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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2016 Audi Q5 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
4%of 78 total for the year
Median mileage
30,744miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Audi Q5, 4% of the 78 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,744 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I pulled into a parking space and put the car in park. As I did so, the engine revved and the car lurched forward striking a tree. The air bags deployed and the car was written off by the insurance company. I had noticed a couple of times before that the engine would rev as I was slowing to a stop, but had never had any issues with the transmission.”

NHTSA complaint #11258747, filed 2019-09, 36,488 miles

“Vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. Happened [intermittently] when decelerating; instead of gearing down to idle/stop, the engine continued to rev...I had to lean heavily on the brakes [which then felt mushy] to continue to a stop.”

NHTSA complaint #11118743, filed 2018-08, 25,000 miles

“1) Rear subframe supports differential, axels, suspension, brakes, wheels and tires 2) If rear suspension fails , above noted assemblies will fall out of the car 3) Yes, dealer and independent garage have inspected and condemned 4) Manufacturer is aware of the problem, 5) No warnings or messages appeared, 6/29/26 at garage for oil change, garage was installing a subframe for another q5 so he was familiar with the issue”

NHTSA complaint #11747832, filed 2026-07

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202537%
202415%
2023511%
202229%
20211318%
202028%
2019611%
2018105%
201712%
201634%
201544%
201466%
201367%
201253%
2011128%
201088%
200913%

Other parts of the 2016 Audi Q5

Engine
26 complaints
Other or unknown
11 complaints
Electrical system
10 complaints
Steering
10 complaints
Fuel system
9 complaints
Engine cooling
8 complaints
Air bags
6 complaints
Brakes
4 complaints
Vehicle speed control
4 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaints
Lane departure
3 complaints
Body and structure
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 Audi Q5

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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