This bulletin provides informaiotn regarding squeaking noises when steering or maneuvering.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Audi Q5 suspension problems
moderate Owners of the 2018 Audi Q5 have filed 24 NHTSA complaints about the suspension at roughly $900 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See suspension across all vehicles →
Complaints
24
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
| Model year | suspension complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Q5 | 6 |
| 2015 Q5 | 8 |
| 2018 Q5 (this page) | 24 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension 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 parameter settings for suspension control unit J775.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information when there are rumbling/knocking noises from the front suspension; bolted connection of strut brace.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information when there are rumbling noises from the suspension - upper link rubber mounting.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information on locating noises coming from the suspension.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Rear coil spring fractures dominate the 2018 Q5 complaint pattern. Breaks occur cleanly at 36k to 66k miles—most commonly 50k to 62k—with no warning lights or drivability cues until owners hear grinding sounds or feel suspension symptoms. The springs look new when removed; powder coating is intact and corrosion is absent or minimal. Both dealers and independent mechanics observe that these breaks are anomalous for a car in this condition and mileage range. When a single spring breaks, dealers recommend replacing both rear springs. Repair bills range from $720 to $2,000. Audi dealers classify broken springs as maintenance items outside warranty protection, and Audi corporate has denied escalation claims. Several owners note online forums and NHTSA records suggest this failure is common across 2018 model-year Q5s and that the 2018–19 VW Tiguan received a recall for the same issue. One complaint cites seized coil spring seats and corroded mounts; another reports severe front subframe rust and structural failure. Motor mount leaks and premature wear are also reported at 45k–53k miles, with estimated repairs around $3,200. Owners describe the safety implications of unwarned spring failure at highway speed as rollover and loss-of-control risk.
Failure modes owners describe
Rear coil spring fracture
Rear coil springs break cleanly or fracture, often without visible signs of corrosion or damage to the powder coating. Owners report the springs appear in good condition except for the break itself, suggesting a manufacturing or metallurgical defect rather than wear-related failure. Both individual springs and complete sets have broken.
When: 36,600 to 66,600 miles; majority clustered at 50k–62k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal grinding or loud noise from rear of vehicle; Visible broken spring upon inspection; No dashboard warning lights; Suspension sag or poor handling; Uneven tire wear reported; Potential rollover or loss-of-control hazard at speed
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers recommend replacing both rear springs even if only one is broken. Repair costs cited: $720–$2,000. One owner paid $1,013.01 for springs and alignment. Parts sometimes covered under warranty if still in window; out-of-warranty repairs denied by Audi.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Audi dealers claim broken springs are 'normal wear and tear' and not warranty-covered. No recalls issued. Owners note similar issue triggered a recall on 2018–19 VW Tiguan. Audi corporate has denied liability.
Rear coil spring seat/mount corrosion and failure
Coil spring seats and mounts develop corrosion or break, leading to loss of spring retention. One complaint describes corroded mounts and dislocated retention pads despite intact powder coat finish.
When: 50k–66k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Broken or corroded coil spring seat; Dislocated spring retention pads; Poor handling and uneven tire wear; Risk of wheel or arm support loss; No warning signs or lights
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of mounts and springs required. Costs embedded in overall spring replacement estimates ($720–$2,000).
Front subframe rust and structural damage
One complaint reports severe rusting, corrosion, and structural failure of the front subframe. Parts have fallen off and the remaining structure is compromised.
When: Service visit—mileage not stated
Symptoms owners cite: Severe rust and corrosion visible; Parts falling off; Structural integrity compromised; Safety risk to vehicle control
Repairs/costs cited: Audi dealer confirmed the damage. Repair costs not provided.
Engine/motor mount deterioration
Motor mounts leak and fail prematurely. One owner reported the dealer stated mounts would need replacement soon as 'normal wear and tear' at 53k miles. Another complaint cites motor mount leaks at 45k miles with an estimated repair cost of ~$3,200.
When: 45k–53k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Motor mount leaks; Dealer warns of future failure
Repairs/costs cited: Estimated repair cost ~$3,200 cited in one complaint.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers claim it is normal wear and tear.
Synthesized from 24 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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.
During a normal service visit it was brought to my attention that the rear suspension coil was broken. They attributed this to normal wear and tear after only 52,000 miles. Upon research it seems this is far more common in 2018 Q5s than it should be this is early.
Rear coil spring on passenger side broke and became detached, wedging against lower control arm. Coil spring had no signs of other damage; seems to be defective metallurgy (see attached photographs). Vehicle had 55,645 miles on it. Dealer charged $720 to repair. From online search, there seems to be a high number of Audi Q5's from 2018 model year with this problem, but Audi dealers claim it…
Two issues: 1. We have needed to repeatedly replace brake booster. 2. Passenger side rear spring has broken and dealer is indicating the driver side should also be replaced.
Had suspension trouble with your 2018 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 suspension problem on the 2018 Audi Q5?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 24 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Based on the 24 complaints filed, suspension issues most often appear around 60,000 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 $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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/2018/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.