2025 Audi Q5 Reliability Report
NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026
Final score after 36 months. Likely between 61 and 68.
- Owner complaints
- 53
- 1 is a recall notice
- Per 10,000 cars
- 8.0
- 65,052 made for the U.S.
- Vs the average car
- 1.5×
- same age, so far
- Serious outcomes
- 23
- crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
- Recalls
- 1
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5★
- overall, out of 5
Should You Buy the 2025 Audi Q5?
It is too early to say for sure. We give a final score after 36 months of complaints. So far the 2025 Audi Q5 has a provisional score of 64, likely between 61 and 68. That puts it in the middle third of the 2025 vehicles we can compare.
The 2024 Q5, from the same generation, scored 73 and rated Good. That is a useful guide, not a guarantee.
The most reported problem is adaptive cruise control, mostly works on and off (12 of 53 complaints). Owners also complain about automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assist. 23 of the 53 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.
It has 1 recall. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests.
Before you buy, check that the recalls were done and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.
Pros
- No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
- 5-star NHTSA overall crash rating
Cons
- Adaptive cruise control: works on and off12 complaints
- Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead10 complaints
- Lane keeping assist: the system acting on its own8 complaints
Why There Is No Final Score Yet
Provisional score 64, likely between 61 and 68
It is based on complaints in its first 27 months, compared with the average car at the same age. It sits in the middle third of the 24 model-year 2025 vehicles we can compare so far. The final score and rating come at 36 months.
It is the same generation as the 2024 Q5, which scored 73 and rated Good. That is a useful guide, not a guarantee.
What Owners Report
We read all 53 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2025 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 53.
Adaptive cruise control: works on and off
12 complaints (23%)
Problems that come and go, hard braking with nothing ahead and a failure. 3 of these 12 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking. Median mileage when it started: about 0 miles.
Automatic emergency braking: hard braking with nothing ahead
10 complaints (19%)
Hard braking with nothing ahead and the system not working when needed. 6 of these 10 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem.
Lane keeping assist: the system acting on its own
8 complaints (15%)
The system acting on its own, a failure and problems that come and go. 3 of these 8 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 0 miles.
Driver-assist camera and radar: works on and off
7 complaints (13%)
Problems that come and go, a failure and warning lights.
Seat belts: the system acting on its own
6 complaints (11%)
The system acting on its own, a feature that stopped working and a failure that needed a new part.
Several warning lights at once
5 complaints (9%)
Warning lights.
Forward collision warning: the system not working when needed
5 complaints (9%)
The system not working when needed, problems that come and go and a feature that stopped working.
Shifter or park: stopped working
5 complaints (9%)
A feature that stopped working and the car rolling away. 2 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often being stranded. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem, and in 3 it came back after a repair.
Check engine light (cause not stated)
4 complaints (8%)
Warning lights.
Headlights failure
4 complaints (8%)
A failure, problems that come and go and warning lights.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
4 complaints (8%)
A loss of power and reduced power or limp mode. 3 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Driver assistance system: warning lights
4 complaints (8%)
Warning lights and problems that come and go.
Airbag warning light
3 complaints (6%)
Warning lights.
Brakes: loss of braking
3 complaints (6%)
Loss of braking and rolls back after brake release. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of braking.
Control module (unspecified): fault code
3 complaints (6%)
A stored fault code and a failure.
Show 9 more problems
Screen and audio: works on and off
3 complaints (6%)
Problems that come and go and a feature that stopped working.
Instrument cluster: stopped working
3 complaints (6%)
A feature that stopped working and problems that come and go.
Phone and navigation: works on and off
3 complaints (6%)
Problems that come and go and a failure.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
3 complaints (6%)
Sudden acceleration. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking.
Engine: a loss of power
2 complaints (4%)
A loss of power and stalling. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Engine sensors or computer: fault code
2 complaints (4%)
A stored fault code and reduced power or limp mode. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Exterior lights: stopped working
2 complaints (4%)
A feature that stopped working and the system acting on its own.
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
2 complaints (4%)
Surging and hesitation.
Power liftgate failure
2 complaints (4%)
A failure and not closing or latching.
Reported Once (27)
Show the 27 problems reported once
- 12V battery failure
- ABS: fault code
- Airbags: no deployment in a crash
- Battery drain: draining the battery
- Brake hold or auto hold: stopped working
- Brake power assist: a hard pedal or less assist
- Climate controls failure
- Door latches: parts breaking or coming apart
- Engine (misfire codes): rough running or misfires
- Engine overheating
- Fuel system: floods with excess fuel
- Heater: stopped working
- Ignition or power mode (won't shut off): not shutting off
- Key fob: not opening or unlocking
- Mirrors: works on and off
- Noise (cause not stated)
- Hatch (power not stated) failure
- Rearview camera: works on and off
- Side blind zone alert: works on and off
- Car not starting (cause not stated)
- Sunroof failure
- Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
- Taillights or brake lights: stopped working
- Tire pressure monitoring: warning lights
- Vibration (cause not stated)
- Windows or locks or sunroof (operate by themselves): the system acting on its own
- Wiring, fuses or body control module failure
How the 2025 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 This year | 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 | 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 |
2025 Audi Q5 Recalls
One recall covers the 2025 Audi Q5. It was issued in April 2026: “Seat Belts May Not Restrain Occupants.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows whether it is still open on a given car.
Seat Belts May Not Restrain Occupants
Improperly restrained occupants have an increased risk of injury during a crash.
NHTSA 26V266000Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Apr 24, 2026. By the second quarter of 2026, 25% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
NHTSA Crash Test Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2025 Q5 ratings on NHTSA.gov.
SUV AWD and Sportback SUV AWD
SQ5 SUV AWD and SQ5 Sportback SUV AWD
Check Before You Buy
A checklist for the 2025 Q5, from its recall and the problems owners report most.
Confirm the Recalls Were Done
Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.
- Seat Belts May Not Restrain Occupants NHTSA 26V266000
On the Test Drive
- Watch for sudden braking or steering with nothing ahead, and ask whether the driver-assist software updates were done.
Ask the Seller
Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.
- Adaptive cruise control
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane keeping assist
- 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