Our '22 Audi Q5 experienced a spontaneous sunroof implosion while driving on the highway. Temperature would not have been a considering factor here, nor did anything hit the sunroof but it exploded and showered the occupants with glass - both pebble-sized pieces and small shards. The curtain was open at the time and glass went everywhere. Thankfully, the driver had the good sense to pull over immediately without an accident. This incident interrupted their trip, they had to find someone to tape a plastic cover over the gaping hole, then have the sunroof replaced, all at considerable expense and hassle. This was both a very dangerous AND frightening experience. Audi headquarters was contacted and denied any responsibility, saying that we need to handle this through our insurance company which I find outrageous as it has been recorded that quite a few Audis have experienced this same situation. It should be covered under their warranty!!
Audi Q5 sunroof shattered problems
27 of the 1,359 owner complaints about the Audi Q5 describe sunroof shattered, most of them for the 2012 model year.
- owner complaints
- 27
- worst model year
- 2012
- typical mileage
- 41,000
By model year
- 20251
- 20231
- 20222
- 20214
- 20201
- 20191
- 20182
- 20172
- 20161
- 20152
- 20141
- 20133
- 20125
- 20111
Often reported together
What owners say
The contact owns a 2025 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the panoramic sunroof glass exploded without impact. The contact pulled over at a pit stop to inspect the vehicle. Despite the failure, the contact resumed normal driving with shards of glass falling from the sunroof. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and agreed to have the vehicle towed to the dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired and remained with the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while coming to a stop, there was a loud bang, and the sunroof glass shattered, with glass falling inside the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was determined that the sunroof glass had shattered on impact with a foreign object. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost and remained at the local dealer. Upon further inspection, there was no evidence that an object had caused the sunroof glass to shatter. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.
I was driving down the highway and all of a sudden my sunroof exploded. It sounded like a loud gunshot. I got off the exit pulled over and I saw that my sunroof was shattered. On my Audi Q5 2016.
The vehicle sunroof exploded. On March 10th at approximately 12:15pm, while driving down the road from my residence in my 2012 Audi Q5, the sunroof blew up, without warning, causing shattered glass to fall inside the cab of the vehicle onto myself, and my then nine year old son, causing minor cuts, and small pieces of glass to be lodged into the skin of our arms, chest, and head . I called the Audi service ref repairs, and was told it would take three months, before the service department could look at and repair my vehicle, as they were backed up with repairs. I ordered a new sunroof windshield and did a self repair and calibration. I followed up with Audi, advising of the incident, and was told the SUNROOF was under a recall, but their records, this item had been address on my vehicle, no further assistance was offered.
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH on the interstate, there was an abnormal booming sound coming from the sunroof, and the contact noticed that the sunroof had shattered. The contact drove to the residence and reported the failure to the Insurance Company. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.
On [xxx] at [xxx], at my home, I pulled out of driveway in my 2012 audi 2012 q5, I drove three houses down, and the sunroof exploded sending shattered glass on myself, my then [xxx] son, and into the cabin of the car. I called audi for repair, but was informed there was a 3 to 4 month wait, ordered a on repairs. So I ordered a replacement and installed myself. On [xxx] my 2012 audi q5, would not start, dash fault indicated crankcase/ camshaft not alinged. Put vehicle in a audi repair shop (not dealership) for repairs. Damage was crankcase, timing chain, and timing chain tensioner research done found that there was six recalls on the vehicle, one involving the sunroof shattering, and the other involving the crankcase, timing chain, and tensioner. On 04/15/2025 I called audi at 800‑822‑2834 about the incidents, and inquiring about the six recalls, attempting to make sure the repairs had been completed. The representative was able to provide dates that a case was closed based on the VIN of my vehicle but was not able to confirm that the recall repairs had been done, she stated a claim being closed "usually meant a repair was done. But only the dealership that opened the case would have more information. I requested the dealership information, advising that I was concerned as thus far the recall repairs seem to be failing, and the recall on the airbags could cause potential death if deployed. I requested a supervisor call back. On 04/16/2025 I received a call back from a supervisor name juan/id 43248. I explained to him the issue with the previous recalls failing and my concerns about the airbags, and asked for the dealership name and number that did the repairs. He refused to give me the information sighting it contained information on the previous owner. I seek to confirm that these repairs were actually done in fear that they may not have been, and if a airbag is deployed I and passengers may end up dead as a result. Please advise. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c.
The contact had leased a 2023 Audi Q5. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, an abnormal sound like a gunshot sound was heard. The contact pulled over at the nearest exit and discovered that the rear panoramic sunroof had shattered without impact. The contact Audi New Orleans (3400 N Causeway Blvd, Metairie, LA 70002); Audi Chattanooga (6001 International Dr, Chattanooga, TN 37421); Audi Asheville (621 Brevard Rd, Asheville, NC 28806) and was informed that the panoramic sunroof could not be replaced. The contact was referred to other independent mechanics. The contact stated that one dealer offered a temporary repair by placing tape over the sunroof; however, the tape flew off the vehicle soon after leaving the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
My sunroof exploded while I was driving. No apparent cause and it was not a hot day.. 79 degrees. Glass landed all over me, my passengers seat and the back seat. I was startled and confused and was fortunate that no cars were near me.I was 2 miles from home and did not call police but paid almost $1400 for repair and Audi took no responsibility.
Sunroof exploded--no sign of rock (not near overpass), gun shot, bird,etc. It just blew up at highway speed on 6/17/2023 near milepost 98 on I-55 south near Cape Girardeau MO. Fortunately the interior cloth sunshade prevented glass from entering the vehicle. We were at risk from the shock of the situation and the possibility of glass debris (but see above). No warning, no inspections.
Related recalls
Structure: body
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, 2018-2022 Q5, and SQ5 vehicles. A liquid spill in the rear seat, or water ingress from an insufficient body seam underneath the vehicle may allow liquid to penetrate the gateway control module, causing it to shutdown.
- Risk
- A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a protective cover on the gateway control module and seal an underbody seam as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90S9.
Recall number 21V947000 · Recall details
Structure: body
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi SQ5 and 2018-2020 Audi Q5 vehicles. The rear wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach from the vehicle.
- Risk
- The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
- Remedy
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four clips securing the forward part of the rear wheel arch trim, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Audi's number for this recall is 66K8.
Recall number 19V737000 · Recall details
Questions about the Audi Q5 sunroof shattered
Which Audi Q5 years have sunroof shattered problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2012 (5 complaints), 2021 (4 complaints) and 2013 (3 complaints).
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