DecodedCars2009 Audi Q5
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2009 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Body styles
- 5dr SUV AWD 3.2 Fsi Quattro
- Engines
- 3.2L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 20 combined · 18 city / 23 hwy
- Length
- 182.3 in
- Curb weight
- 3,759 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 5 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
- 5 recallsMore than similar models (about 1). Confirm repairs with the VIN.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 17 similar 2009 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2009 Audi Q5 is a SUV - offered with a 3.2L 6-cyl engine and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 182 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,759 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 20 MPG combined (18 city / 23 highway), 13% better than the 2009 SUV - average of 17.7 MPG, for an estimated $4,100 a year in fuel.
It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5dr SUV AWD 3.2 Fsi Quattro | 182.3 in | 74.8 in | 65.4 in | 110.6 in | 63 / 63 in | 3,759 lb |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q5 | 3.2L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 23 / 20 | +13% | $4,100 | 444 |
Spend $8,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
17.7 MPG2009 Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD average
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2009 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2009 Audi Q5 under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2009 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Audi Q5 (this car) | 20 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2009 Mercedes-Benz G-Class | 12 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2009 Porsche Cayenne | 16 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2009 BMW X5 | 22 MPG | Not rated | 15 |
| 2009 BMW X3 | 20 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2009 Lexus RX | 20 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2009 Volvo XC90 | 17 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (5)
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Nov 19, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V818000 · 5,987 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2007-2012 Audi Q7 and 2009-2012 Audi Q5 vehicles, previously repaired under NHTSA recall 16V-660. These vehicles were previously repaired with an interim repair of installing butyl tape to the fuel pump flange, until replacement remedy parts became available.
- Risk
- The butyl tape may not prevent fuel from leaking. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump flange and install butyl tape, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20BJ.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Jan 30, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V082000 · 162,782 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Sep 13, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V660000 · 143,214 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Audi Q5, and 2007-2012 Audi Q7 vehicles equipped with gasoline engines. The fuel pump flange on the affected vehicles 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 inspect the flange, replacing any flanges that are cracked. If the flange is not cracked, dealers will clean the pump flange and install a butyl rubber band to protect the pump. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20W9.
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-Inactive · May 27, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V376000 · 8,381 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Audi A4, A5, and Q5 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.
- Risk
- If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
- Fix
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69O1.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Feb 10, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V078000 · 659,493 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Not every 2009 Audi Q5 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
28Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
2Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
2Injuries reported
59,110 miTypical mileage at failure
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2009 Audi Q5 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 16 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 5 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing — 1 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 59,110 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2009 Audi Q5. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Q5 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Q5 | 24 | 185.8 in | Not rated | 0 | 4 |
| 2025 Q5 | 26 | 184.3 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 47 |
| 2024 Q5 | 26 | 184.3 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 34 |
| 2023 Q5 | 26 | 184.3 in | Not rated | 6 | 57 |
| 2022 Q5 | 26 | 184.3 in | Not rated | 8 | 46 |
| 2021 Q5 | 27 | 184.3 in | ★★★★★ | 8 | 103 |
| 2020 Q5 | 27 | 183.5 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 37 |
| 2019 Q5 | 24 | 183.5 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 53 |
| 2018 Q5 | 25 | 183.5 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 208 |
| 2017 Q5 | 22 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 42 |
| 2016 Q5 | 26 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 78 |
| 2015 Q5 | 26 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 99 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →