2018 Audi Q5 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 74about this part
- Share
- 36%of 208 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 31,900miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 74 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Audi Q5, 36% of the 208 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 31,900 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was about to get on the freeway when my car's electrical system failed and I got several warning lights. The braking/stop start system, lights and a few other lit up. I pulled off the road and had it towed. The dealership said water (rain) got in through my sunroof and shorted my system (warranty won't cover). There are several class action suits re. This issue already and Audi knows about it, but there's no recall and cars have stopped suddenly on the freeway. It's very dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #11416186, filed 2021-05, 30,000 miles“I was driving 65 miles an hour on I-95 in the left lane approaching the exit for I-695 north on saturday, january 4th at 5:00pm. It was raining. No one was in front of me or behind me when my car dash lit up with an Audi pre sense red sign on a black background. The brakes stopped the car suddenly on their own and my seat belt slammed me tightly into my seat. Fortunately no one was behind me or this could have caused a multi car accident. There was nothing visible on the road to set this system off. …”
NHTSA complaint #11298053, filed 2020-01, 8,000 miles“Car suddenly tied while driving in city; engine/all systems shut off. It took several hours for roadside assistance to arrive, and the 1st 2 towing companies could not disengage the braking system to load onto truck! Once vehicle towed to Audi dealer, their diagnosis was gateway control module j533, water in control module, corrosion in connector, causing fuse for gateway control unit to blow we were told by dealer that liquid must have spilled into area behind rear seats . We have no young children, and nobody was recently sitting in rear seat. …”
NHTSA complaint #11350209, filed 2020-08, 24,498 miles“I've had several issues with my vehicle when backing up and the presence going off without a reason. When backing up on several occasions, the sensors will beep and bring the vehicle to grinding stop. When I check the area, there are no vehicles, person, or objects in the path of the vehicle. Recently, when driving on the highway, the pre sense went off when no vehicles were around and slowed the vehicle down at a rapid rate. Twice when driving, the pre sense will activate and bring the vehicle to a complete stop when there are no vehicles in front, behind, or beside me.”
NHTSA complaint #11323111, filed 2020-05, 31,900 miles“Navigation locks up, driver cockpit and dash screen shuts down when carplay is activated. At time the car doesn't recognize carplay. Additionally the volume control will only increase and not decrease volume. Sometimes it says speech recognition not recognized when adjusting volume. Has not resolved for the 10 months I have owned the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11331247, filed 2020-06, 6,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11038061Sep 2, 2026This bulletin provides information regarding fault finding and repair information for electric tailgate.
- 11036910Aug 26, 2026This bulletin provides informaitn when there is a warning messsage; "Instrument cluster: fault. Limited warning messages. Please contact workshop"; DTC B200096.
- 11035810Jul 9, 2026This bulletin provides informatoinw hent here are scratches or a coating on the cover of the instrument cluster, or particles inside of the housing.
- 11034652Jun 23, 2026This bulletin provides informaitn when there is a warning messsage; "Instrument cluster: fault. Limited warning messages. Please contact workshop"; DTC B200096.
- 11034643Jun 23, 2026This bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the instrument cluster.
- 11034634Jun 23, 2026This bulletin provides informationwhen noises/vibration are detected from front of vehicle in dynamic mode.
- 11033492May 22, 2026This bulletin provides informaiotn when the starter battery is discharged or defective.
- 11032165Apr 30, 2026This bulletin provides informaiotn when the starter battery is discharged or defective.
- 11031053Mar 26, 2026This bulletin provides informaiton regarding the Universal Traffic Recorder.
- 11031051Mar 20, 2026This bulletin provides informaiotn about various infortainment system complaints.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 21 | 46% |
| 2024 | 2 | 10% |
| 2023 | 10 | 23% |
| 2022 | 7 | 32% |
| 2021 | 27 | 36% |
| 2020 | 8 | 32% |
| 2019 | 13 | 25% |
| 2018 | 74 | 36% |
| 2017 | 4 | 10% |
| 2016 | 10 | 13% |
| 2015 | 4 | 4% |
| 2014 | 9 | 9% |
| 2013 | 9 | 10% |
| 2012 | 5 | 3% |
| 2011 | 8 | 6% |
| 2010 | 7 | 7% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2018 Audi Q5
46 complaintsEngine
31 complaintsSuspension
25 complaintsBrakes
22 complaintsBody and structure
21 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 27, 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