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#BS-2016-AUDQ5-7C102016 Audi Q5
Based on reports from 97 owners and 5 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Think Twice
Based on 97 complaints, 15 crashes, 3 fires, and 5 recalls.
Top reported problems
excessive oil consumption
8 complaints • Severity 8.5/10
oil light turns on days after changing adding oil
3 complaints • Severity 10/10
steering wheel locked up
2 complaints • Severity 9/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
31 owners reported engine issues — failures commonly reported around 36K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0–30K miles (16 reports) • Median: 36K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Engine (31 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2016 Audi Q5: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 32% of all reports filed for the 2016 Audi Q5, with 31 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 36,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 36K-mile mark.
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 10% of all reports filed for the 2016 Audi Q5, with 10 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Steering Issues
Steering complaints account for 9% of all reports filed for the 2016 Audi Q5, with 9 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to steering-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Fuel System Issues
Fuel System complaints account for 7% of all reports filed for the 2016 Audi Q5, with 7 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to fuel system-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2016 Audi Q5. Recent trend: decreasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (5 recalls)
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Audi Q5 vehicles. The sunroof drainage system may allow water to soak into the foam surrounding the side head air bag inflator canister resulting in the corrosion of the canister. If this happens, the corrosion can weaken the canister and the inflator could fracture without air bag deployment, propelling fragments into the passenger compartment, striking and causing serious injury to vehicle occupants.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system, resulting in the pump overheating.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Audi Q5 and 2013-2017 Audi Q7 vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad and Q5 vehicles. Contact corrosion within the electrical connector for the auxiliary heater may cause the heater wires to overheat or melt.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Audi Q5 is the 2014 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
2016 Audi Q5 vs. Class Average (Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD)
This vehicle
97
Class avg
222
Below the class average — fewer complaints than typical small sport utility vehicle 4wd vehicles. A good sign.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 97 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 5 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Audi Q5 Model Years
View all Audi Q5 years →2016 Audi Q5: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Audi Q5?
Is the 2016 Audi Q5 reliable?
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Does the 2016 Audi Q5 have any recalls?
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What’s in the full report?
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
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Get the Full 2016 Audi Q5 Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 97 owner reports. Know before you buy.