2018 Audi Q5 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 11%of 209 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 7,375miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the brakes of the 2018 Audi Q5, 11% of the 209 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 7,375 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When pressing the brake pedal at times you hear a metal clang sound like something hitting a tin can. This happens often but is not consistent. I have video evidence of this as well as have seen this item discussed in detail of Audi forums. Audi claims regardless of my evidence nothing can be done. My concern is it has to do something with the brake and to me is a saftey concern”
NHTSA complaint #11413267, filed 2021-04, 15,500 miles“Squealing brakes at slow speeds. Dealership able to replicate issue but unable to resolve adequately. They asking us to replace rotors and pads with several hundred dollar cost to us. Car is only 2 yrs old now. We bought cpo after car was used by dealer salesman for 6mo. Brakes have been squealing soon after we got the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11228337, filed 2019-06, 5,750 miles“Audi pre-sense braking fault; recall needed! 1- while moving forward on an empty, flat, 2-lane, suburban road at approximately 35mph, the brakes suddenly activated, bring my vehicle to a near stop, with a loud, grinding sound. Terrifying. There were no objects or vehicles on the road, no glaring sunlight or other problems that could have caused this. April 15, 2020. 2- twice or more, in the few weeks or so prior to this event, while backing up into my garage, the vehicle suddenly stopped with a loud grinding sound. …”
NHTSA complaint #11323824, filed 2020-05, 10,000 miles“I have reported to sewickley Audi, my closest dealer, on several appointments that my brakes severly grind upon application. I would believe that the rotors are severly scorerd or warped. It happens upon first use every day, as well as a loud grinding upon every stop especially from highway speeds. I have been told there is nothing wrong with my brakes although I complained from my initial visit , my last inspection and recently brought it in specifically for that. The noise/ grinding is bad, but the lack of quality braking has me more concerned. …”
NHTSA complaint #11242898, filed 2019-08, 2,500 miles“1.I had an accident at approximately 10:45 a.m. On thursday, september 19, 2019 in the parking lot for the medical offices located at 2000 south mays street, round rock, texas. 2.I parked in a space on the south side of the building, which is part of their property. 3.my normal habit is to place the car in 'park' when I stop in a parking spot. 4.since it was very warm, I left the motor running so I'd have air conditioning as I placed the sun screen over the windshield. 5.the sun shade is one piece and takes a lot of time and effort to properly install. …”
NHTSA complaint #11258331, filed 2019-09, 14,100 milesRelated recalls
- 18V369000Jun 1, 2018DO NOT DRIVEVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI…Covers: Audi Q5 2018, SQ5 2018, Volkswagen Atlas 2018 +6 more
- 19V277000Apr 8, 2019Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake master cylinder casting may be too short.Covers: Audi Q5 2018–2019, SQ5 2018–2019
Related service bulletins
- 11036911Aug 21, 2026This bulletin provides information for all models regarding brake sounds.
- 11036909Aug 21, 2026This bulletin provides information on the zirconium insercts in the brake piston (ceramic brakes only).
- 11036906Aug 21, 2026This bulletin provides information when there is corrosion on the friction survace of steel brake discs.
- 11036921Aug 11, 2026This bulletin provides information about the general approach for brake vibration concerns.
- 11036914Aug 11, 2026This bulletin provides information when there is an ABS/ESC speed sensor implausible signal.
- 11025369Oct 22, 2025This bulletin provides information for all models regarding brake sounds.
- 11025342Oct 21, 2025This bulletin provides information regarding the general approach for all Audi vehicles regarding brake vibrations.
- 11025333Oct 21, 2025This bulletin provides information on the zirconium insercts in the brake piston (ceramic brakes only).
- 11025330Oct 21, 2025This bulletin provides information when there is corrosion on the friction survace of steel brake discs.
- 11025336Oct 17, 2025This bulletin provides information when there is an ABS/ESC speed sensor implausible signal.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 11 | 24% |
| 2024 | 5 | 25% |
| 2023 | 4 | 9% |
| 2021 | 4 | 5% |
| 2020 | 2 | 8% |
| 2019 | 8 | 15% |
| 2018 | 22 | 11% |
| 2017 | 4 | 10% |
| 2016 | 4 | 5% |
| 2015 | 3 | 3% |
| 2014 | 4 | 4% |
| 2013 | 6 | 7% |
| 2012 | 3 | 2% |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2018 Audi Q5
74 complaintsOther or unknown
46 complaintsEngine
31 complaintsSuspension
25 complaintsBody and structure
22 complaintsForward collision avoidance
19 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsAir bags
13 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 30, 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