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2011 Audi Q5 airbags problems
severe
Owners of the 2011 Audi Q5 have filed 61 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.See airbags across all vehicles →
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
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.
Service BulletinTRMDMV_NM_AudiMar 2023
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.
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.
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.
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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2011 Audi Q5 is covered by NHTSA recall 16V078000 (Audi code 69N1), issued in February 2016, for defective Takata driver frontal airbag inflators. According to Takata's own assessment cited in recall documents, the inflator can rupture during frontal collision deployment, allowing metal fragments to pass through the airbag cushion and potentially injure or kill occupants.
Owners' chief complaint is not the defect itself but Audi's inability to source replacement parts. Multiple narratives document owners calling dealers repeatedly—sometimes 6+ times over months—only to be told parts are not available and no delivery date can be estimated. One owner reported a 17-month delay (February 2016 to July 2017) with the dealer stating parts "may become available" in Q1 2017; by mid-2017, parts still had not arrived. Dealers cite Takata as the bottleneck; Audi customer service admits having "no idea when replacement parts are coming."
One dealership employee notes that a Honda dealer less than a mile away completed over 30 replacements while Audi dealers could supply none. Owners in hot, humid climates (Hawaii, other high-risk zones) express particular anxiety, given evidence that heat and moisture accelerate inflator degradation. One owner experienced a head-on collision during the extended recall delay and reported the airbag did not deploy—raising questions about whether the defective inflator also affects deployment function.
Two complaints document dealerships refusing to address the recall: one (Jim Ellis Audi, Atlanta) sent recalled Q5s to auction rather than attempt repair; another dealership allegedly collected ~$14,000 for unspecified recall work without explicit owner authorization on a vehicle marked worthless for trade-in.
Same Audi Q5 airbags reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010
Takata-supplied driver frontal airbag inflator subject to potential rupture during frontal collision deployment. If rupture occurs, metal fragments can penetrate the airbag cushion material, risking serious injury or death to occupants. Owners report this defect issued in February 2016 recall.
When: Recall issued February 9–10, 2016; complaints span 2016–2017 with many vehicles unrepaired beyond 12–17 months after recall notice
Symptoms owners cite: No actual failures reported in narratives; risk is latent—contingent on frontal crash deployment; One owner reported airbag did not deploy in January 2017 head-on collision (separate concern about deployment function); Heightened concern in hot, humid climates (Hawaii, other high-heat regions cited as elevated-risk zones)
Codes mentioned:NHTSA 16V078000, Audi Action Code 69N1
Repairs/costs cited: Remedy: Replace driver airbag inflator. Owners report replacement parts persistently unavailable at dealers for months to years. One complaint mentions dealership collecting ~$14,000 for unspecified recall work without owner authorization.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 16V078000 (issued Feb 2016) and Campaign 18V082000 (later follow-up); Audi states parts unavailable; Audi/Takata cited as unable to provide timelines. One complaint notes Audi Boulder dealership called car a 'death trap' and pushed customer to buy new vehicle rather than fix recall. One dealership (Jim Ellis Audi, Atlanta) reportedly sent recalled Q5s to auction rather than address recall. One complaint alleges dealership performed recall work on vehicle marked worthless for trade-in without explicit authorization.
Extended Recall Remedy Delay & Parts Shortage
Systemic failure to supply replacement airbag inflators to dealers nationwide, resulting in months-to-years-long delays in completing safety recall. Owners unable to obtain recall repair despite repeated dealer contact and manufacturer notification.
When: February 2016 recall issued; complaints document delays spanning 6 weeks to 17+ months (through 2017)
Symptoms owners cite: Parts repeatedly unavailable at multiple dealers visited by same owner; Dealers cite Takata/Audi supply chain bottleneck; no credible timeline provided; Owners on 'waitlist' or 'queue' with no estimated completion date; One dealership (Honda half-mile away) completed 30+ replacements while Audi dealers had none; Vehicles sitting unrepaired over extended periods; owners express safety anxiety
Codes mentioned:NHTSA 16V078000, NHTSA 18V082000
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report estimates ranging from 'end of 2016' (given in late 2016, missed) to 'Q1 2017' to 'fall 2017' to '1–3 years.' Parts distribution described as 'disconnect' in multiple complaints. One owner notes Audi continued manufacturing new Q5s with airbags while not fixing recalled used vehicles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Audi acknowledged recall but did not supply parts on schedule; stated reliance on Takata for parts production. Audi customer service unable to confirm delivery dates. No mention of loaner vehicles, rental allowances, or alternative remedies. One complaint documents dealership sending recalled vehicles to auction rather than awaiting parts. No evidence of expedited supply, buyback programs, or consumer compensation for prolonged risk exposure.
Synthesized from 61 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting
8 most recent
airbags
· filed 12/29/2017
Takata recall they have not released a fix to my dealer for this problem and now they are filing chapter 11. What do I need in order to fix this issue?
airbags
· filed 12/12/2016
Takata recall - have not received indication that driver airbag is available for installation. This car is almost 6 years old and we live in a hot humid climate. It is my understanding that these factors increase the likelihood of an airbag problem.
airbags
· filed 12/06/2017
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 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 dealer was contacted at: new country Audi greenwich 181 west putnam avenue, greenwich, ct 06830 and…
airbags
· filed 11/25/2016
Takata recall I received the safety recall notice from Audi in april 2016. I called my local dealer and was told the "part weren't available yet." it is now november 2016 and when checking on this again I am told the parts still aren't available. I find this unacceptable and I wonder why the NHTSA doesn't find it unacceptable as well. I called Audi customer service and was told they have…
airbags
· filed 11/19/2017
Takata airbag recall. It has taken too long to get my airbags ag. This is unacceptable as it is a high rish of injury or death. I contacted the dealership in august of 2016. They have no information as to when I will be able to get the airbags replaced
airbags
· filed 11/18/2016
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Audi q5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v078000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not…
airbags
· filed 11/14/2017
Takata recall issued in 2016 but my dealer has been waiting over 6 weeks for parts to do the interim repair. Air bags have never deployed but I remain concerned about possible injury in the event of an accident
airbags
· filed 11/07/2016
Takata recall and fuel pump flange remedy not available in timely manner
Had airbags trouble with your 2011 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 airbags problem on the 2011 Audi Q5?
It's a meaningful issue. 61 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
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.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
Yes — 2 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.
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/2011/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.