2016 Audi Q5 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe excessive engine oil consumption — adding a quart every few hundred to a thousand miles, with no visible leaks — and many say dealers told them this was normal. A second cluster of complaints concerns loss of power steering assist, often announced by a red steering-fault message, sometimes in cold weather. Coolant pump failures and a gasoline smell inside the cabin are also recurring themes, and several of these concerns line up with past recalls.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine uses excessive oil (burning oil)

   • 13 complaints (17%)
   • median 44,000 mi at 5.0 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2020–2025

   Owners describe having to add a quart of oil far more often than expected — some say every 2,000-3,000 miles, others every several hundred miles — with no drips under the car. Complaints mention a low-oil warning or 'add oil' message, occasional white smoke from the exhaust, and in some cases rough running or loss of power. Several say the dealer told them this consumption is normal for the engine, while others report oil consumption tests and gasket or valve work, and some describe engine damage at higher mileage. Reported across a wide range of mileage, from around 14,000 miles up to over 100,000 miles, and often noticed within the first months after buying the car used.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the oil level and look for a fuel or burnt-oil smell on the dipstick, and ask for service records showing oil top-ups or a documented consumption test. A service bulletin addresses increased oil consumption and may be worth asking the dealer about.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Bought it 7 weeks ago, 44,000 miles. Severe oil consumption problem I'm finding out everyone knows about already with Audi turbos and was previously a class action. I'm putting oil in every other day and feel the pistons missing when I drive in the morning.”

   NHTSA complaint #11373463, filed 2020-11, 44,000 miles

   “While on an extended trip at freeway speed in the vehicle, the add oil indicator light flashed on the dash .on may 11 2018, I took the vehicle in to rusnak Audi in pasadena, ca. They told me that a new sensor was required , as the oil was at normal level, and replaced it with a new one. In jan of 2021 I took a short trip at freeway speed with the vehicle the add oil lamp flashed on again. I again brought the vehicle into rusnak Audi in pasadena, ca. On april 22, 2021. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11414651, filed 2021-04, 14,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Power steering assist fails (steering fault message)

   • 8 complaints (10%)
   • median 55,442 mi at 4.8 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2020–2026

   Complaints describe a red 'steering fault, do not drive' message appearing with little or no warning, after which the wheel becomes very heavy to turn. Some owners say it happened shortly after start-up on a cold day and cleared after the car warmed up; others say the assist was gone while driving. According to the complaints, dealers replaced the steering rack or the power steering control module, and several owners mention an extended warranty on the steering rack that the dealer did or did not honor. Reported from roughly 40,000 miles upward, with several complaints at 55,000-130,000 miles, and a few noting cold weather as a trigger.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the steering rack or power steering control module has been replaced and whether any extended warranty coverage still applies. Have a pre-purchase inspection scan the steering module for stored fault codes, and note whether the wheel feels heavier than expected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Power steering Control Module failure at cold temperatures. Knows to be an issue on many Audi cars between 2011-2016. This caused my power steering to fail suddenly. My safety was impacted because i lost the ability to steer while driving. The vehicle and the steering rack is available for inspection at any time. Problem continues to be in effect. There are warning messages and lights on the instrument cluster along with fault codes significant for power steering module failure.”

   NHTSA complaint #11508930, filed 2023-02

   “The entire steering system failed. While the car was in motion, the steering wheel completely locked up and could not be turned even a degree. This caused extreme safety concern as the road was curving but the car could not be steered. The problem was confirmed by an independent mechanic and then by an Audi dealership service department. The entire steering component was then replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #11512533, filed 2023-03
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Coolant pump failure and overheating

   • 11 complaints (14%)
   • median 40,000 mi at 4.6 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2018–2024

   Owners report coolant leaks, a low-coolant or coolant warning, and in some cases the engine going into a limp mode or shutting down with smoke and a burning smell. Complaints describe water pump and coolant pump replacement, sometimes more than once, and some owners say the repair was quoted at a few thousand dollars or that their vehicle was not covered by the coolant pump recall for other engines. A related recall covers an electric coolant pump on certain 2.0L turbo models. Reported from about 21,000 miles up to around 100,000 miles, with several complaints near the 90,000-100,000 mile mark.

   Recall 18V229000Recall 17V002000

   What to check: Check coolant level and look for residue or stains around the coolant pump and hoses, and ask for records of any pump replacement. Ask whether the coolant pump recall work (18V229000 or 17V002000) was performed on this vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Is an Audi Q5 3t and the water pump broke, leading to leaking of the coolant and overheat the engine, the Q5 with 2t engines already have the recall for water pump problems , but Audi does not want to apply this recall fr the 3t , this happened when I was in the highway and I had to pool over .”

   NHTSA complaint #11301301, filed 2020-01, 40,000 miles

   “Coolant pump overheating on getting car after 3 weeks. Driving on freeway, coolant light comes on, then oil sensor and car starts to slow down where acceleration is no longer possible, kill switch is automatically activated, burning smell and smoke starts coming out. Car no longer starts.”

   NHTSA complaint #11163604, filed 2018-12, 21,000 miles
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Gasoline smell / fuel leak after pump recall

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Several owners describe a strong gasoline odor inside the cabin and around the garage, and some report visible fuel leaks near the tank or pump area. Complaints state the vehicle had already had the fuel pump flange recall performed — in some cases only a protective shield was fitted — and that the smell later returned. Owners say the dealer told them they would pay for diagnosis because the recall repair was already recorded. Reported from under 10,000 miles up to about 63,000 miles, in some cases years after the recall work was done.

   Recall 17V298000

   What to check: Smell for fuel around the rear of the car and inside the cabin after a fill-up, and check the area around the fuel pump flange and tank for staining. Ask for documentation of recall 17V298000 and whether a pump or shield was installed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am reporting a safety issue involving my 2016 Audi Q5. The vehicle previously underwent recall 20Z8/20W9, which addresses fuel pump flange cracking that can cause fuel leaks and fuel vapor odors. Despite this recall repair being marked as completed, I am now experiencing a strong gasoline smell inside the cabin. This appears to be the same condition the recall was intended to fix. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11735198, filed 2026-05

   “On Wednesday, December 1, 2021 I filled my car up with gas. Shortly after I noticed a fuel smell from the outside and on the inside of the car. On Thursday, December 2, 2021 I drove to Jupiter fl approx a two hour car drive it smelled like gas the whole entire drive there on the inside of the car and even worse on the outside. When I got home on Friday night December 3, 2021 it was still just as bad. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11442651, filed 2021-12
5. 5
   Other or unknown

   Sunroof water leaks and shattered sunroof glass

   • 9 complaints (12%)
   • median 29,000 mi at 4.0 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe water leaking from the panoramic sunroof into the rear cabin, sometimes traced to a drain hose that was not securely attached. Some say the leak reaches the area around the rear side airbag and cite the related sunroof drain recall. Other complaints describe the sunroof glass shattering suddenly at highway speed with a loud noise and no impact. Reported from about 20,000-30,000 miles, and the shattered-glass complaints were described at highway speeds.

   Recall 17V001000

   What to check: Check the headliner and rear side trim for water stains or dampness, and have the sunroof drains checked. Ask whether recall 17V001000 (sunroof drain and side airbag canister) has been completed, and inspect the sunroof glass for chips or cracks.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The mirrors on my Audi Q5 are too high and big. They completely obstruct my view when making a left hand turn. I either have to look below or above them somehow to see. I was in an accident on 02/11/2016. I stopped at 4 way stop and made a complete stop at the stop sign, and proceeded to make a left. I hit a small sports car that was completely blocked from my view. Did not see the car until he was right in front of me. At that point it was too late to brake and I hit him. The driver side mirror completely blocked the car from being seen. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10836266, filed 2016-02, 2,000 miles

   “I was driving down the highway and all of a sudden my sunroof exploded. It sounded like a loud gunshot. I got off the exit pulled over and I saw that my sunroof was shattered. On my Audi Q5 2016.”

   NHTSA complaint #11711731, filed 2026-01

Buying note. A 2016 Q5 is worth a careful pre-purchase inspection: check oil consumption and coolant condition, scan for steering fault codes, and confirm the fuel pump and sunroof drain recalls were done. Ask for service records, since several of the most common complaints tend to appear gradually rather than all at once.

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.