Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2019 Audi Q5Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 53 owner complaints for the 2019 Audi Q5. Most complaints involve electrical system (13) and engine (10). The EPA rates it 24 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
24mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Dec 2021
Owner complaints
53
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: body control module

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Dec 8, 2021NHTSA 21V947000

Structure: body

Free remedy

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.

StructureReported Oct 16, 2019NHTSA 19V737000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. In the event of a crash deploying the passenger's frontal air bag, the instrument panel carrier may break due to incorrect welding. If the carrier breaks, there may be damage to the passenger frontal air bag.

Air bagsReported Jun 19, 2019NHTSA 19V473000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 5, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

53 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2019 – Oct 2026
  1. Electrical system13
  2. Engine10
  3. Service brakes8
  4. Steering7
  5. Power train6
  6. Forward collision avoidance5
  7. Seat belts5
  8. Vehicle speed control5
  9. Structure4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Q5 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200931
2010100
2011143
20124
201392
2014106
2015100
201678
201742
2018209
201953
202037
2021103
202420
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 5, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

13 reports1 crash
“In my daughter’s driveway with my foot on the brake, my vehicle suddenly accelerated forward without warning. I immediately pressed the brake pedal firmly and kept my foot on the brake, but the vehicle continued moving forward and would not stop. The vehicle crossed the street and entered the neighbor’s lawn heading towards a large tree. I managed to steer away from the tree and the neighboring house and return to the street. The vehicle then continued through a stop sign. I made a left to avoid another house and continued traveling one tenth of a mile before the vehicle finally came to a stop. Throughout the incident, my foot remained pressed on the brake pedal. Steering was very difficult. The engine did not sound as though it was revving loudly. The vehicle left deep marks in the grass, but I did not observe skid marks on the street. My initial report to AUDI I stated the vehicle was going 15-20 MPH however; I did a test with another vehicle and determined it was more like 25-30 MPH”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, EngineODI 11773552

Engine

10 reports
“Received a malfunction drive train alert on a 2019 Audi with approximately 66,000 miles at the time. Took it in to have it addressed and was advised it needed a new Turbo. The turbo has since been replaced. However, a vehicle with very low miles should not be having any drive train issues. There is a class action lawsuit against Audi for the same issue. However my vehicle was not included. This is a known issue with Audi.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 16, 2026EngineODI 11764630

Service brakes

8 reports2 crashes
“Severe consequential safety defect involving total anti-lock braking system (ABS) failure stemming from a manufacturer recall defect and volatile CAN-bus network conditions during repair. This vehicle has less than 7,500 miles and has been grounded at an authorized dealership, Audi Brooklyn- Lic# [XXX], 700 Hicks Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231, for exactly 20 days since being flatbed-towed on [XXX], due to total power failure caused by the known manufacturing defect of clogged sunroof drains flooding the critical interior electrical network. The dealership replaced the comfort control module under the VIN recall warranty. However, during the dealer's active programming phase of this recall component, a fatal communication fault was introduced to the J104 ABS safety module. My original Service Advisor documented explicitly in writing via text that the technician observed the ABS faults materialize specifically during the recall programming process. No prior warning signs other than the vehicle's sudden loss of power. The manufacturer's design defect allowed moisture ingress to destabilize the vehicle's localized CAN-bus communication network, leading directly to the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11761511
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 5, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S7)
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 5, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Q5
Auto (S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
222724$3,300372
  • Q5
    Auto (S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 27 hwy · $3,300/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 5, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Audi Q5 SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 5, 2026Vehicle 13713
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2019 Q5 questions

How many recalls does the 2019 Audi Q5 have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 5, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2019 Audi Q5 problems?

Owners filed 53 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (13), engine (10), service brakes (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2019 Audi Q5 get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Audi Q5 at 24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2019 Audi Q5?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2019 Audi Q5 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 5, 2026