2018 Audi Q5 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 6%of 209 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,600miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the air bags of the 2018 Audi Q5, 6% of the 209 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,600 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.
“Car stationary on highway after traffic came to a stop due to a traffic incident ahead. Rear ended by vehicle going in excess of 40mph. Car pushed into car in front (car 3), spun around and hit the same car (car 3) in the front. Airbags did not deploy. Both driver and passenger were admitted to the hospital with injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #11388901, filed 2021-01, 45,000 miles“I have owned the car for 2 years, purchased a 2018 Q5 from an Audi dealer. Within the first year, my thermostat failed causing the car to lose power and turn off while driving with my newborn baby. I also received the passenger airbag alert daily, which I did see there was a recall for this prior to buying the car. I also received the “add a quart of oil” message about 3 months after an oil change. I would like this car to be reviewed for excessive oil consumption. At the times of these messages no oil leak was found. …”
NHTSA complaint #11648525, filed 2025-03“Safety System Malfunction message appears on dash. Passenger side air bag goes on and off while driving. Whole system chimes and random messages flashing on screen constantly. At times system doesn’t recognize that I have my drivers side seatbelt buckled. So system keeps chiming cars Stanton. Random messages flash on dash. Traffic jam assist (3 cars symbol) unavailable and image flash on dash and does another chime. Vehicle has given random warning beeps when reversing 2 times since these issues started and has done automatic breaking both times as I was trying to reverse. …”
NHTSA complaint #11686158, filed 2025-09“Multiple electrical failures that control numerous safety systems, such as airbags, Collision avoidance, speed control, etc. Airbags will not activate in a collision. Vehicle will shut off at highway speeds, resulting in loss of steering control. The vehicle has been inspected by an Audi dealer. Multiple warnings on dash came on when the issue occurred.”
NHTSA complaint #11766103, filed 2026-09“The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the air bag control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,600.”
NHTSA complaint #11515581, filed 2023-04, 85,600 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11030980Mar 2, 2026The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent warning regarding counterfeit replacement airbag inflators that are being installed in used…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 9% |
| 2023 | 4 | 9% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 3 | 6% |
| 2018 | 13 | 6% |
| 2017 | 3 | 7% |
| 2016 | 6 | 8% |
| 2015 | 2 | 2% |
| 2014 | 3 | 3% |
| 2013 | 1 | 1% |
| 2012 | 85 | 51% |
| 2011 | 67 | 47% |
| 2010 | 50 | 50% |
| 2009 | 16 | 52% |
Other parts of the 2018 Audi Q5
74 complaintsOther or unknown
46 complaintsEngine
31 complaintsSuspension
25 complaintsBrakes
22 complaintsBody and structure
22 complaintsForward collision avoidance
19 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsExterior lighting
13 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Audi Q5
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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