2012 Audi Q5: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 168 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (49% of complaints); the 2010 and 2013 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 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 168 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The Audi technician discovered that the rear subframe had rusted through completely, which they deemed very unsafe and recommended replacing the subframe.”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2025
“Too many engine issues/misfire/oil leaks on coils, air intake issues- hard to find the issue, engine burns/consumes way too much oil. Had gasket cover, PCV valve replaced, all coils replaced on 2 occasions due to oil leakage, spark plugs replaced, fuel pump replaced, intake valve replaced, water pump replaced, mass airflow sensor replaced, electric throttle body module replaced and I'm still experiencing misfires etc.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2024
“I have maintained the car well returning to Audi dealerships for all servicing. I'm able to pull into any Audi dealership to top off my oil due to a known issue with excessive oil consumption for Q5s. At 108,000 miles, the consumption is progressively worsening requiring 1 quart of oil every 500 miles. There's no oil drippings on my garage floor.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“The vehicle Q5 takes about 2 Quarts of oil every 400-500 miles. There are no oil leaks . It's at 117,000 miles. Don't know what to do . Vehicle runs great but the oil sign comes on every 500 miles”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2022
“I have a one family, mother-in-law former owner 2012 Audi Q5 2.0T and unfortunately like others have the issue of excessive oil consumption. This started at about 75,000 miles and now at 79,000 miles it is using about 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles. Of course dealers have their talking points saying this is normal. No, excessive oil consumption is not normal! Too bad Audi is not doing anything about this known problem. NAA (Never Again Audi).”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2022
“The contact owns a 2012 Audi Q5. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the rear end of the vehicle was swaying from side to side and was very unstable. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the rear subframe had sustained severe rusting and corrosion, and there were holes present in the sub frame. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 180,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2022
“The contact owns a 2012 Audi Q5. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle started violently shaking. The contact stated that the Electronic Power Control (ECP) and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle started losing motive power and was pulled over out of the roadway. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer where it remained. The vehicle diagnosed and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,700.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2022
“This 2012 Audi Q5 has an apparent bad passenger occupant sensor connection that could deactivate the vehicle's passenger-side airbags and increase the risk of injury or death in the event of a crash. It appears the problem specifically stems from a faulty connection between the passenger seat occupancy sensor and the seat heater wiring, which can cause the vehicle's computer to assume that there is no passenger present and defeat the airbag on that side. This system is typically meant to reduce the cost of repairs in a crash by not detonating unneeded airbags. Audi recently announced recall number 74E3 to fix other models with the same issue.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2022
“The vehicle is needing about 2qts every 2-3 days. Every once in a while I can feel it slip. I just bought this vehicle in October 2021. There are absolutely no leaks. It's a safety hazard because if it loses enough oil when I am driving, the car can and will die in the middle of the road. This vehicle is what I use to haul my 2 year old daughter in. Yes the vehicle can be inspected. The vehicle was bought at cooks car sales. Lewiston, idaho 83501”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2021
“EXCESSIVE OIL USAGE, OIL LIGHT COMING ON EVERY 2-3 DAYS ABOUT EVERY 100 MILES DRIVEN OR LESS. I take it to my same mechanic shop always, this is a major issue with the turbo using excessive engine oil consumptions. It's not leaking, it's a VERY WELL KNOWN DEFECTIVE ISSUE WITH THESE 2012 AUDI Q5 2.0 TURBO AWD. MASSIVE GAS USAGE BUT THE MAJOR OIL ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BECAUSE THIS WILL COST THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET CONSIDERING THIS IS A AUDI DEFECT. This issue will end up causing major engine failure if not recalled costing thousands of dollars for a engine replacement.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2021
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 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 IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 AUDI Q5 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 21, 2011, THROUGH DECEMBER 9, 2011. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A FRONT SUNROOF GLASS PANEL THAT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO BREAKAGE IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER/TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS.
Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUNROOF GLASS PANEL, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-253-2834.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
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 2012 Audi Q5 reliable?
NHTSA has 168 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2012 Audi Q5. The most complained-about area is air bags (49% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2012 Audi Q5 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 72,000 miles or less.
Does the 2012 Audi Q5 have open recalls?
6 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.