2019 Audi Q5 problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Audi Q5, most often about electrical system. There are 5 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 46
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes
- 4
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 4
- Median mileage
- 22,000 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Electrical System is the most-reported problem area, named in 12 of 46 complaints (26%).
- Engine (9) and brakes (7) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 22,000 mi.
- Owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries.
- The 2019 Audi Q5 has 5 recalls on file.
- It ranks 6th of 18 Audi Q5 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
- That is 73% fewer complaints than the 2018 model year (171).
2019 Audi Q5 problems by category
- Electrical System · 1 crash12 complaints
- Engine9 complaints
- Brakes · 2 crashes7 complaints
- Other / Unknown6 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain · 1 crash6 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 1 crash6 complaints
- Steering · 1 crash5 complaints
- Lighting4 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts · 1 crash4 complaints
- Airbags3 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control3 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion3 complaints
- Body & Structure · 1 crash2 complaints
- Wheels & Tires1 complaints
- Suspension1 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Electrical system | 12 |
| Engine | 9 |
| Service brakes | 7 |
| Power train | 6 |
| Unknown or other | 5 |
| Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking | 5 |
| Steering | 5 |
| Exterior lighting | 4 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2019 Audi Q5 recalls (5)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM · STRUCTURE:BODY
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, 2018-2022 Q5, and SQ5 vehicles. A liquid spill in the rear seat, or water ingress from an insufficient body seam underneath the vehicle may allow liquid to penetrate the gateway control module, causing it to shutdown.
Risk: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover on the gateway control module and seal an underbody seam as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90S9.
- STRUCTURE:BODY
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi SQ5 and 2018-2020 Audi Q5 vehicles. The rear wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach from the vehicle.
Risk: The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four clips securing the forward part of the rear wheel arch trim, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 66K8.
- AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. In the event of a crash deploying the passenger's frontal air bag, the instrument panel carrier may break due to incorrect welding. If the carrier breaks, there may be damage to the passenger frontal air bag.
Risk: A damaged frontal air bag may not provide adequate protection, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the instrument panel and the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began August 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 90N1.
- WHEELS:HUB
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach.
Risk: The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will secure the wheel arch trim with an additional screw and nut, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 66K6.
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake master cylinder casting may be too short.
Risk: A short casting can cause a sudden loss of brakes, increasing the risk of crash. The electronic parking brake and its emergency brake function are not affected and will still function.
Remedy: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the brake master cylinder, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 3, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 47O9.
Recent 2019 Audi Q5 complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Sep 16, 2026DETransmission & Drivetrain
The vehicle is experiencing an issue withe the All-Wheel Drive system where its function is affected by an issue Audi calls Shutter or Shudder. The degradation in this system's performance is characterized by drive system torque oscillations when the steering wheel is turned. A hazardous condition is introduced when the AWD system is required for traction control and the system either outputs oscillatory torque, or binds up at a time where smooth torque at each wheel is…
NHTSA complaint #11764639 · source - Filed Sep 16, 2026AZEngine
Received a malfunction drive train alert on a 2019 Audi with approximately 66,000 miles at the time. Took it in to have it addressed and was advised it needed a new Turbo. The turbo has since been replaced. However, a vehicle with very low miles should not be having any drive train issues. There is a class action lawsuit against Audi for the same issue. However my vehicle was not included. This is a known issue with Audi.
NHTSA complaint #11764630 · source - Filed Sep 2, 2026NYBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System
Severe consequential safety defect involving total anti-lock braking system (ABS) failure stemming from a manufacturer recall defect and volatile CAN-bus network conditions during repair. This vehicle has less than 7,500 miles and has been grounded at an authorized dealership, Audi Brooklyn- Lic# [XXX], 700 Hicks Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231, for exactly 20 days since being flatbed-towed on [XXX], due to total power failure caused by the known manufacturing defect of clogged…
NHTSA complaint #11761511 · source - Filed Jul 26, 2026ILDriver Assistance & Safety TechVisibility & Wipers
2019 Audi Q5 had the hardware fail which controls the rear view camera (controls other functions too) It's known as the MMI and the replaced part says "MIB2 Main-Unit" on the housing. I have the old part that the dealer replaced in my possession. Dealer confirmed the part was broken and would require replacement. not having a rear camera impacts safety in parking lots, backing in to streets etc, as well as increased risk of backing off the road esp in tight settings. there…
NHTSA complaint #11752899 · source - Filed Jul 19, 2026ILBrakes
Went to Mavis on Weber Rd in Bolingbrook, IL for front brake replacement on June 6, 2026. It took 6.5 hours when I was originally told when I called to schedule the appointment it would only take 1.5 hours, so it was obvious that something was wrong. Within 100 yards of leaving their parking lot after the service appointment, an obvious clattering was present. I immediately called them to let them know the replacement had not been performed correctly. Booked appointment with…
NHTSA complaint #11751401 · source - Filed May 12, 2026NVElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
2019 Audi q5 drive system malfunction/start stop malfunction. Error code will come on randomly in traffic and when you try to put your foot on the gas it hesitates and you need to push harder on the gas. Car will also lose acceleration power and take longer to reach desired speed. Drive system malfunction light will come on as well as an error stating start/stop system malfunction. Have had multiple sensors and battery replaced with only temporary results. Start stop…
NHTSA complaint #11737448 · source - Filed Apr 22, 2026TXOther / UnknownSeats & Seat Belts
My seat belt warning has been going off intermittently. I received an extended warranty from Audi Subject: Seat Occupancy Detection System Limited Warranty Extension extending the warranty for my car. However, when I took it to the dealer they could not replicate the sound. I provided them a video of it happening. They said it was not showing as a fault on the computer and therefore refused to repair the seat under the warranty extension. This is a safety issue and it's…
NHTSA complaint #11733149 · source - Filed Apr 18, 2026MAEngine
A failed (frozen) Turbocharger Wastegate Actuator. An engine warning light came on and engine had less power. It had to be replaced. There was a settled law suit for the same issue covering this item in previous vehicles settled in 2025.
NHTSA complaint #11732112 · source
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Other 2019 Audi models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology