Vehicle report

2011 Audi Q5

Free recalls, owner complaints, and NHTSA safety ratings for the 2011 Audi Q5, plus how to check this specific vehicle before you buy.

The 2011 Audi Q5 has 5 NHTSA recalls on record and 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Its overall NHTSA crash-test rating is not rated. Below is the full breakdown, plus how to check this specific vehicle by VIN before you buy in Alberta.

Open recalls

Complaints

Not Rated

Overall safety

Get the full vehicle history report

2011 Audi Q5 recalls (5)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2007-2012 Audi Q7 and 2009-2012 Audi Q5 vehicles, previously repaired under NHTSA recall 16V-660. These vehicles were previously repaired with an interim repair of installing butyl tape to the fuel pump flange, until replacement remedy parts became available.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump flange and install butyl tape, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20BJ.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Audi Q5 vehicles. The sunroof drainage system may allow water to soak into the foam surrounding the side head air bag inflator canister resulting in the corrosion of the canister. If this happens, the corrosion can weaken the canister and the inflator could fracture without air bag deployment, propelling fragments into the passenger compartment, striking and causing serious injury to vehicle occupants.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator and either coat it or replace it, as necessary, after removing the surrounding foam, free of charge. The recall is expected to began March 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69P1.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Audi Q5, and 2007-2012 Audi Q7 vehicles equipped with gasoline engines. The fuel pump flange on the affected vehicles may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the flange, replacing any flanges that are cracked. If the flange is not cracked, dealers will clean the pump flange and install a butyl rubber band to protect the pump. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20W9.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

2011 Audi Q5 safety ratings

Not Rated

Overall

Not Rated

Front

Not Rated

Side

Rollover

Source: NHTSA NCAP ratings.

2011 Audi Q5 owner complaints (15)

SUSPENSION
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
AIR BAGS
Accident head on collision with wall airbags didn't deploy
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
VARIABLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEMS- ACCELERATES AND DECELERATES IRREGULARLY.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My car smells like gas, I took it to the dealership ans they said my fuel pump flange is leaking gas
STEERING,SUSPENSION,ENGINE
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
ENGINE
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
ENGINE
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

Checking a used Audi Q5 before you buy

The recall, complaint, and safety data above describes the 2011 Q5 in general. To know the condition and history of the specific vehicle you're looking at, check it by VIN. A VIN check shows whether this particular Q5's recalls are still outstanding, and a full history report adds accident, title, and ownership records the data above can't show.

Before you buy a 2011 Audi Q5 in Alberta:

Run a free VIN check on the exact vehicle for its own recalls and safety data.
Run an Alberta Personal Property Registry lien search so you don't inherit debt.
Get an independent pre-purchase inspection.
If it's a dealer, confirm their AMVIC licence.

See other model years of the Audi Q5, or browse more Audi models.

2011 Audi Q5 — questions and answers

Does the 2011 Audi Q5 have any recalls?+

Our check found 5 NHTSA recalls associated with the 2011 Audi Q5. Check the specific vehicle by VIN to see which remain outstanding, since some may already have been repaired. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.

How many complaints does the 2011 Audi Q5 have?+

NHTSA lists 15 owner complaints for the 2011 Audi Q5 in our results. Complaints are problems reported by owners and don't always lead to a recall, but a pattern of similar complaints is worth weighing before you buy.

Is the 2011 Audi Q5 safe?+

The 2011 Audi Q5 has an overall NHTSA crash-test rating of not rated. Review the front-crash, side-crash, and rollover ratings above, and pair safety ratings with a mechanical inspection of the specific vehicle.

How do I check a 2011 Audi Q5 VIN?+

Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN into our free VIN check to see recalls, complaints, and safety ratings for that exact vehicle, then run an Alberta Personal Property Registry (PPR) lien search before you pay.

Are recall repairs on a Audi free?+

Yes. Safety recall repairs are performed at no cost by a franchised Audi dealer, even for a used vehicle and even if you're not the original owner. Confirm the required parts are in stock before relying on the fix.