2019 Audi Q5 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe turbocharger problems that bring warning lights and loss of power, followed by tail, brake and reverse light faults. Other common complaints include power steering that suddenly loses assistance, driver-assist systems that brake or slow without driver input, and water getting into electrical modules. Mileage is missing from most complaints, so age-related patterns are hard to judge.

1. 1
   Engine

   Turbocharger failure and loss of power

   • 7 complaints (13%)
   • typically at 6.7 yrs old
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners describe a turbocharger or boost-related fault, with a check engine or drive system warning and a loss of power or hesitation when accelerating. According to a complaint, the wastegate actuator is not sold as a separate part, so the whole turbocharger unit was replaced. A complaint describes the fault appearing within the powertrain warranty period. Mileage is mostly not listed in these complaints, but some describe the loss of power worsening over time after the first warning.

   What to check: Ask for records of any turbocharger or charge-air pressure repairs, and check for stored fault codes during a pre-purchase inspection. A test drive with firm acceleration from low speed can show whether the car hesitates or loses power.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Getting a message DRIVER SYSTEM MALFUNCTION PLEASE CONTACT SERVICE, I went to a specialized European mechanic and he informed me that the OEM TURBOCHARGER BOOSTER is the problem. He stated that this is a very common problem in the AUDI. He is surprised that there is no recall because it is happening to a lot of cars. The message is constantly coming back.”

   NHTSA complaint #11636612, filed 2025-01

   “Turbo Charger Failed. Lost power for driving and Car Start Stop function failed, quit completely. 2. Fluid leaking in the Motor Mounts. 3. Rear passenger side Tail Reverse Light and Rear camera not Working at all. This could cause me a serious accident or I could get a Citation.”

   NHTSA complaint #11679865, filed 2025-08
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Tail, brake and reverse light faults

   • 8 complaints (15%)
   • median 95,000 mi at 7.2 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners report tail, brake, turn or reverse lights that stop working, or dash warnings such as a faulty brake light message. Some describe the problem appearing at night or in rain. According to a complaint, a service bulletin was used to correct a light warning, while another says the rear light assembly was on back order. Mileage is rarely listed, with a report at about 95,000 miles, and some describe warnings appearing at night or in rain.

   What to check: Test every exterior light with the ignition on, including reverse and brake lights, and check the dash for light warnings during a test drive. Ask whether the rear light assembly or bulbs have been replaced and whether any service bulletin was applied for light warnings.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving on the highway in the early morning hours and several warnings appeared stating that the left and right tail lights, left and right brake lights, and center brake lights where faulty. It was dark outside and raining, and I immediately had no rear lights of any kind driving on the highway. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11564589, filed 2024-01

   “My vehicle does a few things that are dangerous. Number 1 the emergency brake went on automatically when I was driving the parkway in New Jersey telling me to watch my surroundings. I was driving late in the evening and no cars were in my immediate distance. Another issue, the emergency warning light just came on my dash telling me my light above my license plate was faulty and I was almost rear ended by the vehicle behind me. My tail lights just stopped working out of no where. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11559588, filed 2023-12
3. 3
   Steering

   Sudden power steering loss or warning

   • 5 complaints (9%)
   • median 7,900 mi at 1.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2019–2022

   Owners describe the steering suddenly becoming very hard to turn, with a steering malfunction or stop-the-vehicle message on the dash. Some say it happened at low speed while reversing or parking, and others describe it on a highway or in rain. According to a complaint, the steering rack was replaced under warranty, and other owners say the car had to be towed to the dealer. Where mileage is recorded, the figures fall between about 4,000 and 11,100 miles, and the failures happened at both low and highway speeds.

   What to check: On a test drive, check for any steering or power steering warnings on the dash and feel for unusual stiffness at low speed. Ask whether the steering rack has been replaced and whether any steering fault codes appear in the service history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2019 Q5 - less than 8,000 miles. Power steering failed. Thankfully was not on the main road, but this is a life threatening fault and possess serious risks. I was reversing the vehicle in my parking and the steering failed. Thereafter, got it towed to bell Audi at edison.”

   NHTSA complaint #11383261, filed 2020-12, 7,900 miles

   “Power steering rack failed on 4/12/2022 as I drove on I-75 South between Gainesville and Tampa. Lost power steering on the Interstate, putting safety of my passengers (and other vehicles) at risk on the interstate. Audi sent tow and transported vehicle to Wesley Chapel Audi. Failure was confirmed and rack was replaced under warranty.”

   NHTSA complaint #11461451, filed 2022-04
4. 4
   Forward collision avoidance

   Automatic braking or slowing without driver input

   • 7 complaints (13%)
   • median 1,150 mi at 1.4 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners describe the car braking hard or slowing on its own, sometimes at low speed. Some complaints say no obstacle or collision risk was present, and reports include hard braking near a cyclist, braking when stopping or turning slowly, and the parking brake engaging while reversing because of a false object detection. Another complaint describes adaptive cruise dropping its set speed after a road sign was misread, followed by hard braking on a highway. Where mileage is recorded, these reports come from very early in ownership, at about 300 to 2,000 miles.

   What to check: On a test drive in a safe, open area, check how the automatic braking and rear cross traffic alert respond, and ask the owner whether any of these features have been switched off.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Unintended deceleration. I am a canadian who was driving in new york state. I have a new 2019 Audi Q5 technik. While using adaptive cruise control (acc) set at 75 MPH in the passing lane on saturday august 31, 2019, the Audi's traffic sign recognition system responded to a 55 MPH sign somewhere off to the side of the highway. It changed the acc setting from 75 to 55 MPH and applied the brakes hard. I had to tap the brake pedal to regain control and accelerate to avoid a rear-end collision. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11256568, filed 2019-09, 300 miles

   “am writing to report a very concerning safety issue with my 2019 Audi Q5 and to request guidance on whether this may be covered under warranty or if my vehicle is experiencing a malfunction. On Saturday, while driving to an appointment, there was a bicyclist in the bike lane. Suddenly, the “Audi Presence” warning flashed red on my dashboard and the vehicle braked very hard on its own. I was not close to hitting the bicyclist and there was no imminent collision risk. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11726422, filed 2026-03
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Water entering electrical modules

   • 8 complaints (15%)
   • median 53,050 mi at 4.4 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners describe electrical faults after rain, a liquid spill, or water getting into the car, with warnings appearing on the dash afterwards. Complaints mention a comfort control module damaged in a rainstorm, a gateway control module that owners believe was affected by a spill, and interior electrical systems flooded through clogged sunroof drains. According to complaints, a dealer found water traces in an affected module, and some owners say their car had to be towed. Mileage is rarely listed, and where it is, reports range up to about 95,000 miles, often after rain or a liquid spill.

   Recall 21V947000

   What to check: Check the carpets, floor areas and trunk for dampness or odor, and look for water traces around the sunroof drains. Ask whether the gateway control module recall 21V947000 was completed, and check recall status with the vehicle identification number through the manufacturer or NHTSA.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “During a rain storm a water egress issue damaged my comfort control module. An issue identified for many Audi Q5 vehicles; however my VIN for some reason is not showing this recall. It appears the recall may need to be expanded.”

   NHTSA complaint #11654565, filed 2025-04

   “I received a Safety Recall from Audi of America for my 2019 Audi Q5, I am pleased that the recall is being done. However, the description of what could happen, in the Safety Recall letter, should water enter the Gateway Module does not describe what happen to me when the Gateway Control Module got wet from liquid spilled in the backseat of my car. The 2nd paragraph under “ What is the Issue “ states in part, “ The vehicle remains steerable and the brake system is fully operable. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11453048, filed 2022-02

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection look for turbocharger fault codes, steering and light operation, and any water traces in the cabin or trunk. Ask for records of recall and service bulletin work, and confirm that any open recalls, including the gateway control module recall, have been completed before buying.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 50 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.