Head-to-head reliability
AUDI Q5 E vs Toyota Camry
How the AUDI Q5 E and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
AUDI Q5 E vs Toyota Camry: The Audi Q5 E has 47 complaints over 5 years (9.4/yr) and no recalls, while the Camry has 2143 complaints over 10 years (214.3/yr) and 31 recalls. Audi owners report sudden power loss and electrical failures; Camry owners report transmission and brake issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI Q5 E or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI Q5 E
The Audi Q5 E is a plug-in hybrid SUV that, in ownership terms, presents a mixed picture. While it has no recalls on record, its complaint rate of about 9.4 per year over five years is relatively low. However, the nature of the complaints—ranging from sudden loss of power to electrical glitches—suggests that when problems occur, they can be serious and potentially affect drivability and safety. Owners report issues that can leave them stranded or facing unexpected repair costs, making it a vehicle that requires careful pre-purchase inspection and a robust warranty.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a popular midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume—214.3 per year over ten years—but this is partly due to its larger sales base and longer reporting period. The complaints span a wide range of issues, from transmission problems and brake failures to engine concerns and air conditioning odors. With 31 recalls, the Camry has had more official safety actions, but many complaints relate to quality and reliability issues that can be costly to fix. Despite the higher numbers, the Camry's long-standing reputation for dependability suggests that many owners have trouble-free experiences, but the data shows that significant problems do occur.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI Q5 E | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 47 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 9.4 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 Better | 163 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
AUDI Q5 E
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM15
- 02ENGINE9
- 03POWER TRAIN8
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
- 05SERVICE BRAKES5
Owners report sudden loss of power, accelerator failure, and gear shifting issues while driving, often accompanied by flashing interior lights and error messages. The MMI (Multimedia Interface) system also fails to load correctly, indicating software or hardware glitches that can affect both convenience and safety.
ECU malfunctions lead to cooling system failures, causing a 'drive system malfunction' warning, rough idling, and the engine shutting off. Transmission control issues also surface, with slipping, shuddering, and harsh gear shifts, sometimes leaving the car stuck in low gears.
Catastrophic failures occur while driving, such as sudden and complete loss of power during highway merges, with 'Transmission Malfunction' warnings. These events can be dangerous, especially in traffic, and indicate potential transmission or drivetrain defects.
A notable complaint involves the sunroof exploding without warning, which could cause distraction or injury. This suggests a potential glass or structural defect that owners should be aware of.
“While driving in the far left of the 405N in Long Beach, the vehicle experienced some catastrophic failure. The accelerator stopped working, gear shifting was not possible, the interior lights turned on and flashed, there was some text instruction on the scre…”
“The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5 E. The contact stated that when she purchased the vehicle the MMI (Multimedia Interface) system failed to load correctly. The contact stated that the dealer informed her that the system would upload later as the system was not…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the front end upon acceleration, often leading to transmission replacement. Some describe sudden acceleration incidents, which are alarming and can result in crashes. Transmission issues are a common theme, with some models having recalls for similar problems.
Engine maintenance required lights appear, with diagnostic codes pointing to coolant valve bypass issues that may be covered by a recall but not for all VINs. Sudden acceleration events are also reported, which can be caused by engine or throttle control malfunctions.
Brake failure is reported, such as no response when pressing the pedal on a downhill slope, leading to potential loss of control. Other complaints involve brakes not engaging properly in low-speed situations, like parking lots, which can cause collisions.
Air conditioning issues are common, including damage to the condenser from rocks and recurring unpleasant odors from the vents. While not safety-critical, these affect comfort and can be costly to repair.
“I turned into a restaurant’s parking lot, found a spot and slowly drove into the lot, I eased off the gas pedal and gently applying the brake as the lot has a slight downward slope. When I reach the chunk (the parking block), I added more force to the brake,…”
“Grinding noise coming from front end upon acceleration. Brought to dealership who confirmed noises coming from transmission. Transmission needs to be replaced per dealer recommendation. Recalls on 2021 Toyota Camry for same issue. Transmissions on backorder a…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
AUDI Q5 E
No recalls on record.
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
AUDI Q5 E or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Audi Q5 E has far fewer complaints per year (9.4) compared to the Toyota Camry (214.3), indicating a lower frequency of reported issues. However, the Audi's complaints often involve serious safety-related failures like sudden power loss, while the Camry's higher volume includes many minor issues. In practice, the Audi may offer a more trouble-free ownership experience on average, but the Camry's problems are more varied and some are severe.
Key differences
- The Audi Q5 E has no recalls, while the Camry has 31, indicating more official safety actions for the Toyota.
- Audi owners report sudden loss of power and electrical failures, while Camry owners report transmission grinding and brake failures.
- The Audi's sunroof explosion is a unique safety concern, whereas the Camry has issues like AC odors and condenser damage.
- Complaint frequency is much higher for the Camry, but the Audi's complaints are often more severe in nature.
- Check for any history of electrical system warnings or MMI failures, as these are common and can indicate underlying issues.
- Inspect the sunroof for any signs of stress or damage, given the reported explosion incident.
- Listen for grinding noises from the front end during a test drive, which could signal transmission problems.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, especially on slopes, to ensure they respond properly without delay.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to check for any previous complaints or repairs related to the specific VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the transmission, brakes, and electrical systems.
- Test drive both vehicles in various conditions, including highway merging and hill descents, to assess performance.
- Check for open recalls on the Camry and ensure any outstanding ones are addressed before purchase.
- Review the warranty coverage and consider an extended warranty for the Audi to mitigate potential high-cost repairs.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | AUDI Q5 E | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 153 |
| 2024 | 0 | 48 |
| 2023 | 7 | 62 |
| 2021 | 28 | 155 |
| 2020 | 12 | 270 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific AUDI Q5 E or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI Q5 E vs Toyota Camry
- AUDI Q5 E total complaints
- 47
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- AUDI Q5 E total recalls
- 0
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- AUDI Q5 E avg complaints/year
- 9.4
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- AUDI Q5 E
- AUDI Q5 E top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN