2017-2018 Q5 2.0T reliability?

[ps2cho]

Plan is to sell our Jeep Wrangler as our baby on the way needs something with more safety features.

We are considering either a CPO RX350 or a CPO Q5.

Can’t find many 3.0t Q5’s...how’s the 2.0T gen 3 doing so far? Oil burning or timing chain issues?

The RX350 is tempting because well it’s likely boring and nothing will ever go wrong, but the Q5 is little bigger and I like the styling.

Any thoughts?

[Novarider]

Plenty of 3.0's out there if you're willing to travel to get it or ship it to you.

[DiscoDan]

The RX350 is boring as hell, but in terms of reliability Toyota products are some of the highest out there.

[ps2cho]

Plenty of 3.0's out there if you're willing to travel to get it or ship it to you.

Right - but what about the 2.0T gen 3? Is anyone seeing timing chain or oil burning issues? Any other new issues?

[S4'ed]

Up to 2017, the 2.0T in the Q5 is a Gen-2. These engines have all the internal upgrades and improvements, and should be good for reliability. The new Q5, 2018 and onwards, uses the Gen-3 2.0T engine.

From what I see, the new Q5 (2018 onwards) has more problems overall than the prior generation (2011 to 2017), but I would not recommend a Q5 older than a 2016.

[greasykid]

Up to 2017, the 2.0T in the Q5 is a Gen-2. These engines have all the internal upgrades and improvements, and should be good for reliability. The new Q5, 2018 and onwards, uses the Gen-3 2.0T engine.

From what I see, the new Q5 (2018 onwards) has more problems overall than the prior generation (2011 to 2017), but I would not recommend a Q5 older than a 2016.

Have 2 2016 Q5 2.0 with 30k mi on both. No problems with either one.

[ps2cho]

Up to 2017, the 2.0T in the Q5 is a Gen-2. These engines have all the internal upgrades and improvements, and should be good for reliability. The new Q5, 2018 and onwards, uses the Gen-3 2.0T engine.

From what I see, the new Q5 (2018 onwards) has more problems overall than the prior generation (2011 to 2017), but I would not recommend a Q5 older than a 2016.

More problems like what? Engine? Transmission ? Chassis?

This is what I’m trying to figure out.

[spindlewood]

More problems like what? Engine? Transmission ? Chassis?

This is what I’m trying to figure out.

I'm pretty active on Audiworld where I believe you'll find a good cross-section of the problems.

Common Problems / Complaints
Most of the issues are One Offs but I put together a list of common issues and their solutions for repeating stuff. Many of the issues have been handled via software updates. but these are the main current ones:

• Front Window Controllers (controllers replaced and/or fixed via software update)
• Presense False Activation (especially in reverse)
• Rattling Sunroof
• Two recalls for Wheel Arch Trim
• Jerky transmission stumble when coming to a stop.

Major Failures
After 2 years there haven't been a lot of major failures, but these are the ones I remember

• Q5 Engine Failure (2400 miles)
• Q5 AC Issues (possible lemon law case – currently ongoing)
• SQ5 Range sensing errors (lemon law case - replaced)
• Q5 Engine Failure @12k miles

My SQ5 hasn't had any issues beyond the Window Controller issue which is resolved. If you're considering a 2018 - besides the engine being different, the transmission is different as well. The Q5 has the new quattro "ultra" 7-speed S tronic (on demand) versus the SQ5 8-speed Tiptronic (full-time). This is one of the bigger differences that you should be aware of.

[ps2cho]

I'm pretty active on Audiworld where I believe you'll find a good cross-section of the problems.

Common Problems / Complaints
Most of the issues are One Offs but I put together a list of common issues and their solutions for repeating stuff. Many of the issues have been handled via software updates. but these are the main current ones:

• Front Window Controllers (controllers replaced and/or fixed via software update)
• Presense False Activation (especially in reverse)
• Rattling Sunroof
• Two recalls for Wheel Arch Trim
• Jerky transmission stumble when coming to a stop.

Major Failures
After 2 years there haven't been a lot of major failures, but these are the ones I remember

• Q5 Engine Failure (2400 miles)
• Q5 AC Issues (possible lemon law case – currently ongoing)
• SQ5 Range sensing errors (lemon law case - replaced)
• Q5 Engine Failure @12k miles

My SQ5 hasn't had any issues beyond the Window Controller issue which is resolved. If you're considering a 2018 - besides the engine being different, the transmission is different as well. The Q5 has the new quattro "ultra" 7-speed S tronic (on demand) versus the SQ5 8-speed Tiptronic (full-time). This is one of the bigger differences that you should be aware of.

Thanks, will go check it out.

We are most interested in likely a 2019 CPO upon looking at the differences. Is the 7-speed DCT brand new, or has it been used in other models before?

[S4'ed]

Be carefull, I see a lot of lemon-lawed 2018+ Q5s on the used market.

[ps2cho]

Be carefull, I see a lot of lemon-lawed 2018+ Q5s on the used market.

Sticking with CPO from an Audi dealer only

[spindlewood]

Thanks, will go check it out.

We are most interested in likely a 2019 CPO upon looking at the differences. Is the 7-speed DCT brand new, or has it been used in other models before?

The Quattro Ulta version of the 7-speed DCT is new. It debuted with the 2017 A4 Allroad and then the 2018 Q5 and now is in the 2019 A6 and probablyh others. It's on these Q5s that a few experience (not many) the jerky transmission stumble when downshifting 2=>1, coming to a stop. The SQ5 does not have this.

The Quattro Ulta saves gas because it is FWD until it detects a need for AWD and engages on demand - supposedly so seemlessly that you can't tell the difference. When I've driven a loaner 2019 A6, I couldn't tell the difference with normal driving conditions. I haven't heard any complaints (from actual owners) online about the Ultra except the stumble noted above. You can read a couple of complaints about it
in this post
and here.

All the responses from other owners basically say they don't have the issue, so while it happens to some, it's seemingly not often.

Good luck with your search. A 2019 CPO sounds like a good choice. Because it's new, there's not a lot of reliability history on the engine and transmission. We're 2 years into the model and (to me) it looks good - unless you're one of the very few whose engines blew up (under warranty), which is true for any model.

[ps2cho]

The Quattro Ulta version of the 7-speed DCT is new. It debuted with the 2017 A4 Allroad and then the 2018 Q5 and now is in the 2019 A6 and probablyh others. It's on these Q5s that a few experience (not many) the jerky transmission stumble when downshifting 2=>1, coming to a stop. The SQ5 does not have this.

The Quattro Ulta saves gas because it is FWD until it detects a need for AWD and engages on demand - supposedly so seemlessly that you can't tell the difference. When I've driven a loaner 2019 A6, I couldn't tell the difference with normal driving conditions. I haven't heard any complaints (from actual owners) online about the Ultra except the stumble noted above. You can read a couple of complaints about it
in this post
and here.

All the responses from other owners basically say they don't have the issue, so while it happens to some, it's seemingly not often.

Good luck with your search. A 2019 CPO sounds like a good choice. Because it's new, there's not a lot of reliability history on the engine and transmission. We're 2 years into the model and (to me) it looks good - unless you're one of the very few whose engines blew up (under warranty), which is true for any model.

Agreed. I think that if the Gen 3 engine had serious problems, there would be known info on it since it’s been in the A3 for 4+ years now.

I think if I grab a CPO 2019 that means I’ll have B2B warranty through 2024 which puts my mind at good ease just in case...if all of a sudden people are experiencing blown transmissions at 100k then will just get rid of it before then.