2023 Q5
6 owner complaintsWorth adding to your 2022 checks
- Inspect liftgate sensor for unintentional activation.
- Test trunk door for proper manual operation and ensure it stays open.
- Verify recall status with dealer before purchase.
2022 Audi Q5: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, engine, and transmission. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2022- Owner complaints
- 39
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes reported
- 4
- 5 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2022 Audi Q5: inspection sheet
Date
Odometer
VIN
Seller / phone
1
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
2
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/2
3
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/4
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Reported on neighboring Q5 years
Nearby years usually share most parts, so their problems are worth checking on this car too.
2021 Q5
126 owner complaints- Electrical 18
- Transmission 10
- Engine 8
Worth adding to your 2022 checks
- Check the carpet and floor under the rear center seat for water stains, dampness, or corrosion.
- Ask for service records showing any gateway module replacement or water-damage diagnosis.
- Make slow, tight turns in a parking lot and feel for shudder, bucking, or jitter.
2024 Q5
26 owner complaints- Electrical 7
- Automatic emergency braking 6
- Brakes 5
Worth adding to your 2022 checks
- Check the VIN in federal recall records and get dealer proof that any open battery or electrical recall work is finished.
- Make several left turns across traffic on the test drive and watch for sudden Pre Sense braking.
- Run adaptive cruise with predictive control on the highway and watch for sudden drops in set speed.
Which Q5 is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2022 Audi Q5. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cylHybrid | AWD | 25 mpg |
| 2.0L 4-cylPlug-in hybrid | AWD | 390 mi range |
- The 2022 Audi Q5 was sold in two versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- On the hybrid, watch for the car moving off on electric power at low speed and for any hybrid system warning on the dash.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Q5 that averages well under the EPA 25 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2022 Audi Q5, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Electrical10No crashes
The car shuts down while driving, often at highway speed, after an "Electrical system malfunction" warning. Drivers describe a locked steering wheel, a firm brake pedal, windows dropping, and no way to shift gears. After a restart the warnings often clear, and dealers frequently find no fault codes. In one report the dealer blamed the alternator at 13k miles. A charging cable and outlet caught fire in one filing. Several other complaints are about waiting for recall repairs, with dealers reporting parts on backorder and no repair date.
Engine6No crashes
Outright failure shows up in some reports. In one, the engine caught fire on the freeway and two occupants were injured. Several filings are about waiting for engine recall work, with owners worried about an engine replacement and dealers unable to give a repair timeline or a loaner. Other complaints describe an oil leak with smoke and a burning smell, first noticed after the 10K oil change and found as a major leak at the 20K service. Owners also report stalling that leaves no fault code, so dealers cannot reproduce it, and one alternator failure in the first month.
Transmission4No crashes
The engine shakes violently, jerks on acceleration, and loses power at highway speed. Some cars go into limp mode and show a "Drive system" warning with a check engine light. Dealers described engine failure at 800 miles in one report and catastrophic internal engine failure at about 20,000 miles in another. Another driver felt jerking on an incline, then got an electrical malfunction warning that forced a highway exit. Separately, the car can roll forward on a slope after being shifted into reverse, and the windows may not open in deep cold.
Lane keeping3No crashes
Lane Assist pulls the car toward or across the lane lines instead of keeping it centered. The Pre-Sense system can also swerve or brake hard for hazards that are not there. Drivers report this on freeways, narrow mountain roads, and side streets, where a sudden pull or stop raises the risk of a collision. Repeated dealer visits have not fixed it, including one car that spent more than 36 days at the dealer. One dealer acknowledged that the system does not work properly.
Acceleration and cruise control22 crashes
The car accelerates unexpectedly at low speed. In one report it happened during a turn with the brake pedal pressed, and in the other while reversing into a driveway. Both ended in crashes. One driver was injured, a car hit a curb, and a garage and two parked cars were damaged. In one case the dealer had repaired the right front ACC sensor three weeks earlier after bumper damage. The other report also mentions an oil leak found after an oil change.
Automatic emergency braking21 crash
Automatic emergency braking fails to act in one crash report. The car hit mailboxes and another vehicle with no warning and no automatic braking. In the other complaint, the buyer says the car was sold without safety equipment they expected as standard and was never shown the window sticker. That owner reports several close calls since then and says neither Audi nor the dealer would add the missing equipment.
Brakes2No crashes
A "Brake malfunction" or brake failure warning appears without notice. After that, the car may refuse to move when the gas is pressed, or the brake pedal turns extremely firm. One report at 65 mph also describes the doors locking and the windows rolling down on their own. Restarting the car brings it back, sometimes with the check engine light on, and dealers find no failure. These symptoms resemble the electrical shutdowns filed under other categories.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Q5 owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
I have had an “open case” with Audi since last April when we purchased this vehicle. 4-5 times, the car has stopped suddenly, showing “electric malfunction” message on the dashboard. It happened again yesterday and I nearly missed being in a very serious accident.
Filed with NHTSA, November 2022
The charging cable and outlet the charging cable was plugged into caught on fire about 1 year ago. I had to replace the wiring and outlet and purchase a new cable which is now an open recall and apparantly still defective.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2024
3 times while driving engine stalled. Car will restart after coasting off road & restarting it. Been to two Audi dealers under warranty. Car displayed no fault code. Only happens occasionally so neither dealer has seen the problem to fix it. My wife has video of the last engine stall but still no fix. We don’t trust or feel car is safe to drive.
Filed with NHTSA, March 2024
I'm concerned about the engine connecting rod recall. I'm not too faithful of a dealer replacing the engine if that's what needed. If it is and we have problems, I will want a new q5.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2023
How the 2022 compares with other Q5 years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2022 ranks fourth for owner complaints among 8 Q5 years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
2022 Average of other years
- Electrical1014
- Engine63
- Transmission43
- Lane keeping30
- Acceleration and cruise control21
- Automatic emergency braking22
Recalls to confirm (8)
Recall repairs are free at any Audi dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
25V294000EngineMay 2025
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Q5 Quattro and Q5 Sportback Quattro vehicles. The cylinder head cover screws may have been improperly tightened.
Risk: The screws can loosen, allowing oil to leak and increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the screws as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 5, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 15ZK.
25V080000ElectricalFeb 2025
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Audi Q5, and 2022 A7 E Hybrid Electric PHEV vehicles. The high-voltage battery may overheat.
Risk: A high-voltage battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will install advanced diagnostic software as the final remedy, anticipated to be available in the second quarter of 2025. Volkswagen will monitor available online vehicle data and contact owners as necessary, to advise them not to charge the vehicle until the battery can be replaced. For vehicles in which online data is unavailable, owners are advised not to charge their batteries until the final remedy becomes available. Repairs will be performed free of charge. This will be a Phased recall. Phase 1 will include Interim letters 2022-2023 model year vehicles. Phase 2 will include Owner letters 2021-2024 model year vehicles, and Phase 3 will include Interim letters 2022-2023 model year vehicles. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed February 28, 2025, and May 7, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 93AA. This recall expands and replaces previous NHTSA recall number 24V898.
24V898000ElectricalNov 2024
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Audi Q5 PHEV and 2022 Audi A7 PHEV vehicles. The high-voltage battery may overheat.
Risk: A high-voltage battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will install advanced diagnostic software as the final remedy, anticipated to be available in the second quarter of 2025. Volkswagen will monitor available online vehicle data and contact owners as necessary, to advise them not to charge the vehicle until the battery can be replaced. For vehicles in which online data is unavailable, owners are advised not to charge their batteries until the final remedy becomes available. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 93AA. This recall has been replaced by NHTSA recall number 25V080.
23V842000ElectricalDec 2023
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 RS e-tron GT, e-tron GT, Q4 e-tron Sportback, Q4 e-tron, 2020-2021 Audi A8, 2019-2024 e-tron Quattro, 2020-2024 e-tron Sportback Quattro, Q5, and 2021-2022 A7 vehicles. When using the industrial 220V/240V plug at the 100% charge setting, some home power outlets may be incapable of handling the electrical current required to utilize the compact charging system, causing the outlet or charging cable to overheat.
Risk: An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to use the 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable and only use the 110V home charging cable or public charging stations. Dealers will supply a new 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable with an incorporated temperature sensor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's numbers for this recall are 93U6 and 93U8.
22V753000EngineOct 2022
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Audi Q5 Sportback, Q5, 2022-2023 Volkswagen Atlas FL, and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The engine connecting rod bearings may become damaged, which can result in engine failure.
Risk: A damaged engine can result in engine failure and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash. If the engine failure causes an oil leak, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace an affected engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 6, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 13i4 (VW) and 13i5 (Audi).
22V368000EngineMay 2022
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022 Audi A6 Sedan, A4 Sedan, Q5, and Q5 Sportback vehicles. The semiconductor inside the engine control unit may short-circuit and cause an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engine control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 24iH.
21V947000ElectricalDec 2021
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, 2018-2022 Q5, and SQ5 vehicles. A liquid spill in the rear seat, or water ingress from an insufficient body seam underneath the vehicle may allow liquid to penetrate the gateway control module, causing it to shutdown.
Risk: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install a protective cover on the gateway control module and seal an underbody seam as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90S9.
21V825000Backup cameraOct 2021
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8 and S8, 2022 Audi A5 Sportback, A4 Sedan, E-Tron GT, Q3, Q5, RS6 Avant, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RSQ8, SQ7, SQ8, and S3 Sedan vehicles. A software error may prevent the rear-view image from initially displaying when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.".
Risk: A rear-view camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the infotainment unit parameters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 9, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91CR.
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