VehicleVerdict

2023 Audi Q5 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2023 Audi Q5 is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 66 owner complaints run below the Q5 median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

Driver Assistance leads the complaint categories with 21 reports (32% of the total).

66

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

12

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2023 compare to other Q5 years?

Q5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 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, 2023 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Q5 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2023 Audi Q5 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance2132%
Electrical System1015%
Other914%
Engine69%
Brakes46%
Tires & Wheels46%
Transmission46%
Airbags35%
Steering23%
Seat Belts12%
Fuel System12%
Visibility & Wipers12%

Does the 2023 Audi Q5 have recalls?

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

25V294000EngineMay 7, 2025 · 89,417 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Q5 Quattro and Q5 Sportback Quattro vehicles. The cylinder head cover screws may have been improperly tightened.

Consequence

The screws can loosen, allowing oil to leak and increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the screws as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 5, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 15ZK.

25V080000Electrical SystemFebruary 12, 2025 · 20,201 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Audi Q5, and 2022 A7 E Hybrid Electric PHEV vehicles. The high-voltage battery may overheat.

Consequence

A high-voltage battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will install advanced diagnostic software as the final remedy, anticipated to be available in the second quarter of 2025. Volkswagen will monitor available online vehicle data and contact owners as necessary, to advise them not to charge the vehicle until the battery can be replaced. For vehicles in which online data is unavailable, owners are advised not to charge their batteries until the final remedy becomes available. Repairs will be performed free of charge. This will be a Phased recall. Phase 1 will include Interim letters 2022-2023 model year vehicles. Phase 2 will include Owner letters 2021-2024 model year vehicles, and Phase 3 will include Interim letters 2022-2023 model year vehicles. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed February 28, 2025, and May 7, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 93AA. This recall expands and replaces previous NHTSA recall number 24V898.

24V898000Electrical SystemNovember 27, 2024 · 4,616 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Audi Q5 PHEV and 2022 Audi A7 PHEV vehicles. The high-voltage battery may overheat.

Consequence

A high-voltage battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will install advanced diagnostic software as the final remedy, anticipated to be available in the second quarter of 2025. Volkswagen will monitor available online vehicle data and contact owners as necessary, to advise them not to charge the vehicle until the battery can be replaced. For vehicles in which online data is unavailable, owners are advised not to charge their batteries until the final remedy becomes available. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 93AA. This recall has been replaced by NHTSA recall number 25V080.

24V251000AirbagsApril 3, 2024 · 91 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 Audi S5 Cabriolet, A4 Allroad, Q5 Sportback, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, SQ7, TT Coupe, TT Roadster, RS5 Sportback, 2024 A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q8, RSQ8, 2023-2024 Q3, Q5, and Q7 vehicles. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the occupant detection system (ODS) control module may loosen and deactivate the front passenger air bag.

Consequence

A deactivated front passenger air bag will not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the passenger seat occupant detection system control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 8, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69GU.

23V842000Electrical SystemDecember 13, 2023 · 93,196 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 RS e-tron GT, e-tron GT, Q4 e-tron Sportback, Q4 e-tron, 2020-2021 Audi A8, 2019-2024 e-tron Quattro, 2020-2024 e-tron Sportback Quattro, Q5, and 2021-2022 A7 vehicles. When using the industrial 220V/240V plug at the 100% charge setting, some home power outlets may be incapable of handling the electrical current required to utilize the compact charging system, causing the outlet or charging cable to overheat.

Consequence

An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to use the 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable and only use the 110V home charging cable or public charging stations. Dealers will supply a new 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable with an incorporated temperature sensor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's numbers for this recall are 93U6 and 93U8.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“My wife was pulling into a parking spot when all of a sudden the cars engine accelerated causing the car to jump one curb, hit a step and striking a pole before finally the brakes stopped the car from going through a storefront. None of the safety crash features stopped the vehicle. My wifes foot…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · November 9, 2023 · crash

“I moved forward and hit this stone and then when I hit the stone. I tried to reverse and I lost control of my car. The car began spinning and I had no control of the car. The car finally crashed on it’ s own. I could not brake or nothing. I was rushed to the emergency room. I had a headache and…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 11, 2023 · crash

“I was at a park on March 8,2024 and was parking between two cars. When I was about to press park, vehicle's accelerator self -engaged and the car took off at high speed, This resulted in a collision with a tree about 10 feet from the curb. All front airbags were deployed and the front end got…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 8, 2024 · crash

“My wife and I were in the 2023 Audi Q5 with 1000 miles. I had complained to the dealer and manufacturer that this car was unsafe to drive. On June 9, 2023 I was driving slowly in my community. I tried to stop at a stop sign. NO brakes then at the same time the car had unintended sudden…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 5, 2023 · crash

“Total engine failure at ~13.5k miles. 2 out of 4 cylinders and pistons failed, found damage on cylinder walls. Cylinder pressure too high. Failed cylinder leak down test and pressure test. Metal shavings found in oil filter and housing. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 23, 2025

2023 Audi Q5 — common questions

Is the 2023 Audi Q5 reliable?

It is close to typical for the Q5: 66 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2023 Q5 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are driver assistance (21 complaints), electrical system (10 complaints), other (9 complaints).

Does the 2023 Audi Q5 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2023 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.