Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Audi Q5, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 13 | 31% |
| Steering | 4 | 10% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 5% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 5% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 5% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 5% |
| Air bags | 2 | 5% |
| Structure | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Coolant tank empty - leaking. Coolant leaking from the thermostat housing to engine. Had to replace the thermostat housing and reseal the valve cover Because the oil leak coming from the valve cover is causing oil to rea
NHTSA complaint: Engine
My rear subframe is completely rotted out and the dealership I bought it from but a new inspection sticker sold it to me and told me it was perfect condition
NHTSA complaint: Structure
Oil consumption. Audi Q5 oil consumption in my car is not functioning properly. I have to put oil in it about every 3 weeks or less depending on how much I’m driving.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Piston rings failure, large oil consumption and water pump leaking
NHTSA complaint: Engine
On 12/13/25 around 8:00am in the morning. I was driving between 20-25 MPH and started to brake for the corner stop sign. I applied the break as I normally would however, the car continued to roll and did not respond to m
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
coolant is leaking from pump and tstat housings. pump was replaced in 2018 and 2019 by audi due to audi recall. now it is leaking after only 6 years. seems like faulty materials and creates hazardous situation. lea
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The PCV valve malfunctioned and required an extensive repair bill to solve. I've learned that this very engine (3.0) is already a subject of a recall for this concern, but the recall cuts off at 2016 Audis, and mine is a
NHTSA complaint: Engine
My SUV had stopped heating/defrosting and vehicles car charging ports appear to not be working any longer. It was discovered that my coolant pump was blocked with debris. The heat has returned, still no power to the
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2017 Audi Q5. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 weake
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator and either coat it or replace it, as necessary, after removing the surrounding foam, free of charge. The recall is expected to began Mar
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 wi
Risk: If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge. The recall is expect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Audi Q5 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing defect within the gearbox, despite selecting the Park position, the vehicle may still unexpectedly roll.
Risk: Despite selecting 'Park', if the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the geabox in the affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Vol
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
Risk: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for thi
| Reliability raw | 77 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 71 | good |
| Maintenance | 57 | average |
| Depreciation | 61 | average |
| Performance | 62 | average |
| Efficiency | 39 | below average |
| Safety | 80 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine is the most reported area with 13 of them (31%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 77/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 71/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2017 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.