This bulletin provides information regarding UV leak additive for finding oil leaks.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2010 Audi Q5 engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2010 Audi Q5 have filed 6 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Q5 (this page) | 6 |
| 2011 Q5 | 28 |
| 2013 Q5 | 25 |
| 2014 Q5 | 29 |
When does it fail?
Of the 6 engine complaints filed for the 2010 Audi Q5, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
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.
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
This bulletin provides informatin when the engine does not run smoothly at idling speeds.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information when the MIL is on; DTCs for misfire, air/fuel ratio imbalance, or lean fuel system stored in the ECM P030000.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides informatin when the engine does not run smoothly at idling speeds.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information when ther is an Engine: start/stop system fault shown and start/stop system not is working; mileage below 50 km/32 miles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
My Audi q5 has barely 5000 miles on the odometer and has been through its first service a week back. This morning while driving to work the coolant light came on and the vehicle had to be towed to the dealer. Was later informed that it was the water pump that was the cause of the problem and I will need to wait for three days while the service centre procures one. Given the increasing occurrence…
While driving in cold weather vehicle became disabled. Pulled over and found coolant all over the engine. Vehicle had to be towed to the dealer. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Audi q5. The contact stated that the vehicle misfired while driving and the engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Audi nyack (127 ny-59, nyack, ny 10960, (845) 353-7300) where the intake coil and spark plugs were replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer, but was not…
My car suddenly lost all its coolant fluid with about 15000 miles on the odometer. *tr
Vehicle was sitting overnight in sub freezing temperatures (approx 30 degrees f). Started the vehicle and drove the vehicle for approximately 15 minutes when all of a sudden the blower motor was no longer blowing hot air into the interior of the car, and soon the low coolant light flashed. I pulled over quickly, opened the hood and saw that there was coolant spread through out the engine bay…
Had engine trouble with your 2010 Audi Q5?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2010 Audi Q5?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 6 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 6 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 55,583 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.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Audi/Q5.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.