2016 Audi Q5 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
5 safety recalls list the 2016 Audi Q5, and owners have filed 77 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
5 safety recalls for the 2016 Audi Q5
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Cooling system (engine and engine cooling)
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…
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…
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Electrical system: wiring
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.
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…
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Fuel pump (fuel system)
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.
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…
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Air bags: side/window and sun/moon roof assembly (visibility)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Audi Q5 vehicles. The sunroof drainage system may allow water to soak into the foam surrounding the side head air bag inflator canister resulting in the corrosion of the canister. If this happens, the corrosion can weaken the canister and the inflator could…
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator and either coat it or replace it, as necessary, after removing the surrounding foam, free of charge. The recall is expected to began March 2017. Owners may…
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Cooling system (engine and engine cooling)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system,…
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin…
77 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2016 Audi Q5 have filed 77 complaints with NHTSA; 9 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 7 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 39,529 miles. Complaints peaked in 2023 with 15 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Driving on May 20, 2026 near my home in Florida, power steering assist failed suddenly making it very difficult to steer. Red light on dashboard lit up indicating steering failure. According to a sear”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 17, 2026 · Steering
“1) Rear subframe supports differential, axels, suspension, brakes, wheels and tires 2) If rear suspension fails , above noted assemblies will fall out of the car 3) Yes, dealer and independent garage”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 1, 2026 · Fuel/propulsion system
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2016 Audi Q5 (Q5 Hybrid). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 21–26 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 18–24 / 26–30 |
| Fuel | Diesel, Premium, Premium or E85 |
| EPA class | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 2/3 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
Compare Audi Q5 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Audi Q5 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 Audi Q5 | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 Audi Q5 | 6 | 31 |
| 2010 Audi Q5 | 4 | 100 |
| 2011 Audi Q5 | 5 | 143 |
| 2012 Audi Q5 | 6 | 168 |
| 2013 Audi Q5 | 5 | 89 |
| 2014 Audi Q5 | 5 | 105 |
| 2015 Audi Q5 | 6 | 99 |
| 2016 Audi Q5 | 5 | 77 |
| 2017 Audi Q5 | 5 | 42 |
| 2018 Audi Q5 | 6 | 207 |
| 2019 Audi Q5 | 5 | 52 |
| 2020 Audi Q5 | 6 | 25 |
| 2021 Audi Q5 | 8 | 74 |
| 2022 Audi Q5 | 4 | 22 |
| 2023 Audi Q5 | 5 | 43 |
| 2024 Audi Q5 | 4 | 20 |
| 2025 Audi Q5 | 1 | 42 |
| 2026 Audi Q5 | 0 | 3 |
Checking a specific 2016 Audi Q5
How do I know if my 2016 Audi Q5 has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 5 campaigns currently list the 2016 Audi Q5; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Audi dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 17V001000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Audi models
- A42,895 complaints
- A61,658 complaints
- Q71,047 complaints
- A3731 complaints
- S4588 complaints
- A5325 complaints
- TT319 complaints
- A4 Allroad252 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.