2009 Audi Q5: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
30 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
56,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 16 of 30 complaints (53.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 16.7% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 6.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.3% |
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 | 16 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
Air Bags: 16; Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Engine: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 18 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 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
2009: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 2; 2016: 5; 2017: 6; 2018: 4; 2019: 2; 2020: 3; 2021: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10287380 · 2009-10-14 (October 14, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 AUDI Q5. WHENEVER THE CONTACT WOULD DOWN SHIFT FROM 2ND TO FIRST GEAR, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO LUNGE FORWARD. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 2900. UPDATED 11/3/09 *CN THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 11/06/09.*J
Owner-reported narrative. 2,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10287380 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10587841 · 2014-05-12 (May 12, 2014)
VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND SERVICED ON SCHEDULE AT THE DEALERSHIP. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR INDICATIONS ON THE DASHBOARD PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. AFTER THE CAR SAT IDLE ALL NIGHT, ON THE MORNING THE NEXT DAY, I TRIED TO TO START TO CAR. THERE WAS BIG POP SOUND. TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED AFTER A COUPLE OF MINS AND NOTICED, MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD INDICATING ALTERNATOR FAULT. OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THE SERPENTINE BELT HAS COMPLETELY FALLEN OFF. THIS RESULTED IN THE POWER STEERING BEING COMPLETELY DISABLED. BATTER…
Owner-reported narrative. 47,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10587841 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10596941 · 2014-06-08 (June 8, 2014)
THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RUNNING ROUGH FOR A WEEK OR SO. THEN WE NOTICED A STRONG GAS SMELL COMING FROM THE CAR. WE BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE PLASTIC FUEL PUMP IN THE GAS TANK HAD DEVELOPED FRACTURES AND WAS SPRAYING FUEL UNDER THE CAR BENEATH THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT. THE MECHANIC RELATED WE WERE VERY LUCKY THAT THERE WASN'T A FIRE. WHEN HE REPLACED THE PUMP WITH A FACTORY REPLACEMENT PART. HE NOTED THAT HE COULD FEEL THE PLASTIC TOP OF THE NEW FUEL PUMP PULSATING. HE CONTACTED AUDI TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL A…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10596941 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10704639 · 2015-04-09 (April 9, 2015)
STRONG GAS SMELL COMING FROM UNDERNEATH REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. NO SMELL COMING FROM GAS CAP AREA. NO GAS LEAK NOTICED UNDER VEHICLE. PER RESEARCH THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE PLASTIC FUEL PUMP LOCATED ABOVE THE GAS TANK. CONTACTED AUDI CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY STATED THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR 2009 Q5S. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT AUDI IS NOT ADDRESSING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10704639 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10765108 · 2015-09-18 (September 18, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 AUDI Q5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,110.
Owner-reported narrative. 59,110 miles reported. Look up ODI 10765108 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10873649 · 2016-06-10 (June 10, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 AUDI Q5. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR EMITTING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PLASTIC FUEL PUMP IN THE FUEL TANK WAS FRACTURED AND RELEASED FUEL BENEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10873649 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10926363 · 2016-11-16 (November 16, 2016)
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V660000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10926363 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10927027 · 2016-11-18 (November 18, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARING MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10927027 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
09V484000 · Air Bags
Reported: 2009-12-18 (December 18, 2009)
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 Q5 PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2008 AND JUNE 4, 2009. A LEFT AND/OR RIGHT A-PILLAR TRIM COVER CLIP MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED CORRECTLY, ALLOWING THE A-PILLAR TRIM TO BECOME LOOSE WHEN THE SIDEGUARD HEAD PROTECTION AIRBAGS DEPLOY DURING A CRASH.
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, A LOOSE TRIM PIECE COULD INJURE THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSPECT THE CLIP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LEFT AND RIGHT A-PILLAR COVERS AND REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-253-2834.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V078000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2016-02-10 (February 10, 2016)
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V376000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive | Air Bags
Reported: 2016-05-27 (May 27, 2016)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Audi A4, A5, and Q5 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.
Consequence: If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69O1.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V660000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2016-09-13 (September 13, 2016)
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.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V082000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2018-01-30 (January 30, 2018)
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V818000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2018-11-19 (November 19, 2018)
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗