Check a VIN

2018 Audi Q5 body problems

22 complaints (11% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 53,000. 3 crashes reported.

owner complaints
22
of this car's complaints
11%
typical mileage
53,000
crashes
3
recalls
2

Which part fails

  • Body
    15

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Audi Q5 body problems in other years

2009201520202025

Specific symptoms reported on the 2018 Audi Q5 body

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Water leak 8

Related recalls

Structure: bodyReported December 8, 2021 · 288,991 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, 2018-2022 Q5, and SQ5 vehicles. A liquid spill in the rear seat, or water ingress from an insufficient body seam underneath the vehicle may allow liquid to penetrate the gateway control module, causing it to shutdown.
Risk
A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will install a protective cover on the gateway control module and seal an underbody seam as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90S9.

Recall number 21V947000 · Recall details

Structure: bodyReported October 16, 2019 · 174,278 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi SQ5 and 2018-2020 Audi Q5 vehicles. The rear wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach from the vehicle.
Risk
The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four clips securing the forward part of the rear wheel arch trim, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Audi's number for this recall is 66K8.

Recall number 19V737000 · Recall details

What 2018 Audi Q5 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · Body · 70,000 miles · MA

The contact owned a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated that the sunroof drain was clogged, causing water to flood into the trunk where the spare tire was located. The water caused electrical failures, short-circuiting the brake lights and indicator lights. The contact stated that the circuit breaker was in the trunk of the vehicle. The message of an electrical failure was displayed on the instrument panel. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and confirmed the failure. The technician at the dealer stated that the failure was a known failure. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Aug 17, 2026 · Acceleration, Body · MD · crash

I was pulling into (my usual) handicapped parking space, at a slow speed. As I approached the curb my brakes did NOT respond to stop my car. Not only did my brakes not respond, the car actually sped up - going up the curb and hitting the handicapped sign pole. The pole broke and stopped my vehicle! I was afraid my (out of control) vehicle would keep going through a store front - it did not. Folks gathered around- thinking I had put my foot on the gas . I DID NOT put my foot anywhere except on my BRAKES …which went ‘mushy’ . would not stop my vehicle. My research has found similar incidents reported by other drivers. I am NOT ALONE. Of course the dealership could not reproduce the incident. But they did suggest many other services for a car with 60,000 miles. The AUDI dealership took NO responsibility for the incident. There was a recall on the master cylinder that was supposedly handled before I took delivery of the vehicle in January 2019. Audi denied that anything was currently amiss with my master cylinder. There was a warning message when I tried to start my car about a week before. Because it made no sense - like your tires are low - I dismissed it as just a check engine light 🤷🏽‍♀️ I honestly can’t remember what that ‘odd’ warning said🤦🏽‍♀️ I’m not alone in reporting this - I’m almost afraid to drive my car😰

Filed Jul 17, 2025 · Body, Electrical · 58,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while driving 35-40 MPH and accelerating, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled to the side of the road, and the vehicle was able to restart. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the body control module(BCM) was floating in water. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V947000 (Electrical System, Structure), and the additional repairs were at the contact's expense. The contact stated that the recall remedy was inadequate for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

Filed Jun 30, 2025 · Body, Electrical · IN

A coil that is attached underneath the sunroof is attached to the BCM. There is not a drain plug at the end so there was 5 inches of water there and the BCM was made to sit in that spot. The electrical wires and BCM were burned out because of this. The BCM controls the entire system not limited to the start button and everything that runs the car. I have only had the vehicle less than 1 year and it costs 4000 dollars to fix. My car has been at the dealership since June 9th.

Filed Jun 24, 2025 · Body, Electrical · 83,000 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while pulling into a business at an undisclosed speed, there was an unknown warning light illuminated, and the message "Left and Right Rear Signal and Center Rear Brake Light Malfunction" was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that the key warning light and engine malfunction warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that there was water intrusion into the rear cargo area of the vehicle, due to a clogged drain. The contact was informed that the drain tube needed to be cleaned, the module needed to be replaced, and the vehicle needed to be rewired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

Filed Nov 27, 2024 · Body, Electrical · NJ

The Audi Q5 sunroof drain that is intended to keep water out of the vehicle, leaked where water collected and pooled in the car beneath the car liner. The water collected on the "comfort module" and electrical fuse box resulting in immediate electrical failure of several vehicle features/systems including brake lights, turn signals, reverse lights, windshield wipers, etc. to name a few. In addition to repairs in excess of $10k, the vehicle will be totaled by the insurance company. After an exhaustive search, several Audi users of the same make, model and year have faced a similar issue. This issue must be addressed by Audi and should be reviewed immediately.

Filed Aug 7, 2024 · Body, Electrical · SC

The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, upon reaching the destination, the contact became aware that the headlights would not turn off. After which, the vehicle failed to restart, and the vehicle was towed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V947000 (Electrical System, Structure); the VIN was included, but the vehicle had already been repaired under the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Mar 14, 2024 · Body, Electrical · 190,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated the vehicle was parked during a rainstorm and the contact attempted to start the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed a diagnostic test and stated that water entered the vehicle through a fractured seal causing the electrical wiring to get wet. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V947000 (Electrical System, Structure) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

Filed Nov 27, 2023 · Body · 32,827 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V737000 (Structure) however, the front driver's side wheel arch trim panel was detaching from the frame. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V737000 (Structure). The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that the repair was not covered. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 32,827.

Filed Sep 23, 2023 · Body, Electrical · NY

Control modules located next to the gateway module that was recently recalled are getting wet and shorting out. Tail lights, brake lights, turning signals, license plate lights, and reverse lights all stop working. Once the area is dry, the lighting works only sometimes. I am not ever sure if the lights work or not while I'm driving and am concerned about getting rear-ended because of the lights being out and me not knowing.

Questions about the 2018 Audi Q5 body

Does the 2018 Audi Q5 have body problems?

Owners have filed 22 complaints about the body of the 2018 Audi Q5, 11% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2018 Audi Q5 body problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 53,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2018 Audi Q5 body?

Yes, 2 recalls: 21V947000, 19V737000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Audi Q5 have the most body problems?

The Audi Q5 model years with the most body complaints are 2018 (22 complaints) and 2014 (10 complaints).

Other 2018 Audi Q5 problems

Electrical 74Engine 33Driver assistance 25Suspension 25Brakes 22Acceleration 14Airbags 13Lights 13Steering 11Transmission 10Seat belts 7Seats 5Visibility 5Wheels 5Fuel system 4Tires 1

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2018 Audi Q5?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history