2023 Audi Q5 problems

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Lights, Visibility · AR · crash

The LED headlamps on this vehicle model create a serious visibility issue when driving at night, particularly when “low” beams are in use. The low beams are weak and ineffective and the driver’s vision is obscured by cloudiness that obstructs the illumination of the street and/or objects ahead. This issue was reported to the dealership, Parker Auto Group in [XXX] shortly after the vehicle was purchased and the dealer response was that the reason for the cloudiness was that they were LED headlights. That’s not an explanation. That’s telling me what I already know. This is a serious safety issue for night drivers, as the cloudiness in the headlamps obscures objects in the road, such as animals and other road hazards. I firmly believe this issue is a serious enough safety concern to order a recall and force Lexus to correct this serious deficiency in illumination. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Transmission · MD

My vehicle (and other similar Audi across the United States suffer from a known shuddering defect that is the subject of an Audi Technical Service Bulletin. From a standing stop the vehicle begins to shudder at varying levels of severity until the car smooths out as it gains speed. At times it gives the appearance that the car is about to stall and this poses a safety concern. Audi knows this is a problem with the center differential and their Technical Service Bulletin requires the dealer to first change the center differential oil prior to considering the replacement of the center differential itself. The problem is that Audi requires their specific differential oil and this oil is on back-order with no known delivery date. The result is that owners such as myself are left to deal with this near constant shuddering issue as each stop/start which Audi claims is just a "comfort issue". The dealership has advised they have no knowledge as to when the oil will be back in stock and their hands are tied until the oil arrives. I then reached out to Audi of America to seek their intervention and they referred me back to the dealership. Audi continues to sell new vehicles so there is an inventory/supply of center differential oil available within the Audi corporate organization. Their refusal to source the oil for existing Audi owners who have this shuddering problem indicates an intentional decision to support new car sales versus repairing existing Audi vehicles. I reached out to Audi Headquarters in Germany for assistance but was referred back to Audi of America, which as noted above, provided no assistance in resolving this issue. The natural reaction when the vehicle starts to shudder is to step on the brake as it feels like the car is going to stall. This is a safety issue, not a comfort issue. Audi should be required to source this center differential oil to existing dealerships with vehicles suffering from this defect along with new car sales.

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Airbags, Seat belts · GA

While vehicle is in motion or parked driver side seat belt sign comes up followed by air bags on and off message. Seatbelt was fastened. Attached pictures are when vehicle is parked.

Filed Sep 8, 2026 · Driver assistance · NY

While driving, the Active Lane Assisting warning signal will come on and make warning noise which startles the driver.

Filed Jul 28, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

On July 23, 2026, my 2023 Audi Q5 suddenly lost power while I was driving on the highway, with no prior symptoms before the incident. The vehicle began stuttering, entered limp mode, displayed multiple drive-system malfunction warnings, and developed a loud knocking sound from the engine area. The loss of power created a serious safety risk because the vehicle could no longer accelerate or operate normally in traffic. I pulled over as soon as it was safe, shut the vehicle off, and had it towed. The vehicle had approximately 74,945 miles at the time of the incident. An independent auto repair shop performed a diagnostic inspection and documented fault codes P030300 for a cylinder 3 misfire, P130A00 indicating cylinder 3 fuel injection had been disabled to protect the catalytic converter, and P013B00 involving the rear oxygen sensor. The technician reported severe connecting-rod knock from inside the engine block and found a large amount of metallic debris in the engine oil. The shop concluded that the engine had suffered catastrophic internal failure and required replacement. The symptoms and findings closely resemble the connecting-rod failure condition described in Audi recall 13i5 / the federal safety agency recall 22V753, although Audi advised that my VIN is not currently included. The vehicle is now at an authorized Audi dealership for further diagnosis. I am reporting this because the sudden loss of power and internal engine failure occurred while the vehicle was being driven and could have resulted in a crash. I request that the federal safety agency review whether my vehicle experienced the same or a substantially similar connecting-rod failure as the 2023 vehicles covered by recall 22V753, despite my VIN not currently being included.

Filed Jul 12, 2026 · Driver assistance · FL · 2 injuries

I was turning left st an intersection. A car just passed and a truck wasn't close coming down the road the collision detection system caused the car to slam to 0. My neck is hurting and my daughter's back is hurting.

Filed Jun 29, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · MT

CORRECTION to the federal safety agency COMPLAINT #11745968 The Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) did not disengage when the vehicle was placed in gear from P to R to D while/after parked in an incline postion (see DTCs -Bozeman Audi invoice, 6/23/26). The EPB is designed to disengage automatically. There was a dashboard warning light --RED--symbol--brake failure that flashed when the ignition was started. The occupants drove the vehicle approx 50 ft before the vehicle's Automatic EBS and/or Automatic Parking Braking (Maneuver Assist) shut down the vehicle completely because EPB was still engaged after gear shifts--R and D. |DTC| Diag 01500060-15TU (202729223) Terminal 75X (Relief Relay for X-Contact). [DTC 01500 / 015000] Diagnostic Lookup [Root Causes]: Blown Fuse: A fuse (typically on the main power distribution block) protecting the relief relay circuit has failed. Faulty Relay: The J59 X-Contact Relief Relay has mechanically stuck open or failed internally. Wiring/Ground Fault: Corroded, pinched, or damaged wires along the steering column or under the dashboard. Low Battery Voltage: Insufficient system voltage can trigger relay dropout during vehicle start-up. [Immediate Next Steps] Check Voltage: This was not done at Bozeman Audi dealership [DTC] The Audi repair sequence "27068950" Battery Charging / Testing (Labour Operation Number: 27068950) associated with the 12V/48V electrical system on an Audi. Audi Automatic Braking System—Audi pre sense®—includes Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB). Automatic Parking Braking (Park Assist / Maneuver Assist): This operates when parking or reversing. "In the 2023 Audi Q5, the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB)—the physical switch marked with a (P) on your center console—acts as the ultimate mechanical failsafe and anchor. It interacts differently with the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and Automatic Parking Braking (Maneuver Assist) systems based on speed, safety protocols, and driver behavior." Safety Recall 93AA

Filed Jun 23, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · MT

Automatic Emergency Braking system engaged when the vehicle was parked on an incline. Unable to release automatic emergency brake when vehicle was started with key. Ignition light warning — RED — symbol — brake failure. Required a tow to Audi dealership. Audi dealership in two states failed to use OMB II reader to scan codes at the time of emergency visit. Vehicle was released to owner without scanning codes at the time of the emergency therefore owner acquired more than 3-4 consecutive drive cycles before scheduled repair appointment 7 days after emergency incident described above because the Audi dealerships in two states (vehicle occupants were traveling long distance) failed to read and store computer codes immediately after emergency incident with the automatic braking system. This incident made the vehicle inoperable and placed the occupants of the vehicle in an unsafe situation. The failure at the Audi dealerships to retrieve codes at the time of the emergency incident prolonged a permanent repair and will make vehicle evaluation/assessment for safety less reliable given that no evaluation or assessment was done at the time of the emergency at the dealerships and before the vehicle codes were automatically cleared after 3-4 consecutive ‘drive cycles.’ Requested an incline field test with vehicle — place the vehicle in similar conditions— incline — and test automatic emergency braking system— during scheduled appointment 7 days after incident.

Filed May 19, 2026 · Driver assistance, Seat belts · WA · 1 injury

May 11, 2026 approx 9:35am. I was in a flat parking area at a gas station waiting for a friend. There were 2 other cars parked near me. No one was in them. Neither were moving. I backed out of my space into a large, empty, open area to turn my car around to have a better view. Because the audi pre-sense chronically malfunctions, I always turn it off before I drive. But I left it on this time because I was only driving about 15 feet in a parking area. I backed out, then stepped on the brake to turn the wheel. While I was AT A FULL STOP, the seatbelt motor started up loudly and grabbed my chest with the seatbelt, slamming me back against the seat. No one was there. No cars were moving. I was at a stop. When the seatbelt let me go, I noticed a red lighted image of some sort on the screen. I believe there was a red star-shaped image and some text indicating a collision. Then the image disappeared. I turned off pre-sense and backed into my parking space. It was painful and frightening - especially as I have osteoporosis. This car has previously slammed the brakes on an empty road while I was driving 45-50 mph. Dealer says there are no codes or errors and I need to clean the sensors. I bought it new. Likewise, the rear cross-traffic, pedestrian detection etc. rarely works and sometimes fires for no reason. If the brakes slam when there's a car behind me, I'll be rear-ended. If the seatbelt slams while I'm on the road, I'll certainly swerve from the discomfort and being startled. Very dangerous. NOTE: My previous report seems to be removed from this website. Bad idea.

Filed Apr 15, 2026 · TN

My dashboard VIN plate was destroyed when the windshield was being replaced. I’ve been trying to get Audi to send me a new VIN since October 23, almost 6 months ago. They assigned an executive case manager 2 months ago but that’s accomplished nothing. The vehicle is out of compliance with federal law without a VIN plate and I cannot trade or sale the car. Please help me.