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Audi Q5 50 TDI quattro S edition common faults.

2017–2021, SUV, diesel, 286 HP.

The fault list covers: DCPC engine, AL552 transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

2 fault write-ups. 1 important. 5 recalls.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

1 important faults

critical1

2.7 / 3.0 TDI V6: the rear timing chain and the oil pump drive

critical

The timing chain of the longitudinal V6 diesel runs at the back of the engine, on the gearbox side, so replacing it means taking out the engine or the gearbox. That alone makes it expensive, but the mechanism is the point: the chains stretch and the hydraulic tensioners lose their pressure. The first and only early sign is a 2 to 3 second metallic rattle audible on a cold start. If that is ignored, the chain jumps or breaks, and the engine is badly damaged inside. The same chain kit also drives the oil pump: if that seizes, the engine is left without lubrication.

What to check

  • Start it cold, in a quiet place, with the bonnet open: the rattle is audible in the first 2 to 3 seconds
  • Stand at the gearbox side of the engine: the noise comes from there, not from the front
  • Ask whether the chain and the tensioner were replaced, and ask for the invoice (it involves removing the engine)
3 more steps in the write-up

comfort1

B9 platform: MMI (black screen, spontaneous restart)

comfort

On the infotainment of the B9 platform (A4 B9, A5 F5, Q5 FY) the most common complaint is a black screen, a unit that restarts on its own, and a boot that stops partway. A significant part of these are software in origin, not a hardware fault: an update installed at a franchised dealer resolves it.

Show the rest

The buttons of the control interface form a separate branch: a control panel damaged by water ingress or a spilled drink does not respond, and that is a parts replacement. On early cars small electrical faults are common too: intermittent dropouts of the central locking, the parking sensors and the phone connection.

What to check

  • After switching the ignition on, wait for the full boot: a screen that stops or stays black is a clear sign
  • Press every button on the central control panel and turn the rotary knob: all of them must respond
  • Try the reversing camera, the audio system and phone pairing too
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Audi Q5 50 TDI quattro S edition

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

Ask the owner

Faults of this model

vinkodex.com · Before you buy it, see what can go wrong.

Official recall5 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done.

A12/00504/22Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Alteration of the rear axle’s toe and/or camber values lead to increased and uneven wear on the rear tyres, and if worn down to its carcass may suffer a sudden loss of pressure. This can lead to loss of traction and may affect vehicle handling, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

INFO/00138/21Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The nuts on the eccentric bolt of the rear-axle spring-link control arm may break due to stress corrosion. As a result, the rear axle could move in the wrong direction, in an uncontrollable manner at high speeds.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

SR/00268/25Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

During the charging process, the high/voltage battery may overheat due to a defect in the battery modules. This can result in a fire and cause injuries to occupants and bystanders. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

SR/03985/25Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

The high-voltage battery’s cell modules could overheat during charging. This may lead to fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

SR/03987/25Safety recallFireno date · EU Safety Gate

Divergent torques during the bolting process may cause the cylinder head cover bolts to loosen. Motor oil may come out of the cylinder head cover bolt holes, come into contact with hot parts of the engine, and thereby generate smoke or cause a fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

DCPC · 3.0 TDI

210 kW (286 HP) · diesel

AL552 · 8-speed automatic (longitudinal)

automatic · 8 speed

Torque limit700 Nm
MakerZF

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
50 TDI quattro S edition
Body
SUV
Fuel
diesel
Transmission
automatic
Engine size
2967 cc
Power
210 kW (286 HP)
Drive
AWD
Production
2017–2021

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

  • Air filter

    • 60,000 km or 4 years

  • Cabin (pollen) filter

    • 30,000 km or 2 years

  • Engine oil and oil filter

    • LongLife30,000 km or 2 years(valid only with LongLife-approved oil)
    • 15,000 km or 1 year

  • Brake fluid change

    • first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)

  • Coolant (antifreeze) change

    • first: 193,000 km or 10 years, then 97,000 km or 5 years(G13 / G12++: first change at 120,000 miles or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles or 5 years)

  • Fuel filter, diesel

    • 60,000 km or 2 years
All FY versions

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms