2018 Audi Q5 steering problems

Filed Sep 10, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · OH

Incident Description: While accelerating from a red light during rush hour, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic loss of steering control. The steering wheel locked completely and could not be turned. Simultaneous loud, long beeping and dashboard warnings appeared, stating: "Steering malfunction stop the vehicle immediately." The vehicle was immobilized in the middle of a highly congested, complex 5x5 intersection. Local police had to shut down traffic until the vehicle could be cleared. Safety Risk: Stalling abruptly in a major intersection during rush hour created an immediate risk of a multi-car rear-end pile-up. This jeopardized the safety of the driver and multiple children who were inside the vehicle, who faced a severe personal injury risk whether they remained trapped in the active roadway or attempted to exit. Diagnosis, Cost, and Recall Context: The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealership. Diagnosis revealed significant water intrusion inside the steering wheel wiring harness. Draining the water cleared the error and the vehicle become operational, but the dealership quoted $6,000 in repairs to replace the steering components completely out-of-pocket cost. Please note it appears the $6,000 quote will be out-of-pocket for catastrophic safety defects although they may be known issues for the same make and model years: Prior Gateway Recall: This vehicle’s VIN was previously impacted by the Gateway module recall (where water intrusion triggers a limp mode). That recall was redeemed prior to this event, and my understanding the repair should have prevented moisture intrusion. There seems to be a history on this make and model for known moisture intrusion causes critical issues. U45 Warranty Exclusion: The manufacturer issued a warranty extension for this exact steering failure on this same make and model years. However, this specific VIN was excluded from coverage, despite it being within the parameters.

Filed Jul 16, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · TN

I wrote Audi to request escalation of an unresolved issue involving my 2018 Audi Q5, related to Safety Recall 90S9 (the federal safety agency Campaign 21V947000) for the gateway control module. Summary of the issue: My vehicle recently experienced a complete gateway control module failure due to water intrusion. I lost steering and brake assist warnings while driving, and the vehicle would not restart after being pulled over safely. It was towed first to the nearest Audi mechanic who diagnosed the issue as Recall 90S9. We then contacted Audi Memphis for inspection by them since it was a recall issues and paid a 2nd towing charge. Audi Memphis (owned by Gossett Motor Cars) said they could not do anything until they looked at the car. I have since obtained a copy of the original repair order from when Recall 90S9 was performed on my vehicle. The vehicle at the time of recall repair was owned by my Mother. The recall requires two remedies: (1) installation of a protective cover over the gateway control module, and (2) sealing of an underbody seam on vehicles produced before September 2021. The repair order shows a technician comment reading "INSF" next to the seam sealant line item, which indicates the sealant application was noted as insufficient at the time of the original recall service. Despite this documentation, and despite towing my vehicle in specifically for a 2nd inspection, Audi Memphis has stated they have no findings and no liability for the current failure. Given that: • My vehicle is included in the affected range for Recall 90S9, • The original repair order appears to document an incomplete or insufficient sealant application, and • Audi's own 90S9 technical bulletin states that damages resulting from improper repair or failure to follow the work instructions are the dealer's responsibility, I am requesting that this case be escalated for review. The current gateway control module repair be repaired at no cost to me. I currently have no working vehicle.

Filed Apr 16, 2026 · Steering · NJ

Title - Sudden Loss of Steering Control While Driving – 2018 Audi Q5 (Aug 2024) While driving my 2018 Audi Q5 at normal road speeds, the vehicle experienced a sudden and complete loss of power steering assist. A dashboard alert stating “Power Steering Malfunction” appeared simultaneously with an immediate and severe increase in steering effort, making the steering wheel extremely difficult to turn and effectively resulting in a loss of steering control. This incident occurred on a public roadway while I was transporting my family, including two young children (ages [XXX] and [XXX] ). The uncommanded loss of steering assist created an immediate and serious safety hazard and could have resulted in a crash, serious injuries, or fatalities to vehicle occupants and others on the road. I was able to bring the vehicle to a stop and subsequently to the dealership, only with significant effort and risk. There were no prior warning lamps, noises, reduced steering assist, or other symptoms before the failure. The malfunction was abrupt and occurred without any advance indication. The vehicle had approximately 39,000 miles at the time, which is well below what would reasonably be expected for a power steering rack failure. The vehicle was not modified or abused and was driven under normal conditions. Audi dealership confirmed failure of the electric power steering system and diagnosed the issue as a power steering rack failure requiring full replacement. The repair was completed only after the vehicle became unsafe to operate. The removed component may be available through the servicing dealer or Audi of America for inspection upon request, and I have retained all repair documentation. Audi of America was notified of this incident after the repair but declined responsibility. Based on subsequent research, I am aware of multiple similar reports involving Audi Q5 power steering failures. I am submitting to assist the federal safety agency in determining whether this issue poses a broader risk. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF I

Filed Feb 5, 2025 · Driver assistance, Steering · NY

While driving, the power steering completely went out and lost the ability to steer, while on the road. There were no prior warnings or feeling in the steering to present a possible future failure of steering under power. Put myself, my wife and the other operators at risk as I lost all power steering and had to pull over immediately. I have a current repair order open at a local shop and the PSM module has failed, of course requiring a full steering rack replacement to the tune of +$5k.

Filed Dec 26, 2024 · Driver assistance, Electrical · NE

While driving, the steering wheel suddenly locked up and could not be turned. Several warning lights simultaneously appeared on the dashboard including: "Steering malfunction! Please stop vehicle", "Audi adaptive light malfunction! See owners manual", "Start/stop system malfunction! Function unavailable", and "Audi pre sense currently limited" - No warning lights were present prior to this event. The sudden loss of steering could have caused serious injury to myself and to other drivers or pedestrians nearby. I was thankfully able to stop the vehicle, but I could not pull over because the steering wheel could not be turned. The car was towed to the Audi dealership and I was told the "Electronic power steering rack" would need to be replaced costing nearly $5,000.00.

Filed Dec 21, 2023 · Driver assistance, Steering · LA

Steering rack completely failed while driving. Causing steering to become unusable nearly causing a wreck putting everyone on the road at risk. Vehicle has less 80k miles and is driven occasionally. This was an issue on early models and seems to not have been fully fixed on this model either. Warning lamps require vehicle to pullover and stop.

Filed Oct 27, 2023 · Steering · AZ

Hello, On September 29, 2023 while I was driving my 2018 Audi Q5 a light come out "Steering malfunction! Please stop vehicle". I called the Dealer Audi Arrowhead in Peoria, Arizona, and schedule an appointment for October3, 2023 to do a diagnose. I drove the car throughout these days and I have not notice anything wrong with the car, except that light. I went to the dealer they proceed the diagnosis, gave me the code C101C07, and the quote to do steering gear replacement. I asked them: if the car is drivable, is just that light on the dashboard, why you can not do a software update? Because they refused to do that, I called Audi USA, and after a few days of back and forth communication they refused to do the software update and agreed to participate with the repairs and cover 50% of the repair cost. I pick up the car from Audi Arrowhead (they did not provide a print out result for diagnosis, also no bill for diagnosis) and I called Audi Scottsdale and because they confirmed me that they can do a software update I decided to bring the car in their shop and have again a diagnosis done. The same code was founded and of course they refused to give me a print out result, and I got charged $210. Even they admit the car does not show sign of something broken, telling me that it is possible that it will never show signs of failure they refused to do the software update. Because it doesn't make sense to me that the car runs perfectly, as always, only the light is on in the dashboard, I ask you to help me and intervene by asking Audi to issue a bulletin to update the software on my 2018 Audi Q5. Thank you in advance!!!

Filed Jun 8, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · FL

On 02/14/2022. Car just died while waiting for cars to pass to turn at light. Dashboard started flasing "engine start system: malfunction! - Please contact service" then "Parking Break Malfunction!" then, "Steering: Malfunction! - You an can continue driving" Panicked because was holding up traffic. After a couple minutes trying Car then just started drove home and put on battery charger overnight. Hoping that's all it was. Next morning 02/15/2022 started right up early morning no issues to be concerned with was on highway doing approx 69 mph, drove approximately 42 miles then then while only driving 35 mph 4 lane highway. Again, No warnings, but while DRIVING Engine and steering, just shut down. Almost causing me to be reared and then hit on passanger side. I don't even want to think what could have happened had this happened on interstate or if my children were in the vehicle. It was a very dangerous and scary situation even happening while only doing 35 mph. This should be considered a MAJOR recall. Vehicle was towed on 02/16/22 to Clearwater Audi. We did not receive vehicle back until after over 9 weeks, 04/22/22. Yesterday, 06/07/2022 Sensors glitching again and being called back into dealership. I want this life threatening recall documented. There is absolutely no reason why a well cared for vehicle with less than 18,000 miles should be having these issues. We We keep losing out on time from work and driving back and forth to dealership. We need to be able to rely on the safety and integrity of this vehicle not only for the driver/passangers but for the safety of others on the road. Thank you for your time to hear our concerns

Filed Jun 29, 2021 · Brakes, Electrical · TX

The 2nd generation Audi Q5 (roughly 2017-2021+) has a major susceptibility to immediate, catastrophic failure as evidenced from my own experience and dozens of episodes reported online. This failure typically causes a $2000-$3000 repair bill that Audi will not cover and will claim is the fault of the owner. My wife was driving the vehicle with our 5-year-old daughter in the car In the middle of the rear seat. The daughter spilled part of a 500 ml water bottle onto the seat next to her. Within 20 seconds of this happening, the car began alerting about steering malfunctions, braking malfunctions, and the windows began seizing up and down repeatedly. The car was completely inoperable. We are lucky this was on a slow city street and not on the interstate or tollway! Once stopped, we no buttons generated any actions from the vehicle. we couldn't power it on, put it into neutral to be towed away, raise the windows, or perform ANY other function at all. The car was a useless brick. We were charged $125 for the towing service and another $2200 from Audi Plano in Texas. After countless conversations, even debates, with David (director Audi Plano) and even Audi USA customer experience team, they REFUSED to admit any fault in a poor design and help cover any of the costs whatsoever, and we are even still in warranty. The part that was damaged is DIRECTLY below the cupholders and has no effective liquid protections - what did they think would happen! Here are other examples from online: https://www.audiworld.com/forums/q5-sq5-mkii-discussion-218/water-bottle-leak-%241800-damage-3009540/ https://www.audiworld.com/forums/q5-sq5-mkii-discussion-218/control-module-ruined-moisture-corrosion-3001605/page5/ https://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/shopping/3641294-Audi-Q5-taken-out-by-DD-water-spill-in-rear-seat

Filed Sep 27, 2020 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 10,400 miles · NH

Twice in 2019 my car slammed to a stop while backing up at 2-3 MPH. I had not hit anything and no damage to car. There was nothing to hit, just a vacant area. Yesterday while driving forward at 35-40 MPH on a main street with the closest oncoming car 1 block away my car slammed to a dead, wall slamming stop. If a car had been behind me there would have been an accident. I emphasize: this was a dead, no slow-down stop. I refused to drive it 50 miles to the dealer. The dealer has picked it up and told me the sensors were set too sensitive. If so, why did this not occur every time I drove? Frankly, I am afraid I will be forced to drive this car for the next 3 months until my lease expires. The dealer will not give me a loaner. I think this is a very unsafe car. I have no confidence in the way this is being handled. For your interest, I was given a ride today in the 2019 sedan model. Unbelievably it slammed to a stop while backing out of my driveway.