CarModelProblems.com

2011 Audi Q5 Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Air Bags — runs 5.6× the fleet median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
141Complaints
5Recalls
4Crashes
2Fires
2Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Air Bags (47.5% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Air Bags complaints here are 5.6× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.

3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Air Bags67 · 47.5%RecalledRecall 18V082000 · Recall 16V078000
Engine42 · 29.8%No official action
Fuel/propulsion System25 · 17.7%RecalledRecall 18V818000 · Recall 16V660000
Power Train12 · 8.5%No official action
Electrical System8 · 5.7%No official action
Fuel System, Gasoline7 · 5%RecalledRecall 18V818000 · Recall 16V660000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS67 · 47.5%
ENGINE42 · 29.8%
POWER TRAIN12 · 8.5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8 · 5.7%
Unspecified / other8 · 5.7%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE7 · 5%
SERVICE BRAKES3 · 2.1%
STRUCTURE:BODY3 · 2.1%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3 · 2.1%

Percentages are the share of the 141 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 5 campaigns

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

NHTSA campaign 18V818000 · 2018 · reported 11/19/2018

The butyl tape may not prevent fuel from leaking. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

NHTSA campaign 17V001000 · 2017 · reported 01/03/2017

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 18V082000 · 2018 · reported 01/30/2018

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

NHTSA campaign 16V660000 · 2016 · reported 09/13/2016

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 16V078000 · 2016 · reported 02/10/2016

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“WELL FIRST IT WAS THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL, BUT THE ONE I'M COMPLAINING ABOUT IS THE RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP AND ALSO THE FUEL…”NHTSA complaint 11218745 — filed 06/09/2019 · AIR BAGS
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED…”NHTSA complaint 11218121 — filed 06/05/2019 · AIR BAGS
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT AUDI ROCHESTER (LOCATED…”NHTSA complaint 11217173 — filed 05/31/2019 · AIR BAGS

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

22010212013982015444620171639201912320214120235

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Audi Q5?

Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 67 of 141 NHTSA complaints (47.5%), followed by engine (42), fuel/propulsion system (25), power train (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2011 Audi Q5 have?

141 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 4 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 2 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2011 Audi Q5 have any recalls?

Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 18V818000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2011 Audi Q5's reported problems?

3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.