Head-to-head reliability
AUDI Q5 vs Toyota Camry
How the AUDI Q5 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 vs Toyota Camry: The Q5 averages 50 complaints per year with 44 recalls, while the Camry averages 206 complaints per year with 31 recalls. The Q5 has fewer annual complaints but more recalls and severe issues like engine smoke. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI Q5 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI Q5
The Audi Q5 is a luxury SUV that averages about 50 complaints per year over the past decade, with 44 recalls and 29 crash-related reports. Owners frequently describe electrical gremlins, such as the electronic parking brake failing to disengage, and engine problems like sudden power loss or smoke. These issues can leave you stranded or facing costly repairs, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is essential.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream sedan with a much higher complaint volume—about 206 per year—but that reflects its huge sales numbers. Owners report power train troubles like shuddering and delayed acceleration, plus brake noises and electrical glitches. While the Camry has a strong reliability reputation, the data shows it is not immune to recurring problems, especially in newer models.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI Q5 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 501 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 44 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 29 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 50.1 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 26 Better | 158 |
| 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
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM155
- 02ENGINE94
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE87
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER75
- 05SERVICE BRAKES57
Owners report the electronic parking brake failing to disengage when shifting from Park, and complete electrical failures where warning lights flash and wipers activate on their own. These faults can leave you unable to move the car or cause unpredictable driving behavior.
Complaints include smoke billowing from the engine compartment and sudden power loss with limp mode and loud knocking. Such failures can happen without warning and may require major engine repairs.
The Pre-Sense system has erroneously activated during unprotected turns, according to owners. This unexpected braking could startle you and increase the risk of a rear-end collision.
Some owners report brake issues, though specific symptoms are less detailed in the sample. Brake problems are safety-critical and should be checked immediately.
“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 diseng…”
“The vehicle exhibits multiple, unresolved safety-critical defects across software and mechanical systems that create an unpredictable and dangerous driving environment. Despite multiple repair attempts, the manufacturer has failed to certify the vehicle as sa…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners describe the ignition key getting stuck even when the car is in Park, and shuddering or hesitation during acceleration. These issues can leave you unable to turn off the car or cause jerky, unpredictable driving.
Complaints include delayed throttle response and the check engine light coming on with shuddering. This can make merging or accelerating feel unsafe, especially in traffic.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow, and a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area is common. Brake problems affect your ability to stop reliably.
Multiple systems—stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction simultaneously. Losing these aids at once can be disorienting and reduce your safety margin.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
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 — 44 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 RS e-tron GT, e-tron GT, Q4 e-tron Sportback, Q4 e-tron, 2020-2021 Audi A8, 2019-2024 e-tron Quattro, 2020-2024 e-tron Sportback Quattro, Q5, and 2021-2022 A7 vehicles. When using the industrial 220V/240V plug at the 100% charg…
The risk: An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Owners are advised not to use the 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable and only use the 110V home charging cable or public charging stations. Dealers will supply a new 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable with an incorporated tem…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Audi Q5, and 2022 A7 E Hybrid Electric PHEV vehicles. The high-voltage battery may overheat.
The risk: A high-voltage battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will install advanced diagnostic software , free of charge. Volkswagen will monitor available online vehicle data and contact owners as necessary, to advise them not to charge the vehicle until the battery can be replaced. For vehi…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Audi Q5, and 2022 A7 E Hybrid Electric PHEV vehicles. The high-voltage battery may overheat.
The risk: A high-voltage battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will install advanced diagnostic software , free of charge. Volkswagen will monitor available online vehicle data and contact owners as necessary, to advise them not to charge the vehicle until the battery can be replaced. For vehi…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Audi Q5, and 2022 A7 E Hybrid Electric PHEV vehicles. The high-voltage battery may overheat.
The risk: A high-voltage battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will install advanced diagnostic software , free of charge. Volkswagen will monitor available online vehicle data and contact owners as necessary, to advise them not to charge the vehicle until the battery can be replaced. For vehi…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
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…
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…
Buyer analysis
AUDI Q5 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Audi Q5 has far fewer complaints per year (about 50 vs. 206 for the Camry), but it also has more recalls (44 vs. 31) and a higher proportion of crash-related reports. In practice, the Q5 may have fewer reported problems overall, but when issues occur they can be severe and expensive. The Camry’s higher complaint count is partly due to its much larger sales volume, yet its problems are often less catastrophic.
Key differences
- The Audi Q5 averages about 50 complaints per year, while the Toyota Camry averages about 206—but the Camry sells in much higher volumes, so per-vehicle rates may be closer.
- Audi Q5 owners report sudden engine smoke and power loss, while Camry owners more often report shuddering, hesitation, and stuck ignition keys.
- The Q5 has 44 recalls versus 31 for the Camry, with Q5 recalls often involving electrical and propulsion system components.
- Camry complaints include multiple simultaneous electronic failures (stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring), while Q5 complaints highlight electronic parking brake and Pre-Sense malfunctions.
- Test the electronic parking brake repeatedly on an incline—ensure it disengages smoothly when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse.
- Check for any signs of engine smoke, unusual noises, or power loss during a test drive, and ask for a complete electrical system diagnostic.
- Verify the ignition key can be removed easily when the car is in Park; if it sticks, that’s a known power train defect.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area and confirm the electronic parking brake engages and disengages without issue.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls have been repaired.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on electrical, engine, and brake systems.
- Test drive for at least 20 minutes, including highway speeds, to check for hesitation, shuddering, or warning lights.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any related to software updates or recall work.
- Check the NHTSA website for any additional complaints or recalls specific to the model year you’re considering.
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 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 0 |
| 2025 | 42 | 163 |
| 2024 | 20 | 50 |
| 2023 | 36 | 64 |
| 2022 | 0 | 61 |
| 2021 | 74 | 157 |
| 2020 | 25 | 274 |
| 2019 | 52 | 395 |
| 2018 | 207 | 744 |
| 2017 | 42 | 148 |
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 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI Q5 vs Toyota Camry
- AUDI Q5 total complaints
- 501
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- AUDI Q5 total recalls
- 44
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- AUDI Q5 avg complaints/year
- 50.1
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- AUDI Q5
- AUDI Q5 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN