There are 2 owner-reported brakes complaints for the 2012 Audi Q5in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
WHEN I REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE ROTOR AND PAD, I FOUND THE LOWER CALIPER GUIDE PIN BUSHING WAS STUCK. IT STUCK SO BADLY AND TOOK A LOT OF HAMMERING TO GET IT OUT. THE BUSHING WAS HEAVILY RUSTED. SINCE THE CALIPER WILL NOT MOVE WITH A STUCK BUSHING, THE OUTSIDE PADS WILL NOT FULLY ENGAGE WITH THE ROTOR TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE BRAKING FORCE. NOTICED THE INNER PAD IS ALMOST GONE WHILE THE OUTER PADS STILL HAVE 5MM LEFT. THE BUSHING IS SUCH A SMALL YET SAFETY CRITICAL PART, SHOULD BE MADE OF STAINLESS STEEL. AUDI CHARGES MORE THAN $40 FOR SPARE, WITH THAT PRICE, ONE WOULD EXPECT BETTER QUALITY. YET IT SEEMS AUDI PUTS PROFIT ABOVE SAFETY.
BREAK MAKE LOUD SQUEAL SOUND AT LOW SPEED. I REPLACED WITH ROTOR AND PADS BUT THE NOISE CAME BACK A FEW MONTHS LATER. TRIED TO WORK WITH AUDI TO LET THEM PAY FOR ANOTHER SET OF ROTOR AND PADS, BUT THEY REFUSED. AUDI DOES NOT CONSIDER THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND NO SOLUTION AT THIS POINT. HOWEVER, MY WIFE COMPLAINED THAT THE NOISE IS CHANGING HER DRIVING BEHAVIOR, AS SHE TENDS TO BREAK LESS OR AT THE LAST SECOND IN ORDER TO LOWER THE NOISE. AT FIRST I DON'T BELIEVE IT, BUT I DROVE HER CAR ONE DAY AND QUICKLY ADAPTED TO IT AS THE NOISE IS SO BAD.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026