Audi Q5 hesitation problems

Filed May 12, 2026 · Electrical · NV

2019 Audi q5 drive system malfunction/start stop malfunction. Error code will come on randomly in traffic and when you try to put your foot on the gas it hesitates and you need to push harder on the gas. Car will also lose acceleration power and take longer to reach desired speed. Drive system malfunction light will come on as well as an error stating start/stop system malfunction. Have had multiple sensors and battery replaced with only temporary results. Start stop malfunction will come on randomly at any time and then go away for a certain amount of time and come back again. This malfunction is constantly going on and off and is sometimes dangerous because you don’t know when it will happen, if it does happen you don’t know if you need to press harder on the gas, or if you do accelerate you don’t know if you’re damaging your engine. After multiple fixes at Audi dealership and other repair shops, them attempting to address this issue has done nothing for the car leaving me to believe this could be a fault. This issue has been going on for at least 10 months with multiple dealer visits attempting to address this issue.

Filed Feb 22, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · TX

Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Summary: The turbocharger on my 2019 Audi Q5 failed prematurely. The initial check engine light and loss of performance began at approximately 48,000 miles, which is within Audi’s 4-year/50,000-mile powertrain warranty. The condition progressively worsened and the vehicle became difficult to drive safely in traffic due to reduced power and hesitation during acceleration. The turbocharger ultimately required complete replacement at 50,334 miles at a cost of $ 2511.20 This appears to be a premature failure of a major engine component. A sudden loss of power while merging or crossing intersections creates a safety concern. The vehicle has been properly maintained, is completely stock, and has never been modified. No warning was provided prior to the check engine light and rapid performance degradation. I am submitting this complaint because similar turbocharger wastegate failures have been documented in other Volkswagen/Audi vehicles using related engines, and a failure at this mileage should not occur in a properly maintained vehicle. Safety Risk: Reduced engine power and hesitation during acceleration creates a hazardous condition when merging into traffic or crossing intersections. Repair: Turbocharger replacement Repair cost: $ 2511.20 Mileage at repair: 50,334

Filed Dec 9, 2025 · Transmission · TX

While driving my 2021 Audi Q5, the vehicle experienced a sudden transmission disengagement without warning. The vehicle behaved as if it had shifted into neutral while in motion. When this occurred, pressing the accelerator produced no response — the engine would not rev and the vehicle would not accelerate. This created a serious safety risk as it occurred during normal driving conditions and could have resulted in a collision. After stopping the vehicle and shifting into Park and then back into Drive, the transmission temporarily re-engaged. The issue reoccurred multiple times. Prior to one of the failures, the vehicle hesitated and bucked when starting from a stop. A warning message later appeared stating: “Transmission malfunction. You may continue to drive but will be unable to reverse.” The vehicle was taken to an authorized Audi dealership. Audi of America approved replacement of the transmission control module (mechatronic unit); however, this repair did not resolve the problem. After repeated failed adaptations and diagnostics, the dealer confirmed that the entire transmission requires replacement, citing internal gear set failure. The dealer documented that: Basic transmission settings and adaptations were attempted at least five times The failure consistently occurs at the same gear position A similar Audi Q5 case required full transmission replacement Audi Technical Assistance Center instructed the dealer to replace the transmission Despite this, Audi of America has refused further assistance due to the vehicle being slightly outside the standard warranty period, even though the mileage is extremely low and the failure is safety-related. This appears to be a defect involving the Audi S-tronic transmission, as similar complaints have been reported by other owners. The sudden loss of propulsion while driving presents a clear safety hazard. Safety Impact Sudden loss of acceleration while driving No throttle response during failure Occurred wit

Filed Sep 8, 2023 · Transmission · OH

Quattro Ultra shift fork inside the rear differential is faulty due to inferior material used in production. This defect is acknowledged in the TSB circa 2020, attached. I have experienced hesitation upon a start up from the stop/start function at intersections and other cross traffic situations increasing risk of collusions in fast moving traffic. There is a warning message that states you may continue to drive but to get service. It operates intermittently. I have the defective part following its replacement on a low mileage 2018 Audi Q5 2.0. that is approximately 5 years old at approximately 41,601 miles.

Filed May 21, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 70,290 miles · VA

Incident date: 5/9/20 mileage: 70,290 miles summary: I reversed out of parking space, shifted my car into drive, and my car abruptly hesitated, decelerated, resisted, and jerked upon engaging the gas pedal; a series of multiple warning/indicator lights simultaneously flashed on the obd screen while my car was in motion. The car continued to decelerate, jerk & hesitate.messages referenced hybrid, malfunction, electronic, inoperable, loss of ability to control steering, steering power, danger, hazard, engine, stabilization, driving, power. I attempted to accelerate from a stop sign to cross a 4 lane intersection of moving traffic. Upon pressing the gas pedal to cross the traffic intersection, my car would hesitated to accelerate, and more abruptly jerked and hesitated - like I was driving a manual transmission that was stalling out/stuck in the wrong gear.the more I tried to accelerate across the 4 lanes of moving traffic, the more severely the car resisted, jerked, hesitated, and fluctuated in power. I could've been t-boned by another vehicle and seriously injured, as the speed limit on both sides of this traffic intersection is 45mph. I was informed by the audi dealership that I need a brand new transmission due to 'internal parts failure.' I was also informed the 'condition and level of transmission fluid' requires an entirely new transmission. The following diagnostic codes were provided by the dealership: p0ab900,p060a00,p279700,u040200. According to audi, my car now needs a whole new transmission and has 'burned' transmission fluid due to an 'internal parts failure' at 70,290 miles.the transmission replacement and labor is approx $27k. I recently learned the transmission mechatronics was replaced by another audi dealership in aug 16' and the mileage was approximately 22kmiles. I purchased the vehicle in jan 17', with approx. 26kmiles. More detail in pdf.

Filed Oct 22, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 60,000 miles · NJ

Audio q5 2013 audi 2.0 tfsi engine high oil consumption. There is a design flaw with the engine that causes high oil consumption. As a result, engine oil leaks into the cylinders which cause the engine to stall, damage the engine and impede acceleration. I have added oil on 3 occasions this year - 2019. The first indication to add oil came back in 2015 - 2 years after buying the car brand new and after about 30000 miles. The first breakdown occurred in 2017 after I stopped at a traffic light then attempted to accelerate up on a hill, I wasn't told what the issue was, but audi covered the repair charges since the car had about 35000 miles on it and the manufacture's warranty was recently expired. After breaking down on the highway again 2 years later, the car was taken to the dealer which then informed me that a blown cylinder was the cause and it's best I replace all 4 cylinders because they were all going to fail at sometime. After the repairs were completed, I drove about 500 miles, then the car indicated to add oil again. I also happen to notice that when the oil is low there is hesitation whenever I start to accelerate from a dead stop or going up a hill. I continue to add oil whenever the car indicates, but the issue gets worse by the mile. Reference: http://casestudies.atlanticmotorcar.com/audi-engine-oil-consumption-correction/

Filed Apr 8, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 50,000 miles · WA

After having done the epa & carb approved emissions modifications 2014-2016 3.0l tdi (generation 2 pc) emission recal 23v4, the car developed a lurch or hesitation between 30 and 40 MPH. The service advisor at the dealer said there's nothing can be done. This is a safety concern because I'm afraid the car will eventually stop in the middle of the road, lose control or cause a crash.

Filed Apr 1, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 109,000 miles · AZ

My audi q5 2011 check engine and epc light continue to light up my dash, vehicle has been diagnosed by the dealership not once not twice but more than three times. Continues to have the same and similar misfires and actually seems to be getting hotter than usual, the engine. I've seen several complaints about recalls on the coolant pump,timing chain, fuel pump flange, fuel pump, wiring sensors, epc light ball joints, and the list goes on. What has me mostly concern is the recalls for all the fuel system components. For example emission control devices like the egr fuel cap fuel gauge sender, feel injection system fuel leaks stalling and hesitation , have you been seeing one or actually a couple where a fire was initiated while people were in the car . This is a huge safety concern for me and my family who drives the car practically every day it seems that even door car is out of warranty audi should be responsible for all these repairs and recalls and and make it right on their part . If we would've known this car was going to give us that much trouble after buying it from a certified dealer, we would've never even thought or imagined of driving a lemon . After this unfortunate experience and still ongoing one, and the way audi really doesn't take in consideration the safety of its clientele, or its families, I will never take in consideration of buying another audi in my life .

Filed Apr 7, 2010 · Transmission · 3,200 miles · NY

I have a hesitation/lack-of-acceleration when moving from a stop or from low speeds. Essentially, I'm either moving very slowly or I have to floor the gas pedal to force the transmission to change gears, and then the car 'takes off'. There is no middle ground (I.e. I can't simply accelerate 'normally'). It is dangerous when merging on to a highway or out of a driveway or shopping center and onto a busy road.

Filed Nov 28, 2009 · Transmission · 500 miles · PA

Transmission hesitation and " jerking".