2012 Audi Q5 Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

47Engine complaints

28%Of all 168 complaints

#2Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

AIR BAGS85 · 50.6%

ENGINE47 · 28%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM20 · 11.9%

Unspecified / other10 · 6%

STRUCTURE:BODY8 · 4.8%

Share of the 168 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 Audi Q5 overview page.

What owners report

“SINCE JANUARY 2019, THE VEHICLE OIL LIGHT HAS BEEN TURNING MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY. I WAS TOLD BY AUDI DEALERSHIP THAT IT IS NORMAL TO…”NHTSA complaint 11297491 — filed 01/06/2020

“THE COOLANT/WATER PUMP LEAKS COOLANT. THIS PUMP IS LOCATED UNDER THE HOOD NEXT TO THE ENGINE.”NHTSA complaint 11254325 — filed 09/10/2019

“MY CAR WAS PURCHASED ON JULY 20TH 2019, WITH 105K MILES...I AM HAVING TO ADD OIL EVERY 400-100 MILES...I AM ALSO BEGINNING TO SEE RANDOM…”NHTSA complaint 11252881 — filed 09/03/2019

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Audi Q5 have engine problems?

Engine is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 2012 Audi Q5: 47 of 168 complaints on file (28%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2012 Audi Q5 have in total?

168 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 3 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, 2 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.