2012 Audi Q5 problems
Owners have filed 203 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Audi Q5. Air bags is the most reported problem area, at 42% of complaints. After that come engine (23%) and fuel system (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 203 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 42% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 4 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 72,000 miles 77 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 11 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 2 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 14 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 18 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 13 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 12 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 4 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 77 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 72,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a crash; 4 injuries reported. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 92% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2012 ranks 3rd most-complained-about out of 17 model years of the Audi Q5 with enough data (111 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 6 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Was pulling into my parking spot at work (slowing down, stepping on brake) when car suddenly accelerated to wide open throttle. I pressed hard on the on brake, it would not stop. It was bucking like a bronco. It went over the curb, across the sidewalk. By then I was standing on the brake with both feet. It took out a 3-ft. Tall light on the lawn before I threw it into neutral and stopped it.
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 audi q5. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the driver became distracted and crashed onto another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was deemed destroyed and towed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,000. The VIN was not available.
The rear view mirror height is stationary and not adjustable. For many(?) persons, when looking and or turning to the right approximately 1/3 of the field of vision is blocked, making it difficult to see the road, possible pedestrians, objects, vehicles etc. Also, the position of the cruise control switch behind the lower left of the steering wheel makes operation difficult, possibly causing distracted driving, since it has to be operated while the vehicle is in motion.
Water pump broken at 39,000 miles. Broken plastic propeller. Car started "bucking" as I pulled in to get it inspected. I was advised that the car was not drivable...water pump failures are sited on the internet by many. I have talked to audi customer service without success. Audi owners report that they have been given payment for the pump and extended warranty. Please advise what options I have in this situation.
Audi q5 tfsi 2.0t engine upper timing cover oil leak, causes water pump to leak over and over again. Until you fix the oil leak, you cannot fix the water pump leaking.