VehicleVerdict

2019 Audi Q5 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2019 Audi Q5 is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 75 owner complaints run below the Q5 median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Complainants reported 18 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (12), engine (8), and steering (7), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

75

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

13

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

18

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2019 compare to other Q5 years?

Q5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 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, 2019 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Q5 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2019 Audi Q5 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1216%
Engine811%
Steering79%
Transmission57%
Brakes57%
Driver Assistance57%
Other57%
Seat Belts57%
Speed Control57%
Body & Structure45%
Lighting45%
Fuel System34%
Airbags34%
Seats23%
Tires & Wheels11%
Suspension11%

Does the 2019 Audi Q5 have recalls?

5 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.

19V473000AirbagsJune 19, 2019 · 28 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. In the event of a crash deploying the passenger's frontal air bag, the instrument panel carrier may break due to incorrect welding. If the carrier breaks, there may be damage to the passenger frontal air bag.

Consequence

A damaged frontal air bag may not provide adequate protection, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the instrument panel and the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began August 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 90N1.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“After driving on deep wet icy slush, the vehicle was on a straight section of road and suddenly vehicle inexplicably veered hard to the left causing it to run off the road and into a tree. Electrical component failure lights were illuminated on dash afterwards. What component or system failed or…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 4, 2022 · crash

“Turbo Charger Failed. Lost power for driving and Car Start Stop function failed, quit completely. 2. Fluid leaking in the Motor Mounts. 3. Rear passenger side Tail Reverse Light and Rear camera not Working at all. This could cause me a serious accident or I could get a Citation. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 25, 2025

“After driving on deep wet icy slush, the vehicle was on a straight section of road and suddenly vehicle inexplicably veered hard to the left causing it to run off the road and into a tree. Electrical component failure lights were illuminated on dash afterwards. What component or system failed or…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 4, 2022 · crash

“Traveling north Interstate 95 about 40 miles south of Jacksonville, Fl. 4/7/23 at 8 am. Traffic slowed , brakes flailed , no emergency brakes, hit others cars and travelled off road, car flew into a tree 10 ft up, cut off the top of tree and landed on nose upside down against a tree”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 7, 2023 · crash

“Turbo Charger Failed. Lost power for driving and Car Start Stop function failed, quit completely. 2. Fluid leaking in the Motor Mounts. 3. Rear passenger side Tail Reverse Light and Rear camera not Working at all. This could cause me a serious accident or I could get a Citation. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 25, 2025

2019 Audi Q5 — common questions

Is the 2019 Audi Q5 reliable?

It is close to typical for the Q5: 75 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2019 Q5 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (12 complaints), engine (8 complaints), steering (7 complaints).

Does the 2019 Audi Q5 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2019 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 2019 Audi Q5?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2019 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.