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Audi Q5Model year report

2010 Audi Q5 Problems

Compared with other Audi Q5 years

Typical for this model

39/100 0.8× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2009, 2011

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
100filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
75,000miles, 45 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl AWD · 18 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2010 Audi Q5 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Complaints about the 2010 Audi Q5 concentrate on two things: the open Takata driver-side airbag inflator recall and fuel leaks around the in-tank fuel pump flange at the rear, over the rear passenger seat. The fuel odor reports appear across a wide mileage spread, from low-mileage cars to well past 150,000 miles, and many owners say the interim tape repair performed under an earlier recall did not stop the smell. Other reports are scattered: transmission hesitation at very low miles, coolant loss from a failed water pump, and water entering through the sunroof and windshield seals.

  1. Fuel system

    Fuel smell and leak at the fuel pump flange

    • 29 complaints (29%)
    • median 99,250 mi at 7.9 yrs old (18 state mileage)
    • filed 2016–2026

    Owners report a strong gasoline odor inside the cabin and around the rear passenger side, sometimes strong enough to be noticed in a garage or house. Mechanics traced it to a cracked plastic fuel pump flange or pump housing on top of the tank, with fuel pooling under the rear seat access cover or dripping near the rear wheel and exhaust. Several complaints say a leak returned after an earlier recall repair that used a band or tape as an interim fix. Reported from about 55,000 to 190,000 miles, and also on cars with low recorded mileage; often noticed while parked or just after refueling.

    Recall 16V660000Recall 18V8180002 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask whether both fuel pump recalls were completed with the final part rather than the interim repair, and check under the rear passenger seat access cover and the ground under the rear of the car for fuel residue or odor.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I took my vehicle in for takata airbag recall since that time, I have been smelling gas on the outside of my vehicle. At first I thought it was me fueling the vehicle but the smell gets a bit louder upon driving. I took the vehicle in to dealer a week ago but they advise it was too late in the day to check. I feel like there is something that is not right. Please help”

    NHTSA complaint #11025233, filed 2017-09, 1 miles

    “While driving the vehicle my wife noted strong odor of gas. My mechanic found that the fuel pump cracked causing gas spilling out from the top of the gas tank that may have resulted in fire or explosion since the gas tank is near the hot exhaust pipe.”

    NHTSA complaint #10884707, filed 2016-07, 60,000 miles
  2. Air bags

    Takata driver airbag recall — parts unavailable

    • 46 complaints (46%)
    • median 70,000 mi at 7.5 yrs old (11 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2016–2020

    Owners describe receiving recall notices and reminder cards for the driver-side frontal airbag inflator, then being told by dealers that replacement parts were not in stock. Several say they were given no timeframe and were passed between the dealer and the manufacturer. Complaints also describe being told the vehicle was fine to drive while awaiting the part, and some owners mention difficulty selling or trading the car while the recall remains open. Reported throughout 2016-2019, at mileages ranging from a few thousand to over 120,000 miles.

    Recall 18V082000Recall 16V078000

    What to check: Ask for written confirmation that the driver-side airbag inflator recall has been completed, and check the campaign number against the VIN with a dealer rather than relying on a verbal answer.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Takata recall - about 6 months ago, I asked the Audi dealer about this recall and was told they didn't have the parts yet and they would notify me when they did. Now I've received a legal notice in the mail, regarding takata inflators. I would like assistance with getting mine replaced. I have not been in an accident, but would like to prevent problems.”

    NHTSA complaint #11043573, filed 2017-11, 86,000 miles

    “Takata recall unable to even get any details on how/when to get this remidied by either the dealer or Audi of america. Both say they don't know what to tell me, the dealer tells me to call Audi of america and Audi tells me to call the dealer. It's been information blackout from both of them. This whole saga has been going on for a very extended period of time, years now.”

    NHTSA complaint #11045872, filed 2017-11, 45,000 miles
  3. Body and structure

    Water leaks from sunroof and windshield seals

    • 11 complaints (11%)
    • median 77,800 mi at 7.4 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2011–2023

    Owners describe wet carpets and water dripping from the headliner, A-pillar and dashboard after rain, traced to sunroof drain hoses or windshield and body seals. In several cases the water reached electrical components, and owners report failed backup cameras, parking aids, audio equipment, blower motors and a non-working sunroof motor. Dealers quoted repairs for the leaks and the water-damaged modules. Reported on cars from roughly 70,000 to 110,000 miles, typically after rain or a car wash.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Check the carpets and headliner for dampness or staining after rain, confirm the sunroof drains are clear, and ask whether any electrical modules have been replaced due to water exposure.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “We are aware that there was a different recall that did not include our car that caused corrosion in the paneling of the car from the moon roof and it was possibly causing air bags to deploy. We have been to the dealership to be serviced and they have explained to us that there is excessive amount of corrosion in the panels of the car and also the corrosion and water leakage has destroyed the electrical components of our backup camera/system. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10970312, filed 2017-04, 70,000 miles

    “A few weeks ago, my wife and I observed water on driver's side of the dashboard after it rained. I then checked the floor carpet in the driver's foot well -it was wet. After removing the driver's side grab handles, a-pillar trim and the visor in order to lower the headliner, I observed water dripping at the junction of the drain hose to the sunroof. I also observed more water leaking into the car between the top side of the windshield and the body of the car. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11141353, filed 2018-10, 77,800 miles
  4. Transmission and drivetrain

    Transmission hesitation and hard shifting at low speed

    • 6 complaints (6%)
    • median 500 mi at 0.4 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2009–2018

    Complaints describe a delay or lack of response when pulling away from a stop, followed by a sudden lurch or surge once the transmission engages. Others report a clunk and jerk on the 1-2 upshift and 2-1 downshift. Owners say dealers performed software or gearbox work, and one complaint notes an unexpected loss of power that required the car to be restarted. Mostly reported in the first few thousand miles, including within the first weeks of ownership.

    3 related service bulletins

    What to check: Drive the car from a stop and at low speed in traffic, watching for delayed engagement, lurching or clunks, and ask whether any transmission software updates or repairs have been done.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I have a hesitation/lack-of-acceleration when moving from a stop or from low speeds. Essentially, I'm either moving very slowly or I have to floor the gas pedal to force the transmission to change gears, and then the car 'takes off'. There is no middle ground (I.e. I can't simply accelerate 'normally'). It is dangerous when merging on to a highway or out of a driveway or shopping center and onto a busy road.”

    NHTSA complaint #10324399, filed 2010-04, 3,200 miles

    “Car sometimes has a hard downshift from 2nd to 1st and a hard up shift from 1st to 2nd. It makes a clunk noise and causes to car to jerk and or lunge. I see many complaints on the internet for this issue and I think I was sold this auto without disclosure of an known issue.”

    NHTSA complaint #10329087, filed 2010-05, 218 miles

Buying note. On a 2010 Q5, the two items worth confirming first are the airbag inflator recall status and whether the fuel pump recall was finished with the final part rather than the interim seal. A pre-purchase inspection that includes the fuel pump area, the carpets and the transmission behavior at low speed covers most of what owners report.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 100 consumer complaints for the 2010 Audi Q5. 45 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 75,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 997 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 13 Audi Q5 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 39 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Suspension (2), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Brakes (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Takata recall with no fix, also a problem with the fuel pump which the car can light on fire there is also no current repair. The dealer said we are screwed there's nothing they can do.my wife got into an accident with the loaner car if it was our car that is plagued by the recall things could have been worst”

NHTSA complaint #10926189, filed 2016-11, 1,800 miles

Fuel system: “My wife called me while I was away on business and said that there was a smell of fuel in the house. I asked her to make sure to check the oven and she said it was not that type of gas and that it smelled like auto fuel. I came home and we had appointments to check out new homes and we noticed that the inside of the car smelled like fuel and I had to drive with the windows down and no A/C because we have two small children as well and the odor was stronger when we had the A/C on. …”

NHTSA complaint #10893750, filed 2016-08, 80,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “The car suddenly stopped not letting me start the engine or move the car again after two minutes. It was something very dangerous but I was lucky that no other car was behind us at that moment. When we had the chance to switch the car on again, there was an alert symbol shown telling us to drive carefully at very slow speed and preferably to take it to the dealer for service. The dealer had the car few weeks where they changed something in the automatic gear system and its software. This car had previously an engine change more than a year ago for problems in the oil consumption. …”

NHTSA complaint #10483936, filed 2012-11, 14,000 miles

Electrical system: “Left headlight dip light comes on when I am driving and hit a highway bump and then the left headlight fails. When I shut the car off and then turn the car back on the light works and the dip warning light goes off.”

NHTSA complaint #10875925, filed 2016-06, 100,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

33% of the 45 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 14,000 and 104,500 miles.

20%0–1011%10–252%25–5016%50–7522%75–10024%100–1504%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (45 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 75,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’10’12’1626’18’20’22’24’26
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Audi Q5. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Q5 · sedan AWDnot rated5 / 5——4 · 15.1% risk

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2010 Audi Q5 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Q5 AWD3.2L 6-cyl6-speed automatic182320$4,100

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2010 Audi Q5 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 997 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 997 bulletins →

Other model years of the Audi Q5

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2025466,0051525Too new to compareToo new
202420—4526—Too new
202344—5—2568 · MoreToo new
20222223,0004—25—Rising
20217420,000852591 · MoreStable
2020251,225652451 · TypicalStable
2019537,900552451 · TypicalRising
201820815,1426525100 · MoreRising
20174219,750542246 · TypicalStable
20167836,244542259 · TypicalRising
201510053,000642249 · TypicalRising
201410550,000542245 · TypicalStable
20138956,2505—2249 · TypicalFalling
201216871,0006—2253 · TypicalFalling
201114377,0005—2232 · FewerFalling
201010075,0004—2039 · TypicalStable
20093156,0006—200 · FewerFalling

All Audi Q5 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Audi Q5?

Complaints about the 2010 Audi Q5 concentrate on two things: the open Takata driver-side airbag inflator recall and fuel leaks around the in-tank fuel pump flange at the rear, over the rear passenger seat. The issues reported most often: Fuel smell and leak at the fuel pump flange; Takata driver airbag recall — parts unavailable; Water leaks from sunroof and windshield seals.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2010 Audi Q5 have?

NHTSA recorded 100 consumer complaints for the 2010 Audi Q5 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2010 Audi Q5 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 50 complaints (50% of the total), followed by fuel system with 32.

Has the 2010 Audi Q5 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2010 Audi Q5 get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Audi Q5 (Q5, 3.2L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2010 Audi Q5 reported?

Among the 45 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 75,000 miles and the middle half falls between 14,000 and 104,500 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.