The Audi Q5 compact SUV is the German automaker’s best-selling model in the U.S., offering just enough power and torque, standard all-wheel drive with efficient decoupling tech, and handsome but otherwise anonymous looks inside and out. It’s not trying to start a revolution, but it satisfies most people’s needs for an SUV without being too big or too expensive.
Unfortunately, any Audi owners sold by this pitch from the 2022 to 2024 model years of the Q5 now face a fire risk recall because of loose engine screws, so it’s time to check your VIN.
- Base Trim Engine
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2L I4
- Base Trim Transmission
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7-speed auto-shift manual
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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All-Wheel Drive
In the recall via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the issue is described as follows: “Over time, the cylinder head cover screw(s) may loosen. If this occurs, engine oil may leak from the cylinder head cover screw hole(s). If the engine oil were to come into contact with certain hot parts of the engine, a fire could occur.” Not the kind of controlled, explosive, temporary fire you want in your cylinder, but rather a different type of potentially all-encompassing flame could occur.
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Which Audi Q5 Models Are Impacted
In the U.S., the issue affects Audi Q5s equipped with the 2.0 TFSI engine, built between model years 2022-2024, which amounts to a total of 89,417 impacted road vehicles so far. Audi reports that 78,313 Q5 Quattro models and 11,104 Q5 Sportback Quattro models have been impacted.
The 2.0 TFSI engine is a gas unit good for 201 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque, with a claimed 0-60 mph acceleration time of 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 130 mph, or you can get a tuned version that makes 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, a 5.7-second 0-60 time, and the same top speed.
What To Look Out For (And Smell For)
Audi notes that this sort of engine leak would be difficult to detect early on without a known inspection, but later-stage issues should develop “an unpleasant odor” coming from the engine department, along with smoke. Dealers now have to sit on any impacted 2024 inventory they might still have, and owners will be notified of the issue immediately, and again later when a remedy has been prepared.
As of right now, there’s no immediate fix. Audi also reports that “[b]etween April 2022 and April 30, 2025, Audi has received 2,539 potentially related warranty claims of oil leaks in the U.S. and eleven (11) potentially related thermal event cases in the U.S. market.” Thermal event cases mean there may have been a fire.
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Loose Screws Are The Issue
The automaker first became aware of a potential issue back in May 2023 following customer complaints, and by July, the company found the issue to be related to engine screws that featured burrs that could cause damage to the cylinder head, potentially leading to an oil leak and even fire. Audi claims manufacturing improvements were installed by January 2024, which is also when the automaker sent out a request to all U.S. dealers to inspect any existing owners’ Q5 for this issue.
By October of last year, Audi says that multiple thermal events had been reported, and it further discovered an issue with improperly torqued screws, as well. An internal company task force was set up to investigate thoroughly in January 2025, now leading to this internal recall. Audi claims it is “not aware of any deaths or injuries due to this topic.”
Source: NHTSA
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