I am reporting a potentially serious safety defect involving the rear subframe/crossmember of my 2009 Audi Q5. I discovered significant corrosion on the vehicle's rear subframe, which is a structural component supporting the rear suspension and rear axle assembly. The corrosion is substantially more than normal superficial surface rust. There is visible rust scaling and loss of material in areas of the rear subframe. The affected area was partially concealed by the factory-installed plastic stone guards/shields. Because these plastic covers obscure the subframe, the extent of the corrosion is difficult to identify during a normal visual inspection unless the covers are removed. I am concerned that continued corrosion could reduce the structural integrity of the rear subframe and potentially compromise the mounting points for the rear suspension or rear axle components. A structural failure of the rear subframe could result in unexpected changes in wheel alignment, suspension movement, loss of vehicle control, or other serious safety consequences. This issue is particularly concerning because the corrosion can develop underneath the plastic protective covers and may not be visible to the vehicle owner during normal operation. Safety Concern The rear subframe is not merely a cosmetic body panel. It is a structural component associated with the rear suspension and axle assembly. If corrosion continues to remove structural material, a suspension mounting point or section of the subframe could potentially weaken or fail under normal driving loads. A failure while the vehicle is being driven, particularly at highway speed, could potentially result in loss of vehicle control. There were no dashboard warning lights or electronic warnings indicating this condition. The problem was discovered through physical inspection of the underside of the vehicle. Possible Design/Corrosion Mechanism The factory-installed plastic stone guards appear to cover portions of the rea
The worst 2009 Audi Q5 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Airbags16
- Fuel system6
- Engine3
- Suspension2
- Acceleration1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags16
- Fuel system6
- Engine3
- Suspension2
- Acceleration1
- Body1
- Brakes1
- Electrical1
- Steering1
- Transmission1
Recalls 6
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2007-2012 Audi Q7 and 2009-2012 Audi Q5 vehicles, previously repaired under the federal safety agency recall 16V‑660. These vehicles were previously repaired with an interim repair of installing butyl tape to the fuel pump flange, until replacement remedy parts became available.
- Risk
- The butyl tape may not prevent fuel from leaking. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump flange and install butyl tape, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20BJ.
Recall number 18V818000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V‑078.
Recall number 18V082000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Audi Q5, and 2007-2012 Audi Q7 vehicles equipped with gasoline engines. The fuel pump flange on the affected vehicles may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the flange, replacing any flanges that are cracked. If the flange is not cracked, dealers will clean the pump flange and install a butyl rubber band to protect the pump. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20W9.
Recall number 16V660000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Audi A4, A5, and Q5 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.
- Risk
- If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
- Remedy
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69O1.
Recall number 16V376000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834.
Recall number 16V078000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2009 q5 passenger vehicles manufactured between november 25, 2008 and june 4, 2009. A left and/or right a-pillar trim cover clip may not have been manufactured correctly, allowing the a-pillar trim to become loose when the sideguard head protection airbags deploy during a crash.
- Risk
- If this happens, a loose trim piece could injure the front seat occupants of the vehicle.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will inspect the clip in the middle of the left and right a-pillar covers and replace it free of charge. The safety recall began on january 22, 2010. Owners may contact audi at 1‑800‑253‑2834.
Recall number 09V484000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2009 Audi Q5 765
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This bulletin provides information about professional noise analysis with the VAS 611 015 PICO-NVH tool
- This bulletin provides informatin when the engine does not run smoothly at idling speeds.
- This bulletin provides information in circumstances where there are noises/vibration from front of vehicle...
- This bulletin provides information when the MIL is on; DTCs for misfire, air/fuel ratio imbalance, or lean...
- This TSB Provides information when parking assistance provides false warnings.
- This bulletin provides information when speaker rattles, vibrations, or audio interference is noted.
- This bulletin provides diagnostic information regarding the locking system.
- Vehicle Concerns Before Recall Repair Available
- This bulletin provides guidance in order to provid informaiton regarding preparatoin when calling the Audi...
- This bulletin provides information when there are vibrations and rotational steering wheel vibrations.
2009 Audi Q5 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2L 6‑cyl | AWD | 18 | 23 | 20 |
What 2009 Audi Q5 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Cybex Sirona S is marketed as a 360 car seat that rotates and swivels, but when in forward-facing mode for functionality it does not tether. The guidance is to use the load leg to keep the swivel and rotation but then not use the tether. The tether strap is critical for safety and part of CPST guidance. People purchasing this seat are being made to compromise safety for functionality.
I was in an accident where I hit a herd of elk. My car was totaled. The airbags did not deploy and they definitely should have. It was hit on the front, and both front sides. There is no way the airbags shouldn’t have deployed.
The contact owns a 2009 Audi Q5. The contact stated that the vehicle was smoking. There was antifreeze and oil leaking from the vehicle. While driving, the accelerator pedal and brake pedal became stuck, and the vehicle stalled. There was an abnormal oil burning odor, fuel, and antifreeze. The vehicle was also consuming an excessive amount of fuel. The gear shifter button was also stuck. The gear box malfunctioned, and a message to restart vehicle was displayed. Additionally, the tailgate seized while going up and down. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where additional oil was added several days. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer where the antifreeze was changed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
I got in my car at about 6pm on Saturday May 28, 2022. Started it up and proceeded to start opening the sunroof when I noticed it was cracked. I was thinking some kids had hit it with a ball until I traced the spiderwebbing right back to to the center of the panoramic sunroof. You could wind noise really bad when driving.
Front left door pillar is becoming soaked from an apparent water leak possibly coming from the panoramic sunroof or windshield. Regardless it has to be running into the pillar airbag and has to be a safety concern.
Fuel leaking from fuel pump under passenger 's seat afraid to driver it because as long as the engine is running the fuel continue too leak whether the car is moving or stationary!!
Fuel leaking on right side just under the passenger's seat on ground when car is running
Right side passenger trim for airbag is loose and has been detected in other cases to have possibility of being ineffective in deploying.
On 7/02/09 my audi q5 (VIN# [xxx]) was purchased from, and serviced by barrier audi bellevue, washington; now doing business as audi bellevue a dealership owned and operated by auto nation. Technical service bulletins [tsb] were sent to some audi owners on 12/6/2013 concerning repair and cleaning of the secondary air control valve with a warranty extending through 07/02/2019. This problem was initially corrected on 12/27/2013 @44,445 miles, my last service with barrier was 09/13/2018 and at no time had I received notice that the problem could resurface. The tsb provides : "the secondary air system on these vehicles is used to heat up the catalytic converters quickly during cold-start conditions?. Over time, and depending on driving styles, carbon will build up in these small 10mm ports and cause faults in the engine control module for secondary air, bank1/bank2 insufficient flow? Some models do have a warranty extension, which covers the secondary air port cleaning up to 10 year/110,000 miles. Please check with your local dealer for details. Keep in mind, if any of the control valves, combi valves, or supply lines are damaged, or faulty, those items are not covered under the warranty extension, and would have to be replaced before the port cleaning can be performed." on 10/01/ 2019, an engine warning light was detected on the q5 with approximately 106,000 miles on the odometer. On 10/28/2019 a claim [#190822437]` was filed with audi USA and denied as untimely filed. Audi bellevue carried out repairs at my expense for $ 2045.75. Given the fact that there was no notice, the continued warranty period should be extended by audi USA and the costs of repair reimbursed. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Compare the 2009 Audi Q5
Q5 vs Acura RDXQ5 vs BMW X3Q5 vs Mercedes-Benz GLC 300Q5 vs Volvo XC60
Other model years
200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
Questions about the 2009 Audi Q5
Is the 2009 Audi Q5 reliable?
Owners have filed 31 complaints about the 2009 Audi Q5, fewer than a typical Q5 model year.
What is the 2009 Audi Q5 year score?
The 2009 Audi Q5 scores 82 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Audi Q5: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Audi Q5?
Airbags, with 16 complaints. Next is fuel system (6).
How many recalls does the 2009 Audi Q5 have?
6 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline and air bags.
Was there a recall on the 2009 Audi Q5 airbags?
Yes, 4 recalls: 18V082000, 16V376000, 16V078000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Audi Q5 have bad airbags?
The Audi Q5 model years with the most airbags complaints are 2012 (85 complaints), 2011 (67 complaints) and 2010 (50 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2009 Audi Q5 get?
Official estimates for the 2009 Audi Q5 range from 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.2L 6-cyl, AWD) gets 18 city and 23 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2009 Audi Q5?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history