Is the 2018 Audi Q5 reliable?

The 2018 Audi Q5 has 313 complaints filed with NHTSA (3.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Audi Q5?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (68 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (43 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (31 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Audi Q5?

Yes, there are 6 recall(s): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER, WHEELS:HUB, STRUCTURE:BODY, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER, SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM. Contact any Audi dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Audi Q5?

The 2018 Audi Q5 gets 25 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1920. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Audi Q5?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Audi Q5 is approximately $2,124/year (suv-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2018 Audi Q5

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2018 Audi Q5 has 313 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.0x the segment average of 105. The most common issue is electrical problems (22% of all complaints), specifically: hey, im carmen, im german and i m diplomatic, i work at the permanent mission of germany for the united nations till march 2019. my question is, i want to bring a audi q5 , brand new model , a german model, from germany to new york. and afte my job in 2019, i want to take it back to germany. is the. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year.

12 crash reports 4 injuries

313

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

3.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

68 complaints

22%

• HEY, IM CARMEN, IM GERMAN AND I M DIPLOMATIC, I WORK AT THE PERMANENT MISSION OF GERMANY FOR THE UNITED NATIONS TILL MARCH 2019. MY QUESTION IS, I WANT TO BRING A AUDI Q5 , BRAND NEW MODEL , A GERMAN MODEL, FROM GERMANY TO NEW YORK. AND AFTE MY JOB IN 2019, I WANT TO TAKE IT BACK TO GERMANY. IS THE
• 2018 AUDI Q5 PRESTIGE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE HEADS UP DISPLAY FUNCTION ON VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE SUN REACHED A CERTAIN ANGLE, A WHITE SOLID REFLECTION BOX APPEARS ON THE WINDSHIELD. THIS CREATED A VISIBILITY ISSUE FOR THE DRIVER. *JS
• VEHICLE TRAVELING STRAIGHT ON HIGHWAY AT 70MPH WITH PHONE PLUGGED IN TO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM AND CONNECTED TO CARPLAY. CENTER SCREEN SHUT OFF, AND AUDIO CONTROLS UNRESPONSIVE ON BOTH THE DASH AND STEERING WHEEL. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, WHICH WAS DISPLAYING GOOGLE MAPS, THEN BLACKED OUT, WITH ONLY THE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“HEY, IM CARMEN, IM GERMAN AND I M DIPLOMATIC, I WORK AT THE PERMANENT MISSION OF GERMANY FOR THE UNITED NATIONS TILL MARCH 2019. MY QUESTION IS, I WANT TO BRING A AUDI Q5 , BRAND NEW MODEL , A GERMAN MODEL, FROM GERMANY TO NEW YORK. AND AFTE MY JOB IN 2019, I WANT TO TAKE IT BACK TO GERMANY. IS THE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Audi Q5

Based on 89 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 14K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 48K mi · 19 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 6K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 7K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 49K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

Later than typicalmedian 33K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

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 (6)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER01/06/2018

Volkswagen 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.

Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Audi Q5

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,920

Per month

$160

Per mile

16.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,087/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,778/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

Show:

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 2018 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.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,124

Full coverage / month

$177

Liability only / year

$688

vs US avg

+27%

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 rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$2124

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 2018 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

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 313 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: HEY, IM CARMEN, IM GERMAN AND I M DIPLOMATIC, I WORK AT THE PERMANENT MISSION OF GERMANY FOR THE UNITED NATIONS TILL MARCH 2019. MY QUESTION IS, I WANT TO BRING A AUDI Q5 , BRAND NEW MODEL , A GERMAN MODEL, FROM GERMANY TO NEW YORK. AND AFTE MY JOB IN 2019, I WANT TO TAKE IT BACK TO GERMANY. IS THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: MY VEHICLE HAS A SAFETY FEATURE CALLED AUDI PRESENCE. MY NEW VEHICLE Q5 PRESTIGE (LESS THAN 150 MILES, JUST 6 DAYS OLD) HAD MALFUNCTIONED WITH AN UNEXPECTED AUTOMATIC BREAK ON JAN 17TH 2018 AT AROUND 7:29PM CENTRAL TIME WHILE ON SERVICE ROAD OF HIGHWAY 114 GOING TOWARDS WEST (STRAIGHT ROAD IN MOTION
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY IN CHICAGO, TRANSMISSION, AND ALL SAFETY FEATURES COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. PRESSING ON ACCELERATOR HAD NO EFFECT, AND WITH LIMITED STEERING WAS ABLE TO PULL TO ROADSIDE BARELY MISSING HIGH-SPEED TRAFFIC. EXPRESSWAY ROADSIDE IS NARROW, SO WAS NEARLY HIT BY MANY CARS WH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: Both rear springs broke. Possible risk to wheel and arm support. No towing, road hazard or excessive load. Car has 48,000 miles. Others reported same problem on Audi members site. Unable to reach Audi USA. Dealer says my problem.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Audi dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)