NHTSA vehicle safety data

2010 Audi Q5 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2010 Audi Q5 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 100 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Audi dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2010 Audi Q5, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2010 Audi Q5 owner complaints

Owners have filed 100 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Audi Q5, describing incidents dated November 26, 2009 to September 9, 2026.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 50 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 32 complaints
Engine 9 complaints
Power Train 8 complaints
Electrical System 7 complaints
Structure 5 complaints

Of the 100 complaints on file, 2 report a crash; across all 100 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11766239 · Filed September 22, 2026
There is fuel leaking by the rear passenger tire under where the gas tank is. There was a recall for a cracked flange on the fuel pump.
ODI #11678406 · Filed August 5, 2025
Severe Frame rusting of sub frame and crossmember. Rear of car affecting steering , tire aligment and wear. Swaying of rear end of car bouncy ride , wear or cracking of control arm and shocks.
ODI #11610368 · Filed August 23, 2024
Rear Subframe has severe rust through caused by plastic covers that trap moisture. This is a danger as the rust is so severe it will impact suspension, lower control arm in the rear. It was not inspected by anyone other than myself. No warning lamps. I noticed one of the plastic pieces hanging down…

Read all 100 complaints

Interim Butyl Tape Repair May Allow Fuel to Leak

NHTSA #18V818000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump · NHTSA notice

Reported November 19, 2018 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 5,987 vehicles

Repair completion: 69.87% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 20BJ · Owners notified December 28, 2018 · Vehicles built November 21, 2008 – August 21, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #18V082000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 30, 2018 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 162,782 vehicles

Repair completion: 78.88% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 69R6 · Owners notified February 23, 2018 · Vehicles built November 15, 2008 – October 22, 2012 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Fuel Pump Flange May Crack Causing Fuel Leak

NHTSA #16V660000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump · NHTSA notice

Reported September 13, 2016 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 143,214 vehicles

Repair completion: 64.73% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 20W9 · Owners notified November 9, 2016

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #16V078000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported February 10, 2016 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 659,493 vehicles

Repair completion: 58.54% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified March 10, 2017 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2010 Audi Q5 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

15% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

100 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Audi Q5.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11766239

Incident: September 9, 2026 · Filed: September 22, 2026

There is fuel leaking by the rear passenger tire under where the gas tank is. There was a recall for a cracked flange on the fuel pump.

Suspension

ODI #11678406

Incident: July 10, 2025 · Filed: August 5, 2025

Severe Frame rusting of sub frame and crossmember. Rear of car affecting steering , tire aligment and wear. Swaying of rear end of car bouncy ride , wear or cracking of control arm and shocks.

Suspension

ODI #11610368

Incident: August 16, 2024 · Filed: August 23, 2024

Rear Subframe has severe rust through caused by plastic covers that trap moisture. This is a danger as the rust is so severe it will impact suspension, lower control arm in the rear. It was not inspected by anyone other than myself. No warning lamps. I noticed one of the plastic pieces hanging down from the vehicle that led me to inspect the cause of this part coming loose.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11580078

Incident: February 1, 2024 · Filed: March 29, 2024

IN TANK FUEL PUMP CRACKED ON TOP ,LEAKING FUEL TO FLANGE AND ELECTRICAL CONECTION ON TOP OF TANK AND DOWN TO UNDER VEHICLE .NO RECALL ON AUDI SITE FOR THIS YEAR -2010 VEHICLE HAS 138000 MILES ONLY . i WAS NOT EXPECTING MATERIAL PROBLEM -PLASTIC NOT SUITABLE FOR FUEL ...

Engine and Engine Cooling; Engine

ODI #11570747

Incident: September 23, 2023 · Filed: February 8, 2024

The contact owns a 2010 Audi Q5. The contacted stated while sitting in the vehicle, there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside the vehicle. There was a leak coming from the front of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and was diagnosed with a secondary air injection system bank 1 and 2, insufficient flow, and a possible clogged left and right cylinder head. The vehicle was not repaired due to cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 152,396.

Structure; Unknown or Other

ODI #11533900

Incident: June 30, 2023 · Filed: July 23, 2023

Have water leaking on the driver side roof and upon Dealer servicing - it was due to faulty or worn out seals on the front windscreen- and even though the windscreen is not damaged - Audi recons it has to be replaced at customer cost including the windshield that is in good condition since to cover their inability to take the glass out w/o breaking it. In public forums I see quite a few such fixes enough to warrant this should be investigated and tagged under recalls

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11531508

Incident: July 2, 2023 · Filed: July 11, 2023

Fuel pump developed cracks and is leaking terribly. Looks like someone put a temporary seal when recalled (likely due to unavailability of parts at time).

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11517753

Incident: April 13, 2023 · Filed: April 18, 2023

Fuel vapor in cabin. Research indicated need to inspect fuel pump. Removed inspection cover and found fuel puddled all around pump and noted fuel would re-plenish through apparent micro-fractures in the plastic pump housing when wiped away. Crack not visible but fuel obviously coming through housing after being wiped. I am 4rth owner. NTSB site and Audi site shows no open recalls. CarFax received on purchase of the car shows no open recalls but at the same time shows no evidence of Audi or VW service since the recall was issued in 2016 (very strange). Very similar description in incident #11353734. Image and video taken of the pump housing and fuel surrounding it.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #11511775

Incident: February 23, 2023 · Filed: March 14, 2023

The contact owns a 2010 Audi Q5. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart after refueling. Additionally, a fuel odor was detected while driving. The vehicle was towed to the residence, where an independent mechanic diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer had previously replaced the fuel pump; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

Electrical System

ODI #11506165

Incident: November 22, 2022 · Filed: February 8, 2023

Water leaked into the rear battery compartment and into the trunk passenger side fuse bay. No apparent reason for leak. All windows, doors, sunroof and truck lid were closed. Flooding shorted control modules (parking aid controller, CAN buss and etc) flooding also took out the battery causing car to stall on highway. Water gets in after rainy days. Suspected malfunction of sunroof drain, but not certain. Shorting of electrical components verified by mechanic. Multiple parts needed replacement. No warning lamps prior to events. Available for inspection upon request.

Other Audi Q5 model years

Check your 2010 Audi Q5 VIN

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