VehicleVerdict

2012 Audi Q5 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 203 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.5 times the median Q5 year — the 2012 model ranks #2 of 19 Q5 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: airbags issues account for 42% of all reports (85 of 203), far ahead of engine at 47.

203

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other Q5 years?

Q5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 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, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Q5 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Audi Q5 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags8542%
Engine4723%
Fuel System2311%
Other105%
Body & Structure94%
Visibility & Wipers73%
Electrical System52%
Transmission52%
Suspension42%
Brakes31%
Speed Control31%
Steering10%
Lighting10%

Does the 2012 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.

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.

12V299000Visibility & WipersJune 28, 2012 · 13,172 units

Defect

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 AUDI Q5 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 21, 2011, THROUGH DECEMBER 9, 2011. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A FRONT SUNROOF GLASS PANEL THAT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO BREAKAGE IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER/TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS.

Consequence

SHOULD THE SUNROOF’S GLASS BREAK WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE, THE FALLING GLASS COULD CUT AND INJURE THE DRIVER OR PASSENGERS. IT COULD ALSO DISTRACT THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUNROOF GLASS PANEL, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2012. 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 2012 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE DRIVER BECAME DISTRACTED AND CRASHED ONTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 20, 2018 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING CAR, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THERE WAS NO NOISE OR INDICATION OF A FAILURE. THE CAR DID SEEM A LITTLE LOW ON POWER. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEAL WHERE THE DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURBO CHARGER FAILED AFTER ONLY 45,371 MILES. WITH THE VEHICLE HAVING AVERAGED LESS THAN 10,000 MILES DRIVEN PER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 19, 2017

“AT 55K MILES THE ENGINE BURNS OIL MORE THAN EXPECTED. OIL LEVEL WAS BELOW MINIMUM LEVEL ABOUT 2K MILES BEFORE THE NEXT REQUIRED OIL CHANGE. AT AROUN 63K MILES , THE ENGINE REACHES THE MINIMUM LEVEL AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 3K MILES. THE DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL BUT PREVIOUS YEAR Q5'S WITH 2.0T ENGINES…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 25, 2016

“DUE TO EXTREME COLD WEATHER THE REAR SUNROOF GLASS PANE SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVER NIGHT IN NEGATIVE DEGREE WEATHER; NOT IN MOTION. AUDI DEALERSHIP RECOGNIZES THIS AS A NATURAL CAUSED INSTANCE, NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY AND NOT COVERED UNDER THE PAST RECALL, WHICH WAS ONLY FOR THE FRONT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 27, 2019

“DUE TO EXTREME COLD WEATHER THE REAR SUNROOF GLASS PANE SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVER NIGHT IN NEGATIVE DEGREE WEATHER; NOT IN MOTION. AUDI DEALERSHIP RECOGNIZES THIS AS A NATURAL CAUSED INSTANCE, NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY AND NOT COVERED UNDER THE PAST RECALL, WHICH WAS ONLY FOR THE FRONT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 27, 2019

2012 Audi Q5 — common questions

Is the 2012 Audi Q5 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 203 complaints put the 2012 model at #2 of 19 Q5 years. It is one of the Q5 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2012 Q5 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (85 complaints), engine (47 complaints), fuel system (23 complaints).

Does the 2012 Audi Q5 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 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.