VehicleVerdict

2018 Audi Q5 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 313 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.8 times the median Q5 year — the 2018 model ranks #1 of 19 Q5 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (71), other (43), and engine (31), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

313

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

16

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other Q5 years?

Q5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 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, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Q5 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Audi Q5 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System7123%
Other4314%
Engine3110%
Suspension248%
Driver Assistance248%
Body & Structure206%
Brakes206%
Speed Control124%
Airbags124%
Lighting114%
Transmission93%
Steering93%
Seat Belts72%
Tires & Wheels62%
Seats52%
Visibility & Wipers52%
Fuel System41%

Does the 2018 Audi Q5 have recalls?

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

21V947000Body & StructureDecember 8, 2021 · 288,991 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, 2018-2022 Q5, and SQ5 vehicles. A liquid spill in the rear seat, or water ingress from an insufficient body seam underneath the vehicle may allow liquid to penetrate the gateway control module, causing it to shutdown.

Consequence

A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will install a protective cover on the gateway control module and seal an underbody seam as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90S9.

19V737000Body & StructureOctober 16, 2019 · 174,278 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi SQ5 and 2018-2020 Audi Q5 vehicles. The rear wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach from the vehicle.

Consequence

The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four clips securing the forward part of the rear wheel arch trim, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 66K8.

19V416000Tires & WheelsJune 5, 2019 · 126,161 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach.

Consequence

The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will secure the wheel arch trim with an additional screw and nut, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 66K6.

19V277000BrakesApril 8, 2019 · 12,645 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake master cylinder casting may be too short.

Consequence

A short casting can cause a sudden loss of brakes, increasing the risk of crash. The electronic parking brake and its emergency brake function are not affected and will still function.

Remedy

Audi has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the brake master cylinder, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 3, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 47O9.

18V369000BrakesJune 1, 2018 · 10,225 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.

Consequence

A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.

16V955000Seat BeltsDecember 29, 2016 · 5,947 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.

Consequence

In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.

Remedy

Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or 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.

“NAVIGATION LOCKS UP, DRIVER COCKPIT AND DASH SCREEN SHUTS DOWN WHEN CARPLAY IS ACTIVATED. AT TIME THE CAR DOESN'T RECOGNIZE CARPLAY. ADDITIONALLY THE VOLUME CONTROL WILL ONLY INCREASE AND NOT DECREASE VOLUME. SOMETIMES IT SAYS SPEECH RECOGNITION NOT RECOGNIZED WHEN ADJUSTING VOLUME. HAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 20, 2019

“This was unintentional acceleration case: When I got into the parking space, the car was almost stopped and I was about to press the park button (gear) and the car suddenly accelerated and in a fraction of a second, climbed the curb, crashed into the fence, broke the fence and crushed on a tree. I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · November 29, 2023 · crash

“The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 31, 2022

“Rear suspension coil spring was broken, with only 62,000 miles. This sounds similar to the problem with this car's cousin, the 2018-19 VW Tiguan, which had a recall. (https://www.consumerreports.org/car-recalls-defects/volkswagen-recalls-cars-suvs-springs-could-break/) ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · February 24, 2023

“I was trying to park my car in my office parking space, after right turn to parking space, I applied brake to stop, but the car suddenly accelerated and within few seconds it crashed into the office building. I was still applying brake when it accelerated and I could not do anything else. The fact…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · December 16, 2022 · crash

2018 Audi Q5 — common questions

Is the 2018 Audi Q5 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 313 complaints put the 2018 model at #1 of 19 Q5 years. It is one of the Q5 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2018 Q5 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (71 complaints), other (43 complaints), engine (31 complaints).

Does the 2018 Audi Q5 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 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 2018 Audi Q5?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 Audi Q5 earned an overall rating of 5 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.