CSR

Audi · NHTSA safety record

2010 Audi Q5

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 100 safety complaints about the 2010 Audi Q5 with the US government. Of those, 2 describe a crash, 2 people were injured and no death is recorded. 4 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the gasoline fuel system and the air bags.

The most complained-about system is the air bags, named in 50 complaints, 50% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 75,000 miles, the median across the 45 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers November 2009 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

100 complaints on file

100

Complaints

2

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

2

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
AIR BAGS 50 · 50%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 29 · 29%
POWER TRAIN 8 · 8%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7 · 7%
ENGINE 5 · 5%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 5 · 5%
STRUCTURE 5 · 5%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 3 · 3%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2 · 2%
STEERING 2 · 2%
SUSPENSION 2 · 2%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2 · 2%
0 23 46

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 100.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2016 at 26.

28 21 14 7
09 10 11 12 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2009 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2010 Audi Q5, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test 4-DR. w/SAB
Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash Not rated
Side barrier Not rated
Side pole Not rated
Rollover
Chance of rollover 15.1%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

NHTSA made its frontal crash test harder for the 2011 model year, and says ratings from before that change should not be compared with ratings after it. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

4 on file

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

18V818000 · November 19, 2018

The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2007-2012 Audi Q7 and 2009-2012 Audi Q5 vehicles, previously repaired under NHTSA recall 16V-660. These vehicles were previously repaired with an interim repair of installing butyl tape to the fuel pump flange, until replacement remedy parts became available.
The risk
The butyl tape may not prevent fuel from leaking. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump flange and install butyl tape, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20BJ.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 5,987 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

18V082000 · January 30, 2018

The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
The risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 162,782 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

16V660000 · September 13, 2016

The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Audi Q5, and 2007-2012 Audi Q7 vehicles equipped with gasoline engines. The fuel pump flange on the affected vehicles may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
The risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the flange, replacing any flanges that are cracked. If the flange is not cracked, dealers will clean the pump flange and install a butyl rubber band to protect the pump. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20W9.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 143,214 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

16V078000 · February 10, 2016

The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
The risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 659,493 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2 injured · crash · towed · 119,801 miles

OUR AUDI Q5 JUST LAST NIGHT FRI. 1.27.17 AT 10PM LOST POWER AND WITHIN 30 SECONDS COMPLETE STOP AND STALL. I WAS TRAVELING WITH MY WIFE AND 4 YR. OLD SON ON OUR WAY HOME ON 210 FWY AND 57 INTERCHANGE WITHIN SECONDS WE ARE STUCK RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A 4 LANE HIGHWAY WITH CARS AND BIG RIGS ZOOM BY US AND SWERVING AROUND US. WE COULD DO NOTHING EXCEPT SIT IN THE CAR AS WE SEE A CAR HEADING RIGHT FOR US AND BRACE FOR THE COLLISION. THANK GOD WE WALKED AWAY WITH OUR LIVES AND ONLY WHIPLASH AND NOT KILLED LEAVING MY 8YR OLD DAUGHTER ALL ALONE. THE CAR AS TOWED AWAY AND TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP FOR NOW. CAR MAYBE TOTALED UNSURE AS OF YET. ALSO MAN AT THE BODY SHOP READ THE CAR CODES WHICH ONE WAS

NHTSA complaint 10948173, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

crash · 1,800 miles

TAKATA RECALL WITH NO FIX, ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP WHICH THE CAR CAN LIGHT ON FIRE THERE IS ALSO NO CURRENT REPAIR. THE DEALER SAID WE ARE SCREWED THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO.MY WIFE GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT WITH THE LOANER CAR IF IT WAS OUR CAR THAT IS PLAGUED BY THE RECALL THINGS COULD HAVE BEEN WORST

NHTSA complaint 10926189. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

towed · 130,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE AFTER IT WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V660000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AT INSKIP'S WARWICK AUTOMALL (1515 BALD HILL RD, WARWICK, RI 02886). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUDI NATICK (549 WORCESTER ST, NATICK, MA 01760) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE ONLINE AND FOUND THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED PER THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA complaint 11288018. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

towed · 190,000 miles

The contact owns a 2010 Audi Q5. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart after refueling. Additionally, a fuel odor was detected while driving. The vehicle was towed to the residence, where an independent mechanic diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer had previously replaced the fuel pump; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

NHTSA complaint 11511775. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
There is fuel leaking by the rear passenger tire under where the gas tank is. There was a recall for a cracked flange on the fuel pump.

NHTSA complaint 11766239. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
Severe Frame rusting of sub frame and crossmember. Rear of car affecting steering , tire aligment and wear. Swaying of rear end of car bouncy ride , wear or cracking of control arm and shocks.

NHTSA complaint 11678406. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
Rear Subframe has severe rust through caused by plastic covers that trap moisture. This is a danger as the rust is so severe it will impact suspension, lower control arm in the rear. It was not inspected by anyone other than myself. No warning lamps. I noticed one of the plastic pieces hanging down from the vehicle that led me to inspect the cause of this part coming loose.

NHTSA complaint 11610368. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
IN TANK FUEL PUMP CRACKED ON TOP ,LEAKING FUEL TO FLANGE AND ELECTRICAL CONECTION ON TOP OF TANK AND DOWN TO UNDER VEHICLE .NO RECALL ON AUDI SITE FOR THIS YEAR -2010 VEHICLE HAS 138000 MILES ONLY . i WAS NOT EXPECTING MATERIAL PROBLEM -PLASTIC NOT SUITABLE FOR FUEL ...

NHTSA complaint 11580078. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

152,396 miles

The contact owns a 2010 Audi Q5. The contacted stated while sitting in the vehicle, there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside the vehicle. There was a leak coming from the front of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and was diagnosed with a secondary air injection system bank 1 and 2, insufficient flow, and a possible clogged left and right cylinder head. The vehicle was not repaired due to cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 152,396.

NHTSA complaint 11570747. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Have water leaking on the driver side roof and upon Dealer servicing - it was due to faulty or worn out seals on the front windscreen- and even though the windscreen is not damaged - Audi recons it has to be replaced at customer cost including the windshield that is in good condition since to cover their inability to take the glass out w/o breaking it. In public forums I see quite a few such fixes enough to warrant this should be investigated and tagged under recalls

NHTSA complaint 11533900. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Audi Q5

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 42 1 —
2024 20 4 —
2023 43 5 —
2022 22 4 —
2021 74 8 —
2020 25 6 —
2019 52 5 —
2018 207 6 —
2017 42 5 —
2016 77 5 —
2015 99 6 —
2014 105 5 —
2013 89 5 —
2012 168 6 —
2011 143 5 —

Other 2010 Audi models

Every Audi on this site — 155 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst