2018 Audi Q5 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I am submitting this complaint to report a safety defect involving a 2018 Audi Q5 (Premium Plus, Technology Package). The vehicle’s MMI infotainment/navigation system intermittently shuts down or reboots during operation. When this occurs while the vehicle is in in reverse, the rearview camera display immediately goes blank and remains unavailable until the system completes its reboot cycle. This failure has occurred during active reversing maneuvers, creating a significant safety concern. An incident already occurred that resulted in an impact to another object during backing and the camera display/MMI going blank loss just prior to stopping. The rearview camera is a required safety system under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 111. When the system powers off unexpectedly, the driver loses critical rear visibility information at precisely the moment it is most needed. The condition appears to be software-related, as the infotainment system restarts on its own. However, the temporary loss of the camera display increases the risk of collision with pedestrians, other vehicles, or stationary objects. I understand that recalls have been issued for similar rearview camera display failures in later model-year Audi Q5 vehicles. The symptoms I am experiencing are materially similar and may indicate a broader defect pattern affecting earlier production years. I have attempted to resolve the issue with Audi and their technicians and service management. The conclusion was they could not find any error messages or mechanical issues. They would not diagnose deeper or complete any further trouble shooting. The previous owner also attempted to resolve the safety defect under warranty and received similar attention with no solution. I respectfully request that NHTSA review this matter for potential investigation to determine whether the 2018 Audi Q5 should be included in any safety-related corrective action. Of note, the "CarPlay" use is not the cause.

The vehicle stalls and does not move forward while I was driving it stalled. I had to allow it to roll freely out of traffic.

Gateway control module on engine coolant system

Panaramic sunroof drains failed allowing water to egress into wheel well trunk side containers and spare tire areas. Water encompassed the comfort control module and left the electronics cycling through electronic error codes leaving the car unable to drive. The car was unable to recognize the key fob and the warning codes were flashing and cycling. Failure of the panaramic sunroof drains.

Kinked rear sunroof drains causing water to enter vehicle at trunk seres where water was found having entered into the comfort module. The car key fob was not responding me the fault codes for the module were cycling rendering the car in drivable. I have reported this before but wanted to include the proper updated invoice from Audi atl. The previous invoice didn’t state the problem.

My vehicle's drive side (front) door has an ongoing malfunction of the handle. The protective covering continues to fall off and I am concerned that it will fly off and injure someone. I've taken the vehicle to a certified Audi dealer (Ciocca Audi, State College, PA) on at least three occasions and they are unable to fix this problem. In fact, they state that it's a "known circumstance" with all Audi Q5s and perhaps other models and forwarded videos to me documenting the same issue on 2023/2024 models. They are unwilling to find a solution; thus I continue to drive an unsafe car. I am requesting an investigation and a safe solution.

Sunroof drain canals had a defect that caused water to leak in the back of the vehicle (from the C Pillars) and caused water to accumulate in the trunk - about 2 inches. Water damaged several electronic components, modules, and the battery causing the car to send multiple alerts to stop driving immediately. This seems to be a common issue but there are no official recalls or extended warranty from Audi.

Our 2018 Audi SOS signaling device was built on 3G. Audi now tells us it is no longer available and will not fix the problem. For the record 3G was introduced in 2001 and 4G in 2009. Why did Audi use 3G in my 2018 model? Was it was some executive who made the choice because I can’t fathom an engineer choosing 4G over 3G. This is the message we are receiving from Audi USA. https://www.audiusa.com/us/web/en/inside-audi/innovation/audi-connect/layer/legal/3g-downturn-faq.html ...The following Audi connect services will no longer be available following AT&T’s 3G turndown: Audi connect CARE’s SOS and emergency call feature, online roadside assistance, Audi Service Request, and Audi incident assistance, remote lock and unlock, vehicle status report, and stolen vehicle locator...

As I was driving down the freeway, I heard a loud boom/explosion sound. I was instantly covered in glass, as my sunroof had exploded. I was not driving under an overpass, and there was no truck throwing rocks around me. Upon inspection, the remaining glass around the hole in the sunroof was pointed upward, showing that the glass exploded up, rather than something breaking down into the sunroof. I am very lucky that I was able to keep my car on the road and not cause an accident, as the sheer loudness of the explosion, and the glass falling all over me were huge safety risks. There have been zero warnings/symptoms with the sunroof prior to this incident, and I had the fabric cover opened, as I did not know that this could happen, which allowed the glass to fall all over me as I was driving on the freeway.

A FEATURE CALLED REAR CROSS-TRAFFIC ASSIST TRIGGERS ERRONEOUSLY SOMETIMES. THE FEATURE IS DESIGNED TO DETECT OBJECTS SUCH AS CARS OR PEDESTRIANS THAT MAY BE MOVING BEHIND THE VEHICLE WHILE IT IS REVERSING. THE DEFAULT ACTION IS TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, WHICH IS A VERY JARRING EXPERIENCE AND LEADS THE DRIVER TO BELIEVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED. OF THE TIMES THIS SYSTEM HAS TRIGGERED, OVER 50% SEEM TO BE FALSE POSITIVES; HOWEVER, SOMETIMES IT DOES TRIGGER AS INTENDED. IT IS UNKNOWN WHAT CONDITIONS MUST BE PRESENT FOR A FALSE POSITIVE TO OCCUR. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS WHILE REVERSING IN PARKING LOTS, EITHER INTO OR OUT OF SPACES. SPEEDS ARE USUALLY AROUND 1-6 MPH. IT HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE OWNING THE CAR, BUT I HAVE NOT KEPT A LOG INDICATING HOW OFTEN OR OTHER CONDITIONS AT THE TIME. I HAVE ASKED MY AUDI SERVICE CENTER ABOUT THE ABILITY TO DISABLE THIS AND IT DOESN'T APPEAR THAT THERE'S A WAY TO SELECTIVELY TURN THIS EXACT SAFETY FEATURE OFF. THE OWNERS MANUAL ADMITS THAT IT'S NOT A FOOL PROOF SYSTEM.

THE VEHICLE CAN, AT TIMES, SOUND ALARMS INDICATING A RISK OF GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT WHEN THERE IS NO RISK PRESENT. THIS CAN HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR WHILE STOPPED. MY GUESS IS THAT THIS IS DUE TO SIMILAR SAFETY SENSORS INSTALLED ON OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD WHICH MY CAR MAY MISTAKE FOR SIGNALS FROM ITS OWN. I HAVE NOTICES THIS OCCURRING AROUND TESLAS MOSTLY, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED AROUND OTHER MAKES/MODELS AS WELL BUT THOSE ARE MORE RARE. THIS PROBLEM HAS SPECIFICALLY HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MORE THAN ONCE, AND HAS HAPPEND ALSO WHILE SITTING STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHILE NOT MOVING. I WAS NOT (IN MY OPINION) DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO OTHER VEHICLES AT THE TIME. HOW THE CAR REACTS IN THIS SITUATION IS TO BEEP LOUDLY, HALT ALL AUDIO (E.G. RADIO), AND CHANGE THE CENTER CONSOLE VIEW TO A MODE WHERE THE CAR IS ATTEMPTING TO SHOW HOW CLOSE OBJECTS ARE TO IT. THIS VIEW IS NORMALLY DISPLAYED WHILE PULLING INTO OR OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND IS NOT NORMAL FOR IT TO TRIGGER WHILE DRIVING, OR WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT. THIS MAY BE RELATED TO A FEATURE CALLED PRE-SENSE BUT I AM UNSURE IF THAT IS THE CASE. IT MAY SIMPLY BE SENSORS FROM OTHER CARS THAT TRIGGER CERTAIN SAFETY WARNINGS IN THE VEHICLE, BUT THEY SHOULDN'T BE TRIGGERED IN THIS MANNER. I HAVE NOT KEPT A LOG OF THESE INCIDENTS, SO I DO NOT HAVE EXACT SPEEDS OR DATES TO LIST (I PUT ONE ON THE FORM SINCE IT WAS REQUIRED.) BUT EVERY TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED IT HAS BEEN A FALSE POSITIVE. I HAVE HAD A SERVICE SHOP AT THE AUDI DEALER INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE IT. I DOUBT THEY WOULD BUT I WANTED SOME DOCUMENTATION THAT SHOWED I HAD OBSERVED ODD BEHAVIOR IN THE PAST IN THE EVENT THAT THE CAR TAKES AN EVASIVE ACTION ON MY BEHALF THAT RESULTS IN AN ACCIDENT ON THE ROAD - ESPECIALLY IT IT WAS DONE IN ERROR.

THIS IS NOT AN URGENT SAFETY ISSUE, BUT JUST A DUMB DECISION THAT SHOULD BE RECTIFIED. IT IS ALSO LIMITED TO DRIVERS UTILIZING HITCH OR OTHER REAR-ATTACHMENTS. THERE ARE CERTAIN SITUATIONS WHERE THE PARKING SENSORS CAN BE TOLD TO STOP BEEPING, BUT THAT ACTION ALSO DISABLES THE BACKUP CAMERA, WHICH IS NEEDED. THERE IS NO MECHANISM TO TURN OFF THE BEEPING AND KEEP THE BACKUP CAMERA ON. SERVICE CENTERS HAVE CONFIRMED THIS. THE MAIN SCENARIO WHERE THIS IS A PROBLEM IS WHERE THERE IS SOMETHING CONNECTED TO A HITCH, SUCH AS A BIKE RACK THAT MAY CAUSE THE CAR TO THINK THAT THERE'S AN OBJECT DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO THE VEHICLE. THESE BACKUP SENSORS ARE UNABLE TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN A HITCH-BASED MOUNT (WITHOUT POWER CONNECTED) AND SOMETHING THAT IS LEGITIMATELY TOO CLOSE WHILE REVERSING. WHEN POWER IS CONNECTED, SUCH AS WITH AN ACTUAL TRAILER TO SUPPLY POWER TO BRAKE LIGHTS, THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THAT THE BACKUP WARNINGS WILL BE DISABLED AUTOMATICALLY. BUT WHEN SOMETHING LIKE A HITCH-BASED BIKE RACK IS ATTACHED THAT DOESN'T NEED POWER, THE WARNING ALARM SOUNDS CONTINUOUSLY WHILE BACKING UP. THIS IS ANNOYING, AND FOR PASSENGERS IN THE BACK IS ACTUALLY EXTREMELY LOUD. TURNING OFF THE ALARM DISABLES THE CAMERA AS WELL, WHICH IS....LESS THAN IDEAL AT LEAST. THE DESIRED MODE SHOULD BE TO TURN OFF THE ALARM WHILE KEEPING THE BACKUP CAMERA ACTIVE DURING THE ENTIRE REVERSING PROCESS. THE BEEPING WILL STOP AUTOMATICALLY ONCE THE VEHICLE STARTS MOVING FORWARD FASTER THAN SOMETHING LIKE 6MPH. HOWEVER, WHEN THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN AGAIN, IT MAY START A CONTINUOUS TONE ALARM AGAIN DUE TO THIS HITCH ATTACHMENT. PLEASE HELP AUDI REALIZE THAT DISABLING THE CAMERA IS INAPPROPRIATE.

ON THE MORNING OF APR. 24, I WAS ON MY WAY TO DROP OFF MY KIDS AT THEIR SCHOOL WHEN I HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND REALIZED THE REAR WINDOW OF MY CAR SHATTERED AND LEFT GLASS ON MY SON'S LAP AND ALL OVER THE BACKSEAT AND FLOORBOARD. I WAS DRIVING ON SE 20TH ST., SAMMAMISH, WA AT ABOUT 30 MILES/HR. THERE WAS NO ROCK TO CAUSE THE EXPLOSION. THANKFULLY, MY SON WAS FACING HIS SISTER, TALKING TO HER, WHEN THE EXPLOSION OCCURRED. OTHERWISE, THE GLASS MIGHT HAVE GOTTEN INTO HIS EYES. MY KIDS WERE EXTREMELY FRIGHTENED BY THIS TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE, AND I HAD TO CONSOLE AND REASSURE THEM. I WAS FRIGHTED BUT RELIEVED THEY WERE NOT INJURED. I WENT TO AUDI BELLEVUE AND TOLD THEM THE WINDOW EXPLODED BY ITSELF. THEY SUGGESTED ME LEAVE THE CAR WITH THEM. THEY CALLED THE NEXT DAY TO SAY THE AUDI FACTORY DECLINED TO COVER THE COST. THEY TOLD ME THERE MUST HAVE BEEN AN OUTSIDE INFLUENCE TO CAUSE THE EXPLOSION, WHICH IS NOT THE TRUTH. THE WINDOW EXPLOSION SCRATCHED THE PAINT OFF THE REAR DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. I FILED A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND HAD AUDI FIX THE WINDOW. I PAID FOR THE $500 DEDUCTIBLE. UNFORTUNATELY, EVEN WITH THE WINDOW REPLACED, I DON'T FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE MY KIDS IN THE CAR. FURTHERMORE, MY KIDS WORRY ANOTHER WINDOW MIGHT EXPLODE ON THEM. THERE WAS NO SAFETY CHECK PERFORMED FOLLOWING THIS INCIDENT ON THE OTHER WINDOWS. ON MAY 7, I WENT TO GERBER COLLISION AND GLASS IN BELLEVUE FOR AN ESTIMATE ON THE BODY DAMAGE. THE COST IS ESTIMATED AT $1800. THE PROBABILITY IS THAT AUDI HAS DEFECTIVE WINDOWS AND THEY SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. IT WAS A VERY FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE AND DANGEROUS. WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH AUDI. WE HOPE THEY WILL ULTIMATELY BE HELD RESPONSIBLE AND WISH FOR THIS NEVER TO HAPPEN TO ANOTHER FAMILY OR RISK INJURY TO CHILDREN.

THE AUDI PRE SENSE WAS ACTIVATED WITHOUT ANY VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE CAR WHEN IT WAS AT SPEED ~50 MILES/HOUR. THE ROAD WAS EMPTY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE CAR BROKE REALLY HARD AND THE SPEED REDUCED TO LESS 20 MILES/HOURS IN 1-2 SECOND. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AS THE DRIVER BEHIND WOULD NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO RESPOND TO THE SUDDEN BREAKING. THE CAR HAD ONLY ~1000 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS HAPPENS.

GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND MOON ROOF EXPLODED. AUDI SAYS IT WAS A ROCK, BUT NO OTHER VEHICLE WAS AROUND. WE WERE DRIVING BETWEEN 50 AND 60 MPH. SOUNDED LIKE A SHOT GUN WENT OFF IN OUR CAR. GLASS WENT EVERYWHERE. HIGH SAFETY ISSUE. ONCE AGAIN A ROCK DIDN'T HIT US THE MOON ROOF'S ARE NOT SAFE.

VAG HAS KNOWN AND ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM IN PREVIOUS MODELS. THE RUBBERIZED MATERIAL ON INTERIOR TRIM PIECES IS PEELING OR DELAMINATING. NO CAUSTIC CHEMICALS OR CLEANING AGENTS HAVE EVER BEEN USED TO CLEAN OR PROTECT THE PIECES.

WHEN GOING INTO REVERSE. THE REAR VIEW CAMERA MODE WILL NOT STAY WITH THE "CARMERA VIEW" BUT INSTEAD, REVERTS BACK TO THE "GRAPHIV VIEW". EXTREMELY ANNOYING.

I AM WRITING TO FORMALLY REPORT AN INCIDENT OF CONCERN. I PARKED MY AUDI Q5 IN MY DAUGHTER'S DRIVEWAY, LEAVING MY (VERY MINIMAL, NO METAL, JUST FLANNEL) POCKETBOOK IN THE CAR WITH THE AUDI FOB. IN ABOUT 15 MINUTES, I BROUGHT MY GRANDDAUGHTER WHO IS 4 DOWN TO THE CAR AND STRAPPED HER IN HER CAR SEAT IN THE BACK SEAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN I WENT TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR, THE CAR LOCKED UP. IT STAYED LOCKED. NONE OF THE DOORS OR THE HATCHBACK WOULD OPEN. THE KEYS WERE INSIDE. FORTUNATELY, MY GRANDDAUGHTER IS 4 AND CAN UNDERSTAND COMMANDS. SHE GOT HERSELF OUT OF THE CAR SEAT AND UNLOCKED THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE. BUT THIS WAS VERY TROUBLING. WHAT IF SHE WERE 18 MONTHS OR YOUNGER STILL? WHAT IF SHE PANICKED? I THINK THIS IS A VERY BAD DESIGN FEATURE. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT HAPPENED? WHAT IF I WERE IN A REMOTE LOCATION AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO CHECK ON SOMETHING AND THEN COULDN'T GET BACK IN. I NEVER TOUCHED THE FOB FROM THE TIME I EXITED THE CAR UNTIL I OPENED THE BACK DOOR FOR MY GRANDDAUGHTER. IT WASN'T LOCKED THEN; IT LOCKED ITSELF AFTER I BELTED HER IN.

SINCE WE LEASED THIS CAR LAST YEAR IN APRIL, WE HAVE HAD MANY ISSUES WITH THE PRE-SENSE PREMATURELY GOING OFF IN THE LATE SETTING ( AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM TO PREVENT REAR COLLISIONS. THERE HAVE MANY TIMES WHERE MY WIFE WAS BACKING OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY AND EVEN IN THE LATE SETTING IT PICKED UP VEHICLES FROM THE OPPOSITE LANE AND ABRUPTLY SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES, SCARING MY WIFE. ONE OF THESE TIMES WHEN IT DID THIS, IT CAME EXTREMELY CLOSE TO WHERE BY THE TIME SHE WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL , ENGAGING IT IN DRIVE SHE WAS ALMOST HIT IN THE BACK OF THE CAR UNTIL SHE COULD ACCELERATE TO THE SPEED LIMIT OF THE ROAD WE LIVE ON WHICH IS 35 MPH. THERE HAS BEEN OTHER TIMES, LIKE BACKING UP IN OUR DRIVEWAY AND IT JUST DECIDES TO GO OFF WITH NO VEHICLES IN THE THE DRIVEWAY??? I HAVE HAD THE DEALER LOOK AT THIS TWICE AND HAVE BEEN IN CONVERSATIONS WITH AUDI CORPORATE. THEIR LAST COMMENT TO ME IS THE SYSTEM IS WORKING AS DESIGNED. THIS IS MY 20+ AUDI AND CURRENTLY HAVE ONE OTHER 2018 AUDI AND 2018 VW. LAST YEAR ALONE I HAD 4 AUDI'S SO I AM FAMILIAR WITH THE PRODUCT, THIS IS WORKING PROPERLY AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH CONCERNS ME THAT COULD CAUSE MY WIFE TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE PREMATURE ENGAGEMENT. I WANT TO MENTION THAT MY WIFE IS NOW INCONVENIENCED HAVING TO BACK INTO OUR DRIVEWAY THUS PREVENTING IT TO GO OFF WHEN LEAVING FOR WORK EVERY DAY. SINCE WE LIVE ON A SCENIC BYWAY, THERE IS A STEADY FLOW OF CARS BUT AGAIN AT A SLOWER SPEED OF 35 MPH. LASTLY THIS SYSTEM IS SET TO LATE WARNING BUT CAN NOT BE TURNED OFF PERMANENTLY OR WE WOULD. I HAVE SENT MANY EMAILS TO AUDI , SPOKEN WITH THE DEALER AND THE EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT. THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE WITH PEOPLE HAVING ISSUES WITH THE NEW PRE-SENSE SYSTEM.