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2023 Audi Q5 problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls

NO ELEVATED SIGNAL
28%
11 of 43 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

No elevated drivetrain complaint concentration in the available NHTSA records for the 2023 Audi Q5. Engine, transmission and fuel system account for 28% of relevant complaints.

Better than 75% of the 1,789 model years we track (2010–2023).

NHTSA data checked October 3, 2026
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Does the 2023 Audi Q5 have engine or transmission problems?

Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 11 of 43 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2023 Audi Q5 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (28%). For comparison, the 2022 scores 35%. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.

Drivetrain complaints
11
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
43
this model year
Fires reported
1
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
5
5 crashes · 5 injuries

Complaints by component

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE14 · 33%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM13 · 30%
ENGINE8 · 19%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6 · 14%
POWER TRAIN4 · 9%
SERVICE BRAKES4 · 9%

The years either side

2010
80%
44 of 100
2011
76%
65 of 143
2012
too few complaints
2013
45%
40 of 92
2014
50%
50 of 106
2015
56%
53 of 99
2016
58%
41 of 77
2017
59%
23 of 42
2018
22%
40 of 207
2019
34%
14 of 52
2020
31%
11 of 37
2021
40%
41 of 103
2022
35%
17 of 50
2023
28%
11 of 43

Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.

What owners reported

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE07/05/2023CRASH2 INJURED
My wife and I were in the 2023 Audi Q5 with 1000 miles. I had complained to the dealer and manufacturer that this car was unsafe to drive. On June 9, 2023 I was driving slowly in my community. I tried to stop at a stop sign. NO brakes then at the same time the car had unintended sudden acceleration. We had no control,…
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM07/28/2026
On July 23, 2026, my 2023 Audi Q5 suddenly lost power while I was driving on the highway, with no prior symptoms before the incident. The vehicle began stuttering, entered limp mode, displayed multiple drive-system malfunction warnings, and developed a loud knocking sound from the engine area. The loss of power created…
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM02/08/2026
SoS emergency call malfunction. Besides transmission or engine mounting shakes on idle positions car still 6800 miles

Three of 11 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

Recall campaigns on the 2023 Audi Q5 (5)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:CHARGING:CABLE/CORD:ONBOARD
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 Quatt…
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 Audi S5 Cabriolet, A4 Allroad, Q5 Sportback, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, SQ7, TT Coupe, TT Roadster, …
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Audi Q5 PHEV and 2022 Audi A7 PHEV vehicles. The high-voltage battery may overheat.

This does not say whether a particular car has an open, unrepaired recall. That depends on the VIN.

Before you buy a 2023 Audi Q5

Questions people ask about the 2023 Audi Q5

Does the 2023 Audi Q5 have engine or transmission problems?

Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 11 of 43 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2023 Audi Q5 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (28%). It describes the model year, not any one car, so an inspection still matters.

Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2023 Audi Q5?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns on the 2023 Audi Q5. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

Which Audi Q5 years are better?

Among the Audi Q5 years we track, the 2018 (22%) has a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2023 (28%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car.

Should I buy a 2023 Audi Q5?

That depends on the car in front of you, not just the model year. The 2023 Audi Q5 shows no elevated engine or transmission pattern in owner complaints, which is a good starting point. It is still one car with its own history, so get an independent pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you commit.

Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.

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Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Combined across 2 body styles NHTSA files separately.