2013 Audi Q5

2013 Audi Q5 SUV AWD

Overall

Not Rated

Front Crash

Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Rollover

★★★★☆

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

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.

Campaign: 17V622000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

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.

Campaign: 17V002000

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

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.

Campaign: 17V001000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

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.

Campaign: 18V229000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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.

Campaign: 17V298000

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

There is considerable rust to the point that the subframe has been structurally compromised. I also contacted Audi USA regarding this issue, but they advised that they could not provide any assistance and closed my case. I was instructed to have the vehicle inspected and see what the dealer could do. I have videos and photos documenting the compromised subframe which many Audi Q5 owners have been complaining about.... There are holes approximately the size of a tennis ball.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Oil leak/ and tire suspension icon keeps coming on after i fixed it

STRUCTURE

Took vehicle in for state safety inspection. Found heavy rust on subframe nearly all the way through. Was told if it gets any worse it will not pass inspection next time. Apparently there are plastic rock shields on subframe that trap water causing it to rust. Took it to dealer and they want to charge close to $4000 to replace. This seems like an engineering defect. The vehicle is kept in a garage and doesn’t have any other rust on it.

STEERING

When at highway speed, the vehicle veered hard to the left without any driver input, causing the car to cross several lanes of traffic and hit a concrete divider at ~65mph. The driver fractured her back, and one of three children in the car experienced injury. The vehicle was declared a total loss by insurance. The driver (my wife) indicated that a similar incident happened at low speed in a parking lot, but it resolved after shut down and restart of the engine. It is my understanding that the vehicle is currently either at or on the way to a Copart lot.

SUSPENSION

I was doing maintenance on car. Had new tires and alignment done. The alignment tech found rotted out rear sub-frame underneath plastic covers. Said that it was unsafe to drive. Had it fixed there. Mechanic had another Q5 on rack, he said it had exact same problem. Tried to find used parts, ALL had rot through the frame. Found a part in Texas that was clean and bought it to replace. Asked Audi USA to reimburse me for the cost as they have a supposed 12 yr rust through warranty. They told me no because it only applies to body parts and that I didn't get it done at an audi dealer. The plastic cover is the issue as it keeps the moisture locked into the part. Audi A6s have the same frame but no cover and they don't rot. This is a dangerous situation and Audi is looking the other way.

SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

The rear subframe has plastic "stone guards" to protect the frame from being damaged in off-road conditions. Where these stone guards are attached, the subframe has rotted/rusted large holes. Water and salt from winter seasons can get trapped behind these guards. A subframe on a vehicle at this age should NOT have complete holes rotted through. Let alone a vehicle brand such as Audi, known for quality. The rear subframe connects the rear suspension and AWD drivetrain to the unibody of the vehicle. This is a major safety concern. It has not been inspected by the manufacturer; my Audi dealer denied this could happen. I am part of a few Audi groups/forums with others facing the same issues, and Audi replacing the subframe under the corrosion warranty. This is a widespread issue amongst the forums. There are no warnings or symptoms as of yet. I noticed the holes 3/17/24. The vehicle has been somewhat sufficient to operate. I just don't want to be traveling down the road with my family in the vehicle if the subframe collapses. I am afraid to fully remove the stone guards as others on the forums claimed that Audi would do nothing for them after removing the guards. Being that they are "protection".

ENGINE

My audi uses 1 quart of oil every 300 miles. The dealership wants to charge to find the problem. Audi should fix the problem at no charge. I bought the vehicle in February 2023. Was told there were no issues with the car.

ENGINE

Car started running hot, had mechanic do pressure/ leak test and he couldn’t find a leak. Took it to Audi and they said the coolant pump and thermostat housing were leaking coolant. I’ve researched and it looks like these cars have know coolant pump issues.

ENGINE

Car was telling me to add 1 qt of oil about every 1500-2000 miles, even after a recent oil change. So I took it to the place I purchased the car from and they replaced the timing chain gasket thing. About a week later the same issue came back. So I took it to Audi to have the same thing replaced. And about a month later the issue came back. Took it back to Audi and they said now the Engine speed sensor seal is leaking oil. I’ve did some research and I’ve found that there is a manufacturing engine defect that causes this reoccurring issue and most Q5 owners have stopped spending money on repairs and just tops off the oil when asked.

ENGINE

The vehicle oil level low light comes on every 600 miles (excessive oil consumption). I purchased the vehicle in July 2021, and in 2 weeks I had an oil-level light. I called Audi regarding the condition, they talked with the dealership regarding the issue and came back in 2 weeks and stated that the recall was up to 2011. I would like Audi to pay to repair my vehicle, because is a known problem which should have been resolved. Oil Change on 1/12/24; had to put oil in on 2/20/24