2009 Audi Q5
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 0 |
| 2009 | 30 |
| 2010 | 99 |
| 2011 | 141 |
| 2012 | 168 |
| 2013 | 89 |
| 2014 | 104 |
| 2015 | 97 |
| 2016 | 76 |
| 2017 | 42 |
| 2018 | 195 |
| 2019 | 47 |
| 2020 | 22 |
| 2021 | 69 |
| 2022 | 21 |
| 2023 | 40 |
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2025 | 37 |
| 2026 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
53% of complaints: air bags — 16 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I was in an accident where I hit a herd of elk. My car was totaled. The airbags did not deploy and they definitely should have. It was hit on the front, and both front sides. There is no way the airbags shouldnât have deployed.
NHTSA ODI report, 20230217
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 AUDI Q5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20150918
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180416
17% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 5 distinct reports on file.
7% of complaints: engine — 2 distinct reports on file.
3% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 1 distinct report on file.
3% of complaints: tether, lower anchor (on car seat or vehicle) — 1 distinct report on file.
Show complaint excerpts
Cybex Sirona S is marketed as a 360 car seat that rotates and swivels, but when in forward-facing mode for functionality it does not tether. The guidance is to use the load leg to keep the swivel and rotation but then not use the tether.
NHTSA ODI report, 20230917
SAFETY TIMELINE
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 Q5 PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2008 AND JUNE 4, 2009. A LEFT AND/OR RIGHT A-PILLAR TRIM COVER CLIP MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTU
Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSPECT THE CLIP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LEFT AND RIGHT A-PILLAR COVERS AND REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-253-
Campaign 09V484000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Audi A4, A5, and Q5 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69O1.
Campaign 16V376000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Audi Q5, and 2007-2012 Audi Q7 vehicles equipped with gasoline engines. The fuel pump flange on the affected vehicles may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the flange, replacing any flanges that are cracked. If the flange is not cracked, dealers will clean the pump flange and install a butyl rubber band to protect the pump.
Campaign 16V660000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available.
Campaign 16V078000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Campaign 18V082000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2007-2012 Audi Q7 and 2009-2012 Audi Q5 vehicles, previously repaired under NHTSA recall 16V-660.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump flange and install butyl tape, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Campaign 18V818000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2009 Audi Q5 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (16 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (5 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (2 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 09V484000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V376000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V660000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V078000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V082000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V818000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2009 Audi Q5 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Audi Q5 is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Audi Q5?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 53% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 Audi Q5 have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.