Audi Q5 water leak problems

Filed Aug 27, 2026 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · NJ

the federal safety agency Vehicle Safety Complaint – 2022 Audi Q5 I am reporting a potential safety defect involving water intrusion through the panoramic-roof drainage system of a 2022 Audi Q5 and resulting damage to the vehicle's electrical system. The vehicle was purchased with a rebuilt title at approximately 8,000 miles following minor dents/scratches and was fully operational. We drove approximately 23,000 additional miles without water-intrusion or electrical problems. Following heavy rainfall, water entered the vehicle and reached the comfort module, wiring and connectors, causing corrosion and extensive electrical damage. While driving, the vehicle began stalling and its lights/electronics started flashing. After we stopped, it would not start again. Audi estimated approximately $12,000 to repair the vehicle by replacing the comfort module/connectors and cutting and splicing the affected wiring harness to new connectors. Our insurer, Progressive, considers this a safety concern because the affected wiring harness connects with other vehicle systems and recommends replacement of the entire harness rather than splicing it. Audi TSB 2075969/2 addresses water intrusion in 2018–2023 Q5/SQ5 vehicles and states that panoramic-roof drain hoses may become kinked during headliner installation, blocking drainage and allowing water into the vehicle. Audi also issued Safety Recall 90S9/the federal safety agency 21V‑947 concerning liquid reaching the gateway control module in 2018–2022 Q5/SQ5 vehicles, recognizing that water-related electrical failure can cause reduced engine power and increase crash risk. Our vehicle experienced an electrical malfunction while driving after water intrusion. I request that the federal safety agency investigate whether this known Q5 panoramic-roof drainage defect presents a safety defect requiring recall action. The vehicle is preserved and available for inspection.

Filed Aug 20, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · TX

On 8/3/26, my 2021 Audi Q5 began throwing numerous different malfunction/error alerts and the engine turned off while driving after a bottle of water had partially spilled onto our backseat behind the drivers side. The vehicle was towed to a nearby mechanic who determined that liquid damaged the gateway control module located under the backseat of the vehicle, as the gateway control module is placed in a "protective cover" (an unsealed plastic bag) and that bag visibly had liquid inside of it. We had immediately contacted Audi upon learning of this issue and decided not to move forward with any repairs, but to instead pay out of pocket to have it towed 70 miles to Audi/where we originally purchased the vehicle. This "protective cover" the control module was placed inside was completed as a recall service repair on our vehicle in April of 2022 due to a the federal safety agency recall announced in December 2021 regarding safety issues in these control modules failing from liquid spills on the backseat. We contacted Audi, explained that liquid had spilled in our backseat and entered the "protective cover" and damaged the control module. They agreed to inspect our vehicle to determine if the "protective cover" had been insufficiently installed. We paid out of pocket to have it towed to the dealership where it took them 6 days to determine the gateway control module is damaged (we had already explained this to them). Although liquid was found in the "protective cover" of this gateway control module, the dealership claims it was installed sufficiently. Upon looking into this matter further, there are numerous complaints of this exact issue (water entering and damaging the gateway control module from a liquid spill on the backseat, even with the "protective cover") on the federal safety agency website, as well as a previous class action lawsuit settled out of court in regards to this EXACT issue. THE PRIOR RECALL REPAIR DOES NOT FIX THE SAFETY HAZARD AS STATED IN THE OFFICIAL the federal safety agency RECALL REPORT.

Filed Jul 17, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · WI

My 2018 Audi Q5 experienced significant water intrusion due to a failure of the panoramic sunroof drain system. Water entered the vehicle interior and traveled down into the electrical compartment, submerging the comfort module and damaging multiple wiring harnesses. This caused the vehicle to become inoperable and unable to start. Audi has issued Technical Service Bulletin 2075969/2 describing this exact defect. The bulletin states that the sunroof drain hoses can be kinked during factory installation of the headliner, which blocks drainage and causes water to enter the vehicle. This is a manufacturing defect affecting multiple model years of the Audi Q5. In my case, the water intrusion caused electrical failure, loss of vehicle function, and required thousands of dollars in repairs. Audi declined to cover the defect and stated the vehicle was not maintained on schedule, even though maintenance has no relationship to kinked or improperly routed sunroof drains. This defect poses a safety risk because water intrusion into electrical components can cause sudden vehicle failure, electrical shorts, corrosion, and loss of critical systems. The failure occurred without warning. I am reporting this because the issue appears to be widespread, documented by Audi, and has the potential to disable vehicles unexpectedly.

Filed Apr 20, 2026 · Electrical · WI

The module that controls the car’s electronics is located inside a special protective bag. A hole developed in this bag, and water leaked inside. The module is now completely submerged in water. When we started the car, many error messages appeared, but after we turned the car off and tried to start it again, the car would no longer start.

Filed Apr 1, 2026 · Body, Electrical · 95,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2019 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stopped and jerked, and the RED master warning light illuminated, and the message “Electrical Control Module” failure was displayed. On other occasions, while driving at undisclosed speeds, the turn signals and brake lights failed to operate as intended, and the message "Faulty Brake Light" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that there was water trapped in the clogged sunroof drain, and the water leaked, and the control module was covered in water. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

Filed Sep 11, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · MI

The comfort control module in the trunk of the car was sitting in water due to an ingress of water coming in the car. The car would not start due to this water ingress and could have shut off completely on the freeway or while driving. This caused my car to completely shut off and malfunction. There were no warning lamps or messages of the problem. I found out about the problem by taking the car to the Audi dealership. They originally thought the problem was the gateway module which has already been recalled due to the same problem of an ingress of water. The Audi dealership has claimed that the ingress of water is from a clogged drain pipe in the sunroof. They said there is nothing you can do to prevent this from happening.

Filed Jul 18, 2024 · Acceleration, Electrical · WI

Car was left outside for two weeks while we were gone on a trip. When we returned and attempted to start the car numerous warning lights went off related to turn signals, tail lights, engine ignition, key recognition, etc. We were able to drive the car home but the turn signals and tail lights were malfunctioning and the engine would lose power unexpectedly. Upon researching on AudiWorld Forums I came to learn I should check to see if there was any moisture in certain areas, including the rear fuse box area at the rear of the car. I checked that location and found many inches of water in the fusebox!!! I learned that MANY, MANY people with q5s have had the same problem which is RAINWATER ENTERING THE VEHICLES ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DUE TO NON-OPERABLE SUNROOF DRAIN PORTS. Yes, I searched and found an unrelated recall 90s9 but the dealer said this was not the issue, the issue is non-operable sunroof drains and the repair cost is $8,000. Having no idea of the danger I was placing my family in by driving this vehicle while its electrical system was swamped with water, I feel a class action lawsuit should be brought against the company for damages for material, labor, as well as the risk of injury or death I placed my wife and I in by driving this vehicle under such unsafe conditions. I noted there was a suit settled for this issue with other models, but not the 2018 q5. [XXX] V Audi/Volkswagon [XXX] . The idea that someone should have to face death for leaving their car in the rain does not even pass the laugh test. Someone in Audi's risk management department needs to address this and make owners whole again. Please advise. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 14, 2024 · Body, Electrical · 190,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2018 Audi Q5. The contact stated the vehicle was parked during a rainstorm and the contact attempted to start the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed a diagnostic test and stated that water entered the vehicle through a fractured seal causing the electrical wiring to get wet. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V947000 (Electrical System, Structure) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

Filed Sep 7, 2023 · Electrical · NY

Warning lights on the dash began to light up about a minute after starting and driving the car. Pulled over, stopped the car and tried to restart but couldn't restart. Apparently water leaked in from the closed sunroof over night and flooded the spare tire well where a control module is located and shorted. Car was serviced by Audi as recommended during the entire time. Had to have the car towed to an Audi dealer and was charged $1,600 to correct after 10 days.

Filed Aug 16, 2023 · Electrical · FL

The comfort control module catastrophically failed. There is video evidence of the condition the module is in. The whole car shut down. Nothing electronic worked. Doors unlocked, trunk opened, gas cap unlocked, couldn't start car or change gears, roll up/down windows, or lock the doors. The dealership has confirmed the sunroof drains leaked water into the rear left wheel well filling it up with water into the trunk where the spare wheel well is with picture evidence of the amount of water. It rained the night prior. There were no prior warning signs or any issues. Everything was working fine until it was not. The comfort control module needs to be completely rewired and the sunroof drains need to be completely replaces. If this happened while I was driving I would have lost complete control of the vehicle as all power to the car was off.