2015–2026 · 8 model years · 34 recalls
Audi Q5 years to avoid, and the best years to buy
Avoid the 2018 Audi Q5: it scores lowest for reliability, with the most owner complaints for each car sold. The best year to buy is 2017.
Audi Q5 years to avoid
2018 Audi Q5 12/100
Well below average for its class. Expected repairs: $7,795 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $3,987 over 5 years. 6 recalls, 209 owner complaints.
Best Audi Q5 years to buy
2017 Audi Q5 64/100
Above average for its class. Expected repairs: $4,680 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $3,144 over 5 years. 5 recalls, 42 owner complaints.
Audi Q5 reliability by generation
| Generation | Years | Average score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8R | 2015–2017 | 54/100 | About average |
| FY | 2018–2020 | 39/100 | Below average |
Every Audi Q5 year at a glance
| Model year | Reliability | Complaints | Recalls | Best mpg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Q5 | Not rated yet | 8 | 0 | 24 |
| 2025 Q5 | Not rated yet | 3 | 1 | 25 |
| 2020 Q5 | 57/100 · About average | 37 | 6 | 27 |
| 2019 Q5 | 49/100 · About average | 53 | 5 | 24 |
| 2018 Q5 | 12/100 · Well below average | 209 | 6 | 25 |
| 2017 Q5 | 64/100 · Above average | 42 | 5 | 22 |
| 2016 Q5 | 52/100 · About average | 78 | 5 | 26 |
| 2015 Q5 | 47/100 · About average | 100 | 6 | 26 |
Reliability compares each year with similar cars from 2015 to 2024, using owner complaints filed with NHTSA per car sold. Complaint counts on their own aren't a score: popular cars get more of them.
Questions people ask
What are the Audi Q5 years to avoid?
Avoid the 2018 Audi Q5: it scores lowest for reliability, with the most owner complaints for each car sold. The best year to buy is 2017.
What is the best year of the Audi Q5 to buy used?
The 2017 scores best for reliability (64/100) of the years we rate.
Which Audi Q5 year has the most recalls?
The 2020, with 6 recalls on record with NHTSA.