AUDI Q5 Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data

Audi has a pre-sense mechanism that cannot be permanently turned off. I have almost been hit three times when the Audi brakes FOR NO REASON at all; people almost rear-end me because the Audi comes to an immediate halt. And there is no reason for the pre-sense to engage when it does go off. They are flukes. I am going to get seriously injured.

The vehicle experiences sudden, uncommanded braking on clear roads due to a malfunction in the Audi Pre Sense system. The system falsely detects obstacles and applies the brakes abruptly, creating a safety hazard for occupants and surrounding traffic. The issue was reported to Audi Beverly Hills multiple times beginning July 2023, including through the dealer's online service request system. However, the dealer repeatedly failed to document braking concern on repair orders until insistent during latest visit. In one visit (August 7, 2023), the dealer reduced the Pre Sense sensitivity without creating a repair order or performing diagnostics. At other times, service advisors stated the vehicle was 'operating normally' or refused to record the concern unless it could be duplicated during a short test drive. On August 25, 2025, the dealer finally documented my complaint as 'car would brake randomly' and performed an SVM reconfiguration, but the issue persists. The vehicle is currently used rarely for safety.

The vehicle experiences sudden, uncommanded braking on clear roads due to a malfunction in the Audi Pre Sense system. The system falsely detects obstacles and applies the brakes abruptly, creating a safety hazard for occupants and surrounding traffic. The issue was reported to Audi Beverly Hills multiple times beginning July 2025, including through the dealer’s online service request system. However, the dealer repeatedly failed to document the braking concern on repair orders until I insisted during later visits. In one visit (August 7, 2025), the dealer reduced the Pre Sense sensitivity without creating a repair order or performing diagnostics. At other times, service advisors stated the vehicle was “operating normally” or refused to record the concern unless it could be duplicated during a short test drive. On August 25, 2025, the dealer finally documented my complaint as “car would brake randomly” and performed an SVM reconfiguration, but the issue persists. The vehicle is currently used rarely for saftey.

Audi Pre-Sense keeps braking prematurely when there is no car present or in its field of view. The SUV brakes without warning and when trying to make a left turn (happened twice already) or while driving on the highway. When the vehicle brakes without warning there is a chance that another vehicle will drive into the rear of my vehicle or I will lose control due to the unexpected and unwarranted braking action. The problem has been reported and documented my my local Audi dealership repair facility Audi Silver Spring, Maryland. The vehicle has been inspected all three times, they have performed a complete 4 wheel alignment and sensor alignment. They have witnessed and documented the code that the SUV reported, Audi Pre-Sense detected. The dashboard did display Audi Pre-Sense detected all 3 times when the incident occurred. Audi and I both have the documented repair tickets and they are available upon request. Last incident occurred 1400 on 27 September 2025.

Incident date: 06/30/25, Lift gate has closed while still trying to retrieve items from the cargo area, it seems if key is on the person and somehow the kick sensor was activated by accident the lift gate will shut down, the vehicle did make a beeping sound yet I was not clear where/what until the lift gate is coming down on me so I had to quickly move, the lift gate was quite close yet no sensor was activated to prevent the lift gate from shutting. This incident occurred prior to this date and I had to manually push the lift gate up since it was even closer to my body. I did some troubleshooting and read that the key should not be on the person, if so then someone can set off the kick sensor, designed for hands-free operation, can be sensitive and might accidentally trigger the liftgate to close if someone is too close to the rear bumper. Some users report this happening even without intentionally activating the feature. This is a safety issue that a vehicle does not have the sensor to detect an object or body to lift back up. A situation where a 2024 Audi Q5 liftgate closes by itself, potentially causing injury, is concerning. It does appear several factors can contribute to such a malfunction, causing a safety hazard. **Please note I have a video from my from home camera yet unable to upload it. I tried my best to take pictures from the video.

I am writing regarding a serious issue with my 2024 Audi Q5, which I purchased brand new and have owned for only 12 months. The vehicle has developed premature rotor wear, which is entirely unexpected given its age, my normal driving habits, and Audi’s reputation for quality. Brake rotors should not require replacement this early unless there is a manufacturing or material defect. This vehicle is still under warranty, and I am requesting that Audi inspect the braking system immediately and cover the cost of any necessary repairs under warranty. Please document the inspection findings and let me know if there is a known issue or Technical Service Bulletin related to this. I am not willing to pay for a component failure that is clearly not due to driver misuse or wear and tear. I expect a prompt resolution and would appreciate a written response confirming next steps. Possible Causes (Not Your Fault) Defective Rotors or Materials – If the metal quality was subpar or warped at the factory, they could wear prematurely. Improper Factory Installation or Torque – Incorrect installation can cause uneven wear or damage. Caliper or Pad Malfunction – Sticking calipers or bad pads can ruin rotors prematurely. Electronic Brake Malfunction – Audi’s advanced braking systems (ABS, brake hold, etc.) can malfunction and overuse the brakes.

Audi pre sense has applied the breaks and cause dangerous situations a total of three times. This occurred twice within the first six months I had the car. I made a left turn and the car suddenly stopped in the intersection and applied the brakes with great force that I was jolted quite hard. I brought the car into an Audi dealership and they adjusted the Audi pre sense settings to be less sensitive but the issue happened again recently. The situation was the same where the brakes suddenly were applied while I made a left turn leaving me standing still in an intersection with oncoming traffic headed at me. It is not possible for Audi to completely turn off the pre sense system, the driver would have to do so each time they start the car which isn't realistic. I believe there needs to be a recall. I feel unsafe.

Purchased 2024 brand new Audi Q5 with Kumho tires - KL33  235\55R19 from manufacturer Dec 2023. Have the car serviced at the Audi dealership per service recommendation. Tires were inspected and deemed roadworthy Jan 2025. By [XXX] (15 months post new purchase of vehicle) rear tire shredded on highway due to a known detreading issue with the Kumho tires. Causing pulling of vehicle into the central lane on highway. No accident or fatalities. Had emergency replacement of the affected tire and evaluation of the other three tires. It is noted during inspection of the three tires were also worn down atypically for the mileage (19,600). The rear tire on the driver side was also noted to not pass inspection due to early defective wear. All tires replaced, no accountability from dealership.  According to the manufacturer warranty these tires would have all been replaced if bought personally (within 5 years of purchase, or under 60,000) , due to the fact the tires came with the vehicle there is no recourse per Audi dealership. Upon further investigation of Kuhmo tires there appears to be a known component regarding detreading of the tires especially with highway road speeds that has caused fatal accidents. Unable to reach Kuhmo tires to discuss accountability regarding gap in warranty coverage  and defective tires. Per Audi employee this is a known issue with Audi and the tire company where they would rather pay off damages than correct the problem due to profit loss. My safety and others on the road were put in peril due to placing unsafe tires with known detreading issues on new cars, without any place for recourse when the said defective tires fail. Lack of consideration from Kuhmo tire company and Audi has placed a large population of car owners at risk, as Audi unable to get Continental tires knowingly and willingly opted for cheaper tires with known issues. Looking for accountability from these corporations. Will continue to reach out to Kuhmo for recourse.  INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Component/System Malfunction: The Audi Pre-Sense system has malfunctioned on multiple occasions. The system is available for inspection upon request. What Happened: On two separate occasions, the Pre-Sense system erroneously activated while making an unprotected left turn at a signal-controlled intersection. In both instances, the left turn signal was activated. After waiting for an oncoming vehicle to pass, I began the left turn. Despite the vehicle having passed, the Pre-Sense system activated, incorrectly perceiving the passing car as a threat. The system abruptly engaged emergency braking, locking the car in place and stalling it in the middle of the intersection. This left my two minor children and me stranded in oncoming traffic, creating an immediate and severe safety hazard. On a separate occasion, while driving straight in a lane with no intention of turning, the Pre-Sense system activated again. This time, the vehicle next to me slowed to make a left turn in its lane, which triggered my car's system to abruptly stop and stall in traffic. Risk to Safety: These malfunctions placed my family and other road users in immediate danger of a collision. In the left-turn incidents, the car stalled in the middle of an intersection with oncoming traffic approaching. In the straight-driving incident, the sudden stop created a risk of being rear-ended in traffic. Attempts to Resolve: After the first two incidents, I brought the vehicle to the dealership for inspection. A full diagnostic test was conducted, and I was told the Pre-Sense system was functioning "properly" with no repairs needed. Dealership staff admitted they had experienced similar Pre-Sense malfunctions in their own vehicles but dismissed the issue. I was advised to ensure my left turn signal was activated, despite already confirming the signal was on during both incidents. Warning Lamps or Symptoms: There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem before the failures occurred.

While starting a left turn from the center left turn lane the car abruptly and forcefully applied the brakes and placed itself in park. There was a single vehicle in the oncoming lane of traffic but it was a more than sufficient distance away to allow the turn to be completed safely. We had not yet left our own lane and there was no risk of collision as a result of the incident. There was no warning from the vehicle prior to the event taking place and after the incident took place a Pre Sense warning was displayed on the dash. We were quite disoriented after the incident and it was several seconds before we realized what had happened. My passenger complained of not feeling well after the incident and still does not feel well several hours after it took place. The vehicle has not been taken for any inspection at this time. We found the option to disable Pre Sense in the Audi MMI settings and have since driven the car with the feature disabled, but it has to be disabled every time the car is restarted.

In addition to our complaint #11608543, filed on 8/14/2024, we are submitting a new and different safety concern today. While driving our new 2024 Audi Q5 with the adaptive cruise control set at the speed zone limit (55 mph), the cruise control adjusted itself down to 20 mph. The adjustment from 55 to 20 is sudden and extremely abrupt with some braking being applied. NO advanced warnings or discernible causes for the speed reductions were observed. If another driver had been following us, we likely would have experienced a rear end collision. We have experienced this malfunction on [XXX], east of Carroll, IA, and 1 to 1-1/2 miles north of [XXX], traveling in both the north direction and south direction. We have visited with the dealer numerous times. The dealership has hooked the vehicle to a diagnostic device and has reported to us that "the vehicle is performing as intended". We have submitted a claim with national Audi customer service representatives and they ruled that "if the dealer says that it is performing as intended", they have to deny our claim. Initially they offered "a gift" in compensation to us. We vigorously refused and stated that our goal was to have the vehicle fixed so it works properly or to have it retired from service before someone gets injured. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

We were driving on [XXX] at the posted speed limit of 65 mph. The adaptive cruise control was activated and the predictive control turned on. We drove past a [XXX] sign and the car abruptly decreased speed down to the twenties. Had another car been following us, we could have been rear-ended. We soon encountered a speed sign posting a 65 mph limit and the car quickly accelerated to that speed. We felt totally unsafe in this surprise car behavior. This car behavior has happened on numerous occasions, as we travel that area often. We have had numerous discussions with the Audi dealership and they say that they cannot find cause/offer help with our safety issue. We have several videos documenting this safety issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The dash board lights all came on, windows rolled down, car could not be controlled and couldn’t put the gear in park. After further research on the internet, I found that there was a recall on 288,000 Q 5s in 2021 because of this issue. Dealer said the “gateway system” that controls all the communication died and they had to replace it. I think the 2021 issue is not completely resolved.

2024 Audi Q5, VIN: [XXX] Purchase Date: [XXX] The automatic tailgate has a foot sensing devise to open or close the tailgate. The problem is that when I am loading or unloading from the luggage area, my foot sometimes activates the sensor and the tailgate tries to close on top of me. I have not been injured yet, but it takes a significant force to overpower the tailgate and stop it. This happened on the first day I got the vehicle and has happened at least 5 more time since then. The dealer checked the vehicle and told me there were no problems shown in the OBD. I told them that I would like the foot sensor deactivated or disconnected. They told me they could not do that. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)