What are the most common problems with the 2012 Audi Q5?

Owners filed 168 complaints with NHTSA. The air bag group has 85 and the engine group has 47.

Does the 2012 Audi Q5 have recalls?

Yes. The by-year facts show 6 recalls. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.

How is the gas mileage of the 2012 Audi Q5?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2012 Audi Q5 reliable?

The record shows 168 complaints, led by air bags and the engine. Read the problems section above, then check service records on any car you consider.

Is 2012 a good year for the Audi Q5?

See the by-year comparison on this page. It shows how 2012 sits next to the other years.

2012 Audi Q5 Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 168 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Audi Q5^[1]. The air bag group is the biggest one^[2].

168owner complaints^[1]

6recalls^[3]

20–22MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups in the stories we read, biggest first.

Air Bags. 85 complaints^[2]. Owners describe worry about an open safety recall, repair parts that were not yet available, and waiting for word from the dealer or the maker. Some say they felt unsafe driving family around in the meantime.
Engine. 47 complaints^[5]. In the stories we read, owners describe oil that needed topping up between changes, a warning light with low power, a water pump that cracked, and a car that would not start again.
Fuel/Propulsion System. 20 complaints^[6]. Owners describe a fuel pump repair, a low oil pressure warning and a tow, and pedals that sit so close that a foot can catch.
Unknown Or Other. 10 complaints^[7]. These do not name a clear part.
Structure. 9 complaints^[8]. Owners describe sunroof glass that broke, a rusted rear subframe with holes, and large side mirrors that create a blind spot.
Electrical System. 5 complaints^[9].
Power Train. 5 complaints^[10].
Visibility/Wiper. 4 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2012 Q5 is necessarily included.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump (18V818), November 2018. About 5,987 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module (18V082), January 2018. About 162,782 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, a crash, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Air Bags › Side/Window (17V001), January 2017. About 234,057 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump (16V660), September 2016. About 143,214 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module (16V078), February 2016. About 659,493 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly (12V299), June 2012. About 13,172 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Q5, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive^[4]	20 / 27 / 22	$3,750
Q5, 3.2L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, All-Wheel Drive^[18]	18 / 23 / 20	$4,100

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV AWD^[19]	n/a	n/a	n/a	4	15.1%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2012 Audi Q5 with 2.0L 4-cylinder^[20]	211 hp
2012 Audi Q5 with 3.2L 6-cylinder^[21]	270 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
Q5 5DR SUV 2.0 TFSI QUATTRO PREMIUM/PREMIUM P^[22]	182 in	75 in	65 in	111 in	4,090 lb
Q5 5DR SUV 3.2 FSI QUATTRO/PREMIUM^[23]	182 in	75 in	65 in	111 in	4,299 lb

How 2012 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Q5 model year. The 2012 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2009	31	6
2010	100	4
2011	143	5
2012	168	6
2013	92	5
2014	106	5
2015	99	6
2016	78	5
2017	42	5
2018	208	6
2019	52	5
2020	37	6
2021	103	8
2022	46	8
2023	57	6
2024	34	4
2025	46	1
2026	4	0

NHTSA's counts for the Q5 show 168 complaints and 6 recalls for 2012^[3]. Among the 18 model years listed, 16 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 1 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (4) and the most are for 2018 (208)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2012 Q5?

The 2012 Audi Q5 has a clear pattern in the NHTSA record, with air bags leading at 85 complaints^[2] and the engine next at 47^[5]. Three complaints mention a crash and 2 mention injuries^[1]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide and not a verdict. The page also lists recalls for this year, and the count is in the by-year facts^[3]. If you are shopping for one, ask for service records on the engine and check that every recall repair is done.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Audi Q5?: Owners filed 168 complaints with NHTSA^[1]. The air bag group has 85^[2] and the engine group has 47^[5].
Does the 2012 Audi Q5 have recalls?: Yes. The by-year facts show 6 recalls^[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.
How is the gas mileage of the 2012 Audi Q5?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2012 Audi Q5 reliable?: The record shows 168 complaints^[1], led by air bags^[2] and the engine^[5]. Read the problems section above, then check service records on any car you consider.
Is 2012 a good year for the Audi Q5?: See the by-year comparison on this page. It shows how 2012 sits next to the other years.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Audi Q5

2012 this page
2014 106 complaints, 5 recalls
2015 99 complaints, 6 recalls
2016 78 complaints, 5 recalls
2017 42 complaints, 5 recalls
2018 208 complaints, 6 recalls
2019 52 complaints, 5 recalls
2023 57 complaints, 6 recalls

Compare all model years of the Audi Q5

Other Audi models from 2012

2012 Audi A4 45 complaints, 0 recalls
2012 Audi A6 60 complaints, 8 recalls

All Audi models

Similar cars from 2012: suvs

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe 354 complaints, 1 recall
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee 1,644 complaints, 10 recalls
2012 Jeep Liberty 385 complaints, 2 recalls
2012 Jeep Patriot 354 complaints, 4 recalls
2012 Lincoln MKX 84 complaints, 1 recall
2012 Mazda CX-9 221 complaints, 4 recalls

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 168 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Audi Q5 (3 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
85 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Audi Q5 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Q5, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
47 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,400). NHTSA vehicle records
20 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,975). NHTSA vehicle records
10 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
9 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,000). NHTSA vehicle records
5 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,000). NHTSA vehicle records
5 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 18V818, filed November 19, 2018: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V082, filed January 30, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V001, filed January 3, 2017: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V660, filed September 13, 2016: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V078, filed February 10, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 12V299, filed June 28, 2012: Visibility › Sun / Moon Roof Assembly. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Q5, 3.2L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2012 Audi Q5 with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 211 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2012 Audi Q5 with 3.2L 6-cylinder: rated 270 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, Q5 5DR SUV 2.0 TFSI QUATTRO PREMIUM/PREMIUM P: length 182 in, width 75 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 4,090 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, Q5 5DR SUV 3.2 FSI QUATTRO/PREMIUM: length 182 in, width 75 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 4,299 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2012 Audi Q5: problems, recalls and fuel economy