What's Wrong with the 1st Generation Q5?

The Worst 2009-2017 Q5 Problems

Busted Timing Chains

Audi's EA888 2.0-liter engine has a history of tensioner problems in its timing chain. The loose chain is to blame for multiple occurances of catastrophic engine failure. Audi was forced to offer settlement offers, including an extended war…

Excessive Oil Consumption

It's normal for cars with six-figure odometer readings to burn a little oil. But recently a few automakers have been building specific engines that require a topping off of the oil reservoir in between changes. Audi tries to tell you this i…

Fuel Pump Flange Leaking

It’s been quite a journey figuring out how to stop Audi's Continental fuel pump flanges from leaking, but it appears the automaker is finally offering a solution after years of interim repairs.

Cheating Diesel Emissions

Audi was caught cheating on its diesel emissions with defeat devices. Twice. It started with the widespread dieselgate story for 2.0L 4-cylinder engines and was followed with a lesser known cheat for vehicles with the ZF 8-speed transmiss…

What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

2012 Q5 oil consumption excessive 21 (100%)
2013 Q5 excessive oil consumption 8 (38%)
2014 Q5 excessive oil consumption 5 (24%)
2011 Q5 excessive oil consumption 5 (24%)
2012 Q5 sunroof shattered 4 (19%)

Worst Topics

Engine 51 (100%)
Transmission 8 (16%)
Windows 8 (16%)
Brakes 6 (12%)
HVAC 5 (10%)

Worst Years

2012 33 (100%)
2013 16 (48%)
2011 13 (39%)
2014 13 (39%)
2015 6 (18%)
2010 5 (15%)
2009 4 (12%)
2016 3 (9%)
2017 0 (0%)

Timeline of 1st Generation Q5 News

There’s an important deadline coming up for Audi owners who previously paid for repairs to their timing chain system or damaged engine from a timing chain failure, and want the automaker to pick up the tab. A recently approved settlement benefits thousands of owners by providing them with an extended “new vehicle limited warranty” for any future repairs, plus conditional reimbursements for any previous repairs.
Posted on
January 8, 2019
Tagged
#lawsuit
Source
vwproblems.com
A cou
ple years ago the 2007-2012 Q7 and 2009-2012 Q5 were recalled to fix leaking fuel pump flanges. At the time, there weren't enough replacement flanges to go around. In a let's-see-if-this-works move Audi slapped some butyl tape around the existing flanges to prevent future leaks. It didn't.
Posted on
December 6, 2018
Tagged
#recall
Source
carcomplaints.com
When
Volkswagen agreed to a multi-district settlement for selling polluting engines marketed as clean diesel, it did so knowing it’d have to pay billions of dollars to customers that owned or leased an affected vehicle when the news about the scandal broke.
Posted on
October 8, 2018
Tagged
#lawsuit
Source
vwproblems.com
Audi
coolant pumps have been recalled (twice!) but their replacements aren’t ready yet. So what’s an owner who can’t drive their car supposed to do? Wait, apparently.
Posted on
September 16, 2018
Tagged
#lawsuit
Source
carcomplaints.com
Owners and lessees of certain 2008-2014 VW and Audi vehicles may soon be eligible to receive benefits for their engine’s defective timing chain. On November 19, 2018 a judge will rule on a proposed settlement that would either reimburse owners for previous repairs or fund future work on the timing chain tensioner system.
Posted on
September 15, 2018
Tagged
#lawsuit
Source
vwproblems.com
There appears to be a settlement on the horizon for Audi owners who have either had or are concerned about timing chain damage. According to the terms, reimbursement amounts will be determined based on the age of the vehicle, how many miles are on the odometer and if the timing chain tensioner, timing chain or engine was replaced.
Posted on
May 18, 2018
Tagged
#lawsuit
Source
carcomplaints.com

What Q5 Owners Say About This Generation

Excessive Oil Consumption
Car suddenly stopped while driving. A lot of lights on the dashboard came on. there was smoke and a burning smell inside the car. Car had to be manually pushed to the side of the road ... After inspection, I was told the engine is damaged on the inside and [had] to be replaced at my cost!
2014 Q5 Owner in WA

Excessive Oil Consumption
We've had the car since it was new and I've have personally maintained the car. Started noticing that it was using about 3 quarts between oil changes. Scheduled service but they said that's not bad when I mentioned 3 quarts between oil changes.
2012 Q5 Owner in KS

By the Numbers

9 model years
Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.
93 complaints
Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.
36th in reliability
Overall reliability rank out of 39 eligible generations.