Audi Q5 Recalls

The Audi Q5 has 50 recalls spanning 2007 through 2025, with the most serious recent issue being a high-voltage battery overheating risk on 2021–2024 plug-in hybrid models that can cause smoke, fire, and damage to surrounding components.

On the current generation, 2025 models have a recall where front seatbelt pretensioners may not properly restrain occupants in a crash. The 2023–2024 model years have a passenger seat sensor that can incorrectly deactivate the front passenger airbag, leaving that occupant unprotected in a crash. On 2022–2024 Quattro and Sportback Quattro models, cylinder head cover screws can loosen and allow oil to leak onto hot engine surfaces, raising the risk of fire. The 2022 model year carries several additional concerns: an engine control unit fault can cause a sudden stall while driving, and on Sportback models, a rear hatch latch can break in a crash and allow the hatch to deform beyond its designed limits. The 2020–2024 model years have a charging cable recall where an overheated outlet or cable can create a fire risk.

Going back to the 2018–2021 era, the 2021 model year has connecting rod bearings that can fail, leading to engine seizure, sudden power loss, and a potential oil-fed fire. A rear axle lock nut can break on 2020–2021 models, misaligning the rear axle and causing loss of control. On 2018–2021 models, liquid reaching the gateway control module can cause a sudden reduction in engine power. The 2018–2019 model years have a brake master cylinder that can be cast too short, causing sudden and complete loss of hydraulic braking, though the electronic parking brake remains functional. Brake caliper pistons on 2018 models may have insufficient coating that reduces braking performance. The 2019 model year has a passenger airbag concern where the instrument panel carrier can break during deployment, potentially preventing the airbag from inflating properly. The 2017 model year has a gearbox defect where selecting Park may not prevent the vehicle from rolling away if the parking brake is not also applied.

The 2013–2017 era has a cluster of fire-related issues. On 2013–2017 models with the 2.0L turbocharged engine, the electric coolant pump can become blocked with debris or short-circuit, overheat, and start a fire. Separately, the auxiliary heater wiring connector on 2013–2016 models can corrode, causing the heater wires to overheat and melt, also raising fire risk. The fuel pump flange on 2013–2017 gasoline models can crack and leak fuel near ignition sources.

The 2011–2017 model years share a sunroof drainage defect where water can soak into the foam surrounding the side head curtain airbag inflator canister, corroding it over time and potentially causing it to rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin. The 2015 model year has a related but distinct issue where seat-mounted airbag inflators can rupture during deployment, propelling metal fragments toward occupants. The 2009–2012 model years have driver frontal airbag inflators that can rupture explosively in a crash, and a fuel pump flange that can crack and leak fuel. Earlier 2008–2009 models have airbag control units that can corrode and fail,