VehicleVerdict

2009 Audi Q5 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2009 Audi Q5 is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 6 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 35 owner complaints run below the Q5 median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

The trouble concentrates in one system: airbags issues account for 46% of all reports (16 of 35), far ahead of fuel system at 6.

35

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Q5 years?

Q5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted313 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 35 complaints2010: 122 complaints2011: 192 complaints2012: 203 complaints2013: 107 complaints2014: 134 complaints2015: 123 complaints2016: 100 complaints2017: 57 complaints2018: 313 complaints2019: 75 complaints2020: 33 complaints2021: 107 complaints2022: 26 complaints2023: 66 complaints2024: 31 complaints2025: 83 complaints2026: 1 complaints
Q5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Q5 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Audi Q5 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags1646%
Fuel System617%
Other39%
Engine39%
Suspension26%
Electrical System13%
Brakes13%
Speed Control13%
Steering13%
Transmission13%

Does the 2009 Audi Q5 have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V818000Fuel SystemNovember 19, 2018 · 5,987 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

The butyl tape may not prevent fuel from leaking. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump flange and install butyl tape, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20BJ.

18V082000AirbagsJanuary 30, 2018 · 162,782 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.

16V660000Fuel SystemSeptember 13, 2016 · 143,214 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the flange, replacing any flanges that are cracked. If the flange is not cracked, dealers will clean the pump flange and install a butyl rubber band to protect the pump. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20W9.

16V376000AirbagsMay 27, 2016 · 8,381 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Audi A4, A5, and Q5 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.

Consequence

If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69O1.

16V078000AirbagsFebruary 10, 2016 · 659,493 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

09V484000AirbagsDecember 18, 2009 · 6,054 units

Defect

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 Q5 PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2008 AND JUNE 4, 2009. A LEFT AND/OR RIGHT A-PILLAR TRIM COVER CLIP MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED CORRECTLY, ALLOWING THE A-PILLAR TRIM TO BECOME LOOSE WHEN THE SIDEGUARD HEAD PROTECTION AIRBAGS DEPLOY DURING A CRASH.

Consequence

IF THIS HAPPENS, A LOOSE TRIM PIECE COULD INJURE THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSPECT THE CLIP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LEFT AND RIGHT A-PILLAR COVERS AND REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-253-2834.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 AUDI Q5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 4, 2015 · crash

“STRONG GAS SMELL COMING FROM UNDERNEATH REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. NO SMELL COMING FROM GAS CAP AREA. NO GAS LEAK NOTICED UNDER VEHICLE. PER RESEARCH THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE PLASTIC FUEL PUMP LOCATED ABOVE THE GAS TANK. CONTACTED AUDI CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY STATED THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 6, 2015

“The contact owns a 2009 Audi Q5. The contact stated that the vehicle was smoking. There was antifreeze and oil leaking from the vehicle. While driving, the accelerator pedal and brake pedal became stuck, and the vehicle stalled. There was an abnormal oil burning odor, fuel, and antifreeze. The…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 1, 2022

“I got in my car at about 6pm on Saturday May 28, 2022. Started it up and proceeded to start opening the sunroof when I noticed it was cracked. I was thinking some kids had hit it with a ball until I traced the spiderwebbing right back to to the center of the panoramic sunroof. You could wind noise…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 28, 2022

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARING MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · November 4, 2016

2009 Audi Q5 — common questions

Is the 2009 Audi Q5 reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 35 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Q5 year, with 6 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2009 Q5 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (16 complaints), fuel system (6 complaints), other (3 complaints).

Does the 2009 Audi Q5 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Audi Q5. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Audi Q5 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Q5 years to avoid are 2018, 2012, 2011, 2014. The cleanest record among Q5 years belongs to 2008.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.