Every 2012 Audi Q5 recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 18V818000
Nov 19, 2018Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 18V818000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 18V082000
Jan 30, 2018Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 18V082000 →Visibility · NHTSA 17V001000
Mar 1, 2017Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 17V001000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 16V078000
Oct 2, 2016Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 16V078000 →Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 16V660000
Sep 13, 2016Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 16V660000 →Visibility · NHTSA 12V299000
Jun 28, 2012Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
- Problem
- VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 AUDI Q5 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 21, 2011, THROUGH DECEMBER 9, 2011. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A FRONT SUNROOF GLASS PANEL THAT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO BREAKAGE IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER/TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS.
- Risk
- SHOULD THE SUNROOFS GLASS BREAK WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE, THE FALLING GLASS COULD CUT AND INJURE THE DRIVER OR PASSENGERS. IT COULD ALSO DISTRACT THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUNROOF GLASS PANEL, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-253-2834.
Full recall details for 12V299000 →
2012 Audi Q5 complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 168 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Audi Q5, reporting 3 crashes, 2 injuries. Audi has issued at least 1,285 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Air Bags85
- Engine47
- Fuel/Propulsion System20
- Unknown Or Other10
- Structure9
- Electrical System5
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (302)
- Electrical System (279)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (160)
- Power Train (107)
- Steering (75)
- Unknown Or Other (73)
Read Audi Q5 owner complaints and bulletins, every year
What people reported
Owners have filed 168 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Audi Q5. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Crash
“I had an accident on 4/15/2024. I blacked out and ran into an oak tree but none of my airbags deployed.”
2012 AUDI Q5Apr 30, 2024
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11586039
Crash
“THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE DRIVER BECAME DISTRACTED AND CRASHED ONTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED AND TOWED.”
2012 AUDI Q5Jan 24, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11064590
Crash
“WAS PULLING INTO MY PARKING SPOT AT WORK (SLOWING DOWN, STEPPING ON BRAKE) WHEN CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO WIDE OPEN THROTTLE. I PRESSED HARD ON THE ON BRAKE, IT WOULD NOT STOP. IT WAS BUCKING LIKE A BRONCO. IT WENT OVER THE CURB, ACROSS THE SIDEWALK.”
2012 AUDI Q5Jan 11, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11062177
“The oil has been leaking for some years. I have taken it in several times, to be fixed and it is still leaking”
2012 AUDI Q5Sep 4, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11685033
“The contact owns a 2012 Audi Q5. The contact purchased the vehicle at an auction, and while leaving the auction site and driving 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. No warning lights were illuminated.”
2012 AUDI Q5Aug 11, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11679877
Check your Q5 by VIN
Not every 2012 Audi Q5 is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Audi dealer.
Run a free VIN recall check →