2023 Audi Q5 Complaints

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 07/12/2026

I was turning left st an intersection. A car just passed and a truck wasn't close coming down the road the collision detection system caused the car to slam to 0. My neck is hurting and my daughter's back is hurting.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 06/16/2026

CORRECTION to NHTSA COMPLAINT #11745968 The Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) did not disengage when the vehicle was placed in gear from P to R to D while/after parked in an incline postion (see DTCs -Bozeman Audi invoice, 6/23/26). The EPB is designed to disengage automatically. There was a dashboard warning light --RED--symbol--brake failure that flashed when the ignition was started. The occupants drove the vehicle approx 50 ft before the vehicle's Automatic EBS and/or Automatic Parking Braking (Maneuver Assist) shut down the vehicle completely because EPB was still engaged after gear shifts--R and D. |DTC| Diag 01500060-15TU (202729223) Terminal 75X (Relief Relay for X-Contact). [DTC 01500 / 015000] Diagnostic Lookup [Root Causes]: Blown Fuse: A fuse (typically on the main power distribution block) protecting the relief relay circuit has failed. Faulty Relay: The J59 X-Contact Relief Relay has mechanically stuck open or failed internally. Wiring/Ground Fault: Corroded, pinched, or damaged wires along the steering column or under the dashboard. Low Battery Voltage: Insufficient system voltage can trigger relay dropout during vehicle start-up. [Immediate Next Steps] Check Voltage: This was not done at Bozeman Audi dealership [DTC] The Audi repair sequence "27068950" Battery Charging / Testing (Labour Operation Number: 27068950) associated with the 12V/48V electrical system on an Audi. Audi Automatic Braking System—Audi pre sense—includes Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB). Automatic Parking Braking (Park Assist / Maneuver Assist): This operates when parking or reversing. "In the 2023 Audi Q5, the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB)—the physical switch marked with a (P) on your center console—acts as the ultimate mechanical failsafe and anchor. It interacts differently with the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and Automatic Parking Braking (Maneuver Assist) systems based on speed, safety protocols, and driver behavior." Safety Recall 93AA

SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 06/16/2026

Automatic Emergency Braking system engaged when the vehicle was parked on an incline. Unable to release automatic emergency brake when vehicle was started with key. Ignition light warning — RED — symbol — brake failure. Required a tow to Audi dealership. Audi dealership in two states failed to use OMB II reader to scan codes at the time of emergency visit. Vehicle was released to owner without scanning codes at the time of the emergency therefore owner acquired more than 3-4 consecutive drive cycles before scheduled repair appointment 7 days after emergency incident described above because the Audi dealerships in two states (vehicle occupants were traveling long distance) failed to read and store computer codes immediately after emergency incident with the automatic braking system. This incident made the vehicle inoperable and placed the occupants of the vehicle in an unsafe situation. The failure at the Audi dealerships to retrieve codes at the time of the emergency incident prolonged a permanent repair and will make vehicle evaluation/assessment for safety less reliable given that no evaluation or assessment was done at the time of the emergency at the dealerships and before the vehicle codes were automatically cleared after 3-4 consecutive ‘drive cycles.’ Requested an incline field test with vehicle — place the vehicle in similar conditions— incline — and test automatic emergency braking system— during scheduled appointment 7 days after incident.

SEAT BELTS,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 05/11/2026

May 11, 2026 approx 9:35am. I was in a flat parking area at a gas station waiting for a friend. There were 2 other cars parked near me. No one was in them. Neither were moving. I backed out of my space into a large, empty, open area to turn my car around to have a better view. Because the audi pre-sense chronically malfunctions, I always turn it off before I drive. But I left it on this time because I was only driving about 15 feet in a parking area. I backed out, then stepped on the brake to turn the wheel. While I was AT A FULL STOP, the seatbelt motor started up loudly and grabbed my chest with the seatbelt, slamming me back against the seat. No one was there. No cars were moving. I was at a stop. When the seatbelt let me go, I noticed a red lighted image of some sort on the screen. I believe there was a red star-shaped image and some text indicating a collision. Then the image disappeared. I turned off pre-sense and backed into my parking space. It was painful and frightening - especially as I have osteoporosis. This car has previously slammed the brakes on an empty road while I was driving 45-50 mph. Dealer says there are no codes or errors and I need to clean the sensors. I bought it new. Likewise, the rear cross-traffic, pedestrian detection etc. rarely works and sometimes fires for no reason. If the brakes slam when there's a car behind me, I'll be rear-ended. If the seatbelt slams while I'm on the road, I'll certainly swerve from the discomfort and being startled. Very dangerous. NOTE: My previous report seems to be removed from this website. Bad idea.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 10/23/2025

My dashboard VIN plate was destroyed when the windshield was being replaced. I’ve been trying to get Audi to send me a new VIN since October 23, almost 6 months ago. They assigned an executive case manager 2 months ago but that’s accomplished nothing. The vehicle is out of compliance with federal law without a VIN plate and I cannot trade or sale the car. Please help me.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 04/12/2026

Component/System: Engine. The vehicle was destroyed by fire but the remains are available for inspection depending on insurance/salvage status. Safety risk: Around [XXX] on [XXX], my 2023 Audi Q5 began smoking as I was exiting the vehicle with my [XXX] daughter and then caught fire and was completely destroyed. This created an immediate risk of serious injury or death to me and my child. I live across from a park and there were many children and families nearby who were at risk as well. Dealer/service confirmation: I just learned of recall 15ZK (loose cylinder head cover screws/oil leak fire risk) after the fire. I never received a recall notice despite owning an affected vehicle. Inspections: The incident was responded to by Silver Spring/MCFRS Fire Station 19 along with local police on April 12. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by my insurance company. They are expected to send an inspector on April 13. Prior warning symptoms: I recently noticed a fuel/burning smell originating from the front of the vehicle. The smell was detectable from outside the car after driving but was not present inside the cabin. No warning lights appeared on the dashboard. The smell persisted for several days prior to the fire without resolving, consistent with the oil leak described in recall 15ZK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 10/23/2025

VIN plate missing over 150 days.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 02/26/2026

I owned the car for two weeks when I had my dog in the front and it automatic braked going down the freeway. It threw him into the screen and broke it, luckily he was ok. (He was belted in.) This has happened three more times and been inspected but they are not able to reproduce the problem. This only happens when the dog is in the car with me. This last time, the dog hit the dash and screen again and broke it, and I had to pay to have it replaced again. (Thankfully dog just fine.) They keep saying no fault found because they can’t get it to do it on their test drives. This is a serious safety issue and could cause an accident by someone rear ending me. The roads aren’t wet, and nothing is around when it has happened each time. They turned down the presensor this time, so i am hoping this helps.

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 02/07/2026

SoS emergency call malfunction. Besides transmission or engine mounting shakes on idle positions car still 6800 miles

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 12/01/2025

The over dashboard screen didn't turn on when the car was open or the ignition turned on. Sometime it would take minutes though on a few occasions it simply didn't turn on. The consequence is I couldn't see how fast I was going, any information related to the car such as fuel level, tachometer, temperature. etc. I had the part replace by Audi, but it was over 3K to fix on part and/or system that should not fail. This started in the month of December 2025 though I just had it fixed.