Problems · NHTSA complaints
2009 Audi Q5 problems
Owners filed 31 complaints about the 2009 Audi Q5 with NHTSA between Oct 2009 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (16).
Complaints
31
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags16
- Fuel/propulsion system5
- Engine2
- Suspension2
- Structure1
- Tether, lower anchor (on car seat or vehicle)1
- Service brakes, air1
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Vehicle speed control1
- Fuel system, gasoline1
- Steering1
- Electrical system1
- Power train1
- Other / unknown2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
0
0
0
0
2
2
5
6
4
2
3
1
2
2
0
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2011 | 0 |
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
16 reports2 crashes4 related recalls
“I was in an accident where I hit a herd of elk. My car was totaled. The airbags did not deploy and they definitely should have. It was hit on the front, and both front sides. There is no way the airbags shouldn’t have deployed.”
Fuel/propulsion system
5 reports
“FUEL LEAKING FROM FUEL PUMP UNDER PASSENGER 'S SEAT AFRAID TO DRIVER IT BECAUSE AS LONG AS THE ENGINE IS RUNNING THE FUEL CONTINUE TOO LEAK WHETHER THE CAR IS MOVING OR STATIONARY!!”
Engine
2 reports
“ON 7/02/09 MY AUDI Q5 (VIN# [XXX]) WAS PURCHASED FROM, AND SERVICED BY BARRIER AUDI BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON; NOW DOING BUSINESS AS AUDI BELLEVUE A DEALERSHIP OWNED AND OPERATED BY AUTO NATION. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS [TSB] WERE SENT TO SOME AUDI OWNERS ON 12/6/2013 CONCERNING REPAIR AND CLEANING OF THE SECONDARY AIR CONTROL VALVE WITH A WARRANTY EXTENDING THROUGH 07/02/2019. THIS PROBLEM WAS INITIALLY CORRECTED ON 12/27/2013 @44,445 MILES, MY LAST SERVICE WITH BARRIER WAS 09/13/2018 AND AT NO TIME HAD I RECEIVED NOTICE THAT THE PROBLEM COULD RESURFACE. THE TSB PROVIDES : "THE SECONDARY AIR SYSTEM ON THESE VEHICLES IS USED TO HEAT UP THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS QUICKLY DURING COLD-START CONDITIONS?. OVER TIME, AND DEPENDING ON DRIVING STYLES, CARBON WILL BUILD UP IN THESE SMALL 10MM PORTS AND CAUSE FAULTS IN THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE FOR SECONDARY AIR, BANK1/BANK2 INSUFFICIENT FLOW? SOME MODELS DO HAVE A WARRANTY EXTENSION, WHICH COVERS THE SECONDARY AIR PORT CLEANING UP TO 10 YEAR/110,000 MILES. PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL DEALER FOR DETAILS. KEEP IN MIND, IF ANY OF THE CONTROL VALVES, COMBI VALVES, OR SUPPLY LINES ARE DAMAGED, OR FAULTY, THOSE ITEMS ARE NOT…”
Suspension
2 reports
“FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL MAKES A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WHEN BRAKING AND OVER ANY SMALL BUMPS ON THE ROAD.”
Structure
1 report
“I am reporting a potentially serious safety defect involving the rear subframe/crossmember of my 2009 Audi Q5. I discovered significant corrosion on the vehicle's rear subframe, which is a structural component supporting the rear suspension and rear axle assembly. The corrosion is substantially more than normal superficial surface rust. There is visible rust scaling and loss of material in areas of the rear subframe. The affected area was partially concealed by the factory-installed plastic stone guards/shields. Because these plastic covers obscure the subframe, the extent of the corrosion is difficult to identify during a normal visual inspection unless the covers are removed. I am concerned that continued corrosion could reduce the structural integrity of the rear subframe and potentially compromise the mounting points for the rear suspension or rear axle components. A structural failure of the rear subframe could result in unexpected changes in wheel alignment, suspension movement, loss of vehicle control, or other serious safety consequences. This issue is particularly concerning because the corrosion can develop underneath the plastic protective covers and…”
Tether, lower anchor (on car seat or vehicle)
1 report
“Cybex Sirona S is marketed as a 360 car seat that rotates and swivels, but when in forward-facing mode for functionality it does not tether. The guidance is to use the load leg to keep the swivel and rotation but then not use the tether. The tether strap is critical for safety and part of CPST guidance. People purchasing this seat are being made to compromise safety for functionality.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.