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2018 Audi Q5: common problems and reliability
· 2nd generationOne of the worst Q5 years.
One of the Audi Q5 years to avoid. All Q5 years
207 owner complaints, most about electrical system. 6 recalls.
Should I buy a 2018 Q5?The 2018 Audi Q5 has 207 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and engine. Owners most often flag water pump leaks/failure.
Safety record for the 2018 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Q5 years only. How we score it
Is 2018 a good year for the Q5?
Across the 18 Q5 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 4 (2012) to 251 (2021). With 207 complaints, the 2018 Q5 sits above the model's median of 52.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2018 Q5
service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper
Campaign 18V369000Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.
wheels:hub
Campaign 19V416000Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach.
structure:body
Campaign 19V737000Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi SQ5 and 2018-2020 Audi Q5 vehicles. The rear wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach from the vehicle.
service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Campaign 19V277000Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake master cylinder casting may be too short.
Show 2 more recalls
seat belts:pretensioner
Campaign 16V955000Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.
electrical system:body control module/bcm
Campaign 21V947000Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, 2018-2022 Q5, and SQ5 vehicles. A liquid spill in the rear seat, or water ingress from an insufficient body seam underneath the vehicle may allow liquid to penetrate the gateway control module, causing it to shutdown.
What owners report on the 2nd generation Q5
Owners of the 2016-2024 Q5 generally describe it as a solid, comfortable, and reliable luxury compact SUV, with the 2.0T EA888 engine and DL382 transmission repeatedly called "tried and tested," "near-bulletproof," and Audi's "bread and butter" model.
- RecurrentWater pump leaks/failure
- RecurrentPCV valve failure
- RecurrentTiming chain stretch requiring replacement
- RecurrentOil consumption
- RecurrentElectronics and software glitches
Including MMI login/initialization problems and random system warnings.
Owner insights for the 2nd generation Q5. Read the full 2nd generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Q5 listings typically run $20,446–$35,399.
Other Q5 model years
Compare every Q5 year side by side to see how 2018 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Q5 against its rivals
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