2010 Audi Q5: problems, recalls and what it’s worth
Known weak spot on this generation: 2.0T (EA888 Gen1/2) — timing-chain tensioner & oil use. 4 recall campaigns to confirm with a dealer.
A rattle on cold start or on shutdown, oil level and consumption, a low-oil-pressure light. Confirm whether the updated tensioner was fitted.
Known problems on the 2010 Audi Q5
2.0T (EA888 Gen1/2) — timing-chain tensioner & oil use $900–$4,000 to fix
If equipped with the 2.0T, this generation can spin a failed timing-chain tensioner (a rattle, then a jumped chain and bent valves) and tends to consume oil. VW extended coverage on the tensioner for many.
Check for: A rattle on cold start or on shutdown, oil level and consumption, a low-oil-pressure light. Confirm whether the updated tensioner was fitted.
Basis: VW timing-chain-tensioner extended coverage; NHTSA complaints; class action
Known patterns for this year and model, not findings about one car. A well-kept example may already have had the fix. Costs are rough US shop prices.
2010 Audi Q5 recalls
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2010 Audi Q5. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.
- Fuel systemFire risk
The butyl tape may not prevent fuel from leaking.
Details 18V818000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2007-2012 Audi Q7 and 2009-2012 Audi Q5 vehicles, previously repaired under NHTSA recall 16V-660. These vehicles were previously repaired with an interim repair of installing butyl tape to the fuel pump flange, until replacement remedy parts became available.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump flange and install butyl tape, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20BJ.
- Fuel systemFire risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Details 16V660000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Audi Q5, and 2007-2012 Audi Q7 vehicles equipped with gasoline engines. The fuel pump flange on the affected vehicles may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the flange, replacing any flanges that are cracked. If the flange is not cracked, dealers will clean the pump flange and install a butyl rubber band to protect the pump. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20W9.
- Airbags
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Details 18V082000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
- Airbags
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Details 16V078000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
2010 Audi Q5 safety investigations and free repairs
No open safety investigations.
Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):
- Warranty extension: This Document informs dealers on the new Takata warranty extension for 2005-2017 A3, A4 Avant, A4 Sedan, S4 Sedan, S4, Avant, A4 Cabriolet, S4…
- Exhaust and emissions: Audi: see document search button for owner letter.
- Airbags: Audi is extending warranty coverage for the continental airbag control module in certain 2008-2010 my vehicles (under specific conditions) to 15 years or 150,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's original in-service date.
- Fuel system: This document contains general information on the upcoming warranty extension on the high pressure fuel pump.
- Engine: Audi is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty for certain 2009-2011 A4, A5, and Q5 Vehicles with the CAEB 2.0T engine to 8 years/80,000 miles…
A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.
Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.
2010 Audi Q5 safety and fuel
From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.
What owners complain about
100 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, about average.
Share of complaints that mention each area. One complaint can mention several.
Other Audi Q5 years
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
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