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U.S. public vehicle records

2015 Audi Q5: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

98 owner complaints analyzed

6 distinct recall campaigns

53,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2015 model year. Data snapshot: . 39 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 37 of 98 complaints (37.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior1414.3%
Electrical and battery issues66.1%
Braking behavior55.1%
Engine operation44.1%
Fuel system concerns33.1%

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.

Engine
37
Steering
14
Unknown Or Other
14
Fuel/Propulsion System
12
Engine And Engine Cooling
7
Suspension
7
Electrical System
4
Power Train
4
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine37
Steering14
Unknown Or Other14
Fuel/Propulsion System12
Engine And Engine Cooling7
Suspension7
Electrical System4
Power Train4

Engine: 37; Steering: 14; Unknown Or Other: 14; Fuel/Propulsion System: 12; Engine And Engine Cooling: 7; Suspension: 7; Electrical System: 4; Power Train: 4

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
9
25,000 to 49,999
7
50,000 to 74,999
10
75,000 to 99,999
7
100,000 to 149,999
6
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0009
25,000 to 49,9997
50,000 to 74,99910
75,000 to 99,9997
100,000 to 149,9996
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 0

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 59 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.

2014
1
2015
3
2016
1
2017
7
2018
12
2019
12
2020
9
2021
5
2022
8
2023
13
2024
12
2025
11
2026
4
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20141
20153
20161
20177
201812
201912
20209
20215
20228
202313
202412
202511
20264

2014: 1; 2015: 3; 2016: 1; 2017: 7; 2018: 12; 2019: 12; 2020: 9; 2021: 5; 2022: 8; 2023: 13; 2024: 12; 2025: 11; 2026: 4

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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 10660936 · 2014-11-25 (November 25, 2014)

APPROXIMATELY 10:45 AM MY HUSBAND (THE DRIVER) AND I (THE PASSENGER) WERE DRIVING WEST ON CO HWY 86 JUST LEAVING FRANKTOWN, CO AND HAD CROSSED OVER THE CHERRY CREEK BRIDGE WHEN THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF IN OUR 99 DAY OLD 2015 AUDI Q5 EXPLODED OUTWARDS. THE OUTSIDE TEMP WAS APPROX. 35 DEGREES, LIGHT WINDS, WINDOWS UP, SUNROOF CLOSED / SUN SHADE OPENED HALF WAY, AND VENT FOR OUTSIDE AIR WAS ON; NO CARS AHEAD OR BEHIND US; NO LARGE CHUNKS OF DEBRIS ON THE ROAD. WE INITIALLY THOUGHT WE HAD BEEN SHOT AT AND DUCKED WHILE LOOKING AROUND FOR PEOPLE AND A S…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,264 miles reported. Look up ODI 10660936 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10736188 · 2015-07-24 (July 24, 2015)

THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE INSIDE FROM THE PRESSURE OF MY PASSENGERS FOOT. THE PASSENGER IS A 130LB FEMALE WITH NO EXTRAORDINARY PHYSICAL CAPABILITY. THE CRACK SPREAD QUICKLY AND PLACED ALL THE OCCUPANTS IN DANGER. THERE WAS ZERO IMPACT ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE GLASS. THE CRACK COULD NOT BE FELT FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE GLASS, ONLY FROM THE INSIDE. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER STATED THAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN A COINCIDENCE THAT THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AT THE SPOT AT WHICH MY PASSENGERS TOE WAS AN…

Owner-reported narrative. 8,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10736188 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10763123 · 2015-09-11 (September 11, 2015)

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A LONG GRAVEL DRIVEWAY GOING 15-20MPH AND I WENT AROUND A SLIGHT LEFT CURVE. AFTER THE LEFT CURVE THE ROAD BECOMES STRAIT. MY CAR STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, I COULD NOT MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE CURVE. THE CAR CONTINUED TO HEAD RIGHT NO MATTER HOW HARD I PULLED ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO GO LEFT. IT WOULD NOT BUDGE. THE CAR CONTINUED GOING RIGHT, OFF THE DRIVEWAY AND INTO SEVERAL TREES. THE WHEEL WAS STILL LOCKED AT THIS POINT. I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF, AND ON TO GET THE WHEEL TO RELEASE SO…

Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10763123 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10808654 · 2015-12-06 (December 6, 2015)

THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR BLOCKED MY VIEW WHILE TAKING A LEFT TURN WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.

Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10808654 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10881437 · 2016-06-29 (June 29, 2016)

I HAVE A 2015 AUDI Q5 THAT WAS PART OF THE VW RECALL, HOWEVER IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE THAT HAS BEEN NEGOTIATED BY THE EPA. I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS BEING DONE TO PROTECT ME AND MY RIGHTS? I FEEL LIKE BECAUSE I PURCHASED THE 3 LITER ENGINE, THE ONLY TDI OFFERED BY AUDI IN AN SUV FORMAT, THAT I AM BEING PUNISHED. I AM STUCK WITH THIS CAR AND AM BEING PUNISHED FOR 8 MONTHS NOW THAT I CANNOT SELL IT OR GET RID OF IT. I TRUSTED VOLKSWAGON AND OUR EPA WANT TO KNOW WHERE I STAND IN THIS RECALL? DO I NEED TO HIRE A LAWYER AT THIS P…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10881437 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10981352 · 2017-04-28 (April 28, 2017)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V001000 (VISIBILITY, AIR BAGS). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. A REPAIR APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED, BUT THERE WAS NO TIMEFRAME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10981352 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10985802 · 2017-05-15 (May 15, 2017)

MY 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER GOT A 3RD DEGREE BURN ACROSS HER THIGH BY GETTING A GROCERY BAG OUT OF 2015 AUDI Q5 -- WHILE HELPING HER MOM. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND IN PARK. OCCURRED IN OUR GARAGE AT OUR HOME. THE EXHAUST STICKS OUT TOO FAR BY AN INCH OR SO. UNSAFE DESIGN FOR THE PUBLIC. RECALL IT!

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10985802 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11004865 · 2017-07-12 (July 12, 2017)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V298000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (JACK DANIELS AUDI OF UPPER SADDLE RIVER LOCATED AT 243 ROUTE 17 SOUTH, UPPER SADDLE RIVER, NJ 07458) FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL FILTER FLANGE WAS INSPECTED BY THE TECHNICIAN WHO FOUND NO CRACKS, BUT APPLIED PROTECTIVE FILM. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FILM WOULD NOT BE DURABLE OR A PERMANENT REPAIR. THE CONTACT REQUESTED THAT THE TECHNICIAN REPL…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11004865 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.

16V045000 · Air Bags:Side/Window

Reported: 2016-01-28 (January 28, 2016)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles manufactured January 15, 2015, to January 21, 2015, and 2015 Audi Q5 vehicles manufactured January 13, 2015, to February 3, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with driver and front seat passenger seat-mounted air bag inflators that may rupture in the event of a crash.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of a seat-mounted air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began July 7, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69M1 (for Audi) and 69L9 (for VW).

NHTSA campaign record ↗
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 ↗