2011 Audi Q5 Owner Complaints

During an inspection of my 2011 Audi Q5 at Audi Burlington, severe corrosion was discovered on the rear subframe, which supports rear suspension components. The corrosion was substantially worse than normal surface rust and may compromise the structural integrity of the subframe and suspension mounting points. The condition was not readily visible during ordinary vehicle use because portions of the subframe are covered. The vehicle has been operated in the northeastern United States, where road salt is used. I was advised that the rear subframe requires replacement at an estimated cost of approximately $5,884. I am concerned that continued deterioration could result in separation or movement of a suspension mounting point and a loss of vehicle control. Audi has not issued a recall or offered to cover the repair. I am aware of similar reports involving Audi Q5 rear subframe corrosion and request that NHTSA investigate whether the design permits moisture, salt and debris to remain against the subframe and cause premature structural corrosion.

NHTSA ID

11755002

Incident

Jul 10, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID

11655321

Incident

Apr 16, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11654307

Incident

Mar 17, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11636788

Incident

Jan 1, 2025

Accident head on collision with wall airbags didn't deploy

NHTSA ID

11504366

Incident

Dec 28, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11492317

Incident

Oct 4, 2022

Mileage

1,270,000 mi

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 faulty fuel injectors in their 2.0 TFSI engines. Audi dealership diagnosed our car as suffering from misfire conditions that in turn cause the malfunction indicator lamp to appear. The dealership indicates that this is a common issue with Audis during our production year. This is the same issue that Audi listed in their warranty extension letter to consumers with 2.0 TFSI engines. Our car meets all the requirements in Audi’s warranty extension letter (2011 model, less than 120,000 miles, and less than 10 years when the malfunction indicator lamp appeared) except that our car is a 3.2 FSI vs 2.0 TFSI. Audi is not able show that they did not install a faulty fuel injector into our car. Fuel injector problems in cars with mileage under 100,000 miles and less than 10 years of age is very uncommon. This plus Audi’s history of installing faulty fuel injectors into cars built in our year lead us to believe that Audi also installed a faulty fuel injector into our car.

NHTSA ID

11481103

Incident

Jun 10, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID

11465454

Incident

May 20, 2022

VARIABLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEMS- ACCELERATES AND DECELERATES IRREGULARLY.

NHTSA ID

11439251

Incident

Nov 1, 2021

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

NHTSA ID

11438656

Incident

Oct 18, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID

11384772

Incident

Dec 23, 2020

Mileage

94,250 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11374321

Incident

Nov 1, 2020

Mileage

81,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11355375

Incident

Apr 16, 2020

Mileage

120,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11355370

Incident

Apr 2, 2020

Mileage

120,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11327559

Incident

Mar 16, 2020

Mileage

133,000 mi

MY CAR WOULD NOT START AND I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO FORT MYERS AUDI. AFTER THE DIAGNOSTICS THEY SAID THE TIMING CHAIN HAD FAILED AND CAUSED A CYLINDER HEAD TO CRACK AND THE TURBO HAD ISSUES AS WELL. THEY TOLD US THAT AUDI WILL COVER THE TIMING CHAIN AND ONLY 50% OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. THE QUOTE GIVEN FOR THE CYLINDER HEAD WAS $5,810 (WITH AUDI COVERING $2,905). TO REPAIR THE TURBO CHARGER IT WILL COST $2,175. LOOKING ON THIS WEBSITE, I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE, WITH THE SAME RESULTING PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID

11326809

Incident

Jun 1, 2020

Mileage

75,000 mi

MY CAR HAS HAD ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE. THINGS HAVE GOTTEN WORSE. YESTERDAY MY SON THROUGH A FIT WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND OPENED THE BACK DOOR WHILE I WAS GOING OVER 60 MILES AN HOUR AND THE DOOR LOCK LIGHT WAS LIT. I FEEL THAT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE SHOULD IT BE POSSIBLE OF THE DOOR TO BE ABLE TO OPEN WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS WITH AUDI CORPORATE BUT THEY WERE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT ME BEING ABLE TO PAY FOR THIS TO BE FIXED THAN THE ISSUE ITSELF. *TR

NHTSA ID

11324269

Incident

May 11, 2020

Mileage

120,000 mi

I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND CITY AND IT APPEARS THE STEERING IS SOMETIMES STIFF AND THEN SOFT , I HAVE CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL AND ITS FULL. THIS IS AN ISSUE BECAUSE ITS HARD TO MAKE TURNS AS THE STEERING WHEEL STIFFENS UP. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE CAR CONSUMES ABOUT 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 300 MILES, IT WAS PART OF A LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER REPAIRED

NHTSA ID

11312004

Incident

Feb 14, 2020

Mileage

89,000 mi

MY 2011 AUDI Q5 WOULD NOT START ONE MORNING WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR IN MY GARAGE (DEC 2019). I HAD IT TOWED TO THE FLETCHER JONES AUDI DEALERSHIP IN CHICAGO IL WHERE I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL CUSTOMER SINCE MOVING HERE IN 2014. THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND IDENTIFIED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER HAD SLIPPED, AND MAY HAVE CAUSED "CATASTROPHIC" FAILURE TO MY ENGINE. THEY PROCEEDED TO ASK FOR ANOTHER $1,500 TO DIAGNOSE THE ENGINE FOR THE FAILURE, AND MENTIONED IF IF HAD FAILED IT COULD BE UP TO $10,000 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER A SHORT BIT OF RESEARCH, IT TURNS OUT THERE IS A WARRANTY THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM AND AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. MY DEALERSHIP NEVER TOLD ME THIS, AND WAS JUST EXPECTING ME TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. ALSO, I HAD MY CAR SERVICED THERE 4 DIFFERENT TIMES SINCE THE RECALL HAD BEEN ANNOUNCED. THEY NEVER ONCE INFORMED ME OF THIS. I CALLED TO ASK WHY THEY HADN'T MENTIONED THIS WARRANTY OR THIS ISSUE, AND THERE WAS NOT A GOOD ANSWER. FLETCHER JONES ALSO SAID THEY CHECK MY VIN EVERY TIME I BRING IT IN TO SEE IF THERE IS ANYTHING OUTSTANDING REGARDING RECALLS ETC ON THE CAR, WHICH MEANS THEY COULD HAVE ALERTED ME TO THIS MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN PRIOR, BUT THEY DID NOT. THEY COULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS ISSUE. FAST FORWARD TO NOW, AUDI WILL ONLY COVER 25% OF THE ISSUE, AND FLETCHER JONES IS BARELY MAKING AN EFFORT TO HELP OUT ON THEIR END. I WILL BE OUT NEARLY $5,000 TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM, WHICH IS NO FAULT OF MINE AND A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF ENGINEERING ON THE PART OF AUDI. IT ISN'T RIGHT THAT AUDI DOES NOT FULLY COVER THIS EXPENSE. AND MOREOVER, THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE A DUTY OF CARE TO DISCLOSE THEM ITEMS SUCH THAT WE CAN TAKE THE STEPS TO PREVENT THEM. FLETCHER JONES DID WRONG BY ME BY NOT DISCLOSING THIS, AND IS LIKELY DEFRAUDING AND MANIPULATING MORE CLIENTS EVERY DAY THEY REMAIN IN OPERATION.

NHTSA ID

11290908

Incident

Dec 5, 2019

Mileage

97,000 mi

OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. UNDER ANY ACCELERATION, SMOKE COMES OUT THE EXHAUST. USES ABOUT 1 QUART OF OIL PER 300 MILES. LEAK DOWN TEST WAS DONE, SHOWING LEAKAGE PAST PISTON RINGS. RESULTING IN A COMPLETE REBUILD OF ENGINE COSTING ME $5,000 PLUS. VEHICLE HAS JUST ABOUT 100,000 MILES.

NHTSA ID

11288637

Incident

Dec 12, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi

TRANSMISSION SHIFT GEARS VERY BAD, WHILE BREAKING, FROM 2 GEAR TO 1ST GEAR CAR "JUMPS" FORWARD, I SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT IT. SOMETHIMES WHEN I PUT IN TO REVERSE, IT TAKES A MINUTE UNTIL IT START DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

11252024

Incident

May 8, 2019

TIMING CHAIN ISSUE THAT CAUSED IT TO JUMP, DAMAGING THE CYLINDER HEADS AND VALVES. AS I WAS PROCEEDING TO STOP AT AT A LIGHT, THE FRONT END OF THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE ENGINE SEEMED OFF. AT A FULL STOP, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AGAIN AND THEN PROCEEDED TO DIE. THE CAR WOULDN'T START, SO I COULD NOT PROCEED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. AUDI WILL NOT COVER ANY DAMAGE THAT WAS CAUSED AND IS INDICATING THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ISSUES WITH THE TIMING CHAINS. I'VE SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND MANY OTHER LAWSUITS WHERE THIS TYPE OF ISSUE HAS BEEN COVERED FROM AUDI.

NHTSA ID

11240507

Incident

Jul 11, 2019

Mileage

63,000 mi

AT ABOUT 63,000 MILES MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND I CHECKED CODE AND P0018 SHOWED UP. IT FAILED EMISSIONS TEST SUBSEQUENTLY FOR LICENSE RENEWAL. I TOOK IN TO DEALERSHIP AND FIRST TIME THEY SAID A SENSOR WAS SLIGHTLY LOOSE AND A LITTLE CORROSION ON. SAID IT WAS FIXED AND MEETS MANUF. SPECIFICATIONS. LIGHT CAME BACK ON 2 DAYS LATER. JUST TOOK IN AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE LEFT SIDE TIMING BELT AND $6,100 TO FIX. WHAT TROUBLES ME IS THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME YEAR AUDI BUT ONLY FOR THE 2.0. MY CAR IS APPARENTLY THE ONLY 3.2 LITER HAVING THIS ISSUE. NO RECALL? IT OCCURRED AT THE SAME MOMENT IN TIME, AROUND 65,000 MILES. WHILE I WAS APPEASED SLIGHTLY BY THEM OFFERING TO FIX IT FOR PARTS COST..... ABOUT $3,300, AND THE SUBSEQUENT BILL WAS A SURPRISING (TO THE GOOD) BILL OF $2327.25 INCLUDING THE NECESSARY OIL CHANGE, I JUST QUESTION THE FACT THAT THERE IS NO PENDING RECALL ON THE AUDI Q5 3.2 LITER. AND UNFORTUNATELY STILL A SUSPICIOUS COST. EVERYTHING WAS DONE AMICABLY, AS TIME WAS OF THE ESSENCE. BUT STILL FEEL SHORTED THAT MY 3.2 DOESN'T FALL INTO THIS RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11233069

Incident

Jul 1, 2019

Mileage

64,000 mi

AT 79,000 MILES ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AFTER TIMING BELT AND TENSIONER FAILED. THIS IS THE 2ND ENGINE FOR THIS CAR. TIMING BELT DESTROYED PISTONS, RODS AND CYLINDERS. WARNING LIGHT WENT ON, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND IT FORTUNATELY EXHIBITED THE FAILURE AT THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ID

11230661

Incident

Jul 3, 2019

Mileage

79,000 mi

CAR WAS SOLD WITHOUT AN OIL DIP-STICK. THE SEQUENCE OF BUTTONS TO PUNCH TO BRING UP AN OIL-LEVEL READOUT RARELY WORKS. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT.

NHTSA ID

11230467

Incident

Jan 1, 2011