2014 Audi Q5: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
105 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
50,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2014 model year. Data snapshot: . 53 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 36 of 105 complaints (34.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 19 | 18.1% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 6.7% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 4.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 4.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 2.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 1.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 36 |
| Steering | 17 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 11 |
| Unknown Or Other | 11 |
| Structure:Body | 10 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Suspension | 7 |
| Power Train | 6 |
Engine: 36; Steering: 17; Fuel/Propulsion System: 11; Unknown Or Other: 11; Structure:Body: 10; Electrical System: 9; Suspension: 7; Power Train: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 13 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 13 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 13; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 52 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 |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 20 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 7 |
2013: 1; 2014: 9; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 5; 2018: 20; 2019: 10; 2020: 7; 2021: 9; 2022: 7; 2023: 7; 2024: 5; 2025: 15; 2026: 7
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 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 10550913 · 2013-11-05 (November 5, 2013)
WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR BLINDED MY VIEW OF THE CAR WAITING AT THE STOP SIGN OF THE ROAD I WAS ENTERING. MY CAR CLIPPED THE OTHER CAR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10550913 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10568063 · 2014-03-09 (March 9, 2014)
THIS IS THE THIRD INCIDENT WHERE THE CAR CAME TO A STOP, WITH NO THROTTLE RESPONSE, WHEN I MADE A HARD LEFT TURN (U-TURN FROM A STANDING STOP) INSTEAD OF ACCELERATING AS EXPECTED. THERE APPEAR TO BE SEVERAL THOUSAND SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IN YOUR DATABASE, FROM MANY DIFFERENT MAKES, WHERE THE ABS SYSTEM CUTS POWER TO THE ENGINE INSTEAD OF ALLOWING A RAPID ACCELERATION FROM A STANDING START, WHEN THERE IS NO TRACTION PROBLEM, AND CUTTING THE POWER CREATES AN IMMEDIATE RISK OF CRASH BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CAR WAS 'DEAD' FOR ABOUT TWO SECONDS …
Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10568063 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10568573 · 2014-03-11 (March 11, 2014)
VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY AUDI FOR A SIMILAR ISSUE. REPORTING AGAIN, BECAUSE DEALER COMPLETELY REPLACED AUDI "ELECTROMECHANICAL STEERING UNIT". VEHICLE STEERING LOCKED UP HARD, REQUIRING VERY LARGE AMOUNT OF FORCE TO TURN EVEN A FEW DEGREES. MESSAGE ON A DISPLAY "STEERING IS DEFECTIVE". VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY AUDI FOR A SIMILAR ISSUE JUST ON 23 OCT 2013. REPORTING AGAIN AS A NEW ISSUE, BECAUSE DEALER HAS COMPLETELY REPLACED AUDI "ELECTROMECHANICAL STEERING UNIT" AND OTHER PARTS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 3,884 miles reported. Look up ODI 10568573 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10575950 · 2014-03-31 (March 31, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT EXHIBIT ANY RESISTANCE AND DID NOT ADJUST TO THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10575950 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10593742 · 2014-05-23 (May 23, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTO START/ STOP FUNCTION. WHILE DRIVING FROM A COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE AUTO/STOP FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND RESUMED IN OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10593742 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10598564 · 2014-06-16 (June 16, 2014)
FUEL TANK LEAK. WENT FOR A NORMAL UNEVENTFUL DRIVE FROM HOWARD COUNTY MARYLAND TO VIRGINIA SUBURBS AND CAME HOME BACK AND PARKED IN THE GARAGE ON FRIDAY THE 13TH!. WOKE UP IN THE MORNING TO A GARAGE THAT SMELLED VERY HEAVILY LIKE GAS. LOOKED BELOW THE AUDI Q5 AND SAW A SMALL PUDDLE OF GAS. PARKED THE CAR OUTSIDE THE GARAGE AND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP. THEY ADVISED THAT THIS COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD AND ASKED TO CALL AUDI ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR A TOW TO THE DEALERSHIP. AUDI ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE ASKED ME TO CALL THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT TO MAKE S…
Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10598564 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10637126 · 2014-09-17 (September 17, 2014)
THIS IS BRAND NEW AUDI Q5 I PURCHASED ROUGHLY A MONTH EARLIER. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, MULTIPLE CARS BEGAN HONKING AND WAVING AT US. I PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT BLACK SOME WAS APPEARING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE ISSUE AND THEY TOWED THE CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. THE SERVICE CREW DID CONFIRM AN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE. A WEEP HOLE WAS FOUND ON SIDE OF TRANSMISSIONS THAT WAS LEAKING OIL WHICH CAUSED BLACK SMOKE TO APPEAR FROM THE ENGINE. THE SERVICE TEAM ENDED U…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,046 miles reported. Look up ODI 10637126 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10643647 · 2014-10-09 (October 9, 2014)
BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 18,000 KM , WE WERE TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THAT WE WERE USING CRUISE CONTROL AND THAT WORE OUT THE BRAKES . BRAKES WE PULSATING AND GRINDING . INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE ROTORS WERE HOT SPOTTED AND A LOT OF MATERIAL WORN OFF THE ROTORS AND PADS . WE ARE NOT AGGRESSIVE DRIVERS AND TREATED THE CAR WITH UTMOST RESPECT . AUDI MADE US PAY FOR NEW ROTORS AND PADS . AUDI SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY . I DRIVE A GM THAT HAS NEVER NEEDED BRAKES BEFORE 100,000 KM .AUDI NAILED US FOR 400.00 FOR…
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10643647 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
17V001000 · Air Bags:Side/Window | Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Reported: 2017-01-03 (January 3, 2017)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Audi Q5 vehicles. The sunroof drainage system may allow water to soak into the foam surrounding the side head air bag inflator canister resulting in the corrosion of the canister. If this happens, the corrosion can weaken the canister and the inflator could fracture without air bag deployment, propelling fragments into the passenger compartment, striking and causing serious injury to vehicle occupants.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator and either coat it or replace it, as necessary, after removing the surrounding foam, free of charge. The recall is expected to began March 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69P1.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V002000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
Reported: 2017-01-03 (January 3, 2017)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system, resulting in the pump overheating.
Consequence: If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19M1.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V298000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2017-05-03 (May 3, 2017)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Audi Q5 and 2013-2017 Audi Q7 vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel pump flange that 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 replace the fuel pump flange if cracks are present. Flanges that do not have cracks will have a protective film applied. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20Z8. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 16V-660.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V622000 · Electrical System:Wiring
Reported: 2017-10-05 (October 5, 2017)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad and Q5 vehicles. Contact corrosion within the electrical connector for the auxiliary heater may cause the heater wires to overheat or melt.
Consequence: The melted wires can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary heater and, as necessary, update the software, free of charge. The Recall began November 27, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 80C5 and 80C6.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V229000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
Reported: 2018-04-11 (April 11, 2018)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.
Consequence: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.
NHTSA campaign record ↗