2018 Audi Q5 Body & structure Problems

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 ID

11674315

Incident

Jul 15, 2025

Mileage

58,000 mi

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 ID

11670179

Incident

Jun 10, 2025

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 ID

11668943

Incident

Jun 13, 2025

Mileage

83,000 mi

The Audi Q5 sunroof drain that is intended to keep water out of the vehicle, leaked where water collected and pooled in the car beneath the car liner. The water collected on the "comfort module" and electrical fuse box resulting in immediate electrical failure of several vehicle features/systems including brake lights, turn signals, reverse lights, windshield wipers, etc. to name a few. In addition to repairs in excess of $10k, the vehicle will be totaled by the insurance company. After an exhaustive search, several Audi users of the same make, model and year have faced a similar issue. This issue must be addressed by Audi and should be reviewed immediately.

NHTSA ID

11627813

Incident

Nov 22, 2024

The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, upon reaching the destination, the contact became aware that the headlights would not turn off. After which, the vehicle failed to restart, and the vehicle was towed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V947000 (Electrical System, Structure); the VIN was included, but the vehicle had already been repaired under the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11607011

Incident

Aug 6, 2024

The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated the vehicle was parked during a rainstorm and the contact attempted to start the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed a diagnostic test and stated that water entered the vehicle through a fractured seal causing the electrical wiring to get wet. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V947000 (Electrical System, Structure) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

NHTSA ID

11577415

Incident

Feb 6, 2024

Mileage

190,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V737000 (Structure) however, the front driver's side wheel arch trim panel was detaching from the frame. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V737000 (Structure). The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that the repair was not covered. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 32,827.

NHTSA ID

11556925

Incident

Nov 18, 2023

Mileage

32,827 mi

Control modules located next to the gateway module that was recently recalled are getting wet and shorting out. Tail lights, brake lights, turning signals, license plate lights, and reverse lights all stop working. Once the area is dry, the lighting works only sometimes. I am not ever sure if the lights work or not while I'm driving and am concerned about getting rear-ended because of the lights being out and me not knowing.

NHTSA ID

11546126

Incident

Sep 21, 2023

Having taking the car in for routine service at the Audi dealership, it was discovered that the Right rear spring and lower perch were not in correct position. I had the car inspected by an auto body shop and was told that the perch is hanging down and the spring has tipped sideways. I am having the car flat bedded to the dealer in Hyannis and the next available date on the schedule for the car to be repaired is 9/26/23. I was advised not to drive the car by the dealership until the repairs are made.

NHTSA ID

11545170

Incident

Aug 29, 2023

My 2018 Q5 has experienced water intrusion due to the defective design of the sunroof/drainage system, causing water to leak into the trunk and rear left cavity where the ECM and battery are located. After several hours of rain, approx. 2 inches was collected in the location of the battery and was extremely dangerous.

NHTSA ID

11544013

Incident

Sep 6, 2023

In early July, 2023 various warning and fault lights began to show on the dashboard: engine start system, brake lights, start/stop system, and others - indicating malfunctions with systems important to safety. Also, the car alarm system sounded without cause and key pods would not lock/unlock the doors electronically. These warning lights proliferated over several days. We took our car into our local Audi dealership. They diagnosed the problem as follows: "Performed GFF and found code for 3393 comfort system control module replacement. Control module faulty due to control unit being submerged in water and fried the control unit. Water leak due to rear drains clogged causing the water to overflow. Performed/fixed the water leak, cleaned out the pools of water that have accumulated, replaced the control unit 3393 comfort system control module, performed control unit replacement test plan and program keys." The Audi Q5 is well known to have design/parts problems in the sunroof drainage system. As has occurred in thousands of other Q5s, those issues caused the rear cargo area to flood, frying an important electronic component and activating warning/fault lights for a range of other systems. Malfunctions in several of those systems could have caused critical safety issues. We are fortunate because we decided to take our Audi directly to the dealership service center. Repairs cost several thousand dollars.

NHTSA ID

11534347

Incident

Jul 2, 2023

The sunroof draining is designed in such a way that if the holes get clogged, the water can back up and flood the comfort control module in the rear of the car rendering it useless. That module controls critical parts of the driving of the car like turn signals, the on/off starter motor, which if they fail while on the road make it incredibly dangerous to drive. Audi has already recalled the car to "enclose" the gateway control module but refuses to take responsibility for damage to the comfort control module caused by badly designed sunroof drainage. This incident caused a $9,000 repair that they refused to pay for.

NHTSA ID

11533619

Incident

Jun 18, 2023

The car is totalled. My car tripped 9+ malfunction warnings, after starting and driving. These included rear brake lights, directionals, start/stop system, and more. It appears that the sunroof leaks, and the roof drains were clogged (even though they were specifically checked and cleaned by the dealer 2 months earlier). This led to water accumulating in the areas under the back seat (a prior recall which allegedly had been addressed...NHTSA campaign number: 21V947000. Audi’s number for this recall is 90S9.), and in the rear wheel well area, where electronics control modules live. The car eventually had to be towed to the dealer. It was initially estimated to cost $9,500 to repair. But, after several weeks, more water was found and it was declared not worth repairing.

NHTSA ID

11525085

Incident

May 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle in a severe rainstorm, the vehicle experienced electrical failures, which included the head lights flashing and the horn activating before the vehicle suddenly became inoperable. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who discovered that rainwater had leaked into the rear of the vehicle and the electrical components were submerged in water causing an electrical failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V947000 (Electrical System, Structure). The failure mileage was 53,000.

NHTSA ID

11522325

Incident

Apr 29, 2023

Mileage

53,000 mi

REAR HATCH RANDOMLY OPEN DURING OPERATIONS AND WHILE SITTING PARKED.

NHTSA ID

11450027

Incident

Jan 31, 2022

Panoramic sunroof leaked water into the car's electrical system during a rainstorm (despite being closed tight), resulting in a total failure of the car's electrical system, potentially a catastrophic occurrence. Fortunately the electrical failure happened when the car was stationary.

NHTSA ID

11440144

Incident

Oct 21, 2021

I WAS ABOUT TO GET ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY CAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AND I GOT SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS. THE BRAKING/STOP START SYSTEM, LIGHTS AND A FEW OTHER LIT UP. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID WATER (RAIN) GOT IN THROUGH MY SUNROOF AND SHORTED MY SYSTEM (WARRANTY WON'T COVER). THERE ARE SEVERAL CLASS ACTION SUITS RE. THIS ISSUE ALREADY AND AUDI KNOWS ABOUT IT, BUT THERE'S NO RECALL AND CARS HAVE STOPPED SUDDENLY ON THE FREEWAY. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ID

11416186

Incident

May 6, 2021

Mileage

30,000 mi

AS I WAS PREPARING TO PARK AT MY LOCAL GROCERY STORE IN AN ASSIGNED SPACE I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE FRONT END SLAMMED INTO A CONCRETE RETAINING WALL, CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO BOTH MY VEHICLE AND THE RETAINING WALL. THE CAR WAS PRACTICALLY AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THIS OCCURRED. ADDITIONALLY WHEN I REVERSED THE CAR IT ACCELERATED BACK AT A RAPID SPEED. IT WAS VERY SCARY AND THANKFULLY NOBODY WAS INJURED OR WORSE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS OR FATAL SITUATION AND I FEEL THAT THERE WAS SOME KIND OF ELECTRONIC FAILURE. CONSIDERING THE SAFETY RECORD ON THIS CAR I FELT VERY UNSAFE AND NOT IN CONTROL.

NHTSA ID

11165262

Incident

Jan 3, 2019

Mileage

12,000 mi

ON THREE OCCASIONS BEGINNING IN THE SPRING OF 2018, THE TAILGATE HAS RANDOMLY OPENED WITH NO COMMAND FROM THE OWNERS. EACH TIME THE CAR HAS BEEN IN OUR GARAGE AND WE HAVE BEEN ELSEWHERE. EACH TIME THE TAILGATE COLLIDED WITH THE GARAGE DOOR WHEN WE OPENED THE GARAGE DOOR WAS OPENED CAUSING BODY DAMAGE. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR THE AUDI Q5 AND OTHER MODELS AND THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED OUTSIDE ON STREETS AND ROADS AS WELL AS INSIDE. THE DEALER SAID THAT AUDI HAS A PROVIDED THE DEALER WITH A TECHNICAL BULLETIN TO MAKE SOFTWARE CHANGES REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, EVEN AFTER THE SOFTWARE CHANGES, THIS PROBLEM HAS RECURRED. AUDI HAS REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE BODY WORK. ON THE FIRST OCCASION, I PAID FOR THE BODY WORK. ON THE SECOND OCCASION, THE DEALER PAID FOR THE BODY WORK AFTER AUDI REFUSED TO PAY. THE CAR IS NOW GOING INTO THE DEALER FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD SO THAT THE DEALER CAN WORK WITH AUDI ENGINEERS TO HOPEFULLY SOLVE THIS PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL. IF THE TAILGATE OPENS ON A HIGHWAY AND LUGGAGE FALLS OUT, SOMEONE COULD BE HURT OR KILLED.

NHTSA ID

11164738

Incident

Jan 2, 2019

Mileage

20,000 mi

I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE ON 4/21/2017, I WAS SOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP ON THE ADVERTISED SAFETY FEATURE CALLED THE AUDI PRE SENSE. AUDI PRE SENSE DETECTS COLLISION HAZARDS ALL AROUND THE CAR AND INITIATES SPECIFIC PREVENTIVE MEASURES. ON 1/20/2018 AT 9AM I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET GOING ABOUT 10-15 MPH, I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND WAS DRIVING OFF FROM THE INTERSECTION DUE TO THE GLARE IN MY EYES I WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE A CEMENT PILLAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR COLLIDED AND THERE THE ENTIRE FRONT WAS SMASHED IN, THE ENGINE BELT WAS CLIPPED.I CONTACTED AUDI HEAD QUARTERS AND DESCRIBED TO THEM THE INCIDENT, PROVIDED PICTURES, AND POLICE REPORT. AUDI CUSTOMER CARE TOLD ME THAT THE SAFETY FEATURE DOES NOT WORK IN SUNLIGHT AND THAT IN THIS CASED THE AUDI PRE SENSE WOULD NOT OF DETECTED ANYTHING. THIS IS FAR DIFFERENT FROM WHAT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD AS WELL AS WHAT IS PUBLISHED ON THEIR WEBSITE. THE AUDI PRE SENSE SHOULD BE 360 VIEW AND MY CAR SHOULD HAVE ALERTED ME THAT I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

11076352

Incident

Jan 20, 2018

Mileage

3,300 mi