Representative 2012 model. Photo: DestinationFearFan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2011 Audi Q5 recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2011 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 5
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 143
Latest campaign: Nov 19, 2018

Recall summary by component5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Fuel system, gasoline	2	Nov 19, 2018	18V818000 16V660000
Air bags	2	Jan 30, 2018	18V082000 16V078000
Visibility	1	Jan 3, 2017	17V001000

Safety recalls5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Nov 19, 2018Latest campaign


Nov 19, 201818V818000	Fuel system, gasoline: delivery fuel pump The butyl tape may not prevent fuel from leaking. DetailsHide details for campaign 18V818000 What's wrong Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2007-2012 Audi Q7 and 2009-2012 Audi Q5 vehicles, previously repaired under NHTSA recall 16V-660. These vehicles were previously repaired with an interim repair of installing butyl tape to the fuel pump flange, until replacement remedy parts became available. Risk The butyl tape may not prevent fuel from leaking. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. Remedy Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump flange and install butyl tape, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20BJ. Campaign NHTSA 18V818000 · Nov 19, 2018
Jan 30, 201818V082000	Air bags: frontal driver side In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants… DetailsHide details for campaign 18V082000 What's wrong Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode. Risk In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Remedy Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078. Campaign NHTSA 18V082000 · Jan 30, 2018
Jan 3, 201717V001000	Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. DetailsHide details for campaign 17V001000 What's wrong Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Audi Q5 vehicles. The sunroof drainage system may allow water to soak into the foam surrounding the side head air bag inflator canister resulting in the corrosion of the canister. If this happens, the corrosion can weaken the canister and the inflator could fracture without air bag deployment, propelling fragments into the passenger compartment, striking and causing serious injury to vehicle occupants. Risk An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Remedy Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator and either coat it or replace it, as necessary, after removing the surrounding foam, free of charge. The recall is expected to began March 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69P1. Campaign NHTSA 17V001000 · Jan 3, 2017
Sep 13, 201616V660000	Fuel system, gasoline: delivery fuel pump A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 16V660000 What's wrong Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Audi Q5, and 2007-2012 Audi Q7 vehicles equipped with gasoline engines. The fuel pump flange on the affected vehicles may crack, allowing fuel to leak. Risk A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. Remedy Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the flange, replacing any flanges that are cracked. If the flange is not cracked, dealers will clean the pump flange and install a butyl rubber band to protect the pump. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20W9. Campaign NHTSA 16V660000 · Sep 13, 2016
Feb 10, 201616V078000	Air bags: frontal driver side In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants… DetailsHide details for campaign 16V078000 What's wrong Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture. Risk In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Remedy Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Campaign NHTSA 16V078000 · Feb 10, 2016

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Audi recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component143

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

143Complaints filed

4Involving a crash

2Involving a fire

2Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Air bags	67	47	3	0	2
Engine	42	29	0	2	0
Fuel/propulsion system	25	17	0	0	0
Power train	12	8	0	1	0
Electrical system	8	6	1	0	0
Fuel system	8	6	0	0	0
Unknown or other	8	6	0	0	0
Gasoline	7	5	0	0	0
Suspension	4	3	0	0	0
Vehicle speed control	3	2	0	0	0
Steering	3	2	0	0	0
Service brakes	3	2	1	0	0
Visibility/wiper	3	2	0	0	0
Structure	3	2	1	1	0
Tires	1	1	0	0	0

5 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Suspension
“1) The rear structural subframe (crossmember) has completely rotted, perforated, and failed due to severe corrosion.”
Filed 08/25/2026 · ODI 11759438
Suspension
“During an inspection of my 2011 Audi Q5 at Audi Burlington, severe corrosion was discovered on the rear subframe, which supports rear suspension components.”
Filed 08/05/2026 · ODI 11755002
Suspension
“Rear subframe rust causing car to fail state inspection. This vehicle has been maintained well and always parked in garage. The rear subframe rusted most, then front subframe.”
Filed 04/17/2025 · ODI 11655321

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2011 Audi Q5 recall questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Audi Q5 have?

NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns for the 2011 Audi Q5. The most recent, 18V818000 (reported November 19, 2018), concerns fuel system, gasoline. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2011 Audi Q5 recalls for?

The largest group is fuel system, gasoline, with 2 campaigns. Others: air bags (2), visibility (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2011 Audi Q5?

Air bags is the most-reported component, named in 67 complaints out of 143 filed with NHTSA (47%). Across all complaints, owners reported 4 crashs and 2 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2011 Audi Q5?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Audi recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Audi dealer.

Check a specific Audi by VIN

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