There are 5 owner-reported lighting complaints for the 2018 Audi Q5in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
The panel showed vehicle lights malfunction. The side marker lights are on all the time. This happened without any accident or changes of the setting.
On 06/13/24, milage 61023, I experienced a failure in Left Tail Light. There was no damage to the housing unit, ie a crack in the lighting unit, but I was advised that the entire housing unit needed to be replaced as there was water in the housing unit that corroded the light socket for the led light. The repair was $470.00 for parts and $100 in labor subtotal $570.00 before tax and a dealer discount of $57. 03 total $541.51. I was shocked that it was over $500 to replace a brake light. Then 09/12/24, milage 63515, (3) months and 2,492 miles later I experienced a failure in the Right Tail Light. Again, there was no damage to the housing unit and I was advised that the entire housing unit needed to be replaced as there was water in the housing unit that corroded the light socket for the led light. This repair was provided to me with a dealer discount to the price after tax $481.59. When I asked if this was a recall item I was told no it is not. I asked if there was after-market replacement part as this seems to be a product defect I was told no there are no after-market parts available. I was told that these parts are kept in stock as this is a know issue for all Audi's with the tail brake lights close to the bumper. This is a safety issue as you can not drive the car with a defective brake light. I called Audi USA and reported my complaint and asked for some compensation but more importantly wanted to document this safety issue and after review was offered $200 off future repairs at my local dealer. This is safety issue and there is no reason to pay $1,023.10 for required brake lights repair due to housing unit that does not keep moisture out.
As I was driving on the freeway on my way home from work, my car just started giving off warning signals That my brake lights were no longer working and my tail lights were no longer working. Which almost caused a serious accident Due to the car behind me not being able to tell that I was coming to a stop. When I got home I did a little research to see if I can see what the problem was and I come across multiple complaints online about a faulty hatch switch. I took my car into the dealer the next morning for service and the service provider told me that they will have to check my car and more than likely it is the hatch switch and they are aware of it. But Audi doesn't have a recall for something so deadly. faulty hatch switch That controls your brake lights and taillights It's a serious safety concern And should be addressed immediately, people can lose their lives all because of a faulty switch that audi is aware of
Passenger backup light failure. Taken to dealer and they recommended replacing part TSB 2063766/2. Yes I will supply this part if requested. No backup light is a safety hazard. Yes the vehicle was inspected by the dealer. They gave a parts and labor estimate of $805. Yes there was a warning message in the dashboard for this malfunction. This is a “common failure” in Audi Q5 automobiles to the point where the replacement part is on back order.
AS I WAS PREPARING TO PARK AT MY LOCAL GROCERY STORE IN AN ASSIGNED SPACE I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE FRONT END SLAMMED INTO A CONCRETE RETAINING WALL, CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO BOTH MY VEHICLE AND THE RETAINING WALL. THE CAR WAS PRACTICALLY AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THIS OCCURRED. ADDITIONALLY WHEN I REVERSED THE CAR IT ACCELERATED BACK AT A RAPID SPEED. IT WAS VERY SCARY AND THANKFULLY NOBODY WAS INJURED OR WORSE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS OR FATAL SITUATION AND I FEEL THAT THERE WAS SOME KIND OF ELECTRONIC FAILURE. CONSIDERING THE SAFETY RECORD ON THIS CAR I FELT VERY UNSAFE AND NOT IN CONTROL.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026