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ProblemsByVin File / 2018-AUDI-Q5
2018 · audi

audi Q5 problems

1 safety recall. 192 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.2 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

electrical
59 reports · avg $850
moderate
suspension
24 reports · avg $900
moderate
engine
12 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
airbags
10 reports · avg $1,100
severe
powertrain
9 reports · avg $2,500
severe
steering
9 reports · avg $700
moderate
brakes
8 reports · avg $450
severe
body
6 reports · avg $1,500
severe

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2018 Q5 · suspension
The front subframe on the vehicle is severely rusted and corroded through rust. Part of it has fallen off, and the rest of it is badly damaged. A structural integrity, a major safety risk. The Audi Dealer inspected it and confirmed. The car is unsafe to drive.
12/28/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11707367.0
2018 Q5 · steering
While driving, the steering wheel suddenly locked up and could not be turned. Several warning lights simultaneously appeared on the dashboard including: "Steering malfunction! Please stop vehicle", "Audi adaptive light malfunction! See owners manual", "Start/stop system…
12/26/2024 · NHTSA ODI #11632466.0
2018 Q5 · electrical
Unpublished costly catastropic electrical failure Audi of America reviewed the case and declined assistance solely because the vehicle was already totaled and unavailable for dealer inspection. Audi did not dispute the presence of water intrusion, the technical findings, or the…
12/23/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11706899.0
2018 Q5 · steering
Steering rack completely failed while driving. Causing steering to become unusable nearly causing a wreck putting everyone on the road at risk. Vehicle has less 80k miles and is driven occasionally. This was an issue on early models and seems to not have been fully fixed on this…
12/21/2023 · NHTSA ODI #11561231.0

Estimate your repair exposure

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Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 16V955000 29/12/2016

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc

In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.

Fix: Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Common questions

Is the 2018 Audi Q5 reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 192 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Audi Q5 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

What's the most common problem on the 2018 Audi Q5?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 59 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 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 2018 Audi Q5?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 192 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, 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 aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 3 days ago. 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 complete a quote or purchase.
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