repaired · 2020 Q1
Delivery: fuel pump
Risk. The butyl tape may not prevent fuel from leaking.
2012 Audi Q5Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 168 owner complaints about the 2012 Audi Q5, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-078 the manufacturer reports only 59% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 12, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Cutlass, CC0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2012 Audi Q5 has problems
168 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
85Air bags2 crash/fire/injury
47Engine1 crash/fire/injury
20Fuel/propulsion system
9Structure
5Electrical system
5Power train
4Visibility/wiper
4Suspension
3Service brakes
115 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 85 | 2 |
| Engine | 47 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 20 | 0 |
| Structure | 9 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 5 | 0 |
| Power train | 5 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 4 | 0 |
| Suspension | 4 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 |
| 5 other systems | 11 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
6 recalls
2012 Audi Q5 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2020 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle…
repaired · 2018 Q2
Air bags: side/window
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2018 Q1
Delivery: fuel pump
Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Show 2 more recalls
repaired · 2018 Q2
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…
no report yet
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
Risk. SHOULD THE SUNROOFS GLASS BREAK WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE, THE FALLING GLASS COULD CUT AND INJURE THE DRIVER OR PASSENGERS.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Audi.
Best & worst years
2012 vs. every other Q5 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Q5 median. How we score
'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
In owners' words
What Q5 owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
This 2012 Audi Q5 has an apparent bad passenger occupant sensor connection that could deactivate the vehicle's passenger-side airbags and increase the risk of injury or death in the event of a crash. It appears the problem specifically stems from a faulty connection between the passenger seat…
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V082000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED AUDI SHREWSBURY AT [PHONE] (LOCATED AT 780…
TAMARA RECALL. MY DEALER, AUDI OF STRATHAM NH KEEPS SENDING ME CARDS TO HAVE THE AIRBAG REPLACED. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT A MONTH AGO AND WHEN I ARRIVED WAS TOLD THEY DIDN'T HAVE IT. MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT FOR TODAY, 1/4/19, ON THE BASIS OF BEING TOLD THAT THEY HAD IT IN HAND. WHEN I CALLED TODAY…
Own a 2012 Q5?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.