CSR

Audi · NHTSA safety record

2012 Audi Q5

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

Owners have filed 168 safety complaints about the 2012 Audi Q5 with the US government. Of those, 3 describe a crash, 2 people were injured and no death is recorded. 6 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the air bags, named in 85 complaints, 51% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 72,000 miles, the median across the 62 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers January 2012 to May 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

168 complaints on file

168

Complaints

3

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 85 · 51%
ENGINE 47 · 28%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 20 · 12%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 10 · 6%
STRUCTURE 9 · 5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5 · 3%
POWER TRAIN 5 · 3%
SUSPENSION 4 · 2%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 4 · 2%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 3 · 2%
SERVICE BRAKES 3 · 2%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 3 · 2%
0 35 69

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 168.

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 38.

40 30 20 10
12 13 14 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 2012 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 2012 Audi Q5, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test SUV AWD
Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal, driver Not rated
Frontal, passenger Not rated
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

A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

6 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

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

17V001000 · January 3, 2017

The 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.
The risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 234,057 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

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

12V299000 · June 28, 2012

The defect
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 AUDI Q5 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 21, 2011, THROUGH DECEMBER 9, 2011. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A FRONT SUNROOF GLASS PANEL THAT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO BREAKAGE IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER/TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS.
The risk
SHOULD THE SUNROOF’S GLASS BREAK WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE, THE FALLING GLASS COULD CUT AND INJURE THE DRIVER OR PASSENGERS. IT COULD ALSO DISTRACT THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy
VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUNROOF GLASS PANEL, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-253-2834.

VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC · up to 13,172 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.

AIR BAGS

crash · towed · 49,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE DRIVER BECAME DISTRACTED AND CRASHED ONTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint 11064590. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

crash · towed

I had an accident on 4/15/2024. I blacked out and ran into an oak tree but none of my airbags deployed.

NHTSA complaint 11586039. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

crash

WAS PULLING INTO MY PARKING SPOT AT WORK (SLOWING DOWN, STEPPING ON BRAKE) WHEN CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO WIDE OPEN THROTTLE. I PRESSED HARD ON THE ON BRAKE, IT WOULD NOT STOP. IT WAS BUCKING LIKE A BRONCO. IT WENT OVER THE CURB, ACROSS THE SIDEWALK. BY THEN I WAS STANDING ON THE BRAKE WITH BOTH FEET. IT TOOK OUT A 3-FT. TALL LIGHT ON THE LAWN BEFORE I THREW IT INTO NEUTRAL AND STOPPED IT.

NHTSA complaint 11062177. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:THROTTLEBODY/MANIFOLD

towed · 130,700 miles

The contact owns a 2012 Audi Q5. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle started violently shaking. The contact stated that the Electronic Power Control (ECP) and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle started losing motive power and was pulled over out of the roadway. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer where it remained. The vehicle diagnosed and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,700.

NHTSA complaint 11460579. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY
Unknown

NHTSA complaint 11737442. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY
The vehicle sunroof exploded. On March 10th at approximately 12:15pm, while driving down the road from my residence in my 2012 Audi Q5, the sunroof blew up, without warning, causing shattered glass to fall inside the cab of the vehicle onto myself, and my then nine year old son, causing minor cuts, and small pieces of glass to be lodged into the skin of our arms, chest, and head . I called the Audi service ref repairs, and was told it would take three months, before the service department could look at and repair my vehicle, as they were backed up with repairs. I ordered a new sunroof windshield and did a self repair and calibration. I followed up with Audi, advising of the incident, and

NHTSA complaint 11691013, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The oil has been leaking for some years. I have taken it in several times, to be fixed and it is still leaking

NHTSA complaint 11685033. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

160,000 miles

The contact owns a 2012 Audi Q5. The contact purchased the vehicle at an auction, and while leaving the auction site and driving 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact jumped-started the vehicle, and after entering the freeway, the vehicle vibrated and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The failure persisted until the contact arrived at the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle remained unrepaired for several days. The contact went to pick up the vehicle, and the independent mechanic

NHTSA complaint 11679877, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
Low oil pressure

NHTSA complaint 11649062. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
Oil leaking excessively + low oil pressure.

NHTSA complaint 11649063. 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 —
2011 143 5 —
2010 100 4 —

Other 2012 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