2017 Audi Q5 Safety Report
2017 Audi Q5 Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2017 Audi Q5
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2017 Audi Q5. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (5) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (40) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 3 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2020 | Compare against the 2020 Audi Q5 with 22 complaints and 6 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2018 | Check the 2018 Audi Q5 before buying across this generation. |
Audi Q5 Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Audi Q5 years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Audi Q5 | 189 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2016 Audi Q5 | 72 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Audi Q5 | 41 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2015 Audi Q5 | 96 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Audi Q5 | 22 | 6 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Audi Q5 | 63 | 8 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2017 Audi Q5 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2017 Audi Q5, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
12 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Audi onlySteering
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Audi onlyFuel/Propulsion System
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Audi onlyService Brakes
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Audi onlyEngine And Engine Cooling,Engine
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine And Engine Cooling,Engine issues Audi onlyFuel System, Gasoline
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel System, Gasoline issues Audi onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2017 Audi Q5
Reliability Score
The 2017 Audi Q5 receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2017 Audi Q5
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2017 Audi Q5
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2017 Audi Q5:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling Cooling system failures have been identified, leading to recalls for the 2013-2017 Audi A5 and A5 Cabriolet. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Fuel System, Gasoline Delivery Recalls have been issued for the 2013-2017 Audi Q5 due to issues with the fuel pump. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Automatic Transmission Recalls have been issued for the 2017 Audi Q5 due to gear position indication issues. |
Low | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Steering Steering resistance and stiffness have been reported multiple times, requiring repairs. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2017 Audi Q5:
Cooling system failures have been identified, leading to recalls for the 2013-2017 Audi A5 and A5 Cabriolet.
Recalls have been issued for the 2013-2017 Audi Q5 due to issues with the fuel pump.
Recalls have been issued for the 2017 Audi Q5 due to gear position indication issues.
Steering resistance and stiffness have been reported multiple times, requiring repairs.
Recall Details for the 2017 Audi Q5
The following 5 recalls have been issued for the 2017 Audi Q5 by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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...
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Audi Q5 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing defect within the gearbox, despite selecting the Park position, the vehicle may still unexpectedly roll.
Consequence: Despite selecting 'Park', if the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the geabox in the affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37K6.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69P1.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2017 Audi Q5
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2017 Audi Q5 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 3 complaints involved crashes. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.
Oil consumption. Audi Q5 oil consumption in my car is not functioning properly. I have to put oil in it about every 3 weeks or less depending on how much I’m driving.
Piston rings failure, large oil consumption and water pump leaking
On 12/13/25 around 8:00am in the morning. I was driving between 20-25 MPH and started to brake for the corner stop sign. I applied the break as I normally would however, the car continued to roll and did not respond to my applying pressure to the brake pedal. No matter how much pressure I apply to the brake the car continued to coast without stopping. I continued to press hard on the break and eve...
coolant is leaking from pump and tstat housings. pump was replaced in 2018 and 2019 by audi due to audi recall. now it is leaking after only 6 years. seems like faulty materials and creates hazardous situation. leaks confirmed via diagnostics by Premier1 auto and certified technician. first received low coolant indicator light in May. filled coolant. then within a couple of weeks it was s...
The PCV valve malfunctioned and required an extensive repair bill to solve. I've learned that this very engine (3.0) is already a subject of a recall for this concern, but the recall cuts off at 2016 Audis, and mine is a 2017. Please update your recall list to include ALL Audi models with this 3.0 engine, as the problem is the same regardless of the year.
My SUV had stopped heating/defrosting and vehicles car charging ports appear to not be working any longer. It was discovered that my coolant pump was blocked with debris. The heat has returned, still no power to the charge points in vehicle. While driving on highway, my vehicles dash started to light up instructing me to turn off engine coolant low (electric). However, my H C coolant gauge wa...
Steering is occasionally exhibits resistance when turning left or right. Steering becomes very stiff intermittently. I have taken the to a repair twice but the does not duplicate. The repair did a scan to see if there were any codes but none came up. We also have an ODB2 scanner and scan the vehicle right when problem occurred but no codes were displayed on my scanner. My wife has a long commute o...
The contact owns a 2017 Audi Q5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally high whistling pitch sound coming from the vehicle. The contact had to add additional oil to the engine. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engin...
The contact owns a 2017 Audi Q5. The contact stated that vehicle was serviced in 2017 under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V298000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) by the dealer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, fumes was detected inside the vehicle. The contact stated that he checked the vehicle and became aware that fuel was leaking underneath the vehicle. The vehicle...
Catastrophic engine failure, Audi Q5 2017 2.0 Turbo, suddenly stopped/disabled on State highway traveling approximately 45 mph September 2022. Engine re-started after waiting period, then moved to shoulder while experiencing limp mode with EPC light and low oil pressure light activated just prior to engine sutting off again. Vehicle 66,539 miles at time of incident, had just received complete ve...
Electromechanical steering rack failed as I was driving. It was hard to move my vehicle. The problem has been confirmed by the dealership. They stated that water entered the electromechanical steering unit causing it to fail. Shouldn't these units be watertight? No other warning or symptoms before the incident. I also read online that Audi has numerous steering rack failure problems. It's a hazar...
Power steering component completely failed. No issues previously. No warning.
I was driving on the highway with no vehicles or overhead obstruction when the sunroof shattered.
I received a letter that my car was under a recall for the water pump I have a 2017 Q5 Audi which the dealer said needed a water pump bio waited until after my mileage went up then made me pay out of pocket rather then honoring the recall. This was criminal and I feel Audi should Reimburse me or get dealer to reimburse me for this scheme Audi is horrible and should be ashamed for allowing this t...
The backup camera is failing to display the rearview when the vehicle is put in reverse. It will also show a black screen and no view when in reverse. There have been several times when placed into drive that the rear view camera is on despite being in drive or park mode.
On the same day the 5 year warranty expired, the car stopped working. The car was towed to the dealer, and diagnose was gas pump failure. 3 months after, the same problem. After 1 month waiting for the car to be fixed, again the same problem. Now the dealer is saying they just figure there was a problem with a computer part that was associated to the gas pump. The car could have failed while i...
1st occurrence(9/17/21): While traveling the power steering failed. I stopped roadside to check to make sure there were no issues with tires. I resumed traveling and found steering to be stiff and over steer(feeling as if the wheels tilted) when turning left or right. After stopping for approximately 20 minutes I returned to my vehicle to resume my trip. The stirring operated normally. 2nd occurr...
thermostat housing leaking at the top edge and the coolant pump leaking, replaced thermostat housing and coolant pump assembly. vehicle is available for inspection upon request. the coolant reservoir would empty every time I drove the car or let it sit, the vehicle did let me know with an alert when the fluid was too low. I had to continually keep fluids in it so that the vehicle did not overheat...
VEHICLE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS ABRUPTLY WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP. TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO EACH GEAR AS YOU SLOW CAUSING AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE BRAKING. THIS OCCURS REGARDLESS OF DRIVE SELECT MODE (COMFORT, AUTO, OR SPORT). THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS BEHAVIOR ACROSS AUDI OWNER FORUMS FOR VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION COMBINATION (3.0L SUPERCHARGED V6 MATED TO...
THE ROOF OF MY 2017 AUDI Q5 IS GLASS, AND IT MAKES A CONSTANT RATTLING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK IT TO THE AUDI SERVICE CENTER TO BE SERVICED, AND THE SUNROOF FRAME ALONG WITH ALL OF THE BOLTS WERE REPLACED IN DECEMBER 2019. AS OF TODAY, THE RATTLE IS STRONGLY PRESENT AGAIN. THIS ISSUE IS ONGOING, AND IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME. THE GLASS ROOF COULD LITERALLY SHATTER AND RESULT IN A...
Showing 20 of 40 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2017 Audi Q5
Has the 2017 AUDI Q5 been recalled?
Yes, the 2017 AUDI Q5 has 5 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2017 AUDI Q5 have?
The 2017 AUDI Q5 has 40 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 3 involved crashes. 3 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2017 AUDI Q5?
The 2017 AUDI Q5 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 AUDI Q5?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2017 AUDI Q5 involve engine (12 complaints), steering (4 complaints), fuel/propulsion system (3 complaints). Other affected components include service brakes, engine and engine cooling,engine, fuel system, gasoline.
How many crash reports does the 2017 AUDI Q5 have?
There are 3 crash reports associated with the 2017 AUDI Q5 out of 40 total complaints (7.5% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2017 AUDI Q5 have?
There are no fire reports for the 2017 AUDI Q5 in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2017 AUDI Q5?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 AUDI Q5.
How many injuries are reported for the 2017 AUDI Q5?
3 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 AUDI Q5. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2017 AUDI Q5?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 AUDI Q5 is acceptable with caveats. It has 40 complaints, 5 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2017 AUDI Q5?
The components with the most failures on the 2017 AUDI Q5 are: 1. ENGINE (12 complaints), 2. STEERING (4 complaints), 3. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (3 complaints), 4. SERVICE BRAKES (2 complaints), 5. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE (2 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 12 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2017 AUDI Q5?
Be aware of potential engine and cooling system issues, as well as steering problems, and ensure regular maintenance to avoid costly repairs. The 2017 AUDI Q5 has 40 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2017 AUDI Q5?
The 2017 AUDI Q5 receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 40 owner complaints, 5 recalls, and 3 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine and engine cooling and Fuel system, gasoline delivery.
What are the known issues with the 2017 AUDI Q5?
Known issues with the 2017 AUDI Q5 include: Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, gasoline delivery, Automatic transmission, Steering. These are based on patterns found across 40 NHTSA complaints. 5 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2017 Audi Q5?
Common issues include engine and cooling system failures, steering resistance, and fuel system problems.
Are there any recalls for the 2017 Audi Q5?
Yes, recalls have been issued for the 2013-2017 Audi A5 and A5 Cabriolet due to cooling system failures, and for the 2013-2017 Audi Q5 due to fuel pump issues.
What should I do if I experience steering issues in my 2017 Audi Q5?
If you experience steering resistance or stiffness, have your vehicle checked by a professional to avoid potential accidents.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential engine and cooling system issues, as well as steering problems, and ensure regular maintenance to avoid costly repairs.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2017 Audi Q5
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2017 Audi Q5. The data includes 40 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 5 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 3 reported crashes, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2017 Audi Q5 an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-13