The 2016 Audi Q5 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,377,191 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 103 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING18V2290002018-04-11342,867 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
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…
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.
Consequence
The melted wires can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
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.
Consequence
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
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. …
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING17V0020002017-01-03342,867 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
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 February 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for…
AIR BAGS17V0010002017-01-03234,057 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69P1.
Complaints by component
ENGINE
26
1crashes1fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
11
2injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
10
1crashes1fires
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
9
1fires
STEERING
9
AIR BAGS
5
3crashes3injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
5
SERVICE BRAKES
4
1crashes
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
4
2crashes2injuries
VISIBILITY/WIPER
4
3crashes
Total complaints103
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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 have inspected and condemned 4) manufacturer is aware of the problem, 5) no warnings or messages…”
“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 have inspected and condemned 4) manufacturer is aware of the problem, 5) no warnings or messages…”
“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 have inspected and condemned 4) manufacturer is aware of the problem, 5) no warnings or messages…”
“My q5 failed inspection due to a rusted subframe, so badly there is a huge hole in it. The dealership sent photos and notes to audi but the dealership claims audi denied my warranty claim (12 year corrosion warranty) because it's not a body panel (the verbiage used in the warranty). However, audi…”
“Mechanic was checking the car and noticed subframe is rusted through underneath the plastic cladding. Audi dealers should cover this under warranty as it’s a safety issue. This happened due to poor designing.”
“I am reporting a safety issue involving my 2016 audi q5. The vehicle previously underwent recall 20z8/20w9, which addresses fuel pump flange cracking that can cause fuel leaks and fuel vapor odors. Despite this recall repair being marked as completed, I am now experiencing a strong gasoline smell…”
“I was driving down the highway and all of a sudden my sunroof exploded. It sounded like a loud gunshot. I got off the exit pulled over and I saw that my sunroof was shattered. On my audi q5 2016.”
“I am reporting a defect related to carbon buildup in the secondary air injection (sai) system on my 2016 audi q5 3.0l supercharged (engine code ctuc). My vehicle has been diagnosed by an audi dealer with dtc p0491 – secondary air injection system insufficient flow, and restricted secondary air…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2016 Audi Q5 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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