Last updated: 2026-03-14
Audi Q5 vs Chrysler Pacifica: Reliability Compared
Audi Q5
Chrysler Pacifica
Choosing between the Audi Q5 and the Chrysler Pacifica? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Audi Q5 currently leads with an average score of 69/100 compared to 63/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Audi Q5 is more reliable than the Chrysler Pacifica, scoring 69/100 vs 63/100.
Key Differences
- 1Chrysler Pacifica costs $281 less per year to repair
- 2Audi Q5 has 18 fewer total recalls
- 3Audi Q5 has 16.6 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Audi Q5 vs Chrysler Pacifica: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Audi Q5 | Chrysler Pacifica |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 69/100 | 63/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 49 | 67 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 10.4 | 27 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $928/yr | $647/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 1.2/yr | 0.4/yr |
| Year Wins | 7 (1 tied) | 0 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Audi Q5 and Chrysler Pacifica?
| Component | Audi Q5 | Chrysler Pacifica |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2.4Low | 6.4Average |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.6Very Low | 6.5Average |
| ENGINE | 0.7Very Low | 3.5Average |
| STEERING | 0.4Very Low | 2.5Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.4Very Low | 1.2Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.4Very Low | 0.9Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.3Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.5Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.5Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.6Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| WHEELS | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| SEATS | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Audi Q5 vs Chrysler Pacifica Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Audi Q5 | Chrysler Pacifica | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 76/1000R / 15C | 71/1008R / 13C | Audi Q5 |
| 2024 | 70/1005R / 26C | 70/1007R / 52C | Tie |
| 2023 | 71/1002R / 6C | 65/1008R / 148C | Audi Q5 |
| 2022 | 68/1008R / 39C | 62/1006R / 284C | Audi Q5 |
| 2021 | 66/10016R / 126C | 57/1006R / 355C | Audi Q5 |
| 2020 | 69/1006R / 22C | 64/1005R / 201C | Audi Q5 |
| 2019 | 69/1005R / 40C | 60/1009R / 352C | Audi Q5 |
| 2018 | 60/1007R / 197C | 51/10018R / 980C | Audi Q5 |
| 2026(predicted) | 72/100(predicted) | 69/100(predicted) | Audi Q5 |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Audi Q5 scored 76/100 and the 2025 Chrysler Pacifica scored 71/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Audi Q5 vs Chrysler Pacifica: Common Questions
- Is the Audi Q5 more reliable than the Chrysler Pacifica?
- Based on our data, the Audi Q5 is more reliable with an average score of 69/100 compared to 63/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Audi Q5 or the Chrysler Pacifica?
- The Chrysler Pacifica has more recalls (67) compared to the Audi Q5 (49). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Audi Q5 or the Chrysler Pacifica?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Audi Q5 has a lower complaint rate at 10.4 per 10,000 sold versus 27 for the Chrysler Pacifica. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Audi Q5 or the Chrysler Pacifica?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Chrysler Pacifica is cheaper to maintain at $647/year versus $928/year for the Audi Q5.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Audi Q5 comparisons
More Chrysler Pacifica comparisons
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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