Owners have reported 9 crashes and 6 injuries to NHTSA for the 2018 Audi Q5. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints58
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report frequent electrical system issues with the 2018 Audi Q5, primarily involving water intrusion affecting control modules. Complaints frequently mention the gateway and comfort control modules becoming inoperable due to moisture, often linked to sunroof drainage problems. Symptoms include sudden electrical failures, such as the car shutting down, warning lights activating, and loss of key functions like turn signals and braking systems. These issues often occur around 24,000 to 53,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with some owners experiencing sudden stops on highways and loss of vehicle control, raising potential crash risks. Used car buyers should be aware of these issues, particularly regarding water damage to electrical components.
Owner complaints24
SUSPENSION
Owners report frequent issues with the rear suspension of the 2018 Audi Q5, particularly involving broken rear coil springs. Complaints commonly describe the springs breaking at relatively low mileages, often between 36,000 and 66,000 miles, without prior warning signs or dashboard alerts. Typical symptoms include unusual noises from the rear of the vehicle, such as grinding or loud sounds, and in some cases, damage to related components like the rear axle or differential. Safety implications are noted, as several owners express concern over potential loss of control, especially if the failure occurs at speed. This pattern of suspension issues may be relevant for used car buyers considering this model year.
Owner complaints10
ENGINE
Owners of the 2018 Audi Q5 frequently report engine-related issues, particularly involving engine failures and thermostat problems. Typical symptoms include the check engine light illuminating, loss of motive power, engine overheating, and abnormal vibrations. These issues often emerge around 30,000 to 72,000 miles, with multiple reports of engines requiring replacement. Safety implications are noted, as sudden engine failures can lead to loss of power while driving, posing a significant risk. Used car buyers should be aware of these potential engine problems and consider the associated repair costs.
Owner complaints9
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2018 Audi Q5 frequently report power train issues, including sudden loss of power and acceleration, particularly when making turns or during start-up from stop/start functions. Multiple complaints describe incidents where the vehicle unexpectedly shuts off, leaving drivers unable to accelerate or steer effectively, with some cases leading to crashes. These problems are often reported around 40,000 to 60,000 miles. Additionally, some owners experience warning lights for drive system malfunctions and low oil pressure, with symptoms temporarily resolving after engine restarts. Safety implications are notable, with incidents of vehicles moving unexpectedly, including a case of unintended reverse movement and another of the vehicle lurching forward, both resulting in collisions. These patterns suggest potential risks for used car buyers considering this model.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints9
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2018 Audi Q5 frequently report issues with the airbag system, particularly involving the passenger airbag warning light and malfunction messages. Typical symptoms include the airbag warning light illuminating, intermittent passenger airbag deactivation, and various system alerts and chimes. Complaints often mention these issues starting at mileages around 85,600 to 120,000. Notably, one report involves a crash where airbags did not deploy, resulting in two injuries. Potential buyers should be aware of these recurring airbag system malfunctions and their possible safety implications.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints8
STEERING
Owners of the 2018 Audi Q5 frequently report issues with the steering system, particularly involving the electric power steering rack. Common symptoms include the steering wheel seizing or locking up, often accompanied by multiple warning lights on the dashboard such as "Steering malfunction! Please stop vehicle" and other system malfunctions. These issues have been reported at various mileages, including at very low mileage around 900 miles, and can result in a complete loss of steering control, posing significant safety risks. Some owners mention that these problems can lead to costly repairs, often exceeding $2,000, and in some cases, the steering failure occurs without any prior warning. Buyers considering a used 2018 Audi Q5 should be aware of these potential steering issues and the associated repair costs.
Owner complaints7
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2018 Audi Q5 report several issues related to the braking system. A recurring problem involves the Audi Pre-Sense system activating unexpectedly, causing sudden braking without any apparent obstruction, as noted in two complaints. Additionally, multiple owners describe unusual noises such as squealing and grinding from the brakes, often at slow speeds or during initial use each day, with some attributing it to potential rotor or caliper issues. One complaint involves a crash where the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated while the brakes were applied, resulting in a collision. These issues are reported across various timelines, with some occurring soon after purchase, suggesting potential early onset of these problems. Safety concerns are evident, particularly with reports of unintended acceleration and pre-sense malfunctions, which could pose risks in traffic situations.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints7
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners of the 2018 Audi Q5 frequently report issues with the Forward Collision Avoidance system, where the vehicle's automatic emergency braking engages unexpectedly. Symptoms described include the system applying brakes without any apparent obstacles, sometimes at highway speeds or during parking maneuvers, leading to potential loss of control or risk of being rear-ended. These incidents are reported across a range of mileages, from as low as 600 to over 31,000 miles. Safety implications are evident, as owners note the sudden braking can lead to dangerous situations, particularly in traffic. Additionally, some owners mention related false alerts and sensor malfunctions, with dealers often unable to replicate or resolve the issues.
Owner complaints5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2018 Audi Q5 report issues related to unintended acceleration and braking malfunctions. Multiple complaints describe the vehicle accelerating without input, even when the brake pedal is depressed, resulting in two crashes, one of which involved an injury. These incidents often occur at low speeds, such as in parking situations. Additionally, there are reports of the Audi Pre-Sense system activating the brakes unexpectedly, bringing the vehicle to a near stop without apparent cause. The complaints span a mileage range from approximately 9,000 to 53,000 miles. The described incidents highlight potential safety risks, including loss of vehicle control and collision, which prospective buyers should consider.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints4
SEAT BELTS
Owners of the 2018 Audi Q5 report several issues with the seat belt system. A recurring problem involves the pre-sense system activating unexpectedly when the vehicle is stationary, causing the seat belt to pre-tighten, which could potentially startle the driver and lead to a loss of vehicle control. Additionally, some owners describe an issue with the passenger seat belt sensor, where an audible beeping occurs unless the seat belt is fastened, even when the seat is unoccupied. Another complaint involves the passenger seat belt locking up and being unable to retract, while one report details the rear driver's side seat belt failing to retract properly, resulting in a child being bruised when the belt twisted and stuck around the waist. These issues are reported at various mileages, with one specific case noted at 60,000 miles. Safety implications include potential injuries and unexpected driver reactions due to the seat belt system's behavior.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
