CarBrief

The 2018 Audi Q5 has 208 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, more than any other Q5 model year listed[1][2]. It also has 6 recalls[2]. Five of them list a free remedy[3][4][5][6][7].

208owner complaints[1]
6recalls[2]
25MPG combined (EPA)[8]
5★NHTSA overall rating[9]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 208 complaints for this model year[1]. Ten mention a crash, five mention an injury, and none mention a fire or a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

The biggest groups by complaint count are:

Component group Complaints
Electrical system[10] 74
Unknown or other[11] 45
Engine[12] 33
Suspension[13] 25
Brakes[14] 22
Structure[15] 21
Forward collision avoidance[16] 19
Speed control[17] 14

We read a small sample of complaint texts for four of these groups. Here is what owners describe in that sample.

Suspension. In the sample of 12 suspension complaints we read, 11 describe a broken rear coil spring, and 2 of the 12 also or instead mention a broken spring mount or seat[13]. Owners say the break was found at a service visit or while driving. Several say the car was not towing, off-roading or carrying heavy loads. The group has 25 complaints in all, with no crashes, fires or injuries[13].

Electrical. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints, 3 describe a screen or instrument display going blank or freezing[10]. Three describe the whole car shutting down after water reached a control module, and 3 describe the automatic braking system acting with nothing in the way[10]. The group has 74 complaints, with no crashes or injuries, and a median mileage at failure of 48,000[10]. Recall 21V947 covers a related water problem, described below[3].

Engine. In a sample of 12 engine complaints, 4 describe a sudden loss of power or engine shutoff while driving, and 4 describe coolant, thermostat or water pump trouble[12]. The group has 33 complaints, with no crashes or injuries, and a median mileage at failure of 49,000[12].

Brakes. In a sample of 12 brake complaints, 5 describe the automatic braking system stopping the car hard with nothing in the way[14]. Three describe squealing, grinding or clanging, and 3 describe a car that moved or did not stop as the driver expected[14]. The group has 22 complaints and 4 crashes, with a median mileage at failure of 7,375[14]. That is far lower than the electrical and engine groups[10][12].

The unknown or other group has 45 complaints, with 2 crashes and 1 injury[11]. We did not read a sample for the structure, forward collision avoidance or speed control groups, so we do not describe what owners say there.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 6 recalls for this model year, newest first[3][4][5][6][18][7]. Five of them state the dealer fix is free of charge. The brake caliper recall (18V369) does not say so in the notice we read.

These recalls cover only certain vehicles, so check whether a specific car is included[3].

Fuel economy

EPA rates the 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo with Automatic (S7), Premium fuel and All-Wheel Drive at 23 city, 27 highway and 25 combined MPG[8]. EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $3,300[8]. That cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the SUV AWD version an overall rating of 5 stars, with 5 stars for frontal and 5 stars for side crash tests[9][19]. Rollover is rated 4 stars[9][19]. The two NHTSA listings show a rollover risk of 16.4%[9] and 16.3%[19].

Engine and size

EPA lists the 2018 Q5 with a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine rated at 252 hp[20]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, converted to inches and pounds, and they can differ slightly from US models[21][22].

Q5 SQ5
Length[21][22] 183 in 184 in
Width[21][22] 74 in 74 in
Height[21][22] 65 in 65 in
Wheelbase[21][22] 111 in 111 in
Curb weight[21][22] 4,045 lb 4,398 lb

How 2018 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 recalls2017: 42 complaints, 5 recalls20172018: 208 complaints, 6 recalls20820182019: 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 2018 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

Among Audi Q5 model years on file, 2018 has the most complaints at 208[2]. The next highest are 2012 with 168 and 2011 with 143[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so a higher count does not by itself prove a car is worse.

For recalls, 2018 has 6[2]. That is fewer than 2021 and 2022, which each have 8[2]. Several other years, including 2012 and 2020, also have 6[2].

Should you buy a used 2018 Q5?

The record for this year is mixed. It has the highest complaint count of any Q5 year on file[2], and owners in the sample we read describe broken rear coil springs, unexpected automatic braking and electrical shutdowns[13][14][10]. On the other side, it earns 5 stars overall from NHTSA[9], and five of its 6 recalls list a free remedy[3][4][5][6][7]. Before you buy, check the VIN for open recalls and ask for service records on the rear springs, brakes and the gateway control module. This page cannot say how likely any problem is for a given car, because complaints are unverified and not matched to sales.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Audi Q5?
By complaint count, the electrical system leads with 74 of 208 complaints[10][1]. In the small sample we read, owners describe broken rear coil springs under suspension[13], and sudden automatic braking under brakes[14].
How many recalls does the 2018 Audi Q5 have?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls, covering the gateway control module, wheel arch trim, brake master cylinder, brake caliper pistons and seat belt pretensioners[3][4][5][6][18][7].
What gas mileage does the 2018 Audi Q5 get?
EPA rates the 2.0L turbo at 23 city, 27 highway and 25 combined MPG[8].
How safe is the 2018 Audi Q5?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall and 4 stars for rollover[9][19].
Is 2018 a bad year for the Audi Q5?
It has the most NHTSA complaints of any Q5 model year on file, with 208[2]. Complaints are not adjusted for sales, so check the VIN for recalls and look at service history.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 208 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Audi Q5 (10 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 5 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Audi Q5 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 21V947, filed December 8, 2021: Structure › Body. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 19V737, filed October 16, 2019: Structure › Body. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 19V416, filed June 5, 2019: Wheels › Hub. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 19V277, filed April 8, 2019: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder. NHTSA recall database
  7. Recall 16V955, filed December 29, 2016: Seat Belts › Pretensioner. NHTSA recall database
  8. EPA rating for Q5, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S7), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 27 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  9. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 74 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 45 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 6,250). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 33 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 49,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 25 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 22 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 7,375). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 21 complaints name the structure component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 32,827). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. 19 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  17. 14 complaints name the speed control component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  18. Recall 18V369, filed June 1, 2018: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper. NHTSA recall database
  19. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
  20. EPA Test Car List, 2018 Audi Q5 with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 252 hp. www.epa.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, Q5 4DR SUV: length 183 in, width 74 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 4,045 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SQ5 4DR SUV: length 184 in, width 74 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 4,398 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.