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2014 Audi Q5 problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls

HIGH COMPLAINT SIGNAL
50%
50 of 100 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

50% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2014 Audi Q5 are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is a model-level pattern, not bad luck.

Worse than 65% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).

Excludes 6 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 47%).

NHTSA data checked October 3, 2026

The VIN is on the listing, the driver’s door jamb, and the bottom of the windshield on the driver’s side.

Does the 2014 Audi Q5 have engine problems?

Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 50 of 100 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2014 Audi Q5 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (50%), and the largest group is filed under engine (36). For comparison, the 2013 scores 45% and the 2015 scores 56%. On a test drive, check for stalling, loss of power, rough idle, oil consumption or a check-engine light. 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
50
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
106
this model year
Fires reported
1
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
5
5 crashes · 7 injuries

Complaints by component

ENGINE36 · 34%
STEERING17 · 16%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM12 · 11%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER11 · 10%
STRUCTURE10 · 9%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9 · 8%

The years either side

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

How the 2014 compares with other Audi Q5 years

Of the 13 Audi Q5 years with enough complaints to score, the 2014 is the 6th-worst on engine and transmission share (50%). The worst is the 2010 (80%), the best the 2018 (22%). By volume, the 2014 drew 106 complaints (50 drivetrain), against 92 for the 2013 and 99 for the 2015.

Audi Q5 years to avoid and best years →

In the full report

The rest of the picture on the 2014 Audi Q5

  • The mileage where it happens. When owners of the 2014 Audi Q5 said the problem showed up, and the range most of them fell in.
  • What the repair costs. Typical engine repair ranges, to price into your offer.
  • Cleaner alternatives. Similar cars and nearby years with a better record.
  • Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
  • What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
  • Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.

What one owner reported

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM04/13/2026
Post fix EDR cooler failure causing coolant fluid loss " enough complaints pressure on Audi Reference EA189 emissions fix Subject: Goodwill Assistance Request – 2014 Q5 TDI EGR Cooler – VIN [XXX] Audi Customer Experience Team, I am writing to request goodwill assistance for my 2014 Audi Q5 TDI, VIN [XXX] , with 105…

One of 50 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

2014 Audi Q5 engine recalls

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns on the 2014 Audi Q5 involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 5 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.

engine and engine cooling: cooling system18V229000 · Apr 2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture…

Risk: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is…

fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump17V298000 · May 2017

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Audi Q5 and 2013-2017 Audi Q7 vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump flange if cracks are present. Flanges that do not have cracks will have a protective film applied. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The…

engine and engine cooling: cooling system17V002000 · Jan 2017

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system, resulting in the pump overheating.

Risk: If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin…

2 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
electrical system: wiring17V622000 · Oct 2017
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad and Q5 vehicles. Contact corrosion within the electrical connector for…
visibility: sun/moon roof assembly17V001000 · Jan 2017
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Audi Q5 vehicles. The sunroof drainage system may allow water to soak into the foam surrounding the side head air bag…

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model; one of NHTSA's listings did not answer when this page was built, so the list may be incomplete. Checked October 3, 2026.

Checking one particular 2014 Audi Q5? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.

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Questions people ask about the 2014 Audi Q5

Does the 2014 Audi Q5 have engine problems?

Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 50 of 100 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2014 Audi Q5 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (50%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the engine and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.

What is the most common problem with the 2014 Audi Q5?

Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2014 Audi Q5 is engine: 36 of 106 complaints (34%) name it, followed by steering (17) and fuel/propulsion system (12). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap.

Is the 2014 Audi Q5 reliable?

On the engine and transmission, owner complaints point to a weak spot: 50% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain (high signal). That is worse than 65% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 13 Audi Q5 years we score, it ranks 6th-worst. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.

Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2014 Audi Q5?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns on the 2014 Audi Q5 involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 5 in total: 18V229000 (engine and engine cooling: cooling system), 17V298000 (fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump), 17V002000 (engine and engine cooling: cooling system). 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%), the 2023 (28%) and the 2020 (31%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2014 (50%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/audi-q5

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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.