2010 Audi Q5 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
99 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
75,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 45 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 50 of 99 complaints (50.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 19 | 19.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 4.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 3.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.0% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 2.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 1.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 50 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 28 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Structure:Body | 5 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 3 |
Air Bags: 50; Fuel/Propulsion System: 28; Electrical System: 7; Engine: 5; Structure:Body: 5; Power Train: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 11 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 11; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 54 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 26 |
| 2017 | 21 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2009: 1; 2010: 8; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 26; 2017: 21; 2018: 14; 2019: 9; 2020: 5; 2021: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 5; 2024: 3; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 19 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10836667 · 2016-02-17 (February 17, 2016)
STARTED TO NOTICE A FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. IT BECAME SO BAD THAT THE CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE. UPON INSPECTION THE TOP OF THE FUEL FILTER, (WHICH IS PART OF THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY), IN THE GAS TANK WAS LEAKING PROFUSELY ALONG A MOLD INJECTION LINE ON THE TOP OF THE FILTER. THE FILTER IS MADE OUT OF HARD PLASTIC. IT WAS SPRAYING GAS ON THE ACCESS PLATE UNDERNEATH THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT. SO MUCH SO THAT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT WAS SOAKED IN GASOLINE AND HAD POOLED ON TOP OF THE ACCESS PLATE. ATOMIZED GAS IS VERY DA…
Owner-reported narrative. 106,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10836667 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10870781 · 2016-05-25 (May 25, 2016)
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN STRONG FUMES OF FUEL EMITTING INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE PROGRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A PREMATURE CRACK IN THE HEADLINER FOR THE FUEL INJECTOR CAUSING THE FUEL TO LEAK INTERNALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS) BUT THE PART WAS N…
Owner-reported narrative. 94,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10870781 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10970312 · 2017-04-03 (April 3, 2017)
WE ARE AWARE THAT THERE WAS A DIFFERENT RECALL THAT DID NOT INCLUDE OUR CAR THAT CAUSED CORROSION IN THE PANELING OF THE CAR FROM THE MOON ROOF AND IT WAS POSSIBLY CAUSING AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. WE HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE SERVICED AND THEY HAVE EXPLAINED TO US THAT THERE IS EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF CORROSION IN THE PANELS OF THE CAR AND ALSO THE CORROSION AND WATER LEAKAGE HAS DESTROYED THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF OUR BACKUP CAMERA/SYSTEM. WE ARE WONDERING IF THIS HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP BY OTHER PEOPLE BECAUSE, ALTHOUGH OUR CAR'S VIN WAS NOT …
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10970312 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11144435 · 2018-10-31 (October 31, 2018)
THE SUNROOF HAS A LEAKAGE WHICH AS CAUSES DAMAGE TO SUNSCREEN. THE WATER FROM THE SUNROOF HAS LEAKED INTO VEHICLES ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND HAS CAUSED BACK UP CAMERA, PARKING, THE STEREO SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION. WATER FROM THE ROOF HAS ALSO AFFECTED THE ENGINE'S BLOWER IT HAS SHORT-CIRCUITED SO THAT THE AC AND HEATER NO LONGER PUT OUT AIR.
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11144435 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10293752 · 2009-11-28 (November 28, 2009)
TRANSMISSION HESITATION AND " JERKING". *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10293752 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10302595 · 2010-01-27 (January 27, 2010)
MY BRAND NEW 2010 AUDI Q5 EXHIBITED TWO DANGEROUS TRANSMISSION RELATED PROBLEMS WITHIN THE FIRST COUPLE WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP IN JANUARY 2010. BOTH ISSUES WERE INTERMITTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE. FIRST, UPON SLOWING TO A STOP, JUST PRIOR TO COMPLETE STOP THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY SURGE FORWARD ON ITS OWN WITH ALMOST ENOUGH FORCE TO OVERPOWER BREAKING IF YOU DIDN'T REACT QUICKLY BY APPLYING MORE BREAK PRESSURE. SECONDLY, THE CAR WOULD EXPERIENCE A LAG IN ENGAGING GEARS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP OR NEAR STOP. MY WIFE ALMOST GOT IN AN AC…
Owner-reported narrative. 120 miles reported. Look up ODI 10302595 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10948173 · 2017-01-29 (January 29, 2017)
OUR AUDI Q5 JUST LAST NIGHT FRI. 1.27.17 AT 10PM LOST POWER AND WITHIN 30 SECONDS COMPLETE STOP AND STALL. I WAS TRAVELING WITH MY WIFE AND 4 YR. OLD SON ON OUR WAY HOME ON 210 FWY AND 57 INTERCHANGE WITHIN SECONDS WE ARE STUCK RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A 4 LANE HIGHWAY WITH CARS AND BIG RIGS ZOOM BY US AND SWERVING AROUND US. WE COULD DO NOTHING EXCEPT SIT IN THE CAR AS WE SEE A CAR HEADING RIGHT FOR US AND BRACE FOR THE COLLISION. THANK GOD WE WALKED AWAY WITH OUR LIVES AND ONLY WHIPLASH AND NOT KILLED LEAVING MY 8YR OLD DAUGHTER ALL ALONE. THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 119,801 miles reported. Look up ODI 10948173 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11506165 · 2023-02-08 (February 8, 2023)
Water leaked into the rear battery compartment and into the trunk passenger side fuse bay. No apparent reason for leak. All windows, doors, sunroof and truck lid were closed. Flooding shorted control modules (parking aid controller, CAN buss and etc) flooding also took out the battery causing car to stall on highway. Water gets in after rainy days. Suspected malfunction of sunroof drain, but not certain. Shorting of electrical components verified by mechanic. Multiple parts needed replacement. No warning lamps prior to events. Available f…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11506165 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11476179 · 2022-07-27 (July 27, 2022)
The Audi Q5 Premium Plus 2010 has a huge problem with the dashboard where it shows multiple dysfunctions! The worse is the back rear light and the steering wheels who makes awful noises, and so much more. I do not know why there is no recall for this model as they all have the same issues. Please advise.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11476179 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11678406 · 2025-08-05 (August 5, 2025)
Severe Frame rusting of sub frame and crossmember. Rear of car affecting steering , tire aligment and wear. Swaying of rear end of car bouncy ride , wear or cracking of control arm and shocks.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11678406 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10924401 · 2016-11-05 (November 5, 2016)
MY BRAKES FAILED ON TWO OCCASIONS. WHEN THE BRAKE WAS PRESSED, THE PEDAL SANK ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. LUCKILY, ON BOTH OCCASIONS, THE CAR WAS MOVING AT LESS THAN 25 MPH. MY ABILITY TO SLOW DOWN WAS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED. ULTIMATELY LEARNED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10924401 at NHTSA ↗