The most-reported Q5 run is WA1BNAFY8J2 (2018 builds) with 21 complaints, 8.1× the typical run. Engine problems make up 24% of reports; 2018 is the worst model year at 5.7 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 33 recall campaigns for Q5 model years 2009–2025.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Audi Q5 has 426 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 7% of every Q5 complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WA1BNAFY8J2•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| WA1BNAFY0J2•••••• | 2018 | 2 | — | |
| WA1BNAFY6J2•••••• | 2018 | 2 | — | |
| WA1BNAFY9J2•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| WA1LKAFP0AA•••••• | 2010 | — | — | |
| WA1BNAFY7J2•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| WA1BNAFY4J2•••••• | 2018 | 1 | — | |
| WA1LFAFP8DA•••••• | 2013 | — | — | |
| WA1LFAFP9BA•••••• | 2011 | — | — | |
| WA1BNAFY1J2•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| WA1LFAFP6EA•••••• | 2014 | — | — | |
| WA1LFAFPXBA•••••• | 2011 | — | — |
Each of the other 414 Q5 runs has 10 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 301 Q5 VINs so far, most often 2023, 2018, 2022 builds; 17 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Audi Q5 the gap between build years is 5.7×: a 2018 car draws 5.7 complaints per run, a 2012 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 42 | 25 | 2 | |
| 2024 | 20 | 13 | — | |
| 2023 | 36 | 20 | 4 | |
| 2021 | 73 | 28 | 2 | |
| 2020 | 25 | 16 | 3 | |
| 2019 | 51 | 22 | 5 | |
| 2018 | 198 | 35 | 10 | |
| 2017 | 41 | 25 | 3 | |
| 2016 | 76 | 32 | 9 | |
| 2015 | 98 | 40 | 3 | |
| 2014 | 98 | 45 | 4 | |
| 2013 | 82 | 37 | 1 | |
| 2012 | 4 | 4 | — | |
| 2011 | 134 | 43 | 4 | |
| 2010 | 93 | 35 | 1 | |
| 2009 | 27 | 10 | 2 |
Heaviest year here is 2018 at 5.7 complaints per run; lightest is 2012 at 1. The 2025 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 24% of everything Audi Q5 owners report: Engine, 270 of 1,099 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3 | 8 | |
| Electrical System | 6 | 5 | |
| Air Bags | 16 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 | 1 | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 1 | |
| Steering | 6 | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 7 | — | |
| Power Train | 4 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 33 recall campaigns on the Audi Q5; the 6 below cover build years 2011 to 2024. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 17V001000 | Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly | 2011–2017 |
| 23V842000 | Electrical System:propulsion System:charging:cable/cord:onboard | 2020–2024 |
| 18V229000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System | 2013–2017 |
| 17V002000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System | 2013–2017 |
| 17V298000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 2013–2017 |
| 25V080000 | Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery | 2021–2024 |
17V001000 was opened in 2017 on cars built from 2011: 6 years on the road before the recall.
The Q5 against its rivals
The Q5 draws 2.6 complaints per production run; the Toyota RAV4 2.3, the Honda CR-V 3.7 and the Mazda CX-5 2.7.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi Q5 | 1,099 | 426 | 4.8% | |
| Toyota RAV4 | 8,453 | 3,661 | 8.5% | |
| Honda CR-V | 14,848 | 4,017 | 5.1% | |
| Mazda CX-5 | 2,107 | 772 | 5% |
How serious were they
Of the 1,099 reports on the Audi Q5, 4.8% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Audi Q5 | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 1,099 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 53 (4.8%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 10 (0.9%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 52 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
You know what it is. Find out what it's worth.
- Exact value for this VIN, adjusted for mileage
- The original window sticker and factory options
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Audi Q5 share of that is 1,099 complaints over 426 runs, 0.1% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Audi Q5 VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 1,099 NHTSA complaints from 426 Q5 runs and 33 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Q5 production run has the most complaints?
WA1BNAFY8J2, a 2018 build, with 21 complaints. The typical Q5 run has 2.6.
Which Q5 years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2018 is heaviest at 5.7 complaints per run and 2012 lightest at 1.
Does the Q5 get more complaints than the Toyota RAV4?
Yes: 2.6 complaints per production run for the Q5 against 2.3 for the Toyota RAV4.
How many Q5 complaints involve a crash?
4.8% of 1,099 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 10 involved a fire.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.