CarRecallWatchThe 2018 Audi Q5 has 6 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 209 complaints with NHTSA, including 10 crashes, 5 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Electrical System (76 reports).
2018 Audi Q5 recalls
Liquid Can Shut Down Power Module and Cut Engine Power
Liquid from a spill in the rear seat, or water entering through an insufficient underbody body seam, can penetrate the gateway control module and cause it to shut down.
Rear Wheel Trim Can Detach and Become a Road Hazard
The rear wheel arch trim on certain Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles may loosen and detach from the vehicle.
Loose Wheel Arch Trim Can Detach and Cause Road Debris
The wheel arch cover trim on certain 2018-2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles may loosen and come off while driving.
Brake master cylinder may fail, causing sudden brake loss
The brake master cylinder casting in these vehicles may be too short.
Brake caliper pistons may have weak coating, reducing braking
Some 2018 Audi and Volkswagen models have brake caliper pistons that may have insufficient coating.
Airbags or Seat Belt Pretensioners May Fail in a Crash
Certain vehicles may have driver or passenger frontal airbags, side or head airbags, or seat belt pretensioners that may not deploy or activate properly.
Most common 2018 Audi Q5 problems
Problem areas named in the 209 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 76 |
| Unknown Or Other | 45 |
| Engine | 31 |
| Suspension | 25 |
| Service Brakes | 22 |
| Structure | 22 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 20 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 14 |
| Exterior Lighting | 13 |
| Air Bags | 13 |
What owners report
The contact owned a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated that the sunroof drain was clogged, causing water to flood into the trunk where the spare tire was located. The water caused electrical failures, short-circuiting the brake lights and indicator lights. The contact stated that the circuit breaker was in the trunk of the vehicle. The message of an electrical failure was displayed on the instrument panel. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and confirmed the failure. The technician at the dealer stated that the failure was a known failure. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The failure mileage was 70,000.
My 2018 Audi Q5 became disabled after liquid intrusion affected the gateway control module, which is the condition addressed by Audi Safety Recall 90S9. At the time of the failure, I was traveling away from home and was unaware that my vehicle had an open recall. Because the vehicle was disabled, it was taken to an independent repair facility for diagnosis (we were in a small mountain town on a Sunday). The independent facility accessed/opened the gateway module during its good-faith diagnostic effort after the vehicle had already failed. The vehicle was subsequently presented to Audi Reno. Audi refused to perform the recall repair/replacement because the gateway module had previously been
Driving through the expressway a metal noice from the bottom of my car. One of the coil spring was out of the base and the other was broken. As the Audi dealer, the extended warranty doesnât want to paid due to a corrosion on the bottom of the car. Iâm live and drive close to the beach. They gave me thousands excuses to not fix it. My car has 60,000 miles and is from 2018. I was reading that those car may not be coated with special wax for corrosion.
After one year of use, the car seat developed a sudden defect. An internal rod slid out of place, protruding from the side of the car seat by about an inch. I reported the issue to Graco, and they confirmed this car seat defect is a child safety risk, and in fact the car seat is no longer safe for use. According to the Graco Consumer Care representative: "I do apologize, but the rod protruding from the car seat is not normal and presents a safety hazard. Unfortunately, this is not a replaceable part, and the issue cannot be repaired without replacing the entire car seat." I have a friend who experienced the same issue, and worry that the Graco Turn2Me is prone to sudden safety defects. We h
The sunroof drainage system on my 2018 Audi Q5 failed to properly channel water away from the vehicle, resulting in significant water intrusion and approximately $6,000 in damage. The problem was confirmed by an authorized Audi dealership after the vehicle was brought in for inspection in August 2026. I am concerned that this represents a design or engineering defect in the sunroof drainage system rather than ordinary wear. A drainage system intended to remove water should not allow water to enter areas of the vehicle where it can damage electrical components or other systems. Water intrusion into these areas could potentially create electrical failures or other safety-related problems. Th
2018 Audi Q5 questions
Does the 2018 Audi Q5 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls for the 2018 Audi Q5: Liquid Can Shut Down Power Module and Cut Engine Power; Rear Wheel Trim Can Detach and Become a Road Hazard; Loose Wheel Arch Trim Can Detach and Cause Road Debris; Brake master cylinder may fail, causing sudden brake loss; Brake caliper pistons may have weak coating, reducing braking. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Audi Q5?
Based on 209 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (76), Unknown Or Other (45), Engine (31).
How do I check if a recall on my 2018 Audi Q5 has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.