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Audi Q5Model year report

2011 Audi Q5 Problems

Compared with other Audi Q5 years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

32/100 0.7× a typical year · 50 = typical

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
143filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
77,000miles, 67 complaints with mileage
Recalls
5campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
22 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl AWD · 20 city / 27 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Audi Q5 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2011 Audi Q5 most often describe two problems: higher-than-expected oil consumption that is often reported alongside timing chain work, and a gasoline smell traced to the fuel pump flange. Many complaints also concern the driver airbag inflator recall, largely because replacement parts were unavailable for long periods. Reported mileages in the sample span roughly 12,000 to 133,000 miles, with engine and timing chain reports clustering from about 60,000 miles upward.

  1. Engine

    High oil consumption and timing chain wear

    • 33 complaints (23%)
    • median 79,000 mi at 7.3 yrs old (29 state mileage)
    • owner-quoted repair $5,955 (median of 12 quotes)
    • filed 2014–2020

    Owners describe adding oil frequently, in some cases about a quart every 300 to 1,200 miles, sometimes with smoke from the exhaust under acceleration. Complaints say dealers ran oil consumption tests, replaced the crankcase breather valve or pistons, or described the usage as normal. Several describe the timing chain stretching or the tensioner slipping, leaving the engine unable to start or damaging valves and cylinder heads. Reported from roughly 20,000 to 110,000 miles, often noticed during routine service or after an oil consumption repair.

    4 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask for oil change and top-up records and whether an oil consumption test was performed, and listen for a rattle at cold start. A pre-purchase inspection that checks the timing chain and looks for leaks is worth the cost.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My wife and I had the vehicle services at Audi of turnersville for $8000.00 at the service writers suggestion. We needed a new turbo with the accessories. After that the vehicle ran fine for a couple of weeks. On the beginning of the next month the vehicle started having problems again! Not starting well...and stalling during operation!”

    NHTSA complaint #11327559, filed 2020-06, 133,000 miles

    “I was driving the vehicle on route 30 (greensburg pa) when the vehicle began to lose acceleration which nearly caused a complete loss of power. I had the vehicle towed to a repair shop where I was informed the issue involved the front drive chain and support. The mechanic explained that this is a common issue related to Audi's. This vehicle only has 6ok mikes on it.”

    NHTSA complaint #11114111, filed 2018-07, 60,000 miles
  2. Fuel system

    Fuel smell from cracked fuel pump flange

    • 24 complaints (17%)
    • median 96,000 mi at 6.5 yrs old (11 state mileage)
    • filed 2011–2022

    Owners report a strong gasoline smell inside and around the vehicle, whether parked or moving, sometimes with rising fuel consumption. Complaints describe the fuel pump flange or the top of the pump assembly cracking and fuel pooling or leaking near the tank, and some say the smell returned after recall repair work was done. Repairs mentioned include replacing the fuel pump module or flange. Reported from roughly 36,000 to 120,000 miles, in some cases a few years after the recall work.

    Recall 16V660000Recall 18V818000

    What to check: Ask whether recalls 16V660 and 18V818 were completed with the final parts, and check for a fuel smell around the rear seat and under the car after parking.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My Q5 had over the last 4 weeks a funky gasoline smell on the interior /exterior of the vehicle while parked or driven.my concern raised when I have seen my fuel consumption going up, so I had it checked by my local mechanic. He found that the cover of the pump assembly was cracking the top part of the fuel pump canister and gasoline is sitting in the assembly.so the smell interior and exterior is coming forth cracked fuel assembly. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10860983, filed 2016-04, 36,000 miles

    “Well first it was the takata airbag recall, but the one I'm complaining about is the recall for the fuel pump and also the fuel pump wiring which was also removed from our vehicle, and we're like two about how it was part of the recall for the fuel pump . Anyway I've already put a complaint about this and how it has malfunctioned other important components of our vehicle including the fuel pump flange which was also replaced coils spark plugs sensors etc. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11218745, filed 2019-06, 109,693 miles
  3. Air bags

    Driver airbag recall remedy delays

    Mentioned in 8 of 60 sampled complaints

    Many complaints center on the driver airbag inflator recall rather than a part failure. Owners say they were notified but dealers could not supply the replacement inflator, and some describe a collision in which the airbag did not deploy. Others mention an earlier driver side airbag igniter recall being completed without addressing the inflator recall. Reported mainly from 2016 through 2018, from about 41,000 to 110,000 miles.

    Recall 16V078000Recall 18V0820001 related service bulletin

    What to check: Have a dealer confirm that recalls 16V078 and 18V082 are closed for the specific vehicle, and that the installed inflator is not a counterfeit replacement part.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “We received a notice from Audi in april that our vehicle was recalled due to faulty air bags. After further investigation, we learned that the recall was actually announced on february 10, 2016. As of today, september 19, 2016 no remedy had been provided by Audi. When we discussed options with the dealership where we bought the vehicle, Audi boulder, they described the car as a death trap . Their only solution was for us to buy a new car from them. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10907648, filed 2016-09, 57,500 miles

    “Takata recall I work for a dealership we sell Audi's I finally have Q5's to sell at a good price to the consumer, however this recall is killing the sale because our parts department can not get replacement parts for the air bag however a honda dealer a half mile away has done over 30 replacements. How do you get the parts I have gone on line talked to several people and have no clue when we are getting replacement air bags some people say 1 to 3 years and that is not exceptable.”

    NHTSA complaint #10892801, filed 2016-08, 29,560 miles
  4. Engine

    Coolant pump seepage and misfires

    Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

    Owners report coolant pump seepage found during other engine work, with the pump, bolts and pipe connector replaced. Others describe rough idling, misfires and a check engine light, with repairs including ignition coils and spark plugs; one complaint notes an oil separator pipe found disconnected after an engine repair. Mostly reported between about 42,000 and 120,000 miles.

    3 related service bulletins

    What to check: Look for coolant residue around the pump, check service history for ignition coil and spark plug replacement, and have stored fault codes read before buying.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My Audi Q5 2011 check engine and epc light continue to light up my dash, vehicle has been diagnosed by the dealership not once not twice but more than three times. Continues to have the same and similar misfires and actually seems to be getting hotter than usual, the engine. I've seen several complaints about recalls on the coolant pump,timing chain, fuel pump flange, fuel pump, wiring sensors, epc light ball joints, and the list goes on. What has me mostly concern is the recalls for all the fuel system components. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11192829, filed 2019-04, 109,000 miles

    “Engine light is constantly on. Fuel system malfunctions and very expensive ignition coil/ spark plug repairs are always the issue. The engine light comes on while the car is in motion when the fuel system malfunctions. The engine light comes on shortly after the car is turned on when it's the ignition coils/ spark plugs. When the ignition coils/ spark plugs are the issue, the car shakes.”

    NHTSA complaint #11058040, filed 2018-01, 120,000 miles

Buying note. Consider a 2011 Q5 mainly on documentation: confirm the fuel pump and airbag recalls are closed with final parts, and look for oil consumption and timing chain service records. A thorough pre-purchase inspection covering the engine, transmission behavior and fuel system is advisable.

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 143 consumer complaints for the 2011 Audi Q5. 67 of the complaints include a mileage, and 21% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 77,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 1,204 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 32 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than 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: Body and structure (3), Vehicle speed control (3), Electronic stability control (1), Engine cooling (1), Exterior lighting (1), Tires (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Its been over a year I am aware of the recall, I have been serviced several times at 2 different dealers both state that they do not have parts to complete this recall. In january 2017 I was in a head on collision and the air bag did not deploy! I was told by the last dealer during 2 other recalls that nj will have supplies come this fall! I would like this recall completed asap as its been over a year! Plus having been in an accident head on its not to reassuring knowing the airbag will not deploy!”

NHTSA complaint #11005433, filed 2017-07, 44,000 miles

Engine: “I have been driving on the highway and city and it appears the steering is sometimes stiff and then soft , I have checked the power steering fluid level and its full. This is an issue because its hard to make turns as the steering wheel stiffens up. Another issue is the car consumes about 1 quart of oil every 300 miles, it was part of a lawsuit settlement but the vehicle was never repaired”

NHTSA complaint #11312004, filed 2020-02, 89,000 miles

Fuel system: “I am emailing this letter and hopefully someone will respond to my request of reopening my claim regarding my 2011 Audi Q5's recent and pattern like problems. Hopefully the reference number above shows my cars history and explains how it's all gotten to me addressing the problem again. Around that time was when we were having problems with the Audi service dept in chandler az, the fact that we were lied to by the supervisor when he stated that changing the wiring was part of the recall for the fuel pump and fuel flange, when in fact it was not. …”

NHTSA complaint #11192324, filed 2019-03, 109,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “I was driving my car around some blind curves when I heard a clank kind of sound and clicking and then lost power fortunately I was close enough I coasted home. I was very lucky. I could not get the engine to start and had it towed to the Audi dealer he said, engine no start no power: found engine cranks without compression. Found timing chain stretched and jumped timing. Removed and inspected valves and found all valves to be bent. At this time we need to replace the cylinder head and timing chain and related parts. …”

NHTSA complaint #10981379, filed 2017-04, 50,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

21% of the 67 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 53,000 and 98,000 miles.

4%0–104%10–2512%25–5025%50–7531%75–10022%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (67 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 77,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’10’13’1537’17’19’21’23’26
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 2011 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 · SUV AWDnot rated———4 · 15.1% risk

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

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2011 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 AWD2.0L 4-cyl8-speed automatic202722$3,750
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 2011 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. 1,204 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 1,204 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 2011 Audi Q5?

Owners of the 2011 Audi Q5 most often describe two problems: higher-than-expected oil consumption that is often reported alongside timing chain work, and a gasoline smell traced to the fuel pump flange. The issues reported most often: High oil consumption and timing chain wear; Fuel smell from cracked fuel pump flange; Driver airbag recall remedy delays.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011 Audi Q5 have?

NHTSA recorded 143 consumer complaints for the 2011 Audi Q5 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2011 Audi Q5 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 67 complaints (47% of the total), followed by engine with 42.

Has the 2011 Audi Q5 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2011 Audi Q5 get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Audi Q5 (Q5, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 20 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2011 Audi Q5 reported?

Among the 67 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 77,000 miles and the middle half falls between 53,000 and 98,000 miles; 21% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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.