump and cause the pump to overheat.
Fix: Recall the machines that are likely to be affected and update the software which will deactivate the additional coolant pump in the event of malfunction. If there has been a malfunction of the additional water pump it will be replaced.
Recalled models: Q5 · 2,844 vehicles
Side airbag gas generator canister may fail
For certain vehicles manufactured within a specific period it is possible that the gas generator housing may be damaged if a side airbag is deployed. If the airbag/s were deployed the gas generator could explode and dislodge small metal parts which could cause injury to the vehicle occupants.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and check the dates of manufacture for the left and or right side airbags. Where a possibly affected airbag is found it will be replaced.
Recalled models: Q5 · 180 vehicles
Fuel may leak
Fuel may leak from the injector rails. Drivers may notice a smell of fuel and or evidence of a leak
Fix: On affected vehicles replace injector rails and seals.
Recalled models: Q5 · 1,073 vehicles
Reduction in braking performance
On affected vehicles engine oil may in isolated instances enter the brake servo via the vacuum feed lie.This may cause the brake servo diaphragm to rupture and loss of brake servo assistance.
Fix: Replace vacuum line on affected vehicles.
Recalled models: Q5 · 5,755 vehicles
Sunroof glass may shatter
The glass sunroof may suddenly break at temperature's below -20 degrees C. This normally happens when the vehicle is parked. When it breaks the single pane safety glass disintegrates into small pieces. A slight risk of injury to the occupants cannot be ruled out.
Fix: The glass sun roof will be replaced.
Recalled models: Q5 · 718 vehicles
Interior trim may become detached causing injury
It is possible in the event of an accident where the airbags are deployed for the A pillar trim to loosen. It is then possible for the trim to move into the passenger compartment which would increase the risk of injury to the front passengers.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to replace the centre retaining clip on each of the A pillar trims.
Recalled models: Q5 · 2,268 vehicles
Checking a Audi Q5 before you buy
Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.