VehicleVerdict

2011 Audi Q5 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 192 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.3 times the median Q5 year — the 2011 model ranks #3 of 19 Q5 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 67 reports (35% of the total).

192

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other Q5 years?

Q5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 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, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Q5 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Audi Q5 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags6735%
Engine4322%
Fuel System3317%
Transmission126%
Electrical System95%
Other84%
Visibility & Wipers42%
Brakes32%
Steering32%
Body & Structure32%
Speed Control32%
Suspension21%
Lighting11%
Tires & Wheels11%

Does the 2011 Audi Q5 have recalls?

5 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.

17V001000AirbagsJanuary 3, 2017 · 234,057 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator and either coat it or replace it, as necessary, after removing the surrounding foam, free of charge. The recall is expected to began March 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69P1.

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“ITS BEEN OVER A YEAR I AM AWARE OF THE RECALL, I HAVE BEEN SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES AT 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS BOTH STATE THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS TO COMPLETE THIS RECALL. IN JANUARY 2017 I WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY! I WAS TOLD BY THE LAST DEALER DURING 2 OTHER RECALLS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 6, 2017 · crash

“THE CAR HAS ALWAYS HAD PROPER MAINTENANCE AND CARE. THIS CAN BE DOCUMENTED WITH AUDI OF HUNTSVILLE AL. NO WARNINGS OR INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE PRESENT. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER A PASSERBY CAME INTO THE RESTAURANT IN WHICH WE WERE DINING SAYING A GRAY AUDI WAS ON FIRE. OWNER OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 13, 2015 · fire

“MY CAR STARTED TO SMELL LIKE GAS AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE SAID IT WAS THE FLANGE/ FUEL PUMP AND THAT THE RECALL WAS ALREADY DONE BUT THE SAME ISSUE PERSIST. THE YET ME DRIVE HOME WITH GAS POURING OUT OF MY CAR AFTER SEEING IT AND WANT TO CHARGE ME 1800 FOR A RECALLED PART. I WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 2, 2020

“I PURCHASED A CERTIFIED PREOWNED AUDI Q5 LAST MARCH 2013. THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING FINE. NO PROBLEMS OR CONCERNS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUDI DEALER IN FEBRUARY 2014 FOR AN ANNUAL SERVICE AND ALSO IN MARCH 2014 FOR MY YEARLY INSPECTION/EMISSIONS TESTING. ON APRIL 2014, I HAD LOSS THE VEHICLE DUE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 14, 2014 · fire

“WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 ON THE HIGHWAY, A LIGHT CAME ACROSS MY DASH THAT SAID 'PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTION!' MOMENTS LATER MY 2011 AUDI Q5 CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP CAUSING A 3 CAR PILE UP. MY CAR HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED IN JUNE AND GOTTEN NEW BRAKES AT THAT TIME AS WELL.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 6, 2018 · crash

2011 Audi Q5 — common questions

Is the 2011 Audi Q5 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 192 complaints put the 2011 model at #3 of 19 Q5 years. It is one of the Q5 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2011 Q5 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (67 complaints), engine (43 complaints), fuel system (33 complaints).

Does the 2011 Audi Q5 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 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.