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severe 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Of the 16 airbags complaints filed for the 2009 Audi Q5, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Among the 8 model years of Audi Q5 in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
If this happens, a loose trim piece could injure the front seat occupants of the vehicle.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
In conjunction with the New Mexico DMV, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 389 Audi owners in the State of New Mexico on March 13, 2023.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗In conjunction with the Massachusetts DMV, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 2,907 Audi owners in the State of Massachusetts on March 13, 2023.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗In conjunction with the Colorado DMV, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 2,174 Audi owners in the State of Colorado on February 13, 2023.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Takata recall and 3G turndown
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗In conjunction with the New York DMV, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 5,165 Audi owners in the State of New York on October 17, 2022.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
Owners cite three distinct problems. Most complaints center on the Takata inflator recall (campaigns 16V078000, 16V660000, 18V082000). Across multiple dealerships and regions—Washington, California, Oklahoma, New York, and others—owners report that recall parts have been unavailable for extended periods, some exceeding a year after initial notification. Dealerships consistently tell owners to wait, with no firm timelines. One owner noted Audi USA attributed the delay to NHTSA-directed parts rationing.
Two owners report deployment failures during crashes. One collision at 5 mph resulted in no airbag deployment; the driver sustained chest injuries and the vehicle was destroyed. A second owner hit a herd of elk in a frontal and side impact; again, airbags did not deploy despite what the owner describes as conditions requiring deployment.
Other reported issues include a water leak into the front left door pillar that may be affecting the pillar airbag, and a loose right-side passenger trim panel with alleged potential to impair deployment effectiveness. These are unverified consumer allegations without documented failures."
Same Audi Q5 airbags reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011
Recall notifications sent (campaigns 16V078000, 16V660000, 18V082000) but replacement inflator parts unavailable at dealerships for prolonged periods, delaying recall repairs.
When: 2016–2018 timeframe; some owners waited over 1 year from initial request
Symptoms owners cite: Dealership unable to schedule recall repair due to parts shortage; Multiple recall notices received but no parts available; Prolonged wait times with no firm delivery date
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 16V078000, NHTSA 16V660000, NHTSA 18V082000
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report dealerships stating parts unavailable; one owner's Honda was serviced at another brand in June (prior year), while Audi said parts might arrive months later.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Audi stated to one owner that NHTSA directed the parts allocation strategy; made notes on some vehicle files but offered no expedited remedy.
Two separate incidents where airbags failed to deploy in traffic collisions and animal strike despite impact severity warranting deployment.
When: At 59,110 miles (5 mph collision); elk strike incident timing not stated
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment in frontal impact at low speed (5 mph); No airbag deployment in frontal and side impact (elk strike); Driver sustained chest injuries in low-speed collision
Repairs/costs cited: First incident: vehicle destroyed; driver required medical attention for chest injuries. Second incident: vehicle totaled.
Water intrusion into front left door pillar, possibly from panoramic sunroof or windshield, with potential to affect pillar airbag function.
Symptoms owners cite: Front left door pillar trim soaked; Water leak origin unclear (sunroof or windshield suspected); Owner concerned water is running into pillar airbag
Right-side passenger trim for airbag deployment is loose; owner notes this issue has been detected in other cases and may impair deployment effectiveness.
Symptoms owners cite: Trim panel visibly loose; Owner states it has potential to be ineffective in deploying
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
Takata recall, I have made 3 inquiries for the recall repairs to be made on my vehicle and have been told repeatedly from the dealership that they have no information on when the repair parts will be made available. This is an unacceptable response and needs be be addresses before I or my passengers are endangered!
Takata recall . It has been over 6 months since receiving a notice from Audi north america relating to the takata airbag inflator recall on this vehicle. I phoned the dealership last month and they said they still don't have a fix for this recall. I feel Audi should be more proactive in fixing this issue especially if it could be life threatening to drive the vehicle. I do not want to wait and…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Audi q5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v660000 (air bags). The part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not…
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Audi q5. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the contact's vehicle was struck by another vehicle. The contact's vehicle spun around and crashed into a light pole. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The driver sustained chest injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of failure. The…
Front left door pillar is becoming soaked from an apparent water leak possibly coming from the panoramic sunroof or windshield. Regardless it has to be running into the pillar airbag and has to be a safety concern.
Right side passenger trim for airbag is loose and has been detected in other cases to have possibility of being ineffective in deploying.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Audi q5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18v082000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Audi rochester (3955 w henrietta rd, rochester, ny 14623, (585) 334-1600) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Audi q5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v078000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution…
It's a meaningful issue. 16 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
Based on the 16 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 52,703 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.