76 of the
1,860 complaints filed about the Audi Q5
are about the body and structure —
4% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2018.
I was pulling into (my usual) handicapped parking space, at a slow speed. As I approached the curb my brakes did NOT respond to stop my car. Not only did my brakes not respond, the car actually sped up - going up the curb and hitting the handicapped sign pole. The pole broke and stopped my vehicle! I was afraid my (out of control) vehicle would keep going through a store front - it did not. Folks gathered around- thinking I had put my foot on the gas . I DID NOT put my foot anywhere except on my BRAKES …which went ‘mushy’ . would not stop my vehicle. My research has found similar incidents reported by other drivers. I am NOT ALONE. Of course the dealership could not reproduce the incident. But they did suggest many other services for a car with 60,000 miles. The AUDI dealership took NO responsibility for the incident. There was a recall on the master cylinder that was supposedly handled before I took delivery of the vehicle in January 2019. Audi denied that anything was currently amiss with my master cylinder. There was a warning message when I tried to start my car about a week before. Because it made no sense - like your tires are low - I dismissed it as just a check engine light 🤷🏽♀️ I honestly can’t remember what that ‘odd’ warning said🤦🏽♀️ I’m not alone in reporting this - I’m almost afraid to drive my car😰
NHTSA complaint #11757443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My Q5 has a defective subframe. The system is defective because plastic coverings on the subframes of Audi Q5s and SQ5s trap moisture and other elements, causing the subframe to rust, rot, and corrode undetected, which creates a dangerous safety hazard, the existence and extent of which is concealed by the plastic coverings. This results in a myriad of negative consequences for the Class Vehicles and their safe and reliable operation. The defect, which can only be discovered after removing the plastic covering on the vehicles’ steel subframe, leaves an affected Audi vulnerable to “structural instability.”
NHTSA complaint #11754215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle failed inspection due to premature rust perforation damage of rear subframe caused by a plastic cover trapping water against the metal. Vehicle otherwise passed inspection.
NHTSA complaint #11739494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My rear subframe is completely rotted out and the dealership I bought it from but a new inspection sticker sold it to me and told me it was perfect condition
NHTSA complaint #11737878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mechanic was checking the car and noticed subframe is rusted through underneath the plastic cladding. Audi dealers should cover this under warranty as it’s a safety issue. This happened due to poor designing.
NHTSA complaint #11735390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Severe corrosion of the rear subframe crossmember on a 2014 Audi Q5 Premium Plus, purchased with 65,464 miles. Two independent inspections in South Carolina confirmed structural failure. Audi of Greenville, an authorized Audi dealership, marked the condition as VERY DANGEROUS on the service invoice and quoted $4,711.52 for subframe replacement. They were unable to perform a wheel alignment due to the severity of the corrosion. Yoder's Automotive in Westminster, SC independently confirmed the subframe was rusted beyond repair on both sides. Fist-sized holes have corroded through the structural metal on both sides of the subframe. The vehicle has plastic stone guard covers bolted over the subframe from the factory. These covers trapped road salt and moisture against unpainted mild steel, accelerating concealed corrosion that was invisible until the covers were removed during inspection. The vehicle is undriveable and has not been driven since the defect was discovered in approximately March 2026. This defect pattern is documented in at least 16 prior NHTSA complaints for Audi Q5 models spanning model years 2010 through 2018. Audi has revised the subframe part number at least five times (8R0505235F through 8R0505235N) but has issued zero recalls and zero consumer notifications.
NHTSA complaint #11730241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This vintage 2014 Audi A5 has a well known serious rust perforation issue with the rear subframe. The corrosion / rust through of two major holes, approx 3 inches in diameter, causing structural failure of the sub frame. This is a major saftey concern with these cars from model year 2009 thru 2017. The only remedy is replacement of the sub frame under Audi's 12 year rust perforation warranty or good will.
NHTSA complaint #11729264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stopped and jerked, and the RED master warning light illuminated, and the message “Electrical Control Module” failure was displayed. On other occasions, while driving at undisclosed speeds, the turn signals and brake lights failed to operate as intended, and the message "Faulty Brake Light" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that there was water trapped in the clogged sunroof drain, and the water leaked, and the control module was covered in water. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
NHTSA complaint #11728482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the windows independently rolled up and down, and the engine seized. While attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the failure had occurred three times within five days. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was purchased. The failure was diagnosed with a failed gateway control module. The contact was informed that the gateway control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The contact was informed that the plastic protective bag that covered the gateway control module was filled with water. In addition, the dealer informed the contact that the NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V947000 (Electrical System, Structure); recall repair was performed prior to the contact purchasing the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 37,200.
NHTSA complaint #11720211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q5. The contact stated that the rear subframe was extremely rusted and could not pass a safety inspection. The vehicle was driven to the dealer, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,351.
NHTSA complaint #11713660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle rear subframe comes with plastic covers that trap road salt and cause severe corrosion. Issue only presents itself when plastic covers are removed, revealing rust/corrosion and lost material, and a risk of the subframe to split resulting in lost of vehicle control on the road. This was found as a preventative action due to reports from other car owners and is confirmed by Audi Dealers as a common issue. Labor and parts estimate around $6000 (including $2000 in parts)
NHTSA complaint #11705300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 was told the SUNROOF was under a recall, but their records, this item had been address on my vehicle, no further assistance was offered.
NHTSA complaint #11691013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Took vehicle in for state safety inspection. Found heavy rust on subframe nearly all the way through. Was told if it gets any worse it will not pass inspection next time. Apparently there are plastic rock shields on subframe that trap water causing it to rust. Took it to dealer and they want to charge close to $4000 to replace. This seems like an engineering defect. The vehicle is kept in a garage and doesn’t have any other rust on it.
NHTSA complaint #11677300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while driving 35-40 MPH and accelerating, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled to the side of the road, and the vehicle was able to restart. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the body control module(BCM) was floating in water. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V947000 (Electrical System, Structure), and the additional repairs were at the contact's expense. The contact stated that the recall remedy was inadequate for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
NHTSA complaint #11674315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2014 Audi Q5 TDI with 115000 miles. Rear subframe inspected individually, by independent shop, and by Audi dealership. Found to have severe rust with perforation underneath where plastic debris covers are mounted. It is currently installed on vehicle at time of complaint. The failure of the subframe can disable the vehicle while driving, disconnect the axle and surrounding components, and cause an accident with one or more vehicles on the road. Audi has a 12 year/unlimited mileage warranty but claims it is not covered under warranty. Repair is quoted around ~$6000 including parts and labor.
NHTSA complaint #11672270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Incident date: 06/30/25, Lift gate has closed while still trying to retrieve items from the cargo area, it seems if key is on the person and somehow the kick sensor was activated by accident the lift gate will shut down, the vehicle did make a beeping sound yet I was not clear where/what until the lift gate is coming down on me so I had to quickly move, the lift gate was quite close yet no sensor was activated to prevent the lift gate from shutting. This incident occurred prior to this date and I had to manually push the lift gate up since it was even closer to my body. I did some troubleshooting and read that the key should not be on the person, if so then someone can set off the kick sensor, designed for hands-free operation, can be sensitive and might accidentally trigger the liftgate to close if someone is too close to the rear bumper. Some users report this happening even without intentionally activating the feature. This is a safety issue that a vehicle does not have the sensor to detect an object or body to lift back up. A situation where a 2024 Audi Q5 liftgate closes by itself, potentially causing injury, is concerning. It does appear several factors can contribute to such a malfunction, causing a safety hazard. **Please note I have a video from my from home camera yet unable to upload it. I tried my best to take pictures from the video.
NHTSA complaint #11670646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
A coil that is attached underneath the sunroof is attached to the BCM. There is not a drain plug at the end so there was 5 inches of water there and the BCM was made to sit in that spot. The electrical wires and BCM were burned out because of this. The BCM controls the entire system not limited to the start button and everything that runs the car. I have only had the vehicle less than 1 year and it costs 4000 dollars to fix. My car has been at the dealership since June 9th.
NHTSA complaint #11670179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while pulling into a business at an undisclosed speed, there was an unknown warning light illuminated, and the message "Left and Right Rear Signal and Center Rear Brake Light Malfunction" was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that the key warning light and engine malfunction warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that there was water intrusion into the rear cargo area of the vehicle, due to a clogged drain. The contact was informed that the drain tube needed to be cleaned, the module needed to be replaced, and the vehicle needed to be rewired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
NHTSA complaint #11668943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.