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ProblemsByVin File / 2017-AUDI-Q5 NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Audi

2017 Audi Q5 problems

The 2017 Audi Q5 has 1 critical safety recall on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 42 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.

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The 2017 Audi Q5 has 42 NHTSA owner complaints and 5 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 15 complaints (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

Audi Q5 owner complaints by model year
Model yearOwner complaintsRecalls
2014 Q5 106 5
2015 Q5 99 6
2016 Q5 77 5
2017 Q5 (this page) 42 5
2018 Q5 202 6
2019 Q5 50 5
2020 Q5 25 6
2017 Audi Q5
Photo: Alexander Migl / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · representative photo of the Audi Q5
0 5 10
Reliability score
6.8 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

1
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2017 Q5?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 4 / 5 overall

Overall 4/5
Frontal crash 4/5
Side crash 5/5
Rollover 4/5

Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2017 Audi Q5 SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.

Buying a used 2017 Audi Q5? Check these first

Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.

What to inspect on this specific car

⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model . Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 5 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 6.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.

We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2017 Audi Q5

A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.

Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.

Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

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Top trouble spots 4 categories with 3+ complaints

engine
15 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
electrical
4 reports · avg $850
moderate
steering
4 reports · avg $700
moderate
airbags
3 reports · avg $1,100
severe
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2017 Q5's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2017 Q5?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2017 Q5 · brakes
On 12/13/25 around 8:00am in the morning. I was driving between 20-25 MPH and started to brake for the corner stop sign. I applied the break as I normally would however, the car continued to roll and did not respond to my applying pressure to the brake pedal. No matter how much…
12/29/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11707450.0
2017 Q5 · body Crash
Hit a stationary Honda crv on black ice at approx 45-50 MPH. Impact was straight on front of our car and rear of the crv. Our both vehicles were totaled, none of our air bags deployed. Our vehicle was then hit from the rear by a Jeep wrangler at about the same speed. Still no…
12/18/2019 · NHTSA ODI #11289806.0
2017 Q5 · engine
I received a letter that my car was under a recall for the water pump I have a 2017 Q5 Audi which the dealer said needed a water pump bio waited until after my mileage went up then made me pay out of pocket rather then honoring the recall. This was criminal and I feel Audi…
2017 Q5 · powertrain
Vehicle transmission downshifts abruptly when slowing to a stop. Transmission slams into each gear as you slow causing an unexpected increase in engine braking. This occurs regardless of drive select mode (comfort, auto, or sport). There are numerous complaints about this…
11/17/2020 · NHTSA ODI #11374984.0
View all 42 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2017 Audi Q5? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 5

critical NHTSA 17V001000 January 3, 2017

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator and either coat it or replace it, as necessary, after removing the surrounding foam, free of charge. The recall is expected to began March 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69P1.
severe NHTSA 18V229000 April 11, 2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc

A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.
severe NHTSA 17V297000 May 3, 2017

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc

Despite selecting 'Park', if the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the geabox in the affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37K6.
View all 5 recalls →

Common questions

Is the 2017 Audi Q5 reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Audi Q5 has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2017 Audi Q5?

The 2017 Audi Q5 is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average; 5 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What should I check before buying a used 2017 Audi Q5?

Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 15 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.

Is the 2017 Audi Q5 a good used car to buy?

It scores 6.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 42 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.

What's the most common problem on the 2017 Audi Q5?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 15 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Audi Q5 has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2017 Audi Q5?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 42 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Audi/Q5. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Audi. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you purchase through them.
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