2019 Audi Q5 Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026

Good

Ranks 4th of 16 Q5 years we score.

Owner complaints: 72; 5 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 11.5; 58,444 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.50×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 27; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 5
NHTSA crash rating: 5★; overall, out of 5

← 2018 Q5 2020 Q5 →

Should You Buy the 2019 Audi Q5?

Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2019 Audi Q5 is 77 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported about half as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 4th of the 16 Q5 years we score.

The most reported problem is the turbocharger (7 of 72 complaints). Owners also complain about automatic emergency braking and the control module. 27 of the 72 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 5 recalls. Audi also offers four warranty extensions that may still apply, for problems with the air conditioning, fuel system, drive axles and driver assistance systems. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. For comparison, the 2018 scores 73 and the 2020 scores 78.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask an Audi dealer about warranty extension AWA-21-01 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Good reliability score of 77
About half the problems of the average car its age
Recent complaints at or below average
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls

Cons

Turbocharger failure7 complaints
Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead6 complaints
Control module (unspecified): damage6 complaints

How the 2019 Q5 Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems	0.49×	−7
Everyday problems	0.52×	−3
Problems in the last two years	0.62×	−7
Recalls	1.0×	−6
Score		77

What Owners Report

We read all 72 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Audi Q5, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first. A complaint that describes more than one problem is counted under each, so the counts add up to more than 72.

Turbocharger failure
7 complaints (10%)
A failure that needed a new part, warning lights and a loss of power. 3 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
6 complaints (8%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead. 2 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking.
Control module (unspecified): damage
6 complaints (8%)
Damage, a stored fault code and a failure. 3 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 73,000 miles.
Steering failure
6 complaints (8%)
A failure, a feature that stopped working and sticking or stiffness. 3 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of steering control. Median mileage when it started: about 11,000 miles.
Taillights or brake lights: stopped working
5 complaints (7%)
A feature that stopped working. 1 of these 5 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of visibility.
Engine mounts failure
4 complaints (6%)
A failure and a leak.
Engine failure
3 complaints (4%)
A failure and unusual noises. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
3 complaints (4%)
Shattering or cracking.
AWD or rear differential failure
2 complaints (3%)
A failure that needed a new part and vibration or shudder.
Adaptive cruise control: hard braking with nothing ahead
2 complaints (3%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead. Both describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking.
Airbag warning light
2 complaints (3%)
Warning lights and problems that come and go.
Exterior lights failure
2 complaints (3%)
A failure that needed a new part and a feature that stopped working.
Lane keeping assist: the system acting on its own
2 complaints (3%)
The system acting on its own.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
2 complaints (3%)
Reduced power or limp mode. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Passenger airbag sensor: works on and off
2 complaints (3%)
Problems that come and go and a stored fault code.

Show 5 more problems

Seat belts: not releasing
2 complaints (3%)
Not releasing and the system acting on its own.
Start-stop system: stopped working
2 complaints (3%)
A feature that stopped working and warning lights.
Sunroof drains (water leak): water leaking in
2 complaints (3%)
Water leaking in.
Unexplained crash (cause not stated)
2 complaints (3%)
Loss of steering control and drove forward by itself after being parked. Both describe a serious outcome, most often a crash.
Warning lights (cause not stated)
2 complaints (3%)
Warning lights.

Reported Once (25)

Show the 25 problems reported once

ABS failure
Airbags: no deployment in a crash
Ball joints and control arms: unusual noises
Blower motor: the system acting on its own
Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
Brake calipers: parts breaking or coming apart
Brake power assist
Brakes: loss of braking
Exterior trim: parts breaking or coming apart
Fuel gauge or level sensor: wrong readings
Screen and audio failure
Instrument cluster: works on and off
Key fob: warning lights
Noise (cause not stated)
Clock spring failure
Parking sensors: the system acting on its own
Piston rings failure
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
Power liftgate: the system acting on its own
Rearview camera: stopped working
Stall (cause not stated)
Struts or shocks failure
Tires: shattering or cracking
Transmission: reduced power or limp mode
Valve train failure

How the 2019 Audi Q5 Compares With Other Years

The other Q5 years of the 2nd generation, 2018 to 2025, and the years just before and after it.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2026	Too new	–	–	20.8	0	Adaptive cruise control: stopped working
2025	Provisional 64	–	–	8.0	1	Adaptive cruise control: works on and off
2024	Good	73	0.76×	5.4	4	Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
2023	Good	74	0.75×	7.2	6	Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
2022	Good	75	0.77×	8.6	9	Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
2021	Caution	68	1.2×	18.2	8	Control module (unspecified) failure
2020	Good	78	0.54×	9.5	6	Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
2019 This year	Good	77	0.50×	11.5	5	Turbocharger failure
2018	Good	73	0.80×	20.1	6	Control module (unspecified): damage
2017	Excellent	81	0.36×	10.7	5	Cooling system: a leak

See every Q5 year

2019 Audi Q5 Recalls

Five recalls cover the 2019 Audi Q5. The most recent was issued in December 2021: “Control Module Shutdown Can Reduce Engine Power.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Control Module Shutdown Can Reduce Engine Power
A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 21V947000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 8, 2021. By the fourth quarter of 2023, 91% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Wheel Arch Cover Trim May Detach, October 2019
The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
NHTSA 19V737000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Oct 16, 2019. By the first quarter of 2021, 95% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Instrument Panel Carrier May Break; Damage Airbags
A damaged frontal air bag may not provide adequate protection, increasing the risk of an injury.
NHTSA 19V473000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 19, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 100% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Wheel Arch Cover Trim May Detach, June 2019
The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
NHTSA 19V416000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 5, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 96% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Hydraulic Brakes May Fail
A short casting can cause a sudden loss of brakes, increasing the risk of crash. The electronic parking brake and its emergency brake function are not affected and will still function.
NHTSA 19V277000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Apr 8, 2019. By the third quarter of 2020, 98% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

2019 Audi Q5 Warranty Extensions and Programs

Audi has four warranty extensions for the 2019 Audi Q5, separate from its recalls. They are for problems with the air conditioning, fuel system, drive axles and driver assistance systems. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which an Audi dealer can check.

Warranty extensionAudi AWA-21-01
Air conditioning evaporator failure
The problem:
The air conditioning evaporator can fail. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
The fix:
An Audi dealer repairs or replaces a failed A/C evaporator, with any parts and labor needed.
Who qualifies:
Certain A4, S4 and Q7 from model year 2017 and A5, S5 and Q5 from 2018. The bulletin gives no last model year. Cars already repaired still qualify, but totaled cars do not.
Coverage:
10 years or 100,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-22-05
Faulty electric fuel pump
The problem:
The electric fuel pump can be faulty. The bulletin does not describe the symptoms.
The fix:
An Audi dealer repairs or replaces a faulty electric fuel pump, with any parts and labor needed.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2018 to 2021 S4, S5 and SQ5, 2019 to 2021 Q8 and A8, and 2020 and 2021 Q7. Cars already repaired still qualify, but totaled cars do not.
Coverage:
15 years or 150,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-23-02
CV joint failure
The problem:
A CV joint can fail from a defect. The bulletin does not say which joint or describe the symptoms.
The fix:
An Audi dealer diagnoses the CV joint and replaces it for free if it failed from a defect.
Who qualifies:
Certain 2018 Q5 and Q7, 2019 A6, A7, A8, Q5, Q7, Q8 and e-tron, and 2020 A6, A7, A8, Q5 and Q8. Other problems found during diagnosis are not covered.
Coverage:
5 years or 60,000 miles from the in-service date, whichever comes first.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionAudi AWA-24-04
Automatic emergency braking system faults
The problem:
The automatic emergency braking, or AEB, system can malfunction when its control unit, a camera, the LIDAR or a sensor fails.
The fix:
An Audi dealer repairs the AEB fault and Audi pays 75 percent of the cost. Damage from crashes, impacts, moved sensors or weather is not covered.
Who qualifies:
Certain Audis covered by the settlement, with a confirmed fault in the AEB control unit, cameras, LIDAR or sensors. If the new car warranty's time ran out by May 16, 2024, the extension's time limit was November 16, 2024.
Coverage:
Up to 12 months or 12,000 miles after the new car warranty ends. Ask an Audi dealer for the exact terms.
Audi's bulletin (PDF)

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2019 Q5 ratings on NHTSA.gov.

SUV AWD

Overall5/5

Frontal crash5/5

Side crash5/5

Rollover4/5

SQ5 SUV AWD

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Side crashNot rated

Rollover4/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2019 Q5, from its five recalls, four Audi warranty extensions that may still apply and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Control Module Shutdown Can Reduce Engine Power NHTSA 21V947000
Wheel Arch Cover Trim May Detach, October 2019 NHTSA 19V737000
Instrument Panel Carrier May Break; Damage Airbags NHTSA 19V473000
Wheel Arch Cover Trim May Detach, June 2019 NHTSA 19V416000
Hydraulic Brakes May Fail NHTSA 19V277000

Ask an Audi Dealer

Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

AWA-21-01: air conditioning evaporator failure
AWA-22-05: faulty electric fuel pump
AWA-23-02: CV joint failure
AWA-24-04: automatic emergency braking system faults

On the Test Drive

Listen for whistling and watch for reduced-power warnings.
Watch for sudden braking or steering with nothing ahead, and ask whether the driver-assist software updates were done.
Turn the wheel fully left and right, parked and at low speed. Sticking, notches or stiffness are warning signs.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Turbocharger
Automatic emergency braking
Control module
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All Q5 Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Audi may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.