10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
37,518 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Audi Q5 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 Audi Q5:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2011 Audi Q5 Owner Comments

problem #12

May 082019

Q5

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission shift gears very bad, while breaking, from 2 gear to 1st gear car "jumps" forward, I seen a lot of people complaining about it. Somethimes when I put in to reverse, it takes a minute until it start driving.

- Darien, IL, USA

problem #11

Jul 112019

Q5

  • 63,000 miles
Timing chain issue that caused it to jump, damaging the cylinder heads and valves. As I was proceeding to stop at at a light, the front end of the car began to shake and the engine seemed off. At a full stop, the engine sputtered again and then proceeded to die. The car wouldn't start, so I could not proceed through the intersection. Audi will not cover any damage that was caused and is indicating they are not responsible for the issues with the timing chains. I've searched online and found many other lawsuits where this type of issue has been covered from Audi.

- Naperville, IL, USA

problem #10

Jun 082019

Q5

  • 68,000 miles
Excessive oil leaking from undercarriage

- Allen, TX, USA

problem #9

Nov 072017

Q5

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Oil leaks badly from rear main seal and timing cover.

- Irvine, CA, USA

problem #8

Jun 262017

Q5

  • 85,000 miles
While taking a left turn across traffic, the Audi Q5 3.2 transmission failed while shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. The Audi Q5 stalled and stopped and would not continue to drive. The engine seemed to be working properly; however, the gears would not engage and the car would not drive. The Audi Q5 displayed an error message "gearbox malfunction; you can continue driving (limited functionality)". after repeatedly restarting the Audi Q5 and attempting to shift the transmission it eventually engaged the gears allowing the car to be driven out of traffic. From that point on, it displayed this message almost continuously, being the worst in the morning, also losing reverse gear. I do a lot of hwy driving and always worry if I will get killed by oncoming traffic as it has stalled on me while entering the hwy also. Audi has been nothing but ignorant, pretending my car is the only one with this problem and not admitting to recalls for this problem in other countries. This is their factory problem which they quote 10K to fix, 2X cars trade in value or wholesale value.

- Tuxedo Park, NY, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #7

Apr 272017

Q5

  • 50,000 miles
I was driving my car around some blind curves when I heard a clank kind of sound and clicking and then lost power fortunately I was close enough I coasted home. I was very lucky. I could not get the engine to start and had it towed to the Audi dealer he said, engine no start no power: Found engine cranks without compression. Found timing chain stretched and jumped timing. Removed and inspected valves and found all valves to be bent. At this time we need to replace the cylinder head and timing chain and related parts. Parts: $4800 labor: $4835 total: $9635 regards, I believe this is a problem that actually is so common that several mechanics have websites on how to protect your chain from doing this. I of course had no idea about any of this before...because no one told me it was an issue!!!! or I would have done the preventative care. Also, I just read they are doing a class action suit with this in New Jersey. I can tell you I am feeling very nervous about driving my Audi again!!! I have no confidence in these chains!

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #6

Apr 012016

Q5

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Unresolved engine issue. Recall that they will not fix. Unable to trade in vehicle anywhere because of the active recall. Feel trapped in an unsafe 'family' car.

- Fairbanks, AK, USA

problem #5

May 112015

Q5

  • 89,000 miles
Transmission often jerks when slowing down below 10 mph, car jerks forward

- Mount Olive, AL, USA

problem #4

Feb 282014

Q5

  • 21,000 miles
The vehicle was purchased with 20,000 miles and has been burning oil since. The car is under warranty and has gone through the manufactures oil consumption test, both 1 and 2 which they are saying barely passed. The car is continuing to burn oil and has gone through phase 1 again for the second time and am being told it passed. Audi states an oil change is good for 10,000 miles and here I am at 7,000 miles having to put oil in it and taking my car to the dealership every few months to test it.

- Fall River, MA, USA

problem #3

Nov 062013

Q5 4-cyl

  • 18,000 miles
1. Q5 2.0 has a very harsh downshift whether in automatic mode or in manual/sportronic. Specially 4->3 and 3->2 and 2->1. as a result the car comes to a stop and then jerk forward after the stop (2-1), causing accidents in parking garages specially in tight spots. Audi has acknowledged the issue, applied tsb-37-13-83 software update, even replaced the mechatronic unit but the harsh jerky downshift returns. Dealer says it is not a problem but a "characteristic" of this car. Escalated to Audi of America, and they confirm it is a characteristic of the vehicle and they say they cannot do anything about it. Hundreds of similar complaints, some at forums.audiworld.com/archive/index.php/T-2847492.html 2. car burns oil at high rate. Had oil topped off at 12K, 15K, 19K, and still at 21K it is half. Dealer changed some gaskets saying it would fix the issue but it hasn't.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #2

Apr 142014

Q5

  • 55,975 miles
I purchased a certified preowned Audi Q5 last March 2013. The vehicle was running fine. No problems or concerns. I took the vehicle to an Audi dealer in February 2014 for an annual service and also in March 2014 for my yearly inspection/emissions testing. On April 2014, I had loss the vehicle due to an unknown fire that had started in the car. Yes, my car was engulfed in fire! prior to this fire, I had no problems or messages on my dashboard or smelled smoke while I had drove the car. The car was running fine up until that day. I have no idea what happened to my vehicle. The insurance company had investigated this vehicle, and they stated that arson was not the blame for the fire. They R/O an electrical issue that might of been the cause of the fire. The insurance company had also researched recalls and manufacturer defects, and they claimed there were no issues. I am completely stunned about this incident. The car was parked all day, and I just can't believe out of nowhere that the car had caught on fire. I've been in contact with the dealer where I purchased the vehicle, and they are as shocked as I am about what happen. Hopefully, I'll get an explanation as to why the vehicle had mysteriously caught on fire.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #1

Jan 112010

Q5

  • 239 miles
While taking a left turn across traffic, the Audi Q5 3.2 transmission failed while shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. The Audi Q5 stopped and would not continue to drive. The engine seemed to be working properly; however, the gears would not engage and the car would not drive. The Audi Q5 displayed an error message "gearbox malfunction; you can continue driving (limited functionality)". after repeatedly restarting the Audi Q5 and attempting to shift the transmission it eventaully engaged the gears allowing the car to be driven out of traffic.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

Not what you are looking for?