The 2016 Audi Q5 is associated with 83 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 5 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Engine, accounting for 17 reports (20% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 5 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3l 6-cyl, 2L 4-Cyl hybrid, and 2l 4-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 19 to 26 MPG combined. The 2016 Audi Q5 belongs to the 1st generation (Typ 8R) Q5 platform spanning model years 2015–2017.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 83 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 5 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Engine (17 / 20%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 9 crash / 1 fire / 4 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 19–26 MPG (5 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Q5 Diesel | 3L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 23 MPG | 30 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $3,050 / yr |
| Q5 Hybrid Hybrid | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 24 MPG | 30 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,900 / yr |
| Q5 | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 20 MPG | 27 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $3,450 / yr |
| Q5 | 3L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 18 MPG | 26 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| SQ5 | 3L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 17 MPG | 24 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $4,000 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| SUV AWD | | | | | 15.1% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Audi Q5 models.
View complete 2016 Audi Q5 crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2016 Audi Q5 problems & component breakdown (31 categories) →
Affected Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Defect Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Defect Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad and Q5 vehicles. Contact corrosion within the electrical connector for the auxiliary heater may cause the heater wires to overheat or melt.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary heater and, as necessary, update the software, free of charge. The Recall began November 27, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 80C5 and 80C6.
Affected Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Defect Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Audi Q5 and 2013-2017 Audi Q7 vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump flange if cracks are present. Flanges that do not have cracks will have a protective film applied. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20Z8. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 16V-660.
View all 2016 Audi Q5 recalls & campaign history (5 campaigns) →