RoadVitals

2017 Audi Q5

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
42
Latest Jun 15, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Apr 11, 2018
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 42 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2017 Audi Q5, most frequently naming the engine, fuel system and brakes categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 724 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine1936.5%
  • Fuel system713.5%
  • Brakes47.7%
  • Steering47.7%
  • Electrical47.7%
  • Airbags35.8%
  • Body & structure35.8%
  • Driver assistance23.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

Apr 11, 2018
342,867 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.
The risk: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 19N3/19N4View on NHTSA.gov

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

May 3, 2017
5 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Audi Q5 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing defect within the gearbox, despite selecting the Park position, the vehicle may still unexpectedly roll.
The risk: Despite selecting 'Park', if the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the geabox in the affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37K6.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 37K6View on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

May 3, 2017
240,487 units potentially affected
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Audi Q5 and 2013-2017 Audi Q7 vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump flange if cracks are present. Flanges that do not have cracks will have a protective film applied. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20Z8. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 16V-660.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 20Z8View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Jun 15, 2026

Coolant tank empty - leaking. Coolant leaking from the thermostat housing to engine. Had to replace the thermostat housing and reseal the valve cover Because the oil leak coming from the valve cover is causing oil to reach the thermostat sear and cause the rubber seal to expand and blow out causing the coolant to leak from the thermostat. This cost me $2,431.00.

NHTSA ID
11744177
Incident
Jan 19, 2026
Body & structureEngine
Filed May 14, 2026

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 ID
11737878
Incident
May 14, 2026
Engine
Filed Jan 26, 2026

Oil consumption. Audi Q5 oil consumption in my car is not functioning properly. I have to put oil in it about every 3 weeks or less depending on how much I’m driving.

NHTSA ID
11713475
Incident
Jun 2, 2025
Engine
Filed Jan 20, 2026

Piston rings failure, large oil consumption and water pump leaking

NHTSA ID
11712260
Incident
Jan 1, 2026
Brakes
Filed Dec 29, 2025

On 12/13/25 around 8:00am in the morning. I was driving between 20-25 MPH and started to brake for the corner stop sign. I applied the break as I normally would however, the car continued to roll and did not respond to my applying pressure to the brake pedal. No matter how much pressure I apply to the brake the car continued to coast without stopping. I continued to press hard on the break and even pumped the break. After 2 to 3 yards of coasting, the car stopped. I continued to drive the car for another 0.5 miles and the same break problem occurred again. There are no lights indicating problems on my dashboard. The weather was clear and sunny in the morning. There was no rain. There was no snow. All the roads were dry. I took the car to my dealership and they could not find anything wrong. The brake pads were well within the normal safety range at 8 mm. There was no computer system malfunction. They could not give me an explanation. The Audi dealership’s head mechanic said that because my front brake pads and rotor, and my back brake pads were replaced at Pep Boys two years ago that this could be a reason for the brake failure. although he was not 100% sure of this. He suggested that I pay $3500 for Audi to replace the current rotors and brake pads despite the original determination that there were nothing wrong with them. The auto mechanic test drove the car with me after the diagnostic evaluation. He could not detect any problems with the brakes no screeching sounds no noises. The anti brake system was working well. to this day, I still do not feel safe driving this car for fear that the incident with the brake failure will happen again.

NHTSA ID
11707450
Incident
Dec 13, 2025
Engine
Filed Jun 23, 2025

coolant is leaking from pump and tstat housings. pump was replaced in 2018 and 2019 by audi due to audi recall. now it is leaking after only 6 years. seems like faulty materials and creates hazardous situation. leaks confirmed via diagnostics by Premier1 auto and certified technician. first received low coolant indicator light in May. filled coolant. then within a couple of weeks it was significantly low again.

NHTSA ID
11668736
Incident
Jun 23, 2025
Engine
Filed Apr 22, 2024

The PCV valve malfunctioned and required an extensive repair bill to solve. I've learned that this very engine (3.0) is already a subject of a recall for this concern, but the recall cuts off at 2016 Audis, and mine is a 2017. Please update your recall list to include ALL Audi models with this 3.0 engine, as the problem is the same regardless of the year.

NHTSA ID
11584415
Incident
Apr 18, 2024
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Feb 10, 2024

My SUV had stopped heating/defrosting and vehicles car charging ports appear to not be working any longer. It was discovered that my coolant pump was blocked with debris. The heat has returned, still no power to the charge points in vehicle. While driving on highway, my vehicles dash started to light up instructing me to turn off engine coolant low (electric). However, my H C coolant gauge was just below midpoint. It appears to be a bit faulty. Nonetheless, I pulled off highway and asked a local car supplier store and mechanic shop to look, they reported that it appears to be leaking coolant inside the vehicle puddling the coolant in the undercarriage of the vehicle not leaving any visible signs of leaks on driveway. Please advise.

NHTSA ID
11571183
Incident
Feb 10, 2024

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB_2082846_1

This bulletin provides a statement regarding the bottleneck of supply for VW approved oil types VW 504.00 and VW 507.00.

TSB_2078648_2

STRUCTURE:BODY

This service information TSB provides warranty coverage information for vehicles with a broken sunroof panel.

TSB_2073747_4

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides informatoinw hent here are scratches or a coating on the cover of the instrument cluster, or particles inside of the housing.

TSB_2073282_1

STRUCTURE:BODY

This bulletin provides information when there is a film/visible rings on the clear glass cover of the headlight when the dipped beam is switched on.

SM 01-2026

ENGINE

This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.

TSB_2074640_3

ENGINE

This bulletin provides information when there is increased oil consumption; >0.5ltr/1000 km.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Audi Q5 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026200
2025401050.2
2024194051.0
2023425064.8
2022214066.3
2021698055.4
2020236060.6
2019495062.0
20181976055.4
2017Viewing425057.2
2016775062.1
2015976057.0
20141055057.6
2013895050.3
20121686049.0
20111425048.6
2010994045.4
2009306049.3
2008010

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.