2012 Audi Q5
This year had more than double the complaints of 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
51% of complaints: air bags — 85 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
I had an accident on 4/15/2024. I blacked out and ran into an oak tree but none of my airbags deployed.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240430
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180124
TAKATA RECALL - WE ARE FIRST-TIME PARENTS AND HAD INFANT TWIN BOYS. WE HAD BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR MORE ROOM AND SAFETY AND THEN THE RECALL HAPPENED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171030
28% of complaints: engine — 47 distinct reports on file.
INJURYShow complaint excerpts
ON [XXX] AT [XXX], AT MY HOME, I PULLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY IN MY 2012 AUDI 2012 Q5, I DROVE THREE HOUSES DOWN, AND THE SUNROOF EXPLODED SENDING SHATTERED GLASS ON MYSELF, MY THEN [XXX] SON, AND INTO THE CABIN OF THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI report, 20250417
ENTERING MY GARAGE, ABOUT HALFWAY IN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD; I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHILE ENTERING AND IMMEDIATELY PUSHED DOWN HARD, THE CAR SKIDDED AND STOPPED; I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP TO...
NHTSA ODI report, 20120716
12% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 20 distinct reports on file.
5% of complaints: structure — 8 distinct reports on file.
3% of complaints: power train — 5 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 AUDI Q5 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 21, 2011, THROUGH DECEMBER 9, 2011. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A FRONT SUNROOF GLASS PANEL THAT IS SUS
Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUNROOF GLASS PANEL, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-253-2834.
Campaign 12V299000 — 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. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Audi Q5 vehicles.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator and either coat it or replace it, as necessary, after removing the surrounding foam, free of charge. The recall is expected to began March 2017.
Campaign 17V001000 — 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
2012 Audi Q5 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (85 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (47 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (20 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 12V299000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V660000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V001000 (air bags, visibility) 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 2012 Audi Q5 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Audi Q5 is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Audi Q5?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 51% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 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.