2026 Audi Q5 Reliability Report
NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 19, 2026
scored
Too new for a score. Here is what owners and NHTSA have reported so far.
- Owner complaints
- 8
- Per 10,000 cars
- 20.8
- 3,851 made for the U.S.
- Vs the average car
- –
- Serious outcomes
- 1
- crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
- Recalls
- 0
- NHTSA crash rating
- –
Should You Buy the 2026 Audi Q5?
It is too new to judge. The 2026 Audi Q5 has 8 owner complaints and 0 recalls so far. We expect a first provisional score around July 2027.
The most reported problem is adaptive cruise control, mostly stopped working (3 of 8 complaints). Owners also complain about forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. 1 of the 8 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.
It has no recalls.
Before you buy, get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.
Pros
- No recalls
Cons
- Adaptive cruise control: stopped working3 complaints
- Forward collision warning: stopped working3 complaints
- Automatic emergency braking: warning lights2 complaints
- First year of a new generation
Why There Is No Final Score Yet
Too new to score. First provisional score expected around July 2027.
So far there are 8 owner complaints, 1 with a serious outcome, and 0 recalls. Early counts are not enough to judge a model year. The automaker's production report for it is not complete yet.
This is the first year of a new generation. Across the models we track, first years had about 30% more complaints than the year after.
What Owners Report
We read all 8 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2026 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 8.
Adaptive cruise control: stopped working
3 complaints (38%)
A feature that stopped working and problems that come and go.
Forward collision warning: stopped working
3 complaints (38%)
A feature that stopped working, problems that come and go and warning lights.
Automatic emergency braking: warning lights
2 complaints (25%)
Warning lights and hard braking with nothing ahead. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: sudden braking.
Driver-assist camera and radar: stopped working
2 complaints (25%)
A feature that stopped working and a stored fault code.
Reported Once (10)
Show the 10 problems reported once
- ABS: warning lights
- Engine: stalling
- Engine (misfire codes): rough running or misfires
- Exhaust or catalytic converter: fault code
- Screen and audio: works on and off
- Instrument cluster: stopped working
- Key fob: not opening or unlocking
- Lane keeping assist: stopped working
- Suspension system: warning lights
- Seat belts: warning lights
How the 2026 Audi Q5 Compares With Other Years
The other Q5 years of the 3rd generation, 2026, and the years just before and after it.
| Year | Rating | Score | Vs average | Per 10k cars | Recalls | Most reported problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 This year | Too new | – | – | 20.8 | 0 | Adaptive cruise control: stopped working |
| 2025 | Provisional 64 | – | – | 8.0 | 1 | Adaptive cruise control: works on and off |
Check Before You Buy
A checklist for the 2026 Q5, from the problems owners report most.
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
- Forward collision warning
- Automatic emergency braking
- 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