2016 Audi Q5: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2016 Audi Q5 at 21–26 mpg combined across 4 versions. NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 78 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 4 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
5
EPA combined mpg
21–26
NHTSA overall rating
4/5
Recall file dated Oct 28, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 28, 2026, 7:36 AM EDT
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Audi dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2016 Audi Q5 recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 5 safety recalls for the 2016 Audi Q5, newest first.
Engine and engine cooling: Cooling system
NHTSA 18V229000Reported Apr 11, 2018
Filed by
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 19N3/19N4)
Units affected
342,867 (estimate)
Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.
Risk
A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 80C5/80C6)
Units affected
216,913 (estimate)
Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad and Q5 vehicles. Contact corrosion within the electrical connector for the auxiliary heater may cause the heater wires to overheat or melt.
Risk
The melted wires can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary heater and, as necessary, update the software, free of charge. The Recall began November 27, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 80C5 and 80C6.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 20Z8)
Units affected
240,487 (estimate)
Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Audi Q5 and 2013-2017 Audi Q7 vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump flange if cracks are present. Flanges that do not have cracks will have a protective film applied. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20Z8. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 16V-660.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 69P1)
Components
Air bags: Side/window; Visibility: Sun/moon roof assembly
Units affected
234,057 (estimate)
Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Audi Q5 vehicles. The sunroof drainage system may allow water to soak into the foam surrounding the side head air bag inflator canister resulting in the corrosion of the canister. If this happens, the corrosion can weaken the canister and the inflator could fracture without air bag deployment, propelling fragments into the passenger compartment, striking and causing serious injury to vehicle occupants.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator and either coat it or replace it, as necessary, after removing the surrounding foam, free of charge. The recall is expected to began March 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69P1.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. 19M1)
Units affected
342,867 (estimate)
Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system, resulting in the pump overheating.
Risk
If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19M1.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2016 Audi Q5 fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2016 Audi Q5 crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2016 Audi Q5 NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2016 Audi Q5 HEV SUV AWD
4 stars
4 stars
5 stars
4 stars
15.1%
No
2016 Audi Q5 SUV AWD
4 stars
4 stars
5 stars
4 stars
15.1%
Optional
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2016 Audi Q5 owner complaints
Owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Audi Q5, most recently on Oct 16, 2026. 10 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 8 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2016 Audi Q5 complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Engine
26
Unknown or other
11
Electrical system
10
Steering
10
Fuel/propulsion system
9
Air bags
6
Engine and engine cooling
5
Service brakes
4
Vehicle speed control
4
Visibility/wiper
4
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
