
2019 Audi Q5
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2019 Audi Q5 has 74 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.7x the segment average of 105. The most common issue is electrical problems (15% of all complaints), specifically: 2017 and newer audi vehicles with rear cross traffic alert and possibly those with just audi pre-sense are extremely frequently generating false positives when reversing. the system is incorrectly sensing an object and activating the parking brake to avoid a collision. this results in a sudden vehic. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year.
74
Total Complaints
5
Recalls Issued
5/5
Safety Stars
0.7x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ELECTRICAL
11 complaints- • 2017 AND NEWER AUDI VEHICLES WITH REAR CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT AND POSSIBLY THOSE WITH JUST AUDI PRE-SENSE ARE EXTREMELY FREQUENTLY GENERATING FALSE POSITIVES WHEN REVERSING. THE SYSTEM IS INCORRECTLY SENSING AN OBJECT AND ACTIVATING THE PARKING BRAKE TO AVOID A COLLISION. THIS RESULTS IN A SUDDEN VEHIC
- • VEHICLE KEEPS STATING SAFETY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG CONTINUES TO TURN ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. EVEN WHEN MANUALLY SHUT OFF THROUGH GLOVE BOX, THE ALERT CONTINUES TO OCCUR WHILE DRIVING.
- • After driving on deep wet icy slush, the vehicle was on a straight section of road and suddenly vehicle inexplicably veered hard to the left causing it to run off the road and into a tree. Electrical component failure lights were illuminated on dash afterwards. What component or system failed or m
“2017 AND NEWER AUDI VEHICLES WITH REAR CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT AND POSSIBLY THOSE WITH JUST AUDI PRE-SENSE ARE EXTREMELY FREQUENTLY GENERATING FALSE POSITIVES WHEN REVERSING. THE SYSTEM IS INCORRECTLY SENSING AN OBJECT AND ACTIVATING THE PARKING BRAKE TO AVOID A COLLISION. THIS RESULTS IN A SUDDEN VEHIC”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2019 Audi Q5
Based on 15 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 11K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
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. (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.
Risk: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install a protective cover on the gateway control module and seal an underbody seam as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90S9.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2019 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.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2019 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 2019 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
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 74 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: 2017 AND NEWER AUDI VEHICLES WITH REAR CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT AND POSSIBLY THOSE WITH JUST AUDI PRE-SENSE ARE EXTREMELY FREQUENTLY GENERATING FALSE POSITIVES WHEN REVERSING. THE SYSTEM IS INCORRECTLY SENSING AN OBJECT AND ACTIVATING THE PARKING BRAKE TO AVOID A COLLISION. THIS RESULTS IN A SUDDEN VEHIC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: I received a Safety Recall from Audi of America for my 2019 Audi Q5, I am pleased that the recall is being done. However, the description of what could happen, in the Safety Recall letter, should water enter the Gateway Module does not describe what happen to me when the Gateway Control Module go
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐STEERING: DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON INTERSTATE 79 JUST OUTSIDE OF CHARLESTOWN WV, THE ALARMS IN THE CAR WENT OFF AND A "STEERING MALFUNCTION", "STOP THE CAR IMMEDIATELY" MESSAGES WERE DISPLAYED. THE CAR LOST ALL POWER STEERING ABILITY. IT WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND THANKFULLY THE ROAD WAS NOT HEAVILY
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SEATS/RESTRAINTS: DURING A REAR END COLLISION, THE VEHICLE, A 2019 AUDI Q5, WAS STOPPED, STATIONARY, ON A CITY STREET AT A SIGNAL AND STRUCK IN THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING APPROX. 30-40 MPH. BOTH REAR SEAT PASSENGERS IN THE AUDI SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT LOWER BACK INJURY AND ONGOING BACK PAIN POSSIBLY WORSENED AND
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 2019 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 74
- Recalls
- 5
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 9
- Injury reports
- 10
- Segment avg
- 105
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2019 Audi Q5