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2015 Audi Q5 Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2015 Audi Q5 carries 6 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering wiring and sun/moon roof assembly. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Excessive oil consumption from piston ring wear.” Audi follows the VW Group Longlife service rhythm: oil and minor service every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first, using oil that meets VW 502 00 / 504 00 (or 508 00 for newer 0W-20 engines) — generic synthetic does not qualify. S tronic dual-clutch gearboxes need fluid service every 40,000 miles despite 'lifetime fill' claims. Fully electric models (e-tron, e-tron GT) skip oil service entirely but keep brake-fluid, cabin-filter, and coolant-circuit intervals.

6 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Campaign #17V622000 · May 10, 2017

Issue: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad and Q5 vehicles. Contact corrosion within the electrical connector for the auxiliary heater may cause the heater wires to overheat or melt.

Risk: The melted wires can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary heater and, as necessary, update the software, free of charge. The Recall began November 27, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 80C5 and 80C6.

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

Campaign #17V001000 · Mar 1, 2017

Issue: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Audi Q5 vehicles. The sunroof drainage system may allow water to soak into the foam surrounding the side head air bag inflator canister resulting in the corrosion of the canister. If this happens, the corrosion can weaken the canister and the inflator could fracture without air bag deployment, propelling fragments into the passenger compartment, striking and causing serious injury to vehicle occupants.

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 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. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69P1.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

Campaign #17V002000 · Mar 1, 2017

Issue: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system, resulting in the pump overheating.

Risk: If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19M1.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

Campaign #18V229000 · Nov 4, 2018

Issue: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.

Risk: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Campaign #17V298000 · Mar 5, 2017

Issue: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Audi Q5 and 2013-2017 Audi Q7 vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump flange if cracks are present. Flanges that do not have cracks will have a protective film applied. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20Z8. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 16V-660.

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

Campaign #16V045000 · Jan 28, 2016

Issue: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles manufactured January 15, 2015, to January 21, 2015, and 2015 Audi Q5 vehicles manufactured January 13, 2015, to February 3, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with driver and front seat passenger seat-mounted air bag inflators that may rupture in the event of a crash.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of a seat-mounted air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began July 7, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69M1 (for Audi) and 69L9 (for VW).

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2015 Audi Q5.

Reported to NHTSA

Excessive oil consumption from piston ring wear

ENGINE

21 NHTSA complaints · 2019-08 → 2025-12

“Engine consumed a quarter of oil every 300 miles. The EPC light and engine light illuminated. The vehicle went into limp mode. I had the vehicle towed to a certified mechanic.Vehicle was inspected by a certified mechanic and will need a new engine”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11702822
“After paying to run an inspection test recommended by Audi USA, it was confirmed that the issue of the excess oil consumption was with the piston, and they also recommended changing the engine”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11624091
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 AUDI Q5. AFTERTHE VEHICLE UNDERWENT AN OIL CHANGE, THE OIL CHANGE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE OIL NEEDED TO BE REFILLED EVERY 1,000 MILES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11242208

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear subframe corrosion and perforation

STRUCTURE

11 NHTSA complaints · 2023-10 → 2026-08

“The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q5. The contact stated that the rear subframe was extremely rusted and could not pass a safety inspection. The vehicle was driven to the dealer, but the vehicle was not repaired”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11713660
“2015 Audi Q5 Quattro (all wheel drive). During recent inspection the vehicle was found to have extreme corrosion, cracking, and structural failure of the rear subframe and subframe crossmember”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11681486
“The Audi Q5 was new in 2015 and I am the original owner. The vehicle has 135,600 miles on it. During an oil change visit to my repair shop, they informed me of significant rust corrosion to the subframe”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11603316

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Panoramic sunroof glass shattering while driving

VISIBILITY

3 NHTSA complaints · 2014-11 → 2023-05

“Driving on the highway the panoramic sun roof window shattered. Sounded like an explosion. Glass shattered and flew throughout car and blew away. Posed hazard to those in car as the glass shattered”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11521845
“WHILE DRIVING MY FRONT PANEL SUNROOF EXPLODED. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED. THERE WAS A LOUD POP. LOUD ENOUGH TO MAKE MY EARS RING AND THEN THE GLASS WAS EVERYWHERE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11157325
“APPROXIMATELY 10:45 AM MY HUSBAND (THE DRIVER) AND I (THE PASSENGER) WERE DRIVING WEST ON CO HWY 86 JUST LEAVING FRANKTOWN, CO AND HAD CROSSED OVER THE CHERRY CREEK BRIDGE WHEN THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF IN OUR 99 DAY OLD 2015 AUDI Q5 EXPLODED OUTWARDS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10660936

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Loss of power steering assist

STEERING

13 NHTSA complaints · 2015-09 → 2024-01

“We have never had an issue with the vehicle until we recently faced very cold Temps (-10 to -20). Was driving the vehicle, with no issues, and stopped to get gas. Upon restarting the vehicle it displayed a power steering error with a do not drive”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11565818
“The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed in cold weather, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the power steering rack needed to be replaced”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11501425
“I WAS DRIVING DOWN A LONG GRAVEL DRIVEWAY GOING 15-20MPH AND I WENT AROUND A SLIGHT LEFT CURVE. AFTER THE LEFT CURVE THE ROAD BECOMES STRAIT. MY CAR STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, I COULD NOT MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE CURVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10763123

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine coolant pump failure and recall part delays

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

18 NHTSA complaints · 2017-12 → 2025-11

“The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q5. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the message "Pull Over Immediately" and a chime started to sound”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11516581
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V229000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11145350
“I RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE, NHTSA # 18V229 FOR MY VEHICLE. REGARDING A COOLANT PUMP THAT COULD POSSIBLY EXPERIENCE A SHORT CIRCUIT AND OVERHEAT. IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE PARKED OUTSIDE AS A PRECAUTIONIN CASE THERE WERE TO BE A FIRE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11101733

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel pump and fuel line leak

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

6 NHTSA complaints · 2017-07 → 2024-12

“in 2017 Audi repaired a leaky fuel pump in my Q5 due to a recall. My vehicle now has less than 35k miles since that repair and the new-replacement fuel pump flange is failing again. Fuel was coming out and created a significant fire risk to life and property”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11557378
“HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN LEAKING GASOLINE INTO MY ENGINE OIL. IT HAS CAUSED ISSUES WHEN STARTING MY CAR. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11270178
“My words: An overheated electrical connection near the fuel tank overheated, thus cutting off the fuel pump system. This is similar to other fuel pump recalls with Audi A3 vehicles”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11628449

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Longlife Service)

Every 10,000 mi

Replace oil and filter every 10,000 miles or 12 months with VW 502 00 / 504 00 / 508 00 spec oil. S and RS models driven hard: many owners shorten to 5,000-7,500 miles. Wrong-spec oil is the leading cause of TFSI timing-chain tensioner and PCV problems.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate every 10,000 miles with the oil service. quattro models: keep all four tires within 4/32" of each other — mismatched wear stresses the center differential.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and wear sensors every 10,000 miles. Audi uses electronic pad-wear sensors on most models — replace the sensor with the pads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 24,000 mi

Replace DOT 4 brake fluid every 2 years regardless of mileage — Audi's published schedule is time-based because the fluid absorbs moisture.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

S tronic Dual-Clutch Fluid

Every 40,000 mi

S tronic (DSG) gearboxes on A3/S3/RS 3, Q3, TT, and many A5/Q5 models: replace fluid and filter every 40,000 miles with the VW Group-spec fluid for your gearbox code. Skipping this service is the most common cause of mechatronic failure.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$470–$640

Shop

~$330–$450

DIY

Pro only

VW/Audi DSG service needs a fluid-fill procedure at a specific temperature — shop equipment territory.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

quattro Coupling Fluid (Transverse Models)

Every 40,000 mi

A3/S3/RS 3, Q3, and TT use a Haldex-style rear coupling: replace its fluid roughly every 40,000 miles (some model years specify sooner — check your manual). Longitudinal quattro (A5-A8, Q5, Q8) has no coupling service; see differential fluid instead.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$220–$290

Shop

~$155–$205

DIY

~$40–$90

VW/Audi/Volvo AWD coupling — specific fluid required. Filter usually swapped at the same time.

Spark Plugs

Every 40,000 mi

TFSI turbo engines: new plugs every 40,000 miles. RS models with the 2.5 TFSI five-cylinder: consider 30,000 miles under track or hard street use.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 40,000 mi

Replace every 40,000 miles; inspect at 20,000 on turbocharged engines — a clogged filter shows up as sluggish boost response first.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Timing Chain (EA888 — Inspect Tensioner)

On condition / lifetime

2.0 TFSI (EA888) engines before roughly 2013 had timing-chain tensioner failures — have the tensioner revision checked by 80,000 miles on earlier cars. Later engines carry the updated design with no scheduled service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Differential Fluid (Longitudinal quattro)

Every 60,000 mi

Q5, Q8, and A5-A8 quattro: independent Audi specialists recommend front/rear differential fluid service around 60,000 miles even where Audi lists it as lifetime fill.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Dust & Pollen Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 20,000 miles or 2 years. Audi specifies an activated-carbon filter on most models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

G12evo / G13 Coolant

On condition / lifetime

Audi coolant is labeled lifetime fill. Independent VW/Audi specialists recommend a refresh around 5 years or 100,000 miles to protect the water pump and thermostat housing — and only with the correct pink/lilac VW Group coolant.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

13 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

3

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2015 Audi Q5 reflects Audi's published service intervals and the Audi Service Interval Display system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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