This bulletin provides informationwhen noises/vibration are detected from front of vehicle in dynamic mode.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Audi Q5 electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Audi Q5 have filed 8 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Q5 | 10 |
| 2014 Q5 | 6 |
| 2016 Q5 (this page) | 8 |
| 2017 Q5 | 4 |
| 2018 Q5 | 62 |
| 2019 Q5 | 10 |
| 2020 Q5 | 4 |
1crash
1fire
What stands out
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 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 electrical 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 information when there are noises from the area around the instrument cluster.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides informaiotn when the starter battery is discharged or defective.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides informaiotn when the starter battery is discharged or defective.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides informaiotn about various infortainment system complaints.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
When starting new 2016 q5 premium plus, warning light came on, indicating that rear hatch is open, causing rear brake lights to not function and door lock signal not to sound. Dealer replaced rear hatch latch and comfort control unit j393, after the third visit to them for the same complaint.
Side mirrors totally block vision at certain angles. I was stopped at a traffic light on a downtown street. Light changed and I made a left turn and crashed right into a car that was totally blocked from view by the side view mirror. It seems I was on the wrong side of the lane line, which I couldn't see either until I was able to crawl out of my car on the drivers side. This being unable to…
Had electrical trouble with your 2016 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 electrical problem on the 2016 Audi Q5?
It's a meaningful issue. 8 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 42,581 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2016/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.