2019 Audi Q5 Safety Report
2019 Audi Q5 Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2019 Audi Q5
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2019 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 (41) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 5 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Steering | Compare steering 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Audi Q5 | 22 | 6 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Audi Q5 | 189 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Audi Q5 | 63 | 8 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Audi Q5 | 40 | 5 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Audi Q5 | 72 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Audi Q5 | 23 | 5 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2019 Audi Q5 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2019 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.
Steering
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Audi onlyUnknown Or Other
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Audi onlyVehicle Speed Control
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Vehicle Speed Control issues Audi onlyService Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Audi onlyExterior Lighting
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Exterior Lighting issues Audi onlyEngine
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Audi onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2019 Audi Q5
Reliability Score
The 2019 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 2019 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 2019 Audi Q5
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2019 Audi Q5:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body Control Module/Bcm Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, and 2018-2020 Audi SQ5 and 2018-2020 Audi. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Hydraulic Motor Mounts Hydraulic motor mounts have failed at 45,000 miles, causing engine shaking and collapse. |
High | Rare | 30k-45k miles |
| Frontal Passenger Side Airbag Inflator Module Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Right Rear Backup Light The right rear backup light is defective, affecting visibility. |
Low | 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 2019 Audi Q5:
Steering issues are a common problem.
Engine and power train issues are frequent, with premature turbocharger failure and hydraulic motor mounts defects.
Electrical system problems are common, with recalls for body control module and structure.
Seat belts, structure, and seats are problematic.
Recall Details for the 2019 Audi Q5
The following 5 recalls have been issued for the 2019 Audi Q5 by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi SQ5 and 2018-2020 Audi Q5 vehicles. The rear wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach from the vehicle.
Consequence: The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four clips securing the forward part of the rear wheel arch trim, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 66K8.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. In the event of a crash deploying the passenger's frontal air bag, the instrument panel carrier may break due to incorrect welding. If the carrier breaks, there may be damage to the passenger frontal air bag.
Consequence: A damaged frontal air bag may not provide adequate protection, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the instrument panel and the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began August 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 90N1.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach.
Consequence: The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will secure the wheel arch trim with an additional screw and nut, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 66K6.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake master cylinder casting may be too short.
Consequence: A short casting can cause a sudden loss of brakes, increasing the risk of crash. The electronic parking brake and its emergency brake function are not affected and will still function.
Remedy: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the brake master cylinder, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 3, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 47O9.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2019 Audi Q5
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2019 Audi Q5 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 5 complaints involved crashes. 3 reported injuries or fatalities.
am writing to report a very concerning safety issue with my 2019 Audi Q5 and to request guidance on whether this may be covered under warranty or if my vehicle is experiencing a malfunction. On Saturday, while driving to an appointment, there was a bicyclist in the bike lane. Suddenly, the “Audi Presence” warning flashed red on my dashboard and the vehicle braked very hard on its own. I was not c...
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Summary: The turbocharger on my 2019 Audi Q5 failed prematurely. The initial check engine light and loss of performance began at approximately 48,000 miles, which is within Audi’s 4-year/50,000-mile powertrain warranty. The condition progressively worsened and the vehicle became difficult to drive safely in traffic due to reduced power and hesitation during ...
The motor mounts and control arms are defective. The defective motor mounts that secure the engine causes the engine to shake resulting in collapse while driving. Both front control arms over the wheels are defective make clicking noises when turning resulting in the collapse of the car while driving. These problems were discovered by the dealer during a routine maintenance inspection. The war...
The problem was a turbocharger in my 2019 Audi Q5. The repair was done in January of 2023 by Audi North Houston / Sewell (17815 North Freeway, Houston, TX 77090, ph. # 281-586-1000). The cost was approximately $3,556. The replacement of the turbocharger was the same repair in the turbocharger class settlement (Kimball vs Volkswagen Group of America Inc., Case #XXX), but my vehicle is not apart ...
Subject: Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) – Airbag Safety Concern Description of the Problem: The Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) in my 2019 Audi Q5 is malfunctioning. The system intermittently fails to recognize when a passenger is present, or it falsely indicates that a passenger is present when the seat is empty. This creates uncertainty about whether the passenger airbag...
Turbo Charger Failed. Lost power for driving and Car Start Stop function failed, quit completely. 2. Fluid leaking in the Motor Mounts. 3. Rear passenger side Tail Reverse Light and Rear camera not Working at all. This could cause me a serious accident or I could get a Citation.
The right back up light is defective. This light is in the right rear light housing that sits in the rear bumper. The defective light indicator came on before the 5 year/40k mile warranty had expired. The lamp bulb was changed as I believed this was the cause of the defect error. Took vehicle to Audi dealership where the car was purchased and the service advisor mentioned this happens "all the tim...
During a rain storm a water egress issue damaged my comfort control module. An issue identified for many Audi Q5 vehicles; however my VIN for some reason is not showing this recall. It appears the recall may need to be expanded.
When I'm waiting to turn and have to almost stop, there is a lag when I accelerate causing the anticipated time to make the turn longer than expected. Almost caused an accident because car wouldn't go when gas was pushed. Very scary.
Getting a message DRIVER SYSTEM MALFUNCTION PLEASE CONTACT SERVICE, I went to a specialized European mechanic and he informed me that the OEM TURBOCHARGER BOOSTER is the problem. He stated that this is a very common problem in the AUDI. He is surprised that there is no recall because it is happening to a lot of cars. The message is constantly coming back.
I was coming to a stop. No objects were in front of me. At about 5mph I was violently thrown forward as the car applied full braking. I do not recall whether I was braking, coasting. This happened a second time as we were making a slow speed turn in an intersection, applying light acceleration. I have not taken the car to the dealership. There were no accidents in both cases. I did go into the ve...
The hydraulic engine motor mounts have failed at 45,000 miles
CHECKED AND CONFIRMED CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF ENGINE LIGHT ON CHECKED AND FOUND FAULTS STORED FOR P334A00: Charge air pressure actuator Electrical malfunction active/static P023400: Turbo/Super Charger Overboost Condition active/static INSPECTED TURBO CHARGE SYSTEM AND FOUND THAT WASTE GATE ACTUATOR HAD FAILED AND CREATING AND OVER BOOST CONDITION WASTAGE ACTUATOR IS NOT AVAILABLE AS A SEPARATE ...
Clock spring I drive a 2019 Volkswagen Audi Q5. My vehicle was serviced on [XXX]. After the service I received a video message saying “overall my vehicle appeared to be in excellent condition”. The following day I was out running errands and the airbag light came on. I thought it may be a glitch due to something that happened during the service. Based on my driving, my signal and the control pane...
Seat belt would not release. The first dozen or so times it was extremely difficult to get it to release. Over time it became less difficult, still a struggle. It is currently at Audi of Greenville, SC waiting for a replacement part for a safety issue at a cost of almost $800.
I was driving on the highway in the early morning hours and several warnings appeared stating that the left and right tail lights, left and right brake lights, and center brake lights where faulty. It was dark outside and raining, and I immediately had no rear lights of any kind driving on the highway. The dealership was able to correct the issue with a technical service bulletin, but given the ...
My vehicle does a few things that are dangerous. Number 1 the emergency brake went on automatically when I was driving the parkway in New Jersey telling me to watch my surroundings. I was driving late in the evening and no cars were in my immediate distance. Another issue, the emergency warning light just came on my dash telling me my light above my license plate was faulty and I was almost rear e...
When driving in extreme cold (ambient temperatures of -35 or colder) and I reach a speed of 50mph or higher, my engine fails. The dealership refuses to resolve this issue. I am listing the first time this happened, although it is an ongoing issue.
The right rear tail light assembly module which regulates the backup and braking light has not been operable since 05/18/2023. I was informed by Audi online I need to order a new assembly because the bulbs that are installed cannot be changed. I ordered the new part on 05/19/2023 from Audi of Chandler, AZ. and was informed it will take anywhere from 4-6 weeks. I was informed there are currently tw...
Sunroof exploded--no sign of rock (not near overpass), gun shot, bird,etc. It just blew up at highway speed on 6/17/2023 near milepost 98 on I-55 south near Cape Girardeau MO. Fortunately the interior cloth sunshade prevented glass from entering the vehicle. We were at risk from the shock of the situation and the possibility of glass debris (but see above). No warning, no inspections.
Showing 20 of 41 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2019 Audi Q5
Has the 2019 AUDI Q5 been recalled?
Yes, the 2019 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 2019 AUDI Q5 have?
The 2019 AUDI Q5 has 41 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 5 involved crashes. 6 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2019 AUDI Q5?
The 2019 AUDI Q5 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 AUDI Q5?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2019 AUDI Q5 involve steering (6 complaints), unknown or other (3 complaints), vehicle speed control (3 complaints). Other affected components include service brakes,forward collision avoidance, exterior lighting, engine.
How many crash reports does the 2019 AUDI Q5 have?
There are 5 crash reports associated with the 2019 AUDI Q5 out of 41 total complaints (12.2% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2019 AUDI Q5 have?
There are no fire reports for the 2019 AUDI Q5 in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2019 AUDI Q5?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2019 AUDI Q5.
How many injuries are reported for the 2019 AUDI Q5?
6 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2019 AUDI Q5. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2019 AUDI Q5?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2019 AUDI Q5 is acceptable with caveats. It has 41 complaints, 5 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2019 AUDI Q5?
The components with the most failures on the 2019 AUDI Q5 are: 1. STEERING (6 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3 complaints), 3. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (3 complaints), 4. SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (2 complaints), 5. EXTERIOR LIGHTING (2 complaints). STEERING is the single most-reported problem area with 6 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2019 AUDI Q5?
Be aware of common issues like steering problems, engine failures, and electrical system defects. Check for recalls and consider extended warranties. The 2019 AUDI Q5 has 41 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2019 AUDI Q5?
The 2019 AUDI Q5 receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 41 owner complaints, 5 recalls, and 5 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Body Control Module/BCM and Hydraulic Motor Mounts.
What are the known issues with the 2019 AUDI Q5?
Known issues with the 2019 AUDI Q5 include: Body Control Module/BCM, Hydraulic Motor Mounts, Frontal Passenger Side Airbag Inflator Module, Right Rear Backup Light. These are based on patterns found across 41 NHTSA complaints. 5 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are steering issues common in the 2019 Audi Q5?
Yes, steering issues are a common problem.
What are the most frequent engine and power train issues?
Premature turbocharger failure and hydraulic motor mounts defects are the most frequent issues.
Are there any recalls for the 2019 Audi Q5?
Yes, recalls have been issued for body control module, structure, frontal passenger side airbag inflator module, and right rear backup light.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of common issues like steering problems, engine failures, and electrical system defects. Check for recalls and consider extended warranties.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2019 Audi Q5
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2019 Audi Q5. The data includes 41 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 5 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 5 reported crashes, 6 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2019 Audi Q5 an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 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