NHTSA has received 201 owner complaints about the 2018 Audi Q5, or 23.2 per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.55, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 73 model-year 2018 vehicles we track, it ranks #36 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Audi models its rate is 154% higher; against other Luxury SUVs it is 54% higher.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2018-01-22 and 2026-08-28. Median delay from incident to filing: 9 days.
201Complaints
23.2Complaints per year on the road
0.55Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
6Recalls · ⚠ 1
5.0%Share involving a crash or fire
26Last 12 months
Analysis
The following model year (2019) drew 6.5 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2018 model collected 36 complaints, 60% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Electrical (30.8% of complaints), followed by Engine (16.4%) and Wheels, tires & suspension (13.9%). Electrical complaints are 2.0 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Electrical reports, owners most often mention “water”, “module”, “sunroof”, “gateway control” and “comfort”. 10 reports (5.0%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 5 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 67 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (63% of incidents). In the last 12 months 26 new complaints were filed, versus 29 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls for this model year, 1 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 62% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.55
vs. other Audi models2.54
vs. other 2018 models0.47
vs. other Luxury SUVs1.54
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (36)0.4
I was pulling into (my usual) handicapped parking space, at a slow speed. As I approached the curb my brakes did NOT respond to stop my car. Not only did my brakes not respond, the car actually sped up - going up the curb and hitting the handicapped sign pole.
Brakes · 2026-08-17 · ODI 11757443 · Crash
I was pulling slowly into a parking space at a grocery store, with my right foot on the brake, nearly stopped. Then the car rapidly and suddenly accelerated unintentionally.
Other · 2026-04-12 · ODI 11730665 · Crash
Description of Incident and Safety Defect:Failed Component & Inspection Availability: The gateway control module, located in an unsealed floor compartment under the rear seat, failed due to liquid/moisture intrusion.
Electrical · 2026-08-28 · ODI 11760272
While driving the vehicle after a bump in a pot-hole there was loud clunking noise from the engine compartment and car stopped suddenly. There was a risk of getting hit by the car from behind.
Engine · 2026-08-27 · ODI 11760016
XXX My wife drive her 2018 audi q5 2.0 on express way with mother([XXX]),the car suddenly stall and lost all power ,because car bcm2 module has suffered liquid damage due to known vehicle design defect, towing to nearest repair shop change new bcm2 module and…
Electrical · 2026-08-18 · ODI 11757720
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM Campaign 21V947000 · 2021-12-08
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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 Campaign 19V277000 · 2019-04-08
Summary: 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER Campaign 18V369000 · 2018-06-01
⚠ Park-outside / do-not-drive warning
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.
Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2018 Audi Q5?
201 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Audi Q5, or about 23.2 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2018 Audi Q5?
The most common category is Electrical, accounting for 30.8% of complaints.
Does the 2018 Audi Q5 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 6 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2018 Audi Q5 still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 26 new complaints were filed, versus 29 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
How does the 2018 Audi Q5 compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 201 owner complaints about the 2018 Audi Q5, or 23.2 per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.55, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 73 model-year 2018 vehicles we track, it ranks #36 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Audi models its rate is 154% higher; against other Luxury SUVs it is 54% higher.