CarBrief

NHTSA has 106 owner complaints and 5 recalls on file for the 2014 Audi Q5[1][2]. Steering complaints and the recall list are worth checking on any car you are considering[3][4].

106owner complaints[1]
5recalls[2]
21–26MPG combined (EPA)[5]
4★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 106 owner complaints for the 2014 Q5[1]. Five mention a crash, one a fire and seven an injury. None report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Complaints by component group:

Component group Complaints
Engine[7] 38
Steering[3] 17
Fuel/propulsion system[8] 12
Unknown or other[9] 11
Structure[10] 10
Electrical system[11] 9
Suspension[12] 7
Power train[13] 6

Steering. This group has 17 complaints, 1 crash and 2 injuries, with a median mileage at failure of 44,000[3]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe steering that turns very heavy or locks up, owners describe steering that turns very heavy or locks up (9 of 12 texts), and some mention a "steering defective" warning on the dash[3].. A few of those texts also mention cold weather (3 of 12)[3].

Rear subframe rust. The structure group has 10 complaints[10]. In the sample we read, owners describe rust-through on the rear subframe and owners describe rust-through on the rear subframe, and some mention repair quotes in the thousands of dollars (7 of 9 texts)[10].[10].

Engine. This is the biggest group, with 38 complaints and a median mileage at failure of 67,357[7]. No crashes, fires or injuries are tied to it[7]. In the sample we read, owners describe confusion or delays around the coolant pump recall, such as notices not received or parts not available (4 of 12 texts)[7]. Some texts describe the engine stalling or cutting out while driving (4 of 12)[7].

Fuel and propulsion. There are 12 complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 59,000[8]. In the sample we read, owners describe fuel leaks or a strong fuel smell (4 of 12 texts), sudden power loss tied to the fuel pump (3 of 12) and diesel emissions parts such as a particulate sensor or EGR cooler (3 of 12)[8].

Electrical. Nine complaints name this group, with 1 crash, 1 fire and 2 injuries[11]. We did not read a sample of these texts, so we cannot say what owners describe.

Counts this small do not show how common a problem is across all 2014 Q5 cars[1].

Recalls

NHTSA lists five recalls for this model year, newest first[2]. Each recall covers "certain" vehicles, so a given car may or may not be included[4][14][15][16][17].

Ask an Audi dealer whether a specific car is included in any of these before you rely on this list.

Fuel economy

The EPA lists four ratings for the 2014 Q5, depending on the engine:

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
Q5 Hybrid, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Premium[5] 24 / 30 / 26 $3,150
Q5, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Diesel[18] 23 / 30 / 26 $3,700
Q5, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Premium or E85[19] 20 / 27 / 22 $3,750
Q5, 3.0L 6-cyl, Premium[20] 18 / 26 / 21 $3,900

All four are all-wheel drive with an Automatic (S8)[5][20][19][18]. The annual cost uses the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2014 Q5 (SUV AWD) 4 stars overall[6]. Frontal crash is 4 stars, side crash is 5 stars and rollover is 4 stars[6]. NHTSA puts the rollover risk at 15.1%[6].

Engine and size

The EPA lists a 2.0L 4-cylinder at 211 hp[21] and a 3.0L 6-cylinder at 240 to 272 hp, depending on version[22].

Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models. Length, width, height and wheelbase are the same for every version listed. Length is 182 in, width 75 in, height 65 in and wheelbase 111 in[23][24][25][26]. Curb weight changes by version:

Version Curb weight
Q5 2.0 TFSI QUATTRO[23] 4,079 lb
Q5 3.0 TFSI QUATTRO[24] 4,354 lb
SQ5 3.0 TFSI QUATTRO[26] 4,409 lb
Q5 HYBRID QUATTRO/TDI QUATTRO[25] 4,431 lb

How 2014 compares with other years

2009: 31 complaints, 6 recalls20092010: 100 complaints, 4 recalls2011: 143 complaints, 5 recalls20112012: 168 complaints, 6 recalls2013: 92 complaints, 5 recalls20132014: 106 complaints, 5 recalls10620142015: 99 complaints, 6 recalls20152016: 78 complaints, 5 recalls2017: 42 complaints, 5 recalls20172018: 208 complaints, 6 recalls2019: 52 complaints, 5 recalls20192020: 37 complaints, 6 recalls2021: 103 complaints, 8 recalls20212022: 46 complaints, 8 recalls2023: 57 complaints, 6 recalls20232024: 34 complaints, 4 recalls2025: 46 complaints, 1 recalls20252026: 4 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Q5 model year. The 2014 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
2009316
20101004
20111435
20121686
2013925
20141065
2015996
2016785
2017425
20182086
2019525
2020376
20211038
2022468
2023576
2024344
2025461
202640

The 2014 model year has 106 complaints and 5 recalls[2]. Only three of the 18 model years listed have more complaints: 2018 with 208, 2012 with 168 and 2011 with 143[2]. Next to it, 2013 has 92 complaints and 5 recalls, 2015 has 99 and 6, and 2016 has 78 and 5[2].

On recalls, eight years list more than 2014, five list the same number and four list fewer, so it sits in the middle[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they show a pattern within this model line and not a quality score.

Should you buy a used 2014 Q5?

The 2014 Q5 has a complaint count in the upper part of its model line[2]. The steering complaints and the recall list are worth a close look[3][4][14][15][16][17]. Before you buy, ask a dealer which of the five recalls apply to the exact car and whether each repair was done. Ask about the rear subframe too, since owners in a small sample of complaints describe rust there[10]. Fuel economy runs from 21 to 26 MPG combined depending on engine, and the overall safety rating is 4 stars[5][20][19][18][6].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2014 Audi Q5?
Engine is the largest complaint group with 38 of 106 complaints[1][7]. Steering is next with 17 complaints, 1 crash and 2 injuries[3].
Does the 2014 Audi Q5 have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recalls: two for the coolant pump, and one each for auxiliary heater wiring, the fuel pump flange and the side air bag inflator[4][14][15][16][17].
What is the gas mileage of the 2014 Audi Q5?
EPA combined ratings are 21 MPG (3.0L 6-cyl), 22 MPG (2.0L turbo), 26 MPG (3.0L turbo diesel) and 26 MPG (Q5 Hybrid)[5][20][19][18].
How safe is the 2014 Audi Q5?
NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall, with 5 stars for side crash[6].
Is the 2014 Q5 worse than other model years?
Its 106 complaints are the fourth-highest of the 18 model years listed, behind 2018, 2012 and 2011[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 106 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Audi Q5 (5 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Audi Q5 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 17 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. Recall 18V229, filed April 11, 2018: Engine And Engine Cooling › Cooling System. NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Q5 Hybrid, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 30 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 38 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,357). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 12 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 59,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 11 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 64,812). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 10 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 9 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 7 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 6 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 29,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Recall 17V622, filed October 5, 2017: Electrical System › Wiring. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 17V298, filed May 3, 2017: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 17V001, filed January 3, 2017: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 17V002, filed January 3, 2017: Engine And Engine Cooling › Cooling System. NHTSA recall database
  18. EPA rating for Q5, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Diesel, All-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 30 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Q5, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium or E85, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Q5, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA Test Car List, 2014 Audi Q5 with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 211 hp. www.epa.gov
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2014 Audi Q5 with 3.0L 6-cylinder: rated 240 to 272 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, Q5 5DR SUV 2.0 TFSI QUATTRO: length 182 in, width 75 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 4,079 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, Q5 5DR SUV 3.0 TFSI QUATTRO: length 182 in, width 75 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 4,354 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, Q5 5DR SUV HYBRID QUATTRO/TDI QUATTRO: length 182 in, width 75 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 4,431 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SQ5 5DR SUV 3.0 TFSI QUATTRO: length 182 in, width 75 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 4,409 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.