AI Damage2025 Audi Q5: common problems
Owners of the 2025 Audi Q5 filed 46 complaints with NHTSA, most often about forward collision avoidance and electrical system. The maker issued 881 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 46
- involving a crash
- 3
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 881
What fails most often
- 1 Forward collision avoidance 52% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 46% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 24% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 13% of all complaints
- 5 Lane departure 13% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 9% of all complaints
- 7 Seat belts 9% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- Forward collision avoidance: 24 complaints (52% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 21 complaints (46% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 436.
- Service brakes: 11 complaints (24% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 21.
- Engine: 6 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 60.
- Lane departure: 6 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 2 L · hybrid · turbo · 4 cyl
- 2 L · plug-in hybrid · turbo · 4 cyl
- dual-clutch (DCT), 7-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 46 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forward collision avoidance | 24 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 21 | 1 | 436 |
| Service brakes | 11 | 2 | 21 |
| Engine | 6 | 0 | 60 |
| Lane departure | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| Air bags | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| Seat belts | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 57 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 12 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 10 |
| Backover prevention | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 90 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 18 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The NEW vehicle keeps showing a warning light on the dash saying that the rear wheel bolts are loose two accidents have occurred in a 60 day period, the vehicle has been in for service multiple times and Audi has not found a fix for the safety light warning or found the loose bolts or suspension break issues.
The vehicle accelerated on its own, without corresponding accelerator pedal input, and struck the building adjacent to the car wash. The vehicle did not exit the building on its own, so I shifted into reverse. The vehicle again accelerated on its own and struck a structural beam.
7 warning lights came on, the most concerning was to immediately pull over and shut off the engine. We could not do this. The steering wheel was shaking and the climate systems shut off. All ABS were non functional.
May 30, 2026 - Latching part of rear door lock broken. Had 3 grandchildren in the car at the time. Door would not latch. October 15, 2026 - Park gear would not work properly. Put in park and car would still roll. Hill-hold function also not working.
At the same time, the seat belt tightened extremely forcefully around my body, restricting my movement and making it difficult to breathe. The instrument cluster then displayed “Emergency assist: canceled.” I believe the malfunction involved the vehicle’s emergency/driver-assistance braking system and restraint…
Electrical Grid Collapse & Parasitic Battery Drain: Vehicle experienced exterior lights activating independently during sleep mode and cyclical 300mA to 2.0A parasitic draws.
On XXX at approximately 5:00 PM, my 2025 Audi Q5 (VIN: [XXX]) initiated an unprovoked forward collision warning and emergency braking intervention while I was traveling at approximately 57–58 mph on [XXX]. Road conditions were clear and dry. Weather was sunny. Adaptive Cruise Control was not activated.
•XXX: While stopped at a traffic light, both front seat belts tightened aggressively without warning. Passenger was a [XXX] child. •Late XXX: Collision avoidance/emergency braking warnings continued. Vehicle remained in use while awaiting loaner car availability.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 910 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 43% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Q5 has 49 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 46, about average.
What to check before buying
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has…
This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
- This bulletin provides information when the starter/generator drive belt is noisy or came off
- This Pending Service Solution (PSS) requests that technicians create a record in the PSS database when DTC…
This Pending Service Solution (PSS) requests that technicians create a record in the PSS database when DTC P001400 camshaft position is stored.
- This bulletin is a help guide for Audi connect remote start
- This Pending Service Solution (PSS) requests that technicians create a record in the PSS database when…
This Pending Service Solution (PSS) requests that technicians create a record in the PSS database when there is an exhaust emissions warning lamp illuminated, DTC P0299 sumptom 34203; V6 TFSI.
- This bulletin provides information when there is a driver system fault, or an MIL - DTC P060C00 symptom…
This bulletin provides information when there is a driver system fault, or an MIL - DTC P060C00 symptom 1301 and P162400 in J1312 (address word 812C).
- This bulletin is an aid supportin gthe combined softare update 03.11.00/C (28.14.01) KD2*
- This bulletin provides information regarding software update KD2* 03.11.00/C (28.14.01)
- This bulletin provides an overview of the combined software updates for cluster 3; PPE/PPC
- This Pending Service Solution (PSS) requests that technicians create a record in the PSS data base in…
This Pending Service Solution (PSS) requests that technicians create a record in the PSS data base in instances when the vehicle cannot be unlocked, and the ehicle cannot be switched on; 12V battery has been discharged.
- This Pending Service Solution requests that technicains create a record in the PSS database when the…
This Pending Service Solution requests that technicains create a record in the PSS database when the Bluetooth/Audi smartphone interface connects slowly or the connection is interrupted.
- This bulletin provides information when the rear lid only opens/clolses slightly and then stops
NHTSA lists 881 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2025 Audi Q5?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: forward collision avoidance, electrical system, service brakes. Total complaints: 46. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (41%), driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (30%), seat belts (24%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2025 Audi Q5?
NHTSA lists 881 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2025 Audi Q5 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2025 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.