Last updated: 2026-10-10
2019 Audi Q5 Reliability Report
The 2019 Audi Q5 has good reliability, but owners report power steering that cuts out suddenly, mostly early in the car's life.
Recalls
5
Complaints
40
Complaint Rate
6per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$928
Annual Fuel Cost
$2,900
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Mid-pack among Q5 years, with far fewer complaints than 2018, but early power steering failures set it apart.
Top Issues to Watch
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (8)
- STEERING (7)
- POWER TRAIN (4)
Should You Buy the 2019 Audi Q5?
Reliability standing is good, though only middling. Among 2019 SUVs this one sits close to average, and it lands in the middle of the nine scored Q5 model years. Owners filed 40 complaints, far fewer than the 197 for the 2018 model, which rates worse. The 2020 rates about the same. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly upkeep at $928, above the $807 typical for its class.
Steering is the main worry. Owners describe power steering cutting out suddenly, with a warning to stop and a wheel that is very hard to turn. Most cases came early, between about 8,000 and 19,457 miles. Others report automatic braking that stops the car for a phantom object, mostly in reverse, and tail light housings that fail and sit on backorder. One turbocharger failed near 48,000 miles. Federal records show five recalls, covering structure, electrical system, air bags, wheels and service brakes.
Ask for proof that every recall was completed and for any steering or tail light repair records. Test reverse braking on a drive.
Compared to the 2020 Audi Q5, which scored the same. See also the 2018 Audi Q5 for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +Low major repair risk (9%)
- +Below-average complaint rate for SUV
Cons
- −Above-average repair costs for its class
- −Frequent unscheduled repairs
- −Moderate recall count
Compare 2019 Audi Q5 With
2019 BMW X3
Reliability: 58/100
2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE
Reliability: 70/100
2019 Lexus NX
Reliability: 77/100
2019 Cadillac XT5
Reliability: 78/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 5 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (8)
- STEERING (7)
Recall Overview
5
recalls on record
A moderate 5 recalls are on file for the 2019 Audi Q5. Each one points to a specific safety or compliance issue identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA — check the list below before buying.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
6
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 21.2
Safety Incidents
5
Crashes
0
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2019 Audi Q5 Recall Details
5 recalls have been issued for the 2019 Audi Q5. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
STRUCTURE
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi SQ5 and 2018-2020 Audi Q5 vehicles. The rear wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach from the vehicle.
Consequence
The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four clips securing the forward part of the rear wheel arch trim, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 66K8.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE
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.
Consequence
A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. In the event of a crash deploying the passenger's frontal air bag, the instrument panel carrier may break due to incorrect welding. If the carrier breaks, there may be damage to the passenger frontal air bag.
Consequence
A damaged frontal air bag may not provide adequate protection, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the instrument panel and the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began August 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 90N1.
Buying a used 2019 Audi Q5? Check its history first
Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2019 Audi Q5, and 5 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2019 Audi Q5 NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 16.4%
Safety Technologies
Audi Q5Repair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
3Maintenance rating: 3 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$928
vs $807 avg for luxury midsize SUVs
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
1.2
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
9%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
Audi Q5 Resale Value
The Audi Q5 is estimated to retain about 49.3% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
This benchmark covers the Audi Q5 model overall and is not specific to the 2019 model year.
- Value Retained
- 49.3%
- Depreciation
- 50.7%
- Listings Analyzed
- 155
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.
Explore Audi Q5 depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comMPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
24 MPG
Running cost: $3,850/yr
Fuel + repair
22 city / 27 hwy MPG
Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2019 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q5 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S7) | 22 | 27 | 24 | $2,900 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2019 Audi Q5.
Reverse slowly into several parking spaces and watch for sudden automatic braking or scraping from the brakes.
With a helper, check that the tail, brake, center brake, backup, and license plate lights all work.
Ask for turbocharger repair records, and under hard acceleration watch for hesitation, lost power, or a check engine light.
Have a shop scan for stored steering, drive system, and turbo fault codes before you buy.
Drive at highway speed and watch for steering malfunction warnings or a wheel that suddenly turns heavy.
Confirm the passenger airbag status light reads correctly with the passenger seat occupied and with it empty.
Check the cabin floor and back seat area for water damage, which owners link to control module failures.
Use lane keeping assist on a straight road with hands on the wheel and note any false warnings.
2019 Audi Q5 Common Problems by Component
40 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
8 complaintsAutomatic braking engages for no reason, mostly while reversing. The car senses a phantom object, jerks to a stop, and the brakes scrape. One report describes the same thing at highway speed. Rear tail light and backup light assemblies stop working. The bulbs cannot be replaced on their own, so the whole housing has to be replaced, and owners report long parts backorders. Passenger airbag warnings flicker because the occupant sensor misreads the seat. Water from rain or spills damages the comfort control and gateway modules, and one report describes a sudden loss of power in traffic.
STEERING
7 complaintsSafety-relatedPower steering cuts out suddenly. A steering malfunction warning tells the driver to stop, and the wheel becomes very hard to turn. Failures happen at parking-lot speeds and on the interstate. Most come early, between about 8,000 and 19,457 miles. In one case the dealer confirmed the failure and replaced the rack under warranty. A crash report describes the SUV veering off the road into a tree after driving through wet, icy slush, with electrical warnings lit afterward. Other complaints say lane keeping assist nags drivers about inattention and switches off mid-curve without warning.
POWER TRAIN
4 complaintsSafety-relatedDrive system faults cut speed sharply without warning. The transmission drops into a fixed gear or shifts erratically, and check engine and drive system malfunction warnings appear. Restarting the car clears the lights only for a while. These reports come at roughly 24k to 31,000 miles. A turbocharger failure that began near 48,000 miles caused hesitation and lost power until the turbo was replaced. One crash report describes the SUV left idling in park moving forward on its own into a building at 35,000 miles, with the cause undetermined.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (3 complaints)
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
3 complaintsAdaptive cruise control can lower its set speed after reading a roadside speed limit sign and then brake hard at highway speed, which creates a rear-end collision risk. Active lane assist issues frequent hands-off warnings even with hands on the wheel, most often on straight roads, until drivers switch it off. Dealers describe this as normal for Prestige models. One service record shows a failed turbo wastegate actuator causing overboost and a check engine light. The actuator is not sold separately, so the entire turbocharger gets replaced.
SEAT BELTS (3 complaints)
SEAT BELTS
3 complaintsSafety-relatedRear passengers wearing seat belts suffer lower back injuries in rear-end collisions. Two crash reports, covering four injured people, blame the stiff lumbar bump built into the rear seat backs for pressing into their lower backs during impact. The two reports read almost identically. The other complaint covers a buckle that will not release. It is very hard to free at first and still a struggle over time, and the replacement part costs almost $800.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3 complaints)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3 complaintsA drive system malfunction message keeps coming back, and an independent mechanic traced it to the turbocharger and called the failure common on this SUV. The sunroof glass also shatters on its own at highway speed. The cloth sunshade kept glass out of the cabin. In another case the airbag warning light came on the day after a dealer service, and the cause was traced to the clock spring.
ENGINE (3 complaints)
ENGINE
3 complaintsTurbochargers fail and are replaced as a whole unit, with one repair costing about $3,556. One owner confirmed that the 2019 Q5 is not covered by a turbocharger class-action settlement. Hydraulic engine mounts also wear out, with one failure reported at 45,000 miles. Another complaint describes the engine failing above 50 mph in extreme cold of -35 or below. That owner calls it an ongoing problem the dealer has refused to fix.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING (2 complaints)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2 complaintsRear lights fail without warning, sometimes all at once. Tail, brake, and center brake lights can all go dark on the highway at night, which raises the risk of a rear-end collision. A dealer fixed this through a technical service bulletin but charged a diagnostic fee because the car was out of warranty. Backup light faults in the right rear bumper housing require replacing the whole housing, not just the bulb, and a dealer described the problem as common.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (1 complaints)
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaintWhen I'm waiting to turn and have to almost stop, there is a lag when I accelerate causing the anticipated time to make the turn longer than expected. Almost caused an accident because car wouldn't go when gas was pushed. Very scary.
STRUCTURE (1 complaints)
STRUCTURE
1 complaintI'VE JUST COMPLETED A TELEPHONE CALL TO SCHEDULE A RECALL REPAIR, BUT I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE CENTER THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR TO VEHICLE AREN'T AVAILABLE AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THEY'LL ARRIVE. I JUST FIND THIS TO BE VERY UNSATISFACTORY WHEN AUDI KNOWS THEIR BEST SELLING VEHICLE IS THE Q5. I'M TRYING TO DO MY DUE DILIGENCE TO KEEP MYSELF AND THOSE ON THE ROAD ALL SAFE AS WELL.
When Do 2019 Audi Q5 Problems Start?
Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.
Best & Worst Audi Q5 Years
Best Audi Q5 Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreAudi Q5 Years to Avoid
Audi Q5 Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 60/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 69/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 69/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 66/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 68/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 70/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 76/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 76/100 | Good |
Audi Q5 Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2019 Audi Q5 reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Audi Q5?
Does the 2019 Audi Q5 have power steering problems?
How many recalls does the 2019 Audi Q5 have?
Is the 2019 Audi Q5 better than the 2018 or 2020?
Don’t buy a 2019 Audi Q5 without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2019 Audi Q5
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2019 Audi Q5 does best on how many systems draw complaints (84/100) and worst on repair costs (60/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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