CarBrief

NHTSA lists 78 owner complaints for the 2016 Audi Q5, and the engine group has the most[1][2]. It also has 5 recalls on file, including ones for a coolant pump and a fuel pump flange[3][4][5].

78owner complaints[1]
5recalls[3]
21–26MPG combined (EPA)[6]
4★NHTSA overall rating[7]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 78 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Audi Q5[1]. Ten mention a crash, 1 a fire and 8 an injury, and none report a death[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name several parts of the car.

The engine group has the most complaints, with 33[2]. The median mileage at failure in those reports is 41,740[2]. The next groups are:

We also read a small sample of the complaint texts. Here is what owners describe in that sample.

Engine. In a sample of 12 engine complaints we read, 8 are about waiting for parts for the coolant pump recall, and 7 of those owners had not had a failure[2]. They wrote that dealers did not have parts for the coolant pump recall described below, and some were given no date[2]. Three of the 12 describe the engine stalling, surging or not answering the gas pedal while driving[2]. One describes heavy oil use[2].

Steering. In a sample of 10 steering complaints, 7 describe power steering failing suddenly[10]. Owners describe a warning message, a stiff or locked wheel, and a steering rack or control module that had to be replaced[10].

Fuel. In a sample of 8 fuel and propulsion complaints, 4 describe a strong gasoline smell or a fuel leak[11]. Three of those 4 say the smell came back after the fuel pump recall repair was done[11].

Electrical. In a sample of 10 electrical complaints, 4 are about waiting for the coolant pump recall repair[9].

Air bags and visibility have fewer complaints, but they stand out because crashes are named in 4 of 6 air bag complaints and 3 of 4 visibility complaints[12][13].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this car[3]. The recall notices say each remedy is free of charge[4][15][5][16][17]. Newest first:

The two coolant pump notices name vehicles with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines[4][17].

Fuel economy

EPA ratings for the 2016 Q5 depend on the engine[6][18][19][20]. The annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

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

All four are Automatic (S8) with All-Wheel Drive[6][18][19][20].

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the SUV AWD give the 2016 Q5 4 stars overall[7]. Frontal crash is 4 stars, side crash is 5 stars and rollover is 4 stars[7]. NHTSA puts the rollover risk at 15.1%[7].

Engine and size

The EPA lists two engines for this model year. The 2.0L 4-cylinder is rated at 211 hp[21]. The 3.0L 6-cylinder is rated at 240 to 272 hp, depending on version[22].

Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models. All three versions listed share the same size[23][24][25].

Measure Value
Length 182 in
Width 75 in
Height 65 in
Wheelbase 111 in

Curb weight depends on the version:

How 2016 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 recalls2015: 99 complaints, 6 recalls20152016: 78 complaints, 5 recalls7820162017: 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 2016 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
2009316
20101004
20111435
20121686
2013925
20141065
2015996
2016785
2017425
20182086
2019525
2020376
20211038
2022468
2023576
2024344
2025461
202640

NHTSA has 78 complaints and 5 recalls on file for the 2016 Q5[3]. Eight model years have more complaints: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2021[3]. The 2018 model year has the most with 208 complaints, and 2012 follows with 168[3]. Nine years have fewer, including 2017 with 42 and 2019 with 52[3].

Recall counts range from 0 to 8 across the years[3]. 2021 and 2022 have 8 each, and 2016 has 5, the same as 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2019[3]. These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they show what is on file and not how likely a problem is.

Should you buy a used 2016 Q5?

The 2016 Q5 sits in the middle of its own model years for complaints and recalls[3]. The engine group has the most complaints, and 4 of the 5 recalls carry a fire risk[2][4][15][5][17]. The fifth covers a side air bag inflator and should be checked too[16]. Before you buy, check the VIN for open recalls and ask for proof that the coolant pump, heater, fuel pump and air bag work were done. Owners in our sample also describe sudden steering failure and fuel smell after a recall repair, so ask a mechanic to look at both[10][11].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Audi Q5?
The engine group has the most NHTSA complaints at 33 out of 78[1][2]. Steering has 10, electrical has 10 and fuel/propulsion has 9[9][10][11]. These are unverified owner reports.
Does the 2016 Audi Q5 have recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5, covering the coolant pump (two recalls), auxiliary heater wiring, fuel pump flange and a side air bag inflator[4][15][5][16][17].
How many miles per gallon does the 2016 Audi Q5 get?
EPA combined ratings range from 21 MPG for the 3.0L Premium engine to 26 MPG for the diesel and the hybrid[6][18][19][20].
How safe is the 2016 Audi Q5?
NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall, with 5 stars for side crash and 4 stars for frontal and rollover[7].
Is the 2016 Q5 a good year compared with others?
It has 78 complaints, fewer than 8 other model years and more than 9 others[3]. Each year also has its own recalls, so check the VIN.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 78 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Audi Q5 (10 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 8 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 33 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 41,740). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Audi Q5 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 18V229, filed April 11, 2018: Engine And Engine Cooling › Cooling System. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 17V298, filed May 3, 2017: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 11 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 10 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 10 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 9 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 6 complaints name the air bags component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 4 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 4 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. Recall 17V622, filed October 5, 2017: Electrical System › Wiring. 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, 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
  19. 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
  20. 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
  21. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Audi Q5 with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 211 hp. www.epa.gov
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2016 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 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
  25. 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.