2018 Audi Q5: engine failure

Filed May 12, 2026 · Electrical · 103,000 miles · ME

The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact replaced the battery. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, however the vehicle was not diagnosed. The independent mechanic attempted to start the vehicle, however the vehicle failed to start. The independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and noticed that the gateway control modular was moist. The contact was informed that the gateway control module had become moist because of the broken seal, the vehicle shut down. The contact stated that the contact's wife had spilled a liquid substance into the vehicle. In addition, the contact was provided pictures of the corrosion. The contact referenced an unknown recall which had a similar failure description, however the contact's VIN was not associated. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the recall. In addition, the contact was informed that the unknown recall only covered the seal. The contact was informed that the recall did not cover the replacement of the gateway control modular. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the repair of the corroded seal was covered under the recall. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000. VIN was unavailable.

Filed Apr 27, 2026 · Engine · CA

I was driving home from the farmers market with my two young kids. I was turning left at a busy intersection when the engine died and an engine warning flashed on the dash (I don't recall the exact message; it sounded catastrophic). There were no "check engine" or any other warning messages prior to the incident. I was able to restart the car immediately and give it a lot of gas to get out of the intersection - thank goodness - but didn't feel it was safe to drive the full 1 mile home, as there are several inopportune locations for an engine to die along the route, so I parked it in a residential neighborhood and walked home with my kids. My instinct there seems correct as it would not start again thereafter. I got it towed on the Monday and the mechanic called me to tell me that a piston had broken off in the engine and there is complete engine failure. I've attached a photo he took. This is a car we've had for 5 months with only 47,000 miles on it, regular service according to Carfax, and full/clean oil. No error messages or warnings prior. It was really scary to be in a busy intersection with a dead engine and young kids in the car.

Filed Dec 18, 2025 · Engine · NJ

Vehicle: 2018 Audi Q5 Prestige Mileage: Approximately 34,000 miles On December 14, 2024, while driving at normal road speeds, my vehicle suddenly lost power and displayed multiple warning messages, including drivetrain and system malfunction alerts. The vehicle became unstable and unsafe to operate while I was in traffic, forcing me to carefully maneuver off the roadway. This occurred without any prior warning or abnormal engine behavior, it was just so sudden. I brought the vehicle to an authorized Audi dealership the following day. After inspection, the dealership diagnosed a catastrophic internal engine failure, identifying a cracked/chipped valve in cylinder 3. The dealership technicians and service staff stated that this type of failure is extremely rare on a vehicle with such low mileage and normal maintenance history. They also indicated that they had not encountered this type of valve failure on a similarly maintained Audi vehicle at this mileage. There was no evidence of carbon buildup or abuse, and no external contributing factors were identified. The failure resulted in sudden engine malfunction and loss of drivability while the vehicle was in motion, creating a significant safety risk. The dealership recommended replacing the engine cylinder head, with an estimated repair cost approximately $9,100. The dealership could not confirm whether debris from the damaged valve remained in the engine or whether the repair would fully mitigate future safety risks. I am submitting this complaint due to concerns that this failure represents a potential manufacturing or materials defect that can lead to sudden engine malfunction or loss of power while driving, posing a safety hazard to vehicle occupants and other road users.

Filed May 14, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · NE

On May 3, 2024, while driving to work, the vehicle acutely started to make a loud clicking noise in the engine compartment. I parked the vehicle and looked for a warning light indicator on the dashboard to determine the problem, but no indicator light emerged. I then called Audi Omaha and spoke with the Service Manager who kindly arranged to have my vehicle picked up and a loaner dropped off. I did ask at that time whether it was safe to have somebody drive my vehicle to Audi given the severity of the noise and I was told that since there was not a warning light on the dashboard, it would be ok. I later discovered that my vehicle stalled on the way to Audi Omaha and required a tow. On May 6, 2024, I received a report of the problem and the estimate for repairs. It was explained that the head of a spark plug had broken off into the engine causing the piston to make contact with the valve in cylinder 3 resulting in engine damage which was beyond repair. Additionally, a second spark plug had been misfiring for several days. The estimate to replace the engine: $9,282.03. To my surprise, the multi-point vehicle inspection report I received on the same day reported that everything (aside from rear brake pad wear) passed inspection – including the engine and spark plugs! On May 7, 2024, I called Audi Omaha to express my concern that an entire engine would need replaced on a 6-year old luxury vehicle with only 60,000 miles and spark plugs that were replaced at 40,000 miles prior to my purchase of the vehicle. Even more concerning is that no warning light indictor ever displayed on the dashboard (despite being informed that the vehicles computer system had detected changes in the engine compartment 2-days prior to this event). Because of these glaring safety concerns, this issue was escalated to the Audi central region division who declined to provide assistance despite the faulty spark plug and the malfunction of the warning indicator light.

Filed Feb 26, 2024 · Engine · CA

The engine stopped working at 72,000 Miles. After the fact, I have read several complaints of the engine blowing well under 100,000 miles. Audi does NOT give warranties on engines after 50,000 miles...how convenient! In addition, Insurance will not cover this. I have read several complaints about engines blowing just after 50,000 miles. To have the 2018 Audi Q5 engine repaired with the new engine is $11,000 plus the labor $3,000-$4,000. Unfortunately, I still owe $19,000 to the bank! Bankruptcy is looming and I have had near-perfect credit my entire life.

Filed May 3, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · 27,260 miles · OK

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 audi q5. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the engine shut-off as the contact was forced to coast the vehicle to the shoulder of the highway. The contact attempted multiple times to restart the vehicle. Engine failure - contact dealer, message was displayed on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to audi tulsa (4208 s memorial dr, tulsa, ok 74145) where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective fuel sensor. The dealer replaced the sensor and the fuel tank and the vehicle was returned to the contact. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 27,260.

Filed Apr 2, 2019 · Engine · 11 miles · MA

The mil light is on, previous owner returned the car in 8 months, when I bought the car they told me the engine was replaced with another new engine and it's all set, yet after one months of buying the 10k miles car the mil light came on???

Filed Apr 6, 2018 · Steering · 900 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 audi q5. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the traction warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. In addition, the steering wheel was difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken to audi eau claire (5201 fairview dr, eau claire, wi 54701) where it was diagnosed that the electric power steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 900.