2025 Audi Q5

The vehicle experienced a sudden and severe loss of engine power (limp mode) while driving, accompanied by a “POWER LIMIT” warning in the instrument cluster. Separately, the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) malfunctioned, including Emergency Assist / Medical Alert Assist (which autonomously pulled the vehicle over on two occasions) and Traffic Sign Recognition. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. While accelerating at approximately 35 mph, the vehicle suddenly lost nearly all power and would only move at about 2 mph, creating an immediate hazard in traffic. On two separate occasions, the Emergency Assist / Medical Alert system pulled the car over without driver input. Traffic Sign Recognition also malfunctioned. These events nearly caused three accidents and have made the primary driver afraid to operate the vehicle due to the unpredictable loss of power and autonomous system interventions. The issues have been reported to the Audi dealer. We are awaiting formal confirmation and documentation of the findings. No police or insurance inspection has occurred at this time.” or “No formal manufacturer, police, or insurance inspection has been completed beyond dealer service visits. The instrument cluster displayed a “POWER LIMIT” warning during the power-loss event. Multiple ADAS warnings and system unavailability messages (including Emergency Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition) have appeared. The power-loss event occurred while driving at approximately 35 mph. The Emergency Assist pull-over events and traffic-sign malfunctions have occurred on multiple occasions since the vehicle was purchased in December 2025 (current mileage approximately 17,105).

NHTSA ID

11776548

Incident

Nov 6, 2026

Emergency assist engages . Randomly while driving at highway speed Car starts pulling to right by itself and slowing down . In 5 seconds control can de gained by driver intervention Dealer has twice 2 appointment to fix and still can’t fix it . This is widely reported on the internet and is a know safety issue ..

NHTSA ID

11776426

Incident

Oct 13, 2026

2025 Audi Q5 S Line (VIN [XXX]). Surrendered under binding repurchase order via BBB AUTO LINE Case #[XXX] (VA Lemon Law) due to uncorrected factory defects. Odometer locked at 855 miles. 1. POWERTRAIN FLUID DEFECT & SHIFT FAILURE: Delivered new (23 miles) with transmission critically low on hydraulic fluid. Caused gear actuator failures, DTCs P187C00, P086900, P270800, and a 20-minute failure to engage "Park" (Repair Order #[XXX]). Failure to engage Park creates an immediate unintended rollaway and collision hazard (FMVSS 102/114). The dealer had to add fluid and perform 10 consecutive sensor calibrations to restore basic operation. 2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COLLAPSE & LIGHTING HAZARD: The vehicle suffered systemic bus communication drops, gateway control module crashes, and uncommanded exterior lighting turning on while parked, off, and locked. Scans revealed severe parasitic draw, gateway failure, and harness corrosion from delivery. Uncommanded exterior lighting creates a vehicle fire risk and drains 12V reserves, causing sudden complete electrical shutdown. 3. BRAKE ELECTRONICS FAULT & UNRESOLVED REMEDY: Extended diagnostic holds (>30 days) documented active DTC U041800 in Brake Electronics Control Unit 812C. Audi technical field engineering confirmed in writing that no software/hardware remedy existed for this communication failure and promised a fix by end of Q3 2026. Q3 2026 ended with zero factory remedy, recall, or campaign deployed. 4. ARBITRATED BLAME-SHIFTING: The dealer attempted to evade warranty liability by billing $1,502.69, claiming aftermarket window tint caused the harness corrosion. In binding arbitration, Arbitrator Stenlund ruled gateway crashes preceded any tint work, rejected dealer causation, and ordered a full statutory buyback and repair refund. The vehicle sat undriven at 855 miles post-service return until corporate surrender because it is unsafe to operate on public roads. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11775327

Incident

Jan 9, 2026

The NEW vehicle keeps showing a warning light on the dash saying that the rear wheel bolts are loose two accidents have occurred in a 60 day period, the vehicle has been in for service multiple times and Audi has not found a fix for the safety light warning or found the loose bolts or suspension break issues. The have ignored a vehicle defect notice sent and lawyered up as soon as I said the vehicle was a lemon.

NHTSA ID

11772648

Incident

Aug 4, 2026

I bought a late model Audi Q5 2025 late February 2026. the one I bought was a loaner with 8K miles on it, list 60k, paid 48K for it. late April, we were in the mountains of western NC and were on a windy 2 lane mountain road after midnight with no cell service and nowhere to pull off. 7 warning lights came on, the most concerning was to immediately pull over and shut off the engine. We could not do this. The steering wheel was shaking and the climate systems shut off. All ABS were non functional. We drove the last half hour to the house, put the car in the garage and figured it would need to be towed the next day. The next morning, I turned it on and all was cleared out. I took it to the dealer when back in SC, but they could not find anything. it is now mid October, it has happened 4 other times since then. all in NC except for once on [XXX] but I was near exit [XXX] so made it home. It happened twice in a week late July. it was 98 outside the first time, I had an hour to go and it was incredibly hot in the car. with no ac. my two dogs were very stressed by the time we got to the house. Again, in the garage, all clear the next morning. It happened on the way home, now it's 99 out. I turned off the car in a parking lot, waited 15 minutes, turned it on, all clear and we got home fine. My service person said there was a "major software upgrade" coming out and that was all the car needed. they got me in early before it was released and had the car for 4 days. It took 5 tries to get the upgrade. I was told this was it, all was fine. next time I was on a steep downhill in NC. had to hold tightly to the wheel it was shaking so much, abs working, maneuverability seemed compromised. I was scared to death. This time it took over a week and because they could not find the fault code, nothing done. Given the research I have done, I am sure the dealer knew about these issues when I bought the car or certainly during the emails detailing the other incidents. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATI

NHTSA ID

11771851

Incident

Apr 24, 2026

May 30, 2026 - Latching part of rear door lock broken. Had 3 grandchildren in the car at the time. Door would not latch. October 15, 2026 - Park gear would not work properly. Put in park and car would still roll. Hill-hold function also not working. March 24, April 8, August 7 - Front console lights up with warning lights for no reason. Dangerous as you don't know what is working and what is not. Forced us to have car out of commission for over 30 days since purchase on March 6, 2026

NHTSA ID

11771358

Incident

Oct 15, 2026

On October 14, 2026, while driving my 2025 Audi Q5 on a busy freeway at approximately 57 mph, the vehicle suddenly activated emergency braking and rapidly slowed/stopped without warning. At the same time, the seat belt tightened extremely forcefully around my body, restricting my movement and making it difficult to breathe. The instrument cluster then displayed “Emergency assist: canceled.” I believe the malfunction involved the vehicle’s emergency/driver-assistance braking system and restraint system. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The sudden braking created an immediate risk of a serious rear-end collision because the vehicle unexpectedly slowed/stopped in freeway traffic. I was also physically restrained by the seat belt during the event and unable to move normally. This specific freeway incident has not yet been reproduced or confirmed by the dealer. I reported it to Audi Fremont immediately and requested inspection. The vehicle has previously been serviced for other unresolved safety-related issues, including a parking-related condition acknowledged by Audi as a Pending Service Solution with no repair currently available. There were no warning lamps or messages immediately before the sudden braking event. Afterward, once I was safely able to do so, I photographed the instrument cluster displaying “Emergency assist: canceled.”

NHTSA ID

11771124

Incident

Oct 14, 2026

Brake Electronics Control Unit Failure (DTC U041800): Logged active diagnostic code U041800 (implausible signal in address 812C). Dealership records confirm no permanent remedy exists, with software patches delayed into Q3 2026, leaving active braking and electronic system faults unaddressed. Electrical Grid Collapse & Parasitic Battery Drain: Vehicle experienced exterior lights activating independently during sleep mode and cyclical 300mA to 2.0A parasitic draws. Required warranty replacement of the Central Electrical Control Module (J519), Low Voltage Power Distributor Module (J1282), and primary 12V battery (RO #AUCS214055). Powertrain & Transmission Engagement Failures: Experienced Check Engine Light cycling and a total failure to engage "Park" for 20 minutes. Scanned hard factory codes P187C00 (gear actuator 3 failure), P086900, and P270800, requiring ten consecutive distance sensor calibrations. Adaptive Cruise Control & Restraints Malfunctions: ACC fails to engage due to false occupant-detection logic errors, triggering phantom rear-seat belt warnings while driving solo and throwing error messages that compromise restraint safety architecture. Liftgate Architectural Failures: Rear trunk lid fails to open or latch fully due to software conflicts with the mobile key platform, causing the control unit to lose its calibrated position.

NHTSA ID

11763773

Incident

Jan 9, 2026

This bulletin provides information when there is an electrical system fault; control unit for low-voltage power distrbution B1BF4F0.

This bulletin provides informaiton when there are noises from the all-wheel drive coupling when corning.

This bulletin provides information when the digital key cannot be adapted.

This bulletin provides information when a yellow warning message appears with DTC C05EC00.

This bulletin is an aid for TSB2082223, combined software update 03.11.00/C (28.14/01) KD2*.

This bulletin provides informaiton on the use of the PICO-NVH tool (VAS 611 015).