VehicleVerdict

2015 Audi Q5 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2015 Audi Q5 sits mid-pack among Q5 years: 123 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 83, with 6 recalls and no defect investigations.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 45 reports (37% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

123

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2015 compare to other Q5 years?

See all Q5 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Audi Q5 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine4537%
Steering1411%
Other1311%
Fuel System1210%
Suspension87%
Electrical System65%
Visibility & Wipers54%
Transmission43%
Body & Structure43%
Brakes32%
Tires & Wheels32%
Airbags22%
Lighting22%
Speed Control11%
Driver Assistance11%

Does the 2015 Audi Q5 have recalls?

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

18V229000EngineApril 11, 2018 · 342,867 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.

Consequence

A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.

17V622000Electrical SystemOctober 5, 2017 · 216,913 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad and Q5 vehicles. Contact corrosion within the electrical connector for the auxiliary heater may cause the heater wires to overheat or melt.

Consequence

The melted wires can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary heater and, as necessary, update the software, free of charge. The Recall began November 27, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 80C5 and 80C6.

17V298000Fuel SystemMay 3, 2017 · 240,487 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Audi Q5 and 2013-2017 Audi Q7 vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel pump flange that 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 replace the fuel pump flange if cracks are present. Flanges that do not have cracks will have a protective film applied. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20Z8. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 16V-660.

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.

17V002000EngineJanuary 3, 2017 · 342,867 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system, resulting in the pump overheating.

Consequence

If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19M1.

16V045000AirbagsJanuary 28, 2016 · 734 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles manufactured January 15, 2015, to January 21, 2015, and 2015 Audi Q5 vehicles manufactured January 13, 2015, to February 3, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with driver and front seat passenger seat-mounted air bag inflators that may rupture in the event of a crash.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of a seat-mounted air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began July 7, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69M1 (for Audi) and 69L9 (for VW).

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 AUDI Q5. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. CROWN AUDI OF CLEARWATER (18940 US-19, CLEARWATER, FL 33764, [PHONE]) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 6, 2018 · fire

2015 AUDI Q5. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE STEERING GEAR. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING GEAR BECAME DISLODGED. *JS *JS

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · June 19, 2020 · crash

ABOUT A MONTH AGO AFTER A DRIVE WHERE THE ENGINE GOT UP TO OPERATING TEMPERATURE I RECEIVED A WARNING ON THE DASHBOARD SAYING SHUTOFF ENGINE AND CHECK COOLANT LEVEL IT IS LOW. THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES TO HAPPEN, SPONTANEOUSLY, WHILE I'M DRIVING. ALSO, THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR DESPITE COOLANT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 20, 2019

in 2017 Audi repaired a leaky fuel pump in my Q5 due to a recall. My vehicle now has less than 35k miles since that repair and the new-replacement fuel pump flange is failing again. Fuel was coming out and created a significant fire risk to life and property. Audi has refused to deal with the issue…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 15, 2023

MY 2015 AUDI Q5 HAS 36,000 MILES ON IT, IS GARAGE KEPT AND TAKEN WELL CARE OF. IT JUST NOW HAD BOTH REAR BEARINGS GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME. IT MADE A HORRIBLE NOISE WHILE ON SMOOTH HIGHWAY, AND I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO DEEMED IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FRONT BEARINGS BUT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · September 8, 2020

2015 Audi Q5 — common questions

Is the 2015 Audi Q5 reliable?

It is close to typical for the Q5: 123 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2015 Q5 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (45 complaints), steering (14 complaints), other (13 complaints).

Does the 2015 Audi Q5 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 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.

How safe is the 2015 Audi Q5?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2015 Audi Q5 earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

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.