MY 2011 AUDI Q5 WOULD NOT START ONE MORNING WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR IN MY GARAGE (DEC 2019). I HAD IT TOWED TO THE FLETCHER JONES AUDI DEALERSHIP IN CHICAGO IL WHERE I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL CUSTOMER SINCE MOVING HERE IN 2014. THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND IDENTIFIED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER HAD SLIPPED, AND MAY HAVE CAUSED "CATASTROPHIC" FAILURE TO MY ENGINE. THEY PROCEEDED TO ASK FOR…
2011 audi Q5 engine problems
moderate 28 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
28
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. UNDER ANY ACCELERATION, SMOKE COMES OUT THE EXHAUST. USES ABOUT 1 QUART OF OIL PER 300 MILES. LEAK DOWN TEST WAS DONE, SHOWING LEAKAGE PAST PISTON RINGS. RESULTING IN A COMPLETE REBUILD OF ENGINE COSTING ME $5,000 PLUS. VEHICLE HAS JUST ABOUT 100,000 MILES.
AFTER MY CAR HAD BEEN SITTING FOR 8 DAYS I WENT IN GARAGE TO CRANK IT. THE CAR CRANKED BUT SHOOK VIOLENTLY. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT IT OFF. I TRIED TO RE CRANK IT BUT IT WOULD NOT CRANK. I CALLED AUDI AND HAD IT TOWED IN. THEY TOLD ME THE "LIFETIME" TIMING CHAIN WAS STRETCHED. THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST BETWEEN $4,000 AND $7,000 TO FIX. I DID SOME QUICK SEARCHING AND SAW OTHER FOLKS WITH SIMILAR…
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2011 audi Q5?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 28 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?
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 $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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.