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Audi Q5 airbag light comes on

11 of the 1,359 owner complaints about the Audi Q5 describe airbag warning light, most of them for the 2018 model year.

owner complaints
11
worst model year
2018
Is there a fix? There are 8 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2025
    1
  • 2019
    1
  • 2018
    6
  • 2014
    1
  • 2013
    1
  • 2012
    1

What owners say

Filed May 27, 2026 · Airbags, Driver assistance · SC

The airbag light and the driving assistance warning lights appeared on the dashboard randomly one day. I took the vehicle to the dealership (Audi of Columbia), where they kept it for a week and said the software needed to be updated. They updated it multiple times, but the car would not complete the update until the last attempt. When I picked up the car, they reported that several other 2025 Q5 (new model) vehicles were being brought in for the same issue. When I picked up the car, there were no warning lights on the dashboard. Approximately 1-2 weeks later, the same warning lights appeared on the dashboard again. I brought it to the dealership again, where they recalibrated the systems, disconnected the battery, and then cleared the fault code. That cleared the warning lights, and they planned to drop off my vehicle the next business day. While they were driving to drop off the vehicle, the warning lights came back on, so they returned it to the dealership. They have replaced the airbag control module without resolution. They have been working on my vehicle for >1 month to resolve the airbag issue.

Filed Mar 18, 2026 · Airbags, Seats · DE

The Seat Occupancy Detection System is malfunctioning. The passenger airbag warning light activates when a passenger occupies the passenger seat and the passenger overhead reading light remains on when the seat is occupied including overnight. These are established symptoms of Seat Occupancy Detection System failure. The manufacturer issued a warranty extension specifically covering this defect for 10 years and unlimited miles. When the vehicle was presented at an authorized dealer for diagnosis and repair under the warranty extension, the service advisor deliberately omitted the airbag warning light symptom from the repair order and inserted pre-emptive warranty denial language before any diagnosis was performed. The airbag system malfunction remains unrepaired despite an active manufacturer warranty extension covering this exact defect. The dealer’s failure to properly document and address an airbag warning light constitutes a safety concern that the federal safety agency should investigate.

Filed Oct 10, 2025 · Airbags · AZ

Car displayed a warning sign that safety system malfunctioned. Airbag indicator showed “passenger airbag off”. This error occurred sporadically and for a limited amount of time. It also kept sensing that passenger seat was occupied when it wasn’t. From what I understand , the issue is related to passenger side PODS sensor.

Filed Sep 22, 2025 · Airbags · NV · crash

On Tuesday, September 2nd, I was in a car accident on the freeway. A car jump out in front of me and did not go quickly enough, I hit my breaks, but still hit them going around 55-60 MPH. When the impact occurred, my car turned itself off and I saw smoke coming out of the dash / center area of the car. I was able to start my car and get it off of the freeway safely. My airbag did not deploy, and it appeared the charge went off. The airbag light is now illuminated on the dash. There are no open recalls on my car, and I am truly concerned there is an issue with the airbags and do not want anyone else to get hurt if their airbags do not go off. I spoke with the local dealership on Friday, and they recommended that I reach out directly to Audi. I contacted Audi, answered all of their questions, sent photos and the police report. This is the response I received from them today, 9/22: "Our engineer has completed the review of all the documentation you provided. Here is his assessment: Damage to this vehicle is to sheet metal and composite material components of the hood, fender, headlight, bumper cover, and radiator core support. The impact is offset to the right, outside the bumper reinforcement system with no apparent damage or longitudinal compression of the bumper deformation elements or frame long members. The progressive deformation of the components listed above absorbs crash energy over a longer period of time, lowering the vehicles rate of deceleration below the threshold criteria for airbag deployment. This vehicle performed as designed." I do not believe this is accurate because there was smoke inside the car, and now the airbag light is illuminated.

Filed Jul 9, 2025 · Airbags · 120,000 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed due to the cost. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that the warning light was intermittently illuminated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Jun 18, 2024 · Airbags, Seats · SC

Audi of Greenville gave us a quote to replace the pods unit that is causing this code and said that the air bag could deploy at anytime. Here is the quote that was given for the PODS unit. The code that was stored in the system was B1022F0. The Occupant Sensor Control Unit suppresses the deployment of passenger air bag when the condition of the passenger seat is empty or child and child-seat. And turns on the cut-off telltale lamp when the condition of the passenger seat is child-seat and child. In the case of malfunction, the blinking of the SRS air bag warning lamp reports the malfunction to the driver and by the on board self-diagnosis system. This Occupant Sensor Control Unit classifies occupant in the passenger seat and detects electrical malfunctions in Occupant Classification System, and transmits malfunction information to air bag control unit. It is integrated into the seat sensor mat and detects the occupants with Occupant Classification System (OCS) control unit that classifies the occupants. Read more at [XXX].

Filed Mar 17, 2024 · GA

Clock spring I drive a 2019 Volkswagen Audi Q5. My vehicle was serviced on [XXX]. After the service I received a video message saying “overall my vehicle appeared to be in excellent condition”. The following day I was out running errands and the airbag light came on. I thought it may be a glitch due to something that happened during the service. Based on my driving, my signal and the control panels were working as I was able to adjust the radio and call my mother using the steering wheel controls. I contacted the dealership initially I was told because it was Saturday, It would be Monday before anyone could assist me. However, about 15 minutes later, the serviceman, David, who took care of me on Friday called me back. After discussion, he told me I could bring my vehicle in. I brought the vehicle in and waited approximately an hour. The service man later told me that it was the clock spring; however, they were not sure what exactly was wrong with the clock spring. I was placed in a rental and told they would contact me later. Before close of the service department on Saturday, I received a call from the service man who stated it was indeed the spring. He did not specify what exactly was the problem, but that it would need to be replaced. I was looking at cost of $1600. He also told me this is unusual given the number miles that I have on the vehicle I know that Volkswagen has had issues with the clock spring on some of its vehicles. Therefore I am wondering could this potentially be a problem with some Audi vehicles as well? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 5, 2023 · Airbags · 85,600 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the air bag control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,600.

Filed Oct 6, 2022 · Airbags · WA

When a front seat passenger is present, the passenger airbag warning light comes on with a "malfunction" error displayed, then goes off.

Filed Jun 4, 2022 · Airbags · MS

I took my vehicle to Audi South Austin on 6/1/22 regarding my A/C and back up camera not working, continuous oil consumption issue, passenger air bag light turning on, and RPM higher than normal while idling. Christina Turner told me that the wait for my car to be service was 3-4 weeks. She quoted me a price of $275 for each diagnostic test. I mentioned a recall regarding the auxiliary heater and she told me that the recall had previously been completed. I asked her if there was a warranty and she mentioned that it was 12 months/ 12,000 miles and that my vehicle was over that time frame. I have took my vehicle serval times to Audi South Austin regarding the oil and coolant consumption. The first service was on 12/5/20regarding an oil change, multi point inspection, and coolant topped off. I was told if I had any issues with the oil or coolant consumption to let them know. I took my vehicle to Audi North Austin on 2/8/21 regarding my coolant and oil consumption. The told me that I had an oil and coolant leak. When I mentioned the recall of the coolant pump, they told me that the oil leak caused the coolant leak and wouldn’t be covered. I notified Audi South Austin regarding the issues and asked them why they didn’t notice the oil leak during the oil change and inspection. They told me that they would do the recall issue and charge me approximately $5,000 for the oil leak. After showing them the invoice from Audi North of the oil charge being approximately $1,500, they offered the same amount. I have returned to Audi South Austin regarding the oil consumption and oil marks on the side of my car and they technician tells me that it’s normal for my make and model to consume oil and that I would just have to add oil. I’m worried that there is an electrical issue regarding the auxiliary recall and could catch fire while I’m driving. I also have 2 children and it’s difficult driving in 96 degrees weather without A/C and having to wait 3-4 weeks.

Related recalls

Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passengerReported April 3, 2024 · 91 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 Audi S5 Cabriolet, A4 Allroad, Q5 Sportback, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, SQ7, TT Coupe, TT Roadster, RS5 Sportback, 2024 A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q8, RSQ8, 2023-2024 Q3, Q5, and Q7 vehicles. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the occupant detection system (ODS) control module may loosen and deactivate the front passenger air bag.
Risk
A deactivated front passenger air bag will not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the passenger seat occupant detection system control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 8, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69GU.

Recall number 24V251000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported June 19, 2019 · 28 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. In the event of a crash deploying the passenger's frontal air bag, the instrument panel carrier may break due to incorrect welding. If the carrier breaks, there may be damage to the passenger frontal air bag.
Risk
A damaged frontal air bag may not provide adequate protection, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the instrument panel and the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began August 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 90N1.

Recall number 19V473000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported January 30, 2018 · 162,782 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V‑078.

Recall number 18V082000 · Recall details

Air bags: side/windowReported January 3, 2017 · 234,057 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Audi Q5 vehicles. The sunroof drainage system may allow water to soak into the foam surrounding the side head air bag inflator canister resulting in the corrosion of the canister. If this happens, the corrosion can weaken the canister and the inflator could fracture without air bag deployment, propelling fragments into the passenger compartment, striking and causing serious injury to vehicle occupants.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator and either coat it or replace it, as necessary, after removing the surrounding foam, free of charge. The recall is expected to began March 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69P1.

Recall number 17V001000 · Recall details

Air bagsReported May 27, 2016 · 8,381 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Audi A4, A5, and Q5 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.
Risk
If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69O1.

Recall number 16V376000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported February 10, 2016 · 659,493 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834.

Recall number 16V078000 · Recall details

Air bags: side/windowReported January 28, 2016 · 734 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles manufactured January 15, 2015, to January 21, 2015, and 2015 Audi Q5 vehicles manufactured January 13, 2015, to February 3, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with driver and front seat passenger seat-mounted air bag inflators that may rupture in the event of a crash.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of a seat-mounted air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began July 7, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑822‑2834 or Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69M1 (for Audi) and 69L9 (for VW).

Recall number 16V045000 · Recall details

Air bagsReported December 18, 2009 · 6,054 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2009 q5 passenger vehicles manufactured between november 25, 2008 and june 4, 2009. A left and/or right a-pillar trim cover clip may not have been manufactured correctly, allowing the a-pillar trim to become loose when the sideguard head protection airbags deploy during a crash.
Risk
If this happens, a loose trim piece could injure the front seat occupants of the vehicle.
Remedy
Volkswagen will inspect the clip in the middle of the left and right a-pillar covers and replace it free of charge. The safety recall began on january 22, 2010. Owners may contact audi at 1‑800‑253‑2834.

Recall number 09V484000 · Recall details

Questions about the Audi Q5 airbag light

Why does the airbag light come on in the Audi Q5?

Owners who report it most often also describe engine overheating, excessive oil consumption and headlights failing or too dim.

Which Audi Q5 years have airbag warning light problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2018 (6 complaints), 2012 (1 complaints) and 2013 (1 complaints).

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