2018 Audi Q5 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 5%of 208 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 5,650miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the steering of the 2018 Audi Q5, 5% of the 208 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,650 miles.
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.
“Twice in 2019 my car slammed to a stop while backing up at 2-3 MPH. I had not hit anything and no damage to car. There was nothing to hit, just a vacant area. Yesterday while driving forward at 35-40 MPH on a main street with the closest oncoming car 1 block away my car slammed to a dead, wall slamming stop. If a car had been behind me there would have been an accident. I emphasize: this was a dead, no slow-down stop. I refused to drive it 50 miles to the dealer. The dealer has picked it up and told me the sensors were set too sensitive. If so, why did this not occur every time I drove? …”
NHTSA complaint #11361398, filed 2020-09, 10,400 miles“I wrote Audi to request escalation of an unresolved issue involving my 2018 Audi Q5, related to Safety Recall 90S9 (NHTSA Campaign 21V947000) for the gateway control module. Summary of the issue: My vehicle recently experienced a complete gateway control module failure due to water intrusion. I lost steering and brake assist warnings while driving, and the vehicle would not restart after being pulled over safely. It was towed first to the nearest Audi mechanic who diagnosed the issue as Recall 90S9. …”
NHTSA complaint #11750841, filed 2026-07“While driving, the power steering completely went out and lost the ability to steer, while on the road. There were no prior warnings or feeling in the steering to present a possible future failure of steering under power. Put myself, my wife and the other operators at risk as I lost all power steering and had to pull over immediately. I have a current repair order open at a local shop and the PSM module has failed, of course requiring a full steering rack replacement to the tune of +$5k.”
NHTSA complaint #11640890, filed 2025-02“The 2nd generation Audi Q5 (roughly 2017-2021+) has a major susceptibility to immediate, catastrophic failure as evidenced from my own experience and dozens of episodes reported online. This failure typically causes a $2000-$3000 repair bill that Audi will not cover and will claim is the fault of the owner. My wife was driving the vehicle with our 5-year-old daughter in the car In the middle of the rear seat. The daughter spilled part of a 500 ml water bottle onto the seat next to her. …”
NHTSA complaint #11422837, filed 2021-06“Hello, On September 29, 2023 while I was driving my 2018 Audi Q5 a light come out Steering malfunction! Please stop vehicle . I called the Dealer Audi Arrowhead in Peoria, Arizona, and schedule an appointment for October3, 2023 to do a diagnose. I drove the car throughout these days and I have not notice anything wrong with the car, except that light. I went to the dealer they proceed the diagnosis, gave me the code C101C07, and the quote to do steering gear replacement. I asked them: if the car is drivable, is just that light on the dashboard, why you can not do a software update? …”
NHTSA complaint #11552316, filed 2023-10Related service bulletins
- 11038042Sep 22, 2026This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
- 11036903Aug 21, 2026This bulletin provides service infomraiton regardin gthe identifaction of noises with dynamic steering.
- 11036902Aug 21, 2026This bulletin provides service information when thre are engine noises in the vehicle interior.
- 11028405Jan 13, 2026This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
- 11027350Dec 11, 2025This bulletin provides regarding visual damage for all vehicles.
- 11025340Oct 17, 2025This TSB provides information regarding rotational and other steerihng wheel vibrations.
- 11023767Sep 25, 2025This bulletin provides information when there is a prompt to take over steering; hands off detection.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 2 | 5% |
| 2021 | 3 | 4% |
| 2020 | 3 | 12% |
| 2019 | 7 | 13% |
| 2018 | 11 | 5% |
| 2017 | 4 | 10% |
| 2016 | 10 | 13% |
| 2015 | 14 | 14% |
| 2014 | 17 | 16% |
| 2013 | 18 | 20% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% |
| 2010 | 2 | 2% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2018 Audi Q5
74 complaintsOther or unknown
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 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