2014 Audi Q5
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2014 Audi Q5 has 134 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.3x the segment average of 105. The most common issue is engine problems (28% of all complaints), specifically: this is brand new audi q5 i purchased roughly a month earlier. while driving on the freeway, multiple cars began honking and waving at us. i pulled off the freeway and was notified that black some was appearing from the rear of the vehicle. i notified the manufacturer of the issue and they to. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.
134
Total Complaints
5
Recalls Issued
4/5
Safety Stars
1.3x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ENGINE
38 complaints- • THIS IS BRAND NEW AUDI Q5 I PURCHASED ROUGHLY A MONTH EARLIER. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, MULTIPLE CARS BEGAN HONKING AND WAVING AT US. I PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT BLACK SOME WAS APPEARING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE ISSUE AND THEY TO
- • WHEN STARTING MY CAR THE ENGINE MAKES A LOUD RATTLING NOISE.
- • 2014 AUDI Q5 3L TURBO DIESEL WOULD NOT START ON JAN 1. VEHICLE HAD "AUX HEATER " RECALL PERFORMED BY DEALER WITHIN THE PRIOR WEEK. AS THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS FRIGID (CAR INDICATED BELOW 8F) SUSPECT DIESEL 'WAXING' MAY BE CONTRIBUTORY FACTOR. TOWING COMPANY SUGGEST THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, AND O
“THIS IS BRAND NEW AUDI Q5 I PURCHASED ROUGHLY A MONTH EARLIER. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, MULTIPLE CARS BEGAN HONKING AND WAVING AT US. I PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT BLACK SOME WAS APPEARING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE ISSUE AND THEY TO”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2014 Audi Q5
Based on 66 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 51K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
FUEL SYSTEM
TRANSMISSION
STEERING
ENGINE
OTHER
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 (5)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad and Q5 vehicles. Contact corrosion within the electrical connector for the auxiliary heater may cause the heater wires to overheat or melt.
Risk: The melted wires can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary heater and, as necessary, update the software, free of charge. The Recall began November 27, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 80C5 and 80C6.
Charging Cost Calculator for 2014 Audi Q5
Live EIA pricesBased 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.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2014 Audi Q5
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Audi Q5 Service Intervals
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
Corrosion coverage is unlimited miles for 12 years
These are the terms for a new Audi. If you're buying a used 2014 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.
EV Incentives for 2014 Audi Q5
Updated 2026-07Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30
Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.
State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)
Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 134 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: THIS IS BRAND NEW AUDI Q5 I PURCHASED ROUGHLY A MONTH EARLIER. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, MULTIPLE CARS BEGAN HONKING AND WAVING AT US. I PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT BLACK SOME WAS APPEARING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE ISSUE AND THEY TO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐STEERING: VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY AUDI FOR A SIMILAR ISSUE. REPORTING AGAIN, BECAUSE DEALER COMPLETELY REPLACED AUDI "ELECTROMECHANICAL STEERING UNIT". VEHICLE STEERING LOCKED UP HARD, REQUIRING VERY LARGE AMOUNT OF FORCE TO TURN EVEN A FEW DEGREES. MESSAGE ON A DISPLAY "STEERING IS DEFECTIVE". VEHICLE H
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐FUEL SYSTEM: FUEL TANK LEAK. WENT FOR A NORMAL UNEVENTFUL DRIVE FROM HOWARD COUNTY MARYLAND TO VIRGINIA SUBURBS AND CAME HOME BACK AND PARKED IN THE GARAGE ON FRIDAY THE 13TH!. WOKE UP IN THE MORNING TO A GARAGE THAT SMELLED VERY HEAVILY LIKE GAS. LOOKED BELOW THE AUDI Q5 AND SAW A SMALL PUDDLE OF GAS. PARKED TH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: TAKATA RECALL MILDEW ODOR RESULTING FROM WATER LEAKING IN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Audi dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Audi Q5 — Year Comparison
How does 2014 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 134
- Recalls
- 5
- Fire reports
- 1
- Crash reports
- 3
- Injury reports
- 5
- Segment avg
- 105
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2014 Audi Q5