BestCarRank
Audi

2010 Audi Q5

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2010 Audi Q5 has 122 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.2x the segment average of 105. The most common issue is air bags problems (41% of all complaints), specifically: takata recall heard from the call, don't feel safe to drive anymore. called the audiusa customer service three times, they were asking the dealer to take care of it, but the dealer did not call me. the audiusa customer service was not able to answer my question about whether the dealer is oblig. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year.

3 crash reports 2 injuries

122

Total Complaints

4

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

1.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

50 complaints
41%
  • TAKATA RECALL HEARD FROM THE CALL, DON'T FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE ANYMORE. CALLED THE AUDIUSA CUSTOMER SERVICE THREE TIMES, THEY WERE ASKING THE DEALER TO TAKE CARE OF IT, BUT THE DEALER DID NOT CALL ME. THE AUDIUSA CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS NOT ABLE TO ANSWER MY QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER THE DEALER IS OBLIG
  • TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN STRONG FUMES OF FUEL EMITTING INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE PROGRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A PREMATURE CRACK I
  • 2010 AUDI Q5. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG RECALL NOTICE. *SMD
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

TAKATA RECALL HEARD FROM THE CALL, DON'T FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE ANYMORE. CALLED THE AUDIUSA CUSTOMER SERVICE THREE TIMES, THEY WERE ASKING THE DEALER TO TAKE CARE OF IT, BUT THE DEALER DID NOT CALL ME. THE AUDIUSA CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS NOT ABLE TO ANSWER MY QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER THE DEALER IS OBLIG

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2010 Audi Q5

Based on 60 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 75K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
18
30-60K
3
60-100K
25
100-150K
11
150-200K
3
200K+
0

ENGINE

Earlier than typicalmedian 14K mi · 9 reports
0-30K
6
30-60K
0
60-100K
0
100-150K
1
150-200K
2
200K+
0

TRANSMISSION

Earlier than typicalmedian 2K mi · 6 reports
0-30K
5
30-60K
0
60-100K
1
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 94K mi · 19 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
1
60-100K
8
100-150K
8
150-200K
1
200K+
0

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 70K mi · 13 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
2
60-100K
8
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 75K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
0
60-100K
3
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (4)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP19/11/2018

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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2010 Audi Q5

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,401
Per month
$200
Per mile
20.0¢
MPG
20
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,667/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$2,087/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2010 Audi Q5

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,921
Full coverage / month
$160
Liability only / year
$732
vs US avg
+15%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (suv-luxury)1.35x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.85x
= Full coverage estimate$1921

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Audi Q5 Service Intervals

Oil change
10K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
10K mi
Brake fluid
24 months
Transmission fluid
40K mi
Engine coolant
100K mi
Spark plugs
60K mi
Cabin air filter
20K mi
Engine air filter
40K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
40K mi

Long-interval service (LongLife) uses fully-synthetic oil. Some engines have timing belts (check owner's manual).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Audi New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
4 yr / 50K mi
Powertrain
4 yr / 50K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
12 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
4 yr / unlimited mi

Corrosion coverage is unlimited miles for 12 years

These are the terms for a new Audi. If you're buying a used 2010 Q5, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Audi dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 122 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • AIR BAGS: TAKATA RECALL HEARD FROM THE CALL, DON'T FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE ANYMORE. CALLED THE AUDIUSA CUSTOMER SERVICE THREE TIMES, THEY WERE ASKING THE DEALER TO TAKE CARE OF IT, BUT THE DEALER DID NOT CALL ME. THE AUDIUSA CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS NOT ABLE TO ANSWER MY QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER THE DEALER IS OBLIG

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • FUEL SYSTEM: STARTED TO NOTICE A FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. IT BECAME SO BAD THAT THE CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE. UPON INSPECTION THE TOP OF THE FUEL FILTER, (WHICH IS PART OF THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY), IN THE GAS TANK WAS LEAKING PROFUSELY ALONG A MOLD INJECTION LINE ON THE TOP OF THE FIL

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ENGINE: VEHICLE WAS SITTING OVERNIGHT IN SUB FREEZING TEMPERATURES (APPROX 30 DEGREES F). STARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BLOWER MOTOR WAS NO LONGER BLOWING HOT AIR INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, AND SOON THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT FLASHED. I PULLE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • TRANSMISSION: TRANSMISSION HESITATION AND " JERKING". *TR

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Audi dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
122
Recalls
4
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
3
Injury reports
2
Segment avg
105

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2010 Audi Q5