2012 Audi Q5 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 47about this part
- Share
- 28%of 168 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,400miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 47 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Audi Q5, 28% of the 168 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,400 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Im loosing a liter of oil every 200-500 miles and tyranny feels like it slips a little but the oil consumption is why im writing this I bought my 2012 Audi Q5 premium sport edition with a 2.0 turbo with 80,000 miles and was not told about the oil consumption!!”
NHTSA complaint #11385244, filed 2020-12, 80,400 miles“I drove my car to work, parked in the garage, picked up the car, the garage attendant brought it to me and turned off the ignition. The car was in park when I tried to start the car, but it would not turn over and ultimately the engine never started again. I had it towed to Audi manhattan the next morning. The car has not worked since. It will be a week this coming friday, august 4, 2017.”
NHTSA complaint #11012417, filed 2017-08, 148,000 miles“Water pump broken at 39,000 miles. Broken plastic propeller. Car started bucking as I pulled in to get it inspected. I was advised that the car was not drivable...water pump failures are sited on the internet by many. I have talked to Audi customer service without success. Audi owners report that they have been given payment for the pump and extended warranty. Please advise what options I have in this situation.”
NHTSA complaint #11073862, filed 2018-02, 39,337 miles“My car was purchased on july 20th 2019, with 105k miles...I am having to add oil every 400-100 miles...I am also beginning to see random alerts and cannot seem to rest them when no defects are found. This is very frustrating and causing major confusion and concerns.”
NHTSA complaint #11252881, filed 2019-09, 107,000 miles“With 100,000 miles the vehicle started using oil quickly. Overtime after oil changes had to consistently add 1 liter every two weeks. Without notice vehicle completely failed and wouldn't turn over. Everything lights up and works on the inside but the engine won't turn over which is the same problem as 2011 recall. This causes me to have a non working vehicle and still having payments. When asked about repairing was told I need a whole new motor at a minimum of $8,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11352109, filed 2020-08, 105,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11035797Jul 9, 2026This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
- 11034728Jun 10, 2026This bulletin provides informaiton when the engine is not running smoothly, misfiring.
- 11029367Feb 20, 2026This bulletin provides information on VIN Plates, Safety Certification labels, and the ordering procedures.
- 11028398Jan 14, 2026This bulletin provides information regarding UV leak additive for finding oil leaks.
- 11016532Mar 12, 2025This bulletin provides informatin when the engine does not run smoothly at idling speeds.
- 11012476Dec 5, 2024This bulletin provides information when the MIL is on; DTCs for misfire, air/fuel ratio imbalance, or lean fuel system stored in the ECM P030000.
- 11009928Oct 8, 2024This bulletin provides informatin when the engine does not run smoothly at idling speeds.
- 11009327Sep 24, 2024This bulletin provides information when ther is an Engine: start/stop system fault shown and start/stop system not is working; mileage below 50 km/32 miles.
- 10250533Feb 16, 2024This Document informs dealers on the new oil consumption & piston fracture warranty extension for 2012 A4, A5, A6, Q5 & TT / 2013 A4, A5, A6, Q5 & TT / 2014 A4, A5, A6, Q5 & TT /…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 13% |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 7 | 16% |
| 2022 | 4 | 18% |
| 2021 | 17 | 23% |
| 2020 | 4 | 16% |
| 2019 | 10 | 19% |
| 2018 | 31 | 15% |
| 2017 | 19 | 45% |
| 2016 | 26 | 33% |
| 2015 | 38 | 38% |
| 2014 | 36 | 34% |
| 2013 | 33 | 37% |
| 2012 | 47 | 28% |
| 2011 | 42 | 29% |
| 2010 | 5 | 5% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2012 Audi Q5
85 complaintsFuel system
23 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Audi Q5
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology