2015 Audi Q5: excessive oil consumption

Filed Jun 26, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · NJ

Vehicle: 2015 Audi Q5 2.0T VIN: [XXX] At around 70,000 miles, my vehicle began consuming engine oil abnormally. I received a low-oil warning and had to add 1 quart every 1,000 miles. I first approached an authorized Audi dealer at 75,000 miles, who inspected the vehicle and stated this was “normal for older vehicles” and found no issues. However, the problem worsened rapidly. By 79,000 miles, I visited a second Audi dealer who acknowledged that this was a common problem in this engine type. They quoted me $16,000–$20,000 for a full engine replacement, stating they could not replace pistons alone. At 80,000 miles, my car now consumes 1 quart of oil every 200 miles. The oil warning light comes on frequently. I am forced to carry oil and top off multiple times per week. This is not normal wear for a luxury vehicle with regular maintenance. This condition creates multiple safety risks: •Sudden engine seizure or power loss if oil runs too low, especially while driving at highway speeds. •Loss of steering/brake assist due to oil pressure failure. •Increased fire risk from leaks or overheating. •Frequent roadside stops to add oil, risking exposure to traffic. •Distraction while driving due to monitoring oil levels. •Environmental hazard from oil spills. The engine remains available for inspection. The vehicle has only been inspected by Audi dealerships. Audi should be held accountable for a defect that compromises safety and reliability at relatively low mileage. I urge the federal safety agency to investigate and take appropriate action. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 3, 2024 · Brakes, Engine · NY

I've reported multiple times to my dealer about the oil comsumption back in 2022 and work was performed on the vehicle in the prior year to fix leak and brake noise issue since approx 2021 on my 2015 Q5 that currently only has 65,000 miles. No warning indicator presents regarding the brakes. However oil indicator and engine light icons display. I'm constantly checking the oil indicator level to see how much is still in the and then add add once it shows thats its extremly low. I have to do this everytime I am about to use the car. This can be dangerous at times since there's no indication that its very low and its not seen unless you go into the "car" section that shows the level, it has no alert display for the level. All required diagnostic and maintenance services have been performed with the dealer. When inspecting the brake issue they always come back with no findings say that no issue could be found, howeve when I'm driving it, it sqeeks and makes a grinding sound all the time. This has been going on for quite a few years. As for the oil consumption issue, this isssue has been in recent years and both times this has been looked into by the dealer I was informed that its not covered under any manufacturers warranty and would cost me approx. $10,000.00 for them to repair it or I could trade it in. This is a very expensive luxury car and at this low milage shouldn't have these types of issue. I've seen on various car sites that both the oil comsumption and piston issue is a known issue with this model Audi and that issue occurs aournd 60,000 miles but was rectified for the models that came after 2015. I wish I had know this before making this purchase. Now the driver seat adjusting panel is broken, this came out of no where about four weeks ago with no warning. I haven't received any recall notifications since my Audi Care coverage expired, not sure why this would stop because I didn't continue this service.

Filed Nov 7, 2024 · Engine · CA

After paying to run an inspection test recommended by Audi USA, it was confirmed that the issue of the excess oil consumption was with the piston, and they also recommended changing the engine. It puts me at risk every time I drive the car because I am not sure how much oil my car has at this point. I have been reporting to the dealer my observation of excessive oil consumption. They kept telling me that it was because my car was old. I have an Audi Q5 2015 with 85,600 miles. I have done all my manufacturing maintenance at the dealer, so they have records that I do take care of my car. I paid to run a diagnostic test suggested by Audi USA. I was told that I have to pay about $30,000 to fix the engine ($13,000 + for the piston and $17,000 + for the engine). The car started warning me that it needed oil soon. I reported it to Audi USA and told them that this issue was one of the recalls done in 2017. I was told that I did not qualify for any coverage because it was only for cars that had an issue in 2017. Now, at 85,600 miles, I am using almost two-quarters of an ounce for every 1,000 miles. I called Audi USA over a month ago, and they asked me to take my car to the dealer so that they could run the test. I had to pay for the test only to confirm that I needed to change the engine and piston. This is a costly luxury car, and nobody should be going through this issue. Audi is responsible for this manufacturing defect.

Filed Apr 10, 2024 · Engine · PA

Cylinder #3 lost compression, down to 30 psi from 170 psi, causing the car to lose power and run extremely rough or not run on occasion. This is a safety hazard, especially risky for highway driving. There were no warning messages, car just start running very rough or wouldn't start. Such loss of compression has been reported by an Audi service manager who says Cylinder #3 is known to have this issue, but there is no recall for it yet. The problems began in May 2021. The car was drinking/consuming oil frequently and occasionally running rough. It was taken to multiple mechanics to identify the issue. Fixes included changing spark plugs, coils, and the PCV valve to provide temporary solutions at best. 5/24/21 increased consumption of oil began 9/9/22 rough idle, spark plugs replaced 10/14/22 rough idle and burning oil, taken to a service shop, replaced the PCV valve 7/12/23 rough idle again, spark plugs replaced again under warranty 2/14/24 - rough shake again, spark plugs replaced again and dead cylinder #3 confirmed

Filed Nov 6, 2023 · Engine · 75,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q5. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was discovered that oil had leaked into the engine coolant. Due to the failure, the oil cooler was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where an oil consumption test was performed. The test showed that the piston rings were defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

Filed Nov 3, 2023 · Engine · MA

The car presently has about 92,000 miles on it. Around 80,000 miles (back over the winter) the oil light started to come on indicating I'm down a quart or so. I would find myself putting in a quart of oil every 1,000 miles or so. It has progressed. I understand the vehicle has a problem with the piston ring design such that the ring allows excess oil into the chamber and the ring itself might shatter. The problem, at best, prevents acceleration and deceleration...problematic on or off a highway. At worst, the ring shatters and engine stops. The 2012 - 2017 models and other models were involved in class action lawsuits. The 2015 escaped that litigation somehow. Though I'll be taking it to an Audi dealer for an oil consumption test as recommended. No one has yet to inspect the vehicle.

Filed Sep 17, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · SC

Faulty pistons, piston rings and piston heads responsible for excessive oil consumption. Excessive oil consumption occurs because the combustion chamber is not properly sealed off from the Audi turbo engine parts that need to remain lubricated. Because of inadequate lubrication, fragments of the piston rings flow through the Audi 2L turbo engines and damage important components. As a result, our 2015 Audi Q5is at risk for immediate loss of engine power. There is currently a class action law suit against Audi for this problem for cars in this year range, but nothing has been solved.Audi's answer to this problem is to bring the car in every 300-500 miles for free oil top offs. This does NOT solve the underlying problem nor eliminate the deadly risk of total engine failure. People are driving around in vehicles at risk for complete failure. The Audi dealership states that to replace piston rings, it will cost between $10,000 and $12,000. Absolutely unsafe and unacceptable.

Filed Aug 31, 2023 · MA

My 2015 Q5 is experiencing excessive oil consumption and has failed the oil consumption test. This is a known defect in older cars for which there was a successful class action suit and now it seems that this defect is also present in certain Audi cars between 2010-2017. The excessive oil consumption stems from a piston and ring defect. The defect is causing the cars' pistons and piston heads to break off into pieces. This causing a number of problems requiring costly repairs and makes the car unsafe to drive. In addition to excessive oil consumption, the car can experience a sudden loss of power while driving (which is a safety issue) and engine knocking. My mechanic has inspected the car, run the oil consumption test (which the car failed) and told me that the piston and rings need to be replaced. He also stated that he has seen this in Audi's and that it is a known problem. Currently, my low oil light is coming on every 800 miles (normal would be 5000+miles). You are welcome to inspect my car at any time.

Filed Jun 13, 2023 · Engine · MA

When I reached approximately 101,000 miles my low oil indicator yellow light came on. The car does not have a dipstick so I could not manually check this. I thought the oil level sensor was broken, as I have not had this light come on in the first 101,000 miles. I regularly change the oil according to manufacturer guidelines of every 10K miles. Eventually the red low oil level light came on and the car told me to add oil. I went and had the oil changed and they told me there was only 2.9 quarts of oil remaining in the car when they changed it. Obviously the car is buring oil as I have no indicated leaks on my garage floor or driveway. I note this is an issue on many online forums. If the negine were to sieze at speed while driving it will be very dangerous.

Filed Nov 6, 2022 · Engine, Steering · TX

Piston rings are failing at 100k miles and consuming excessive amount of engine oil. It is around a quart every 150-200 miles! Suspension components and motor mounts also have to be replaced frequently.

Filed Oct 29, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · GA

The car is using/burning excessive oil. I’m adding oil every 300-500 miles. There was an open recall in the past for the exact same consumer problems. I purchased this car used in April of 2022 and it’s been an on going problem since I’ve had it.

Filed Apr 27, 2022 · Engine · IL

All of a sudden around 75,000 miles oil consumption is extreme. We have to add 1 quart of oil every 3 weeks or ~700 miles. Dealer is asking for oil consumption test which costs $500 to determine the issue. There was a lawsuit for same issue against Audi, 126,000 were affeceted. We are facing exact same issue described in lawsuit. This was not an issue when car was newer. We bought the car brand new. Warning lamp that comes up "Oil Level, Please add max 1 qt oil, You can continue driving", this is happening more and more, approximately ever 3 weeks which isn't normal. I spoke to Audi Morton Grove (My Dealership) they were not able to assists because vehicle is out of warranty, advised to call Audi USA. Per Audi USA, our VIN # is not listed about known oil consumption issue. Contacting AUDI USA did not help.