2018 Audi Q5

2018 Audi Q5 SUV AWD Later Release

Overall

★★★★★

Front Crash

★★★★★

Side Crash

★★★★★

Rollover

★★★★☆

2018 Audi Q5 SUV AWD Early Release

Overall

★★★★★

Front Crash

★★★★★

Side Crash

★★★★★

Rollover

★★★★☆

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.

Campaign: 18V369000

WHEELS:HUB

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach.

Campaign: 19V416000

STRUCTURE:BODY

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi SQ5 and 2018-2020 Audi Q5 vehicles. The rear wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach from the vehicle.

Campaign: 19V737000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake master cylinder casting may be too short.

Campaign: 19V277000

SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.

Campaign: 16V955000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, 2018-2022 Q5, and SQ5 vehicles. A liquid spill in the rear seat, or water ingress from an insufficient body seam underneath the vehicle may allow liquid to penetrate the gateway control module, causing it to shutdown.

Campaign: 21V947000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE

My 2018 Audi Q5 experienced significant water intrusion due to a failure of the panoramic sunroof drain system. Water entered the vehicle interior and traveled down into the electrical compartment, submerging the comfort module and damaging multiple wiring harnesses. This caused the vehicle to become inoperable and unable to start. Audi has issued Technical Service Bulletin 2075969/2 describing this exact defect. The bulletin states that the sunroof drain hoses can be kinked during factory installation of the headliner, which blocks drainage and causes water to enter the vehicle. This is a manufacturing defect affecting multiple model years of the Audi Q5. In my case, the water intrusion caused electrical failure, loss of vehicle function, and required thousands of dollars in repairs. Audi declined to cover the defect and stated the vehicle was not maintained on schedule, even though maintenance has no relationship to kinked or improperly routed sunroof drains. This defect poses a safety risk because water intrusion into electrical components can cause sudden vehicle failure, electrical shorts, corrosion, and loss of critical systems. The failure occurred without warning. I am reporting this because the issue appears to be widespread, documented by Audi, and has the potential to disable vehicles unexpectedly.

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES

I wrote Audi to request escalation of an unresolved issue involving my 2018 Audi Q5, related to Safety Recall 90S9 (NHTSA Campaign 21V947000) for the gateway control module. Summary of the issue: My vehicle recently experienced a complete gateway control module failure due to water intrusion. I lost steering and brake assist warnings while driving, and the vehicle would not restart after being pulled over safely. It was towed first to the nearest Audi mechanic who diagnosed the issue as Recall 90S9. We then contacted Audi Memphis for inspection by them since it was a recall issues and paid a 2nd towing charge. Audi Memphis (owned by Gossett Motor Cars) said they could not do anything until they looked at the car. I have since obtained a copy of the original repair order from when Recall 90S9 was performed on my vehicle. The vehicle at the time of recall repair was owned by my Mother. The recall requires two remedies: (1) installation of a protective cover over the gateway control module, and (2) sealing of an underbody seam on vehicles produced before September 2021. The repair order shows a technician comment reading "INSF" next to the seam sealant line item, which indicates the sealant application was noted as insufficient at the time of the original recall service. Despite this documentation, and despite towing my vehicle in specifically for a 2nd inspection, Audi Memphis has stated they have no findings and no liability for the current failure. Given that: • My vehicle is included in the affected range for Recall 90S9, • The original repair order appears to document an incomplete or insufficient sealant application, and • Audi's own 90S9 technical bulletin states that damages resulting from improper repair or failure to follow the work instructions are the dealer's responsibility, I am requesting that this case be escalated for review. The current gateway control module repair be repaired at no cost to me. I currently have no working vehicle.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES

The dashboard displayed a solid red brake light with a flashing warning “stop vehicle safely” light. A professional diagnostic scan confirmed a permanent hard fault on the ABS control Module (J104) and Hydraulic Unit (N55). The vehicle has only 66,755 miles. Independent repair shops cannot service this unit because it requires highly restricted, specialized Audi factory programming and coding software, forcing consumers to face massive dealership replacement costs for a premature electronic failure ona critical safety system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact replaced the battery. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, however the vehicle was not diagnosed. The independent mechanic attempted to start the vehicle, however the vehicle failed to start. The independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and noticed that the gateway control modular was moist. The contact was informed that the gateway control module had become moist because of the broken seal, the vehicle shut down. The contact stated that the contact's wife had spilled a liquid substance into the vehicle. In addition, the contact was provided pictures of the corrosion. The contact referenced an unknown recall which had a similar failure description, however the contact's VIN was not associated. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the recall. In addition, the contact was informed that the unknown recall only covered the seal. The contact was informed that the recall did not cover the replacement of the gateway control modular. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the repair of the corroded seal was covered under the recall. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000. VIN was unavailable.

ENGINE

I was driving home from the farmers market with my two young kids. I was turning left at a busy intersection when the engine died and an engine warning flashed on the dash (I don't recall the exact message; it sounded catastrophic). There were no "check engine" or any other warning messages prior to the incident. I was able to restart the car immediately and give it a lot of gas to get out of the intersection - thank goodness - but didn't feel it was safe to drive the full 1 mile home, as there are several inopportune locations for an engine to die along the route, so I parked it in a residential neighborhood and walked home with my kids. My instinct there seems correct as it would not start again thereafter. I got it towed on the Monday and the mechanic called me to tell me that a piston had broken off in the engine and there is complete engine failure. I've attached a photo he took. This is a car we've had for 5 months with only 47,000 miles on it, regular service according to Carfax, and full/clean oil. No error messages or warnings prior. It was really scary to be in a busy intersection with a dead engine and young kids in the car.

STEERING

Title - Sudden Loss of Steering Control While Driving – 2018 Audi Q5 (Aug 2024) While driving my 2018 Audi Q5 at normal road speeds, the vehicle experienced a sudden and complete loss of power steering assist. A dashboard alert stating “Power Steering Malfunction” appeared simultaneously with an immediate and severe increase in steering effort, making the steering wheel extremely difficult to turn and effectively resulting in a loss of steering control. This incident occurred on a public roadway while I was transporting my family, including two young children (ages [XXX] and [XXX] ). The uncommanded loss of steering assist created an immediate and serious safety hazard and could have resulted in a crash, serious injuries, or fatalities to vehicle occupants and others on the road. I was able to bring the vehicle to a stop and subsequently to the dealership, only with significant effort and risk. There were no prior warning lamps, noises, reduced steering assist, or other symptoms before the failure. The malfunction was abrupt and occurred without any advance indication. The vehicle had approximately 39,000 miles at the time, which is well below what would reasonably be expected for a power steering rack failure. The vehicle was not modified or abused and was driven under normal conditions. Audi dealership confirmed failure of the electric power steering system and diagnosed the issue as a power steering rack failure requiring full replacement. The repair was completed only after the vehicle became unsafe to operate. The removed component may be available through the servicing dealer or Audi of America for inspection upon request, and I have retained all repair documentation. Audi of America was notified of this incident after the repair but declined responsibility. Based on subsequent research, I am aware of multiple similar reports involving Audi Q5 power steering failures. I am submitting to assist NHTSA in determining whether this issue poses a broader risk. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I was pulling slowly into a parking space at a grocery store, with my right foot on the brake, nearly stopped. Then the car rapidly and suddenly accelerated unintentionally. The car jumped over a bush, a median, rammed into a parked car, pushing it across the next parking lane into a third car. The third car, in turn, bumped a fourth car. Safety: The air bags did not deploy. The potential for significant injury to me, nearby pedestrians and people in cars was extremely high. Luckily, I was able to brace myself sufficiently, there were no pedestrians nearby and no one was in any of the cars. There were no warning lights, beeps, messages or any other information to indicate a defect or potential malfunction.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER,BACK OVER PREVENTION

The rear view camera is not operating when shifting to reverse. I can demonstrate this malfunction at any time to anyone. Driver is unable to detect short objects or small children directly behind the vehicle. The problem was confirmed by the dealer during a service visit. At that time, the service technician checked power and ground to the control unit and verified good. Attempted calibration for camera, vehicle would not calibrate. The vehicle has not been inspected by any other agencies. There were no warning messages, or lamps or any other symptoms prior to the failure.

AIR BAGS,SEATS

The Seat Occupancy Detection System is malfunctioning. The passenger airbag warning light activates when a passenger occupies the passenger seat and the passenger overhead reading light remains on when the seat is occupied including overnight. These are established symptoms of Seat Occupancy Detection System failure. The manufacturer issued a warranty extension specifically covering this defect for 10 years and unlimited miles. When the vehicle was presented at an authorized dealer for diagnosis and repair under the warranty extension, the service advisor deliberately omitted the airbag warning light symptom from the repair order and inserted pre-emptive warranty denial language before any diagnosis was performed. The airbag system malfunction remains unrepaired despite an active manufacturer warranty extension covering this exact defect. The dealer’s failure to properly document and address an airbag warning light constitutes a safety concern that NHTSA should investigate.

SERVICE BRAKES

Problem with Brake booster servo issue comes on the dash then goes away. Brakes are spongy and brake pedal makes a swooshing sound when pressed