NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump flange may develop leaks. Earlier repairs used a temporary tape fix while permanent parts were being developed.
What the fix does
This page covers 6 recalls, 141 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2011 Audi Q5.
20–22 mpg combined
10.7–11.8 L/100km
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
The dominant complaint pattern for the 2011 Audi Q5 centers on the airbag system, which draws the highest complaint volume by a wide margin. Owners most frequently report that airbags failed to deploy in front-end collisions, and a recurring secondary concern involves water intrusion from sunroof drainage that owners believe reaches the airbag control module or wiring. Engine complaints are the next most-reported area, with owners describing stalling while driving at highway speeds, sometimes repeatedly. The fuel system also generates a notable number of reports, with owners describing fuel odors traced to cracked or leaking fuel flanges, often without any warning light appearing beforehand. A separate but recurring theme involves subframe corrosion, particularly at the rear, with multiple owners reporting that rust caused vehicles to fail safety inspections despite what they describe as careful maintenance and garage storage.
141
Total Complaints
4
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
2
With Injuries
By System
The 2011 Audi Q5 has 6 recalls, the most serious involving airbag inflators that can explode or rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, raising the risk of serious injury or death.
Two separate airbag inflator concerns affect this vehicle. The driver's frontal airbag inflator can build excessive internal pressure during deployment and rupture, scattering metal fragments toward the driver and passengers. On the side curtain airbag, water from a damaged or blocked sunroof drainage system can soak into the foam surrounding the inflator canister, corroding it over time until it too can rupture in a crash. Prior repair attempts on some vehicles used butyl tape as a temporary fix for the fuel pump issue described below, but that tape may not hold.
On the fuel system side, the fuel pump flange can crack and allow gasoline to leak. Near any ignition source, that leak raises the risk of a fire. Some vehicles that received an earlier interim repair under a prior recall may still be at risk if the temporary fix has not been followed up with the full replacement remedy.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump flange may develop leaks. Earlier repairs used a temporary tape fix while permanent parts were being developed.
What the fix does
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Dealers will replace the fuel pump flange and apply butyl tape as a permanent repair at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's front air bag inflator may build up excessive internal pressure and explode when the air bag deploys.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's front air bag inflator with a new one at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
If the panoramic sunroof drainage system is damaged, water can enter the side head curtain airbag canister. Moisture causes corrosion on the airbag inflator, weakening the canister and risking fracture without deployment, projecting fragments toward occupants.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect for water entry, examine drainage, remove foam, and inspect the airbag canister for corrosion. Light corrosion will be treated with wax; heavier corrosion will result in inflator replacement.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Water from the sunroof drainage system can soak into foam around the side head air bag inflator canister, causing it to corrode and weaken. The corroded inflator may fracture and break apart without deploying the air bag, sending fragments into the cabin.
What the fix does
Dealers will remove the foam, inspect the inflator, and coat or replace it as needed to prevent corrosion, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump flange may crack, causing fuel to leak from the fuel system.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the flange and replace it if cracked, or clean it and install a protective rubber band if intact.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's front air bag inflator may build up too much internal pressure and rupture when the air bag deploys.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
