Problems · NHTSA complaints
2019 Audi Q5 problems
Owners filed 53 complaints about the 2019 Audi Q5 with NHTSA between May 2019 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (13).
Complaints
53
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system13
- Engine10
- Service brakes8
- Steering7
- Power train6
- Forward collision avoidance5
- Seat belts5
- Vehicle speed control5
- Structure4
- Exterior lighting4
- Air bags3
- Fuel/propulsion system3
- Seats2
- Visibility/wiper1
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 5, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
6
5
2
6
6
6
7
15
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 15 |
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
Electrical system
13 reports1 crash1 related recall
“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”
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.”
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…”
Steering
7 reports1 crash
“Power steering rack failed on 4/12/2022 as I drove on I-75 South between Gainesville and Tampa. Lost power steering on the Interstate, putting safety of my passengers (and other vehicles) at risk on the interstate. Audi sent tow and transported vehicle to Wesley Chapel Audi. Failure was confirmed and rack was replaced under warranty.”
Power train
6 reports1 crash
“The vehicle is experiencing an issue withe the All-Wheel Drive system where its function is affected by an issue Audi calls Shutter or Shudder. The degradation in this system's performance is characterized by drive system torque oscillations when the steering wheel is turned. A hazardous condition is introduced when the AWD system is required for traction control and the system either outputs oscillatory torque, or binds up at a time where smooth torque at each wheel is required to provide traction and directional control (e.g. snow and ice or rain conditions). Audi has stated that they do not consider this a safety issue. Audi is aware of the issue and has released a Technical Service Bulletin 39 24 60 2059057/8 April 3, 2024 entitled "Quattro Ultra Vibrations or Binding in Tight Turns." This TSB has multiple revisions and covers several of their models over several production years. The Audi prescribed procedure to address the issue is to verify the condition, then flush and fill the AWD system with a new, unique oil which is called out in the TSB. Unfortunately, this oil is not available and they are deferring repair of the affected vehicles. The condition…”
Forward collision avoidance
5 reports1 crash
“am writing to report a very concerning safety issue with my 2019 Audi Q5 and to request guidance on whether this may be covered under warranty or if my vehicle is experiencing a malfunction. On Saturday, while driving to an appointment, there was a bicyclist in the bike lane. Suddenly, the “Audi Presence” warning flashed red on my dashboard and the vehicle braked very hard on its own. I was not close to hitting the bicyclist and there was no imminent collision risk. The sudden braking was extremely frightening and could have caused an accident if a car had been behind me. It took quite a while for me to calm down and get my breathing back to normal after the incident. Then this morning, I received a dashboard warning that said: “Drive system: malfunction! Please contact service.” I am very concerned that this may be a malfunction of the automatic emergency braking or driver assistance system, especially after the unexpected hard braking incident. This feels like a serious safety issue. I am very concerned and very unhappy, as this situation felt dangerous and could have resulted in an accident.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 5, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.