Problems · NHTSA complaints

2010 Audi Q5 problems

Owners filed 100 complaints about the 2010 Audi Q5 with NHTSA between Nov 2009 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (50).

Complaints
100
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags50
  2. Fuel/propulsion system29
  3. Power train8
  4. Electrical system7
  5. Engine and engine cooling5
  6. Engine5
  7. Structure5
  8. Fuel system, gasoline3
  9. Suspension2
  10. Steering2
  11. Exterior lighting2
  12. Visibility/wiper1
  13. Service brakes1
  14. Visibility1

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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20091
20108
20111
20121
20130
20140
20151
201626
201721
201814
20199
20205
20211
20222
20235
20243
20251
20261

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

50 reports1 crash2 related recalls
“NOTICED PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD IS SOAKED AFTER IT RAINS. THIS HAPPENS IF IT IS PARKED OR IF YOUR DRIVING. ALL DRAINS ARE CLEAR AND WHEN DROPPING HEADLINER, NOTICED A "WATER" WAY RUNNING DOWN TOWARDS PASSENGER PILLAR, ON PILLAR AIRBAG AND DOWN TO FLOOR BOARD. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT MANY OTHER 2010 AUDI Q5'S HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AND IMPLIED THIS IS PROBABLY WHY MY SUNROOF MOTOR IS NOT FUNCTIONING ANYMORE DUE TO WATER GETTING IN AND THEY QUOTED ME $2500 TO FIX THIS MANUFACTURE FLAW. IF MY VEHICLE HASN'T BEEN IN A WRECK AND THE SUNROOF FRAME IS BAD, WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL FOR THIS?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 2, 2020Electrical system, Air bags, StructureODI 11377566

Fuel/propulsion system

29 reports1 crash
“IN TANK FUEL PUMP CRACKED ON TOP ,LEAKING FUEL TO FLANGE AND ELECTRICAL CONECTION ON TOP OF TANK AND DOWN TO UNDER VEHICLE .NO RECALL ON AUDI SITE FOR THIS YEAR -2010 VEHICLE HAS 138000 MILES ONLY . i WAS NOT EXPECTING MATERIAL PROBLEM -PLASTIC NOT SUITABLE FOR FUEL ...”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 29, 2024Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11580078

Power train

8 reports
“THE SUNROOF HAS A LEAKAGE WHICH AS CAUSES DAMAGE TO SUNSCREEN. THE WATER FROM THE SUNROOF HAS LEAKED INTO VEHICLES ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND HAS CAUSED BACK UP CAMERA, PARKING, THE STEREO SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION. WATER FROM THE ROOF HAS ALSO AFFECTED THE ENGINE'S BLOWER IT HAS SHORT-CIRCUITED SO THAT THE AC AND HEATER NO LONGER PUT OUT AIR.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 31, 2018Power train, Electrical system, StructureODI 11144435

Electrical system

7 reports
“Water leaked into the rear battery compartment and into the trunk passenger side fuse bay. No apparent reason for leak. All windows, doors, sunroof and truck lid were closed. Flooding shorted control modules (parking aid controller, CAN buss and etc) flooding also took out the battery causing car to stall on highway. Water gets in after rainy days. Suspected malfunction of sunroof drain, but not certain. Shorting of electrical components verified by mechanic. Multiple parts needed replacement. No warning lamps prior to events. Available for inspection upon request.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 8, 2023Electrical systemODI 11506165

Engine and engine cooling

5 reports
“The contact owns a 2010 Audi Q5. The contacted stated while sitting in the vehicle, there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside the vehicle. There was a leak coming from the front of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and was diagnosed with a secondary air injection system bank 1 and 2, insufficient flow, and a possible clogged left and right cylinder head. The vehicle was not repaired due to cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 152,396.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 8, 2024Engine and engine cooling, EngineODI 11570747

Engine

5 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MISFIRED WHILE DRIVING AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUDI NYACK (127 NY-59, NYACK, NY 10960, (845) 353-7300) WHERE THE INTAKE COIL AND SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 5, 2019EngineODI 11287072
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.