Steering

Audi Q5 Steering problems by year

56 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Audi Q5's steering. Loss of power steering, stiff or loose steering, wandering, column and rack problems.

Steering complaints by model year

'08 '09 '10 '11 '12 19'13 '14 '15 '16 '17 '18 '19 '20 '21 '22 '23 '24

Year	Steering complaints	Crashes	Injuries
2021	3	1	1
2015	14	2	0
2014	17	1	2
2013	19	1	2
2010	2	0	0
2009	1	0	0

Latest Q5 steering complaints

2021 Audi Q5 Steering Electrical system Brakes

The Gateway control module failed in September 2025 on my 2021 Audi Q5. Vehicle error messages included the following failures: Cruise control, Parking brake, transmission, brakes, and steering, windows rolled down, seats moved, dash and MMI black followed by a sudden loss of power, narrowly avoiding an accident (kids in car). Would not restart. Diagnosis by Audi dealer was that the Gateway control module got wet and needed to be replaced. This is Recall 90S9 from 2021 that was "repaired" in March 2022 by covering...

Read the full complaint

the module with a plastic bag. This proved an insufficient repair backed up by a class action lawsuit filed in January 2022 titled Gioffe, et al. v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., et al. (Case No. 1:22-cv-00193). I reached out to Audi USA to request a Goodwill repair which was my only available recourse given that the recall had been completed and closed. After 5 days the Regional Manager denied my request even after I emphasized the safety risk associated with this catastrophic failure as well as the recall in 2021 and class action suit filed in 2022. I paid $1485.33 to re-repair the recall. Driving home from repair my vehicle alerted me to the following messages: Vehicle starting system: malfunction! Please contact Service, and Audi pre-sense: currently limited. See owner's manual. An OBD scan alerted 7 more codes: 1. Steering Assistance ID 44 (Terminal 30 Open circuit), 2. Central Electrics ID 09 (Garage door opener transmitter no communication), 3. Gateway ID 19 Control module for emergency call module and communication unit no communication, 4. Ethernet Notrufmodul keine Kommunikation, 5. Ethernet databus branch 1 No communication, 6. Multimedia ID SF Function restriction due to communication interruption, 7. Driver Assistance ID A5 Dynamic calibration Function limitation due to limit value exceedance.I reached out to the dealership that performed the service and was told that those are "ghost codes" and nothing to do with the work performed.

2014 Audi Q5 Steering Suspension

The front subframe has experienced catastrophic failure due to severe and premature rust-through corrosion. Multiple holes have perforated the component, compromising the vehicle's structural integrity. The part is available for inspection upon request. The safety of my family and others was put at significant risk, as the subframe is the primary component that mounts the engine, suspension, and steering rack to the vehicle. A failure of the subframe while driving could cause a complete loss of steering control...

Read the full complaint

and the collapse of the front suspension, leading to a serious or fatal crash. The problem was independently reproduced and confirmed by both an independent service center and an authorized Audi dealership. Both establishments have deemed the vehicle unsafe to drive due to this specific issue. The manufacturer (Audi of America) has been made aware of the issue through their dealership network. They have acknowledged the defect by offering a "goodwill" repair to replace the subframe, confirming their awareness of this failure mode. However, the manufacturer has made this safety-critical repair contingent on the owner first paying for several thousand dollars of unrelated maintenance items, creating a financial barrier that prevents the safety fix from being implemented. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to the failure's discovery. This is a silent failure that provides no warning to the driver. It was only discovered during a routine service visit when the vehicle was on a lift.

2014 Audi Q5 Steering Electrical system

It has been very cold here in the North East. Under freezing for more than a month. My door lock sensors stopped working about 4-5 weeks ago. Two days ago I was driving and the power steering stopped working. Then after about 2 days it began working again. Just as the temps went above freezing. And the door lock sensors started working again. I had noticed over the last month or so that papers I had behind the front seat when I went to retrieve them were very wet, soaked. I took my car to my mechanic today and he...

Read the full complaint

told me that the computer is under the front seat. And water in this area may be causing the failure of the power steering and the door locks. So he said I should report it to you and you could possibly help.

2013 Audi Q5 SteeringCrash2 injuries

When at highway speed, the vehicle veered hard to the left without any driver input, causing the car to cross several lanes of traffic and hit a concrete divider at ~65mph. The driver fractured her back, and one of three children in the car experienced injury. The vehicle was declared a total loss by insurance. The driver (my wife) indicated that a similar incident happened at low speed in a parking lot, but it resolved after shut down and restart of the engine. It is my understanding that the vehicle is currently either at or on the way to a Copart lot.

2015 Audi Q5 Steering Wheels & tires

I was driving down the road when the steering stop working and I could not control the direction that the tires moved. The direction of steering would not respond to my movements and I was unable to control the car. I was able to break and bring the car to a stop, however, if I were moving at a much faster speed this would have been extremely dangerous. I brought the car to our mechanic and we were informed that the tie rods were broken, the threading on the attachment pieces was completely rusted out and the...

Read the full complaint

threads were bare. The piece simply came apart and was malfunctioning. No warning signs or service lights came on in the vehicle before this happened and we had no indication that there would be an issue with the steering when operating the vehicle. Our mechanic told us this was one of the most dangerous things he's ever seen happen in a car and that our life was at risk. We regularly have our car inspected and serviced and there was no indication that this would happen. Our car had a major engine problem in August 2023 and was at the Valenti Audi Dealership in Waterbury, CT, during that time the car was inspected and we were not told the tie-rods had any problems.

2015 Audi Q5 Steering

We have never had an issue with the vehicle until we recently faced very cold Temps (-10 to -20). Was driving the vehicle, with no issues, and stopped to get gas. Upon restarting the vehicle it displayed a power steering error with a do not drive. The steerling lost all power steering function and was extremely hard to turn. We let the vehicle sit and restarted it 3-4 times and on the fourth try, the error went away and there was no further issues with the power steering on this (first) occasion. This has now...

Read the full complaint

happened intermittently since the first occurrence (even with very cold Temps) but with no regularity. Not sure if this is a malfunction or if there is something in need of replacement. It is extremely concerning.

2015 Audi Q5 Steering Engine & cooling

Car worked fine with no signs of any issues or concerns. I stopped at a light and the car turned off as the start-stop system normally does. However when the light went green, the car would refuse to start flashing "Steering Malfunction, Do not drive"... I'm at a light on a highway, what do you mean "do not drive"! The power steering was completely lost and it seems because of it, the entire system would refuse to allow the car to even start. The car had to eventually be pushed off the highway after causing an...

Read the full complaint

incredible amount of traffic and then towed. I contacted Audi and they appear to know about this issue, however will only warranty a very specific fault code, and will not honor any other faults in the system or any car that doesn't have a perfect history. Estimated cost to repair this absurd faulty steering rack according to online sources is almost $4000. Audi even recalled this system on they're higher package cars like the SQ5 but still wont recall this system in the Q5 line up.

2014 Audi Q5 Steering

Steering shaft rusted and sized. Water and mag chloride got passed the seal causing the slip joint of the steering shaft to corrode and size. The outer tube of the shaft was almost corroded through with visible holes in the metal. I believe this to be a safety concern do to the possibility of the shaft braking while driving. I am a certified Audi technician and have seen this problem on other similar vehicles. This is my personal vehicle and I have the old steering shaft for inspection if needed.

2015 Audi Q5 Steering

The contact owns a 2015 Audi Q5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed in cold weather, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the power steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN and that the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

2013 Audi Q5 Steering

Driving and warning light came on "steering defective do not drive." Power steering and use of wheel went out, and wheel would not turn or move in the middle of driving down the street.

2015 Audi Q5 Steering Engine & cooling

Piston rings are failing at 100k miles and consuming excessive amount of engine oil. It is around a quart every 150-200 miles! Suspension components and motor mounts also have to be replaced frequently.

2010 Audi Q5 Steering Electrical system Lights

The Audi Q5 Premium Plus 2010 has a huge problem with the dashboard where it shows multiple dysfunctions! The worse is the back rear light and the steering wheels who makes awful noises, and so much more. I do not know why there is no recall for this model as they all have the same issues. Please advise.

2021 Audi Q5 Steering

Steering wheel will forcefully and suddenly jerk to the left at random times on at least 6 occasions.

2014 Audi Q5 Steering

I have a 2014 Audi Q5 Premium Plus with 3.0 liter engine. I was in Wolfeboro NH this past weekend and it was very cold, -15 at night. My vehicle has 123000 miles on it and has run with no issues to this point. Luckily , I parked the car to go into store and when I came out DSC red warning light came on , could not budge the steering wheel. Looked up issue in manual and said do not drive. I am from CT so no car now in NH. I had vehicle towed to closest Audi dealer , 60 miles away for service. It turns out to be I...

Read the full complaint

need a whole new steering column due to cold temperatures. If this happened while driving it would have been devastating. My issue is there was a recall on the 2014 SQ5 for the exact same issue. I have found numerous complaints for the same issue for the same vehicle, why has there not been recall? This could have ben a deadly incident in the wrong situation. Vehicle at Audi dealer to the tune of $3600 for repairs.

2021 Audi Q5 Steering BrakesCrash1 injury

I was driving down a slight hill in 1/2 inch of snow at 5MPH and when I tired to gently brake as I descended the hill, the brake pedal had no resistance and went flat to the floor. I had no brakes. I then tried to steer towards the side of the road and the steering wheel completely locked up and I was not able to steer. I slid 150 feet down the hill and into a ditch. No brakes and no steering. There must have been a failure of some kind. Terrifying.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data