Best and worst Audi Q5 years — which to avoid
Flipping through Audi Q5 reviews and owner reports, we've pinpointed the best and worst Audi Q5 years. This guide gives you the lowdown on which Q5 delivers that premium experience and which ones could have you visiting the mechanic more than you'd like.
The Audi Q5 is a refined vehicle with incredible performance and high-quality materials, but that still doesn’t guarantee buying satisfaction if you go for a bad model year. While the model as a whole is considered to be reliable, certain years were plagued by rather severe issues including engine and transmission.
So, we took it upon ourselves to bring you a list of the best years to buy and worst Audi Q5 years to avoid to help you shop around for the best possible offer. We’ll touch upon customer reviews, experiences of real Q5 owners, and details on NHTSA complaints that serve as warning signs for moving away from badly rated models.
Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.
How we rated the best and worst Audi Q5 years
To give you a precise guide on buying a reliable Q5 model, our team examined available documents and reports on NHTSA including driver complaints and official recalls. Along with that, we also included some information from forums since sometimes it’s good to have the other side of the story coming from the owner’s perspective.
However, we’ve thoroughly checked those statements for authenticity as we browsed different Audi Q5 reviews on Consumer Reports, Edmunds, and Kelley Blue Book. Last but not least, we ranked the best and worst models through reported and common problems that affected specific model years, so here’s what the list looks like:
| Audi Q5 Generation | Best Audi Q5 Years | Worst Audi Q5 Years |
|---|---|---|
| 1st generation | 2008, 2009, 2017 | 2011, 2012 |
| 2nd generation | 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 | N/A |
Most common Audi Q5 problems
Before we get to the worst-rated Audi Q5 years, you’ll need to know a bit more about the most common model-specific problems. This way you’ll know exactly why certain model years are best avoided, and we’ll give you the details below:
1. Sunroof leakage
The sunroof drainage system of some Q5 has bad designs that allow water to soak the foam surrounding the side airbag inflator canister. It might not seem like a big issue initially, but it is deadly.
The soaked foam creates the perfect conditions for the inflator canister to corrode and weaken. If the side airbag is deployed when the canister is weak enough, the inflator will fracture and send fragments into the cabin, injuring whoever lies in its path. Because of this, water leaking inside the car passenger’s side is a much more serious problem than initially thought.
Audi had to recall many 2011 to 2017 Q5s because of this issue. If you have any affected models, take them to your dealership for inspection and possibly replace the airbag canister. To prevent the leak from happening again, have your mechanic fix the drain hose connected to the sunroof.
2. Fuel leakage
The fuel pump flange of some 2013 to 2017 Q5s is prone to cracking. Since the fuel pump flange is meant to keep it intact, especially when driving around rough and bumpy terrains, a crack in its structure allows fuel to escape.
Audi issued a recall for the specified models in 2017. If cracks are noticed, the dealer will replace the fuel pump flange. In the absence of cracks, the dealer must apply a protective film to reinforce the pump flange material.
3. Failing timing chain
2009 to 2013 Q5 models are most notorious for having this issue. The timing chain was prone to slipping, causing damage to the engine in the process.
Some drivers have had to pay up to $7,000 to repair the damage, while others were not so fortunate and had to replace the entire engine. This is especially worrying if we consider the timing belt vs timing chain debate and the fact that timing chains are supposed to last much longer.
Pay close attention to your vehicle when you approach the 60,000 or 70,000-mile mark if you own any of these models common for developing this problem.
4. Defective airbags
The Q5 has had many complaints about its airbags which fail to meet safety standards. It is part of the Takata airbag issue that affected several millions of vehicles, causing injury and sometimes death.
Audi recalled affected vehicles for repairs, primarily the 2009 to 2012 models. The airbags on these models had excessive internal pressure, which caused them to explode when deployed. The comforting thing is that at least most of these issues resulted in SRS light engaging and the official recall helped sort things out.
If you own any of these models and have not had this issue fixed, take it to the nearest dealership to repair it for free. When buying any of these models off the used market, check if the vehicle has benefited from the recall. If it hasn’t, do not buy the car, as the dealership would not accept fixing it since you did not purchase it directly from them.
5. Excess oil consumption
Some Q5 models are famous for burning much more oil than usual. The cause of the problem is a piston defect, mainly affecting 2010 to 2017 Audi models equipped with 2.0L turbo engines.
Drivers experiencing this problem often encounter sudden loss of engine power. Since it is a manufacturing defect, drivers filed a lawsuit against Audi for this issue. So, if you suspect your Audi Q5 is consuming too much oil, take it to your local dealer for a 2 part oil consumption test.
Remember that some Audis burn oil a lot as a standard procedure. However, if you notice it is beyond normal, take it to your mechanic. You may need to replace the pistons, piston rings, and connecting rod bearings to resolve the issue.
Worst Audi Q5 years to avoid
The Audi Q5 is a very enticing vehicle. However, you should avoid some of its models to ensure you won’t have to visit your mechanic too often, and after discussing the main problems, it’s time we discuss the worst Audi Q5 years:
- 2011
- 2012
- 2014
These models have faced the most issues even though the Q5 as a whole didn’t get that many complaints on NHTSA. Still, we’ll examine the bothersome model years in more depth to show you why you should avoid those.
First-generation Q5 (2011 and 2012 model years)
The Q5’s first-generation models have many problems, primarily impacting negatively on its safety rating. The model with the most complaints, according to NHTSA, is the 2011 model.
Almost all the models are qualified for a recall to fix one issue or the other, especially problems concerning airbags, excess oil consumption, and faulty timing chains.
You could get the 2015 to 2017 models off the used markets and make good performance and fewer problems. However, if you are buying it new, you would have to bear the brunt of the issues it is prone to developing and be careful, so you don’t end up as an unfortunate victim.
Endeavor to check if the vehicle has benefited from the recalls placed on the model before buying it off the used market.
What are the best Audi Q5 years to buy?
If you are considering purchasing the Audi Q5, now you have all it takes to hopefully avoid the worst-rated years. But, what about getting a reliable model? How do you figure out what are the best Audi Q5 years to buy?
The best Audi Q5 years are 2009 and 2019, but here’s a full list:
- 2008
- 2009
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
These models have better reliability and safety ratings than others. They have fewer problems and deliver the Q5 promise of satisfaction whether used or factory-fresh, so we’ll check out the two best options.
2009 Audi Q5
The 2009 Audi Q5 might have been a model from the start of production, but it still managed to find its way into two of the most reliable models so far. We now also have a sample large enough to judge this one based on driver reviews and ratings since more than 15 years have passed from the day this one hit the production lines.
And still, for an older vehicle, it makes a great choice on the used car market and is the only first-gen Q5 to go for. It didn’t have many of the issues that affected the latter model years such as leaking fuel or increased engine oil consumption. Thanks to a great reliability rating overall given by experts and former owners on Edmunds, the 2009 Q5 makes a great choice.
2019 Audi Q5
Just like the model that made its debut 10 years prior, the 2019 Audi Q5 also makes a perfect option on the used car market. This time around it’s for the second-gen model that got a facelift design of both the interior and the exterior, but it also gained a lot on the mechanical perspective.
The 2019 Audi Q5 no longer struggled with problems of the first generation like oil consumption, sunroof issues, and faulty airbags. Even the 2.0-liter TFSI engine got upgraded so it no longer leaked as much oil as before, making this Q5 model one of the best overall.
Is the Audi Q5 worth buying?
The Audi Q5 is an extraordinary car and costs over $43,000. If you are getting the Q5, it is mostly because you love its interior, styling, and infotainment. You must obtain a suitable model so you only end up spending what you should on repairs and maintenance.
Audi Q5 holds a better resale value than some other luxury SUVs. If you enjoy investing in vehicles, aim for the latter models as they are of higher value. The vehicle lasts between 150,000 to 200,000 miles on average with the proper care and maintenance.
If you’re in the market for a luxury SUV such as the BMW X3, Lexus RX, or Volvo XC60, navigating through the different model years is key. Our insights help pinpoint the prime years to consider and those to avoid, simplifying your decision by highlighting the best and worst periods for reliability, performance, and overall value in these upscale vehicles.
Are Audi Q5 reliable cars?
The more recent models of the Q5 are reliable. If you get a first-generation Q5, you should expect problems and inconvenience.
Is a Q5 a good buy?
The Q5 is a good buy for drivers who have refined tastes. Performance-wise, it has serious competition but reigns above many other luxury vehicles in terms of looks and style.
Is Audi Q5 a good used car?
The Audi Q5 is a good used car. In fact, some Audi Q5 models are best gotten used, especially those with the most complaints. When called fresh from the factory, the risk of encountering problems is high. Most used Q5s do not have this increased risk as they have already been repaired, courtesy of the warranty and many recalls.
Which year was the worst for the Audi Q5?
The 2014 Q5 is the worst model year you can get. Its problems were severe, placing huge dents on the vehicle’s safety. It is the one model you should avoid at all costs, even at the used market.
