The 2018 Audi Q5 is associated with 224 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 6 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Suspension, accounting for 22 reports (10% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 2 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2l 4-cyl and 3l 6-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 21 to 25 MPG combined. The 2018 Audi Q5 belongs to the 2nd generation (Typ FY) Q5 platform spanning model years 2018–2024.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 224 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 6 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Suspension (22 / 10%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 11 crash / 0 fire / 5 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 21–25 MPG (2 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 | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S7) | 23 MPG | 27 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $3,050 / yr |
| SQ5 | 3L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S8) | 19 MPG | 24 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $3,600 / 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 Later Release | | | | | 16.400000000000002% |
| SUV AWD Early Release | | | | | 16.3% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Standard and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2018 Audi Q5 models.
View complete 2018 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 2018 Audi Q5 problems & component breakdown (83 categories) →
Affected Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
Defect Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover on the gateway control module and seal an underbody seam as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90S9.
Affected Component: STRUCTURE:BODY
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four clips securing the forward part of the rear wheel arch trim, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 66K8.
View all 2018 Audi Q5 recalls & campaign history (6 campaigns) →