2025 Audi Q5 electrical problems

Filed Nov 3, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · VA

2025 Audi Q5 S Line (VIN [XXX]). Surrendered under binding repurchase order via BBB AUTO LINE Case #[XXX] (VA Lemon Law) due to uncorrected factory defects. Odometer locked at 855 miles. 1. POWERTRAIN FLUID DEFECT & SHIFT FAILURE: Delivered new (23 miles) with transmission critically low on hydraulic fluid. Caused gear actuator failures, DTCs P187C00, P086900, P270800, and a 20-minute failure to engage "Park" (Repair Order #[XXX]). Failure to engage Park creates an immediate unintended rollaway and collision hazard (FMVSS 102/114). The dealer had to add fluid and perform 10 consecutive sensor calibrations to restore basic operation. 2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COLLAPSE & LIGHTING HAZARD: The vehicle suffered systemic bus communication drops, gateway control module crashes, and uncommanded exterior lighting turning on while parked, off, and locked. Scans revealed severe parasitic draw, gateway failure, and harness corrosion from delivery. Uncommanded exterior lighting creates a vehicle fire risk and drains 12V reserves, causing sudden complete electrical shutdown. 3. BRAKE ELECTRONICS FAULT & UNRESOLVED REMEDY: Extended diagnostic holds (>30 days) documented active DTC U041800 in Brake Electronics Control Unit 812C. Audi technical field engineering confirmed in writing that no software/hardware remedy existed for this communication failure and promised a fix by end of Q3 2026. Q3 2026 ended with zero factory remedy, recall, or campaign deployed. 4. ARBITRATED BLAME-SHIFTING: The dealer attempted to evade warranty liability by billing $1,502.69, claiming aftermarket window tint caused the harness corrosion. In binding arbitration, Arbitrator Stenlund ruled gateway crashes preceded any tint work, rejected dealer causation, and ordered a full statutory buyback and repair refund. The vehicle sat undriven at 855 miles post-service return until corporate surrender because it is unsafe to operate on public roads. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 21, 2026 · Electrical, Wheels · FL · crash · 1 injury

The NEW vehicle keeps showing a warning light on the dash saying that the rear wheel bolts are loose two accidents have occurred in a 60 day period, the vehicle has been in for service multiple times and Audi has not found a fix for the safety light warning or found the loose bolts or suspension break issues. The have ignored a vehicle defect notice sent and lawyered up as soon as I said the vehicle was a lemon.

Filed Oct 17, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · SC

I bought a late model Audi Q5 2025 late February 2026. the one I bought was a loaner with 8K miles on it, list 60k, paid 48K for it. late April, we were in the mountains of western NC and were on a windy 2 lane mountain road after midnight with no cell service and nowhere to pull off. 7 warning lights came on, the most concerning was to immediately pull over and shut off the engine. We could not do this. The steering wheel was shaking and the climate systems shut off. All ABS were non functional. We drove the last half hour to the house, put the car in the garage and figured it would need to be towed the next day. The next morning, I turned it on and all was cleared out. I took it to the dealer when back in SC, but they could not find anything. it is now mid October, it has happened 4 other times since then. all in NC except for once on [XXX] but I was near exit [XXX] so made it home. It happened twice in a week late July. it was 98 outside the first time, I had an hour to go and it was incredibly hot in the car. with no ac. my two dogs were very stressed by the time we got to the house. Again, in the garage, all clear the next morning. It happened on the way home, now it's 99 out. I turned off the car in a parking lot, waited 15 minutes, turned it on, all clear and we got home fine. My service person said there was a "major software upgrade" coming out and that was all the car needed. they got me in early before it was released and had the car for 4 days. It took 5 tries to get the upgrade. I was told this was it, all was fine. next time I was on a steep downhill in NC. had to hold tightly to the wheel it was shaking so much, abs working, maneuverability seemed compromised. I was scared to death. This time it took over a week and because they could not find the fault code, nothing done. Given the research I have done, I am sure the dealer knew about these issues when I bought the car or certainly during the emails detailing the other incidents. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATI

Filed Sep 12, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · VA

Brake Electronics Control Unit Failure (DTC U041800): Logged active diagnostic code U041800 (implausible signal in address 812C). Dealership records confirm no permanent remedy exists, with software patches delayed into Q3 2026, leaving active braking and electronic system faults unaddressed. Electrical Grid Collapse & Parasitic Battery Drain: Vehicle experienced exterior lights activating independently during sleep mode and cyclical 300mA to 2.0A parasitic draws. Required warranty replacement of the Central Electrical Control Module (J519), Low Voltage Power Distributor Module (J1282), and primary 12V battery (RO #AUCS214055). Powertrain & Transmission Engagement Failures: Experienced Check Engine Light cycling and a total failure to engage "Park" for 20 minutes. Scanned hard factory codes P187C00 (gear actuator 3 failure), P086900, and P270800, requiring ten consecutive distance sensor calibrations. Adaptive Cruise Control & Restraints Malfunctions: ACC fails to engage due to false occupant-detection logic errors, triggering phantom rear-seat belt warnings while driving solo and throwing error messages that compromise restraint safety architecture. Liftgate Architectural Failures: Rear trunk lid fails to open or latch fully due to software conflicts with the mobile key platform, causing the control unit to lose its calibrated position.

Filed Jul 31, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · NY

On XXX at approximately 5:00 PM, my 2025 Audi Q5 (VIN: [XXX]) initiated an unprovoked forward collision warning and emergency braking intervention while I was traveling at approximately 57–58 mph on [XXX]. Road conditions were clear and dry. Weather was sunny. Adaptive Cruise Control was not activated. I was the sole occupant of the vehicle. A vehicle was making a lawful turn onto the roadway from a T-intersection. There was substantial distance between my vehicle and the turning vehicle. No collision risk existed and no evasive action was required. Despite this, the vehicle's forward collision system overrode my control and initiated emergency braking without cause. As a result of the sudden braking and the force of the seatbelt restraint during the event, I sustained abdominal pain and lower back pain that began immediately following the incident and persisted thereafter. This incident did not occur in isolation. Prior to this event, the vehicle had already exhibited a documented pattern of electronic and driver assistance system malfunctions, including intermittent check engine warnings, repeated false-positive driver assistance alerts, power liftgate malfunctions, sunroof malfunctions, and additional electronic irregularities. All of these concerns were reported to Audi Albany prior to the emergency braking event. Following a service visit, I was told nothing further could be done. The vehicle is currently at Audi Albany undergoing inspection at the request of Audi of America, including a review of the Event Data Recorder. I am filing this complaint to ensure the incident is part of the federal safety record. A driver assistance system that initiates emergency braking at highway speed without a valid hazard present, on a vehicle with a prior history of false-positive alerts, represents a safety defect that I believe warrants federal documentation and review. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 30, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

•XXX: Purchased new 2025 Audi Q5. •XXX Dashboard displayed "Check Tire Pressure" warning for all tires. •XXX: Service at Audi Marin - Reported hatch malfunction, tire pressure concerns, and repeated rollback after brake release during service visit. •XXX: Vehicle displayed "P Not Possible. Risk of Rolling Away" warning. Vehicle could not be placed into PARK, required roadside assistance (never showed after 2-hour wait), and could not be safely secured. •XXX: While stopped at a traffic light, both front seat belts tightened aggressively without warning. Passenger was a [XXX] child. •Late XXX: Collision avoidance/emergency braking warnings continued. Vehicle remained in use while awaiting loaner car availability. •XXX Oil service reminder displayed at approximately 5,000 miles. Electronic issues continue. Additional warning lights appeared. Despite multiple service visits, the vehicle continues to experience unresolved safety-related and electronic malfunctions. I have been without the vehicle since XXXdriving a loaner. Dealership reported there is a pending service solution that will be released in the 3rd quarter (maybe September). That is 2 months away - unacceptable- car is unsafe to drive. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 29, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · TX

I bought this car in 12/2025. After putting approximately 60 miles on the car, the onboard computer would not save the inputted data. Took back to dealership and update performed. Upon returning the car for this work, the adaptive cruise control would shut itself off on the way to the dealer. They could not replicate this issue. Since having the car for about 6 months the car has been in to the dealer approximately 7 times all for different warning lights including having the module needing to be replaced that controlled the A/C. The most recent problem is the vehicle locking up its brakes and rapidly fastening down on the seatbelt while driving stating a red danger message that flashes on the informatic screen and then disappears but will not show up on the MMI screen. This has happened twice in the last 10 days. Upon the first visit I was told that Audi has been having a lot of problems with the 2025 Q5 because of the computer. The car is currently back in the shop for continued safety components selectively turning off on their own and the car slamming on its brakes when there is no adverse event. There is supposed to be a patch coming out in Quarter 3 2026, but an actual update isn't set until 04/2027 per Audi service. I have stressed how not having these functions working correctly has made the car a hazard to drive as I never know when it will act appropriately. Also the lane departure feature does not always work appropriately and will try to hold in a improper travel and will jerk the wheel. I have completely turned that function off since it has tried to turn me into on coming traffic.

Filed Jun 26, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · IN

The 2025 Audi Q5 has a systemic problem with its Multi Meidia and driver assist features, such as cruise control, side mirrors, back up camera, directional maps, etc, which malfunction at inopportune times causing major distraction while driving. Audi has been aware of the problem since 2025 and had a partial patch available in 2025, but did not inform drivers nor make it available unless requested by vehicle owner. Dealers, such at the dealer we purchased our Audi Q5 from, D-Patrick, Evansville IN, did not make us aware of flaws, and kept inidicating that it was or phones or other situations which could be easily adjusted, which was false. We did not feel safe using the vehicle and conatantly look for alternatives, due to fear and safety concerns. The first incident occured immediately after pruchase of the vehicle and has continued on a repeat basis. There are numerous reviews on line with 2025 Q5 owners reporting safety concerns while operating these vehicles.

Filed Jun 25, 2026 · Body, Electrical · NJ

See attached document for complaint.

Filed May 21, 2026 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · MA

Adaptive cruise control not working....,Intermitently shutting off. This is coinciding with numerous engine, oil and gas warning lights going off in the Audi MMI system. Lead tech at Audi dealership in Norwell MA is telling me that this is a well known issue with the 2025 Audi Q5 needing a software update that will not be available until sometime in the 3rd quarter