2011 Audi Q5: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 142 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (44% of complaints); the 2009 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Nov 2018
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 142 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2025
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2025
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2022
“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.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2020
“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”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2020
“My car has had electrical issues that the dealer has not been able to resolve. Things have gotten worse. Yesterday my son through a fit while driving on the freeway and opened the back door while I was going over 60 miles an hour and the door lock light was lit. I feel that under no circumstance should it be possible of the door to be able to open while driving at high speeds. I have discussed this with audi corporate but they were more concerned about me being able to pay for this to be fixed than the issue itself. *tr”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2020
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2020
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2020
“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”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2020
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Q5 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Audi Q5 reliable?
NHTSA has 142 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2011 Audi Q5. The most complained-about area is air bags (44% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2011 Audi Q5 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 79,000 miles or less.
Does the 2011 Audi Q5 have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.