AUDI Q5 · model year

2011 AUDI Q5

192 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011AUDIQ5 carries 192 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 4 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 Q5 is air bags with 67 filings, followed by engine (42) and fuel/propulsion system (25). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 2011 Q5. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

192
Complaints
6
Crashes
4
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

192 filings

Crashes Reported

6 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS67
ENGINE42
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM25
POWER TRAIN12
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
UNKNOWN OR OTHER8
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE7
SERVICE BRAKES3
STRUCTURE:BODY3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
VISIBILITY/WIPER3
STEERING3
SUSPENSION2
VISIBILITY1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1

Recalls (5)

18V08200030/01/2018

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 m

18V81800019/11/2018

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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 re

16V66000013/09/2016

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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.

16V07800010/02/2016

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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

17V00100003/01/2017

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

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 weake

Recent Complaints

20250417SUSPENSION

Rear subframe rust causing car to fail state inspection. This vehicle has been maintained well and always parked in garage. The rear subframe rusted most, then front subframe. This is a common compliant among Audi forum users.

20250413ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Rear driver side door will not unlock when keypad, nor inside unlock button is pressed. Once inside, door will not unlock in sequence with other doors when vehicle is shut off and it is time to exit the vehicle.

20250118ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Audi q5 shows no recalls on my vehicle. My car stops randomly while driving even while being on highways and interstates. As well as the passenger side leaking due to sunroof drainage coming to the inside (which may affect the air bags). This Car has not had any repairs on recalls that I know of personally.

20250118FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Audi q5 shows no recalls on my vehicle. My car stops randomly while driving even while being on highways and interstates. As well as the passenger side leaking due to sunroof drainage coming to the inside (which may affect the air bags). This Car has not had any repairs on recalls that I know of personally.

20250118ENGINE

Audi q5 shows no recalls on my vehicle. My car stops randomly while driving even while being on highways and interstates. As well as the passenger side leaking due to sunroof drainage coming to the inside (which may affect the air bags). This Car has not had any repairs on recalls that I know of personally.

20230130CrashAIR BAGS

Accident head on collision with wall airbags didn't deploy

20221104FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact's wife owns a 2011 Audi Q5. The contact stated that after he parked the vehicle in his garage, he smelled a fuel odor outside of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the flange had cracked and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and advise the contact to call the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the recall was previously performed under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V818000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000. The contact stated that the dealership was able to resolve the issue.

Mileage: 1,270,000

20220825ENGINE

Audi offered a warranty extension for intake manifold & fuel injectors in certain 2008-2011 Model Year Audi Vehicles with 2.0 TFSI Engine. Audi rejected our claim for a faulty fuel injector in our 2011 car citing that “vehicle does not have the extended warranty for fuel injectors and the information that was submitted was only for 2.0 TFSI Engine's with the Engine code of CBFA & CCTA. The engine in your vehicle is a 3.2 FSI with the Engine code CALB. So this warranty extension would not be applicable to your vehicle.” Our Audi dealership diagnosed our car with the same fuel injector issue listed by Audi in this warranty extension as well as stating that this is a very common issue with our make, model and year. Our Audi is a 2011 model, less than 120,000 miles, and less than 10 years when the malfunction indicator lamp appeared. Their letter does not stand to prove that a faulty fuel injector was not placed in our car that was built in 2011, the same year that they installed fau

20220825FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Audi offered a warranty extension for intake manifold & fuel injectors in certain 2008-2011 Model Year Audi Vehicles with 2.0 TFSI Engine. Audi rejected our claim for a faulty fuel injector in our 2011 car citing that “vehicle does not have the extended warranty for fuel injectors and the information that was submitted was only for 2.0 TFSI Engine's with the Engine code of CBFA & CCTA. The engine in your vehicle is a 3.2 FSI with the Engine code CALB. So this warranty extension would not be applicable to your vehicle.” Our Audi dealership diagnosed our car with the same fuel injector issue listed by Audi in this warranty extension as well as stating that this is a very common issue with our make, model and year. Our Audi is a 2011 model, less than 120,000 miles, and less than 10 years when the malfunction indicator lamp appeared. Their letter does not stand to prove that a faulty fuel injector was not placed in our car that was built in 2011, the same year that they installed fau

20220520UNKNOWN OR OTHER

During a routine inspection my mechanic noticed the subframe of my 2011 Audi Q5 was rusted through in numerous spots. It seemed odd that a vehicle bought new and garaged since it was purchased had such extensive rust. Pictures of the rusted subframe were taken and shown to the local Audi dealer. The dealer then asked to bring the vehicle in so they could take their own pictures. Contacted Audi NA and spoke with rep about problem. The phone call ended abruptly when the Audi NA rep refused to file a claim and hung up on me.

20211103ENGINE

VARIABLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEMS- ACCELERATES AND DECELERATES IRREGULARLY.

20211103VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

VARIABLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEMS- ACCELERATES AND DECELERATES IRREGULARLY.

20211029FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My car smells like gas, I took it to the dealership ans they said my fuel pump flange is leaking gas

20201224ENGINE

AUDI Q5 94,000. I WILL NEVER NEVER BUY AUDI VEHICLE AGAIN. FIRST STARTED WITH OIL LEAK, REPLACED VALVE COVER GASKET, THEN HOOD LATCH SENSOR (GERMAN GENIUS). HOW IN THE WORLD THIS BAD SENSOR MEASURES OIL LEVEL. RACK AND PINION LEAK, THEN TIMING COVER GASKET LEAK. THEN MY MECHANIC REPLACED DRIVER SIDE UPPER CONTROL ARM. NOW REAR SHOCK IS BAD. ALREADY SPENT OVER $3000 FINE, THE WORST ISSUE I HAVE IS TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT. THE DEALER (STEALER) GAVE ME ESTIMATE OF $1700 TO FIX THIS. THE LAST SERIOUS ONE ON 12/23/20 WHILE DRIVING WITH 2 MORE PASSENGERS ON BUSY ARE IN HOUSTON NEAR MED.CENTER, CAR ENGINE LOST POWER, SHAKING VIOLENTLY, THEN I DROVE VERY SLOWLY AT AROUND 30 MPH. THIS IS AUDI Q5 IS NIGHTMARE. NHTSA PLEASE DO SOMETHING, MAKE AUDI SETTLE THESE ISSUES. THANK YOU.

Mileage: 94,250

20201224STEERING

AUDI Q5 94,000. I WILL NEVER NEVER BUY AUDI VEHICLE AGAIN. FIRST STARTED WITH OIL LEAK, REPLACED VALVE COVER GASKET, THEN HOOD LATCH SENSOR (GERMAN GENIUS). HOW IN THE WORLD THIS BAD SENSOR MEASURES OIL LEVEL. RACK AND PINION LEAK, THEN TIMING COVER GASKET LEAK. THEN MY MECHANIC REPLACED DRIVER SIDE UPPER CONTROL ARM. NOW REAR SHOCK IS BAD. ALREADY SPENT OVER $3000 FINE, THE WORST ISSUE I HAVE IS TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT. THE DEALER (STEALER) GAVE ME ESTIMATE OF $1700 TO FIX THIS. THE LAST SERIOUS ONE ON 12/23/20 WHILE DRIVING WITH 2 MORE PASSENGERS ON BUSY ARE IN HOUSTON NEAR MED.CENTER, CAR ENGINE LOST POWER, SHAKING VIOLENTLY, THEN I DROVE VERY SLOWLY AT AROUND 30 MPH. THIS IS AUDI Q5 IS NIGHTMARE. NHTSA PLEASE DO SOMETHING, MAKE AUDI SETTLE THESE ISSUES. THANK YOU.

Mileage: 94,250

20201224SUSPENSION

AUDI Q5 94,000. I WILL NEVER NEVER BUY AUDI VEHICLE AGAIN. FIRST STARTED WITH OIL LEAK, REPLACED VALVE COVER GASKET, THEN HOOD LATCH SENSOR (GERMAN GENIUS). HOW IN THE WORLD THIS BAD SENSOR MEASURES OIL LEVEL. RACK AND PINION LEAK, THEN TIMING COVER GASKET LEAK. THEN MY MECHANIC REPLACED DRIVER SIDE UPPER CONTROL ARM. NOW REAR SHOCK IS BAD. ALREADY SPENT OVER $3000 FINE, THE WORST ISSUE I HAVE IS TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT. THE DEALER (STEALER) GAVE ME ESTIMATE OF $1700 TO FIX THIS. THE LAST SERIOUS ONE ON 12/23/20 WHILE DRIVING WITH 2 MORE PASSENGERS ON BUSY ARE IN HOUSTON NEAR MED.CENTER, CAR ENGINE LOST POWER, SHAKING VIOLENTLY, THEN I DROVE VERY SLOWLY AT AROUND 30 MPH. THIS IS AUDI Q5 IS NIGHTMARE. NHTSA PLEASE DO SOMETHING, MAKE AUDI SETTLE THESE ISSUES. THANK YOU.

Mileage: 94,250

20201112FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, HE STARTED SMELLING FUEL INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER KARMART OF MAUI (411 HUKU LII PL #103, KIHEI, HI 96753, (808) 419-7400) AND THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY PREVIOUS OWNER UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V660000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,000.

Mileage: 81,000

20200916SERVICE BRAKES

TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR NEW BRAKE PADS BRAKES AND ROTORS. UPON LEAVING THE CAR WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I CALLED THE DEALER TO COMPLAIN AND WAS TOLD IT WILL WEAR OFF. EXT FEW TIMES I DROVE THE BRAKES FAILED. I CALLED AUDI AND BROUGHT MY CAR BACK AND NOW THEY WANT ME TO BY BACK BRAKES AND CALLI ER FOR BOTH SIDES WHEN THE WORK WASN'T DONE PROPERLY TO BEGIN WITH.

Mileage: 120,000

20200916FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY CAR STARTED TO SMELL LIKE GAS AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE SAID IT WAS THE FLANGE/ FUEL PUMP AND THAT THE RECALL WAS ALREADY DONE BUT THE SAME ISSUE PERSIST. THE YET ME DRIVE HOME WITH GAS POURING OUT OF MY CAR AFTER SEEING IT AND WANT TO CHARGE ME 1800 FOR A RECALLED PART. I WAS TERRIBLY SCARED AND CANNOT DRIVE AN UNSAFE CAR.

Mileage: 120,000

20200606ENGINE

MY WIFE AND I HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICES AT AUDI OF TURNERSVILLE FOR $8000.00 AT THE SERVICE WRITERS SUGGESTION. WE NEEDED A NEW TURBO WITH THE ACCESSORIES. AFTER THAT THE VEHICLE RAN FINE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. ON THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT MONTH THE VEHICLE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS AGAIN! NOT STARTING WELL...AND STALLING DURING OPERATION! *TR

Mileage: 133,000

Compare 2011AUDIQ5 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 AUDI Q5 have?
The 2011 AUDI Q5 has 192 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 4 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2011 AUDI Q5?
The 2011 AUDI Q5 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2011 AUDI Q5?
Yes, the 2011 AUDI Q5 has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 AUDI Q5?
The most-complained component for the 2011 AUDI Q5 is AIR BAGS with 67 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.
Is the 2011 AUDI Q5 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2011 AUDI Q5 has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.