NHTSA has received 50 owner complaints about the 2019 Audi Q5, or 6.5 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.15, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 76 model-year 2019 vehicles we track, it ranks #10 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Audi models its rate is 29% lower; against other Luxury SUVs it is 57% lower.
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 2019-05-23 and 2026-09-02. Median delay from incident to filing: 13 days.
50Complaints
6.5Complaints per year on the road
0.15Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
5Recalls
10.0%Share involving a crash or fire
13Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2018) drew 23.2 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2020) drew 5.4 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2019 model collected 11 complaints, 86% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Electrical (22.0% of complaints), followed by Engine (16.0%) and Steering (12.0%). Within Electrical reports, owners most often mention “module”, “water”, “fault”, “system” and “safety”. 5 reports (10.0%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 6 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 59 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (44% of incidents). In the last 12 months 13 new complaints were filed, versus 7 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for this model year. 44% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.15
vs. other Audi models0.71
vs. other 2019 models0.14
vs. other Luxury SUVs0.43
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (11)0.14
Traveling north Interstate 95 about 40 miles south of Jacksonville, Fl. 4/7/23 at 8 am. Traffic slowed , brakes flailed , no emergency brakes, hit others cars and travelled off road, car flew into a tree 10 ft up, cut off the top of tree and landed on nose…
Brakes · 2023-04-24 · ODI 11518689 · Crash
The contact owns a 2019 Audi Q5. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle and with the engine idling, she exit the vehicle, and moments later the vehicle erroneously began to drive forward and crashed into an office building.
Transmission / powertrain · 2022-07-26 · ODI 11475865 · Crash
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.
Electrical · 2026-09-02 · ODI 11761511
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.
Electrical · 2026-07-26 · ODI 11752899
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.
Brakes · 2026-07-19 · ODI 11751401
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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE Campaign 19V473000 · 2019-06-19
Summary: 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.
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.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2019 Audi Q5?
50 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Audi Q5, or about 6.5 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2019 Audi Q5?
The most common category is Electrical, accounting for 22.0% of complaints.
Does the 2019 Audi Q5 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2019 Audi Q5 still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 13 new complaints were filed, versus 7 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
How does the 2019 Audi Q5 compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 50 owner complaints about the 2019 Audi Q5, or 6.5 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.15, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 76 model-year 2019 vehicles we track, it ranks #10 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Audi models its rate is 29% lower; against other Luxury SUVs it is 57% lower.