VehicleVerdict

2017 Audi Q5 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2017 Audi Q5 is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 57 owner complaints run below the Q5 median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 21 reports (37% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

57

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2017 compare to other Q5 years?

See all Q5 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Audi Q5 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine2137%
Fuel System712%
Electrical System47%
Steering47%
Brakes47%
Other35%
Body & Structure35%
Airbags35%
Speed Control24%
Suspension24%
Visibility & Wipers12%
Tires & Wheels12%
Transmission12%
Seat Belts12%

Does the 2017 Audi Q5 have recalls?

5 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.

17V297000TransmissionMay 3, 2017 · 5 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Audi Q5 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing defect within the gearbox, despite selecting the Park position, the vehicle may still unexpectedly roll.

Consequence

Despite selecting 'Park', if the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the geabox in the affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37K6.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

The PCV valve malfunctioned and required an extensive repair bill to solve. I've learned that this very engine (3.0) is already a subject of a recall for this concern, but the recall cuts off at 2016 Audis, and mine is a 2017. Please update your recall list to include ALL Audi models with this 3.0…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 18, 2024

CHECK ENGINE FUEL SYSTEM ALARM WARNING LIGHT - WITH CAUTION TO DRIVE BELOW 35 MPH AND IMMEDIATELY TO SERVICE CENTER. SERVICE CENTER SAYS THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THEN READ AP REPORT ON FUEL CLOGGING AND FIRES. THIS VEHICLE HAD A PREVIOUS RECALL BUT WE NEVER GOT A WARNING OR LETTER (THEY SENT IT TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 19, 2018

The backup camera is failing to display the rearview when the vehicle is put in reverse. It will also show a black screen and no view when in reverse. There have been several times when placed into drive that the rear view camera is on despite being in drive or park mode.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 1, 2022

Electromechanical steering rack failed as I was driving. It was hard to move my vehicle. The problem has been confirmed by the dealership. They stated that water entered the electromechanical steering unit causing it to fail. Shouldn't these units be watertight? No other warning or symptoms before…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 4, 2023

ON THURSDAY MARCH 16TH APPROX AROUND 6 PM, I WAS DRIVING BACK HOME FROM WORK. WHEN I TRIED TO STOP THE CAR AT A STOP LIGHT (DRIVING APPROX 40-45 MILES/HR SPEED ON A STRAIGHT ROAD) BY PUSHING THE BREAK PEDAL THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN, BUT FAILED TO STOP COMPLETELY AND CONTINUED TO ROLL AUTONOMOUSLY AT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 16, 2017

2017 Audi Q5 — common questions

Is the 2017 Audi Q5 reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 57 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Q5 year, with 5 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2017 Q5 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (21 complaints), fuel system (7 complaints), electrical system (4 complaints).

Does the 2017 Audi Q5 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 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 2017 Audi Q5?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2017 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.