- Screws in the cylinder head may loosen over time, creating a potential fire risk.
- A total of 89,417 Audi Q5 and Q5 Sportback models are affected by this issue.
- Audi has received 11 reports of fires potentially linked to this cylinder head problem.
The Audi Q5, the automaker’s best-selling model in the United States, is now under a widespread recall due to a concerning fire risk. According to the company, owners of impacted models will be alerted from July 8 and urged to take their vehicle to a local Audi dealer to be inspected, and if necessary, repaired.
Audi says the issue stems from varying torque levels used when tightening the cylinder head cover screws. Over time, this could cause some of the screws to loosen, leading to small oil leaks. If this oil comes into contact with hot engine components, there is a risk of fire.
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Owners should stop driving and immediately park their Q5 if they notice smoke in the engine bay. An unusual odor coming from the engine could also indicate the issue.
Audi first identified the potential issue in May 2023 after receiving multiple customer complaints. A technical service bulletin was issued in January 2024, instructing dealers to inspect the cylinder head cover screws and replace any that appeared loose. As the year went on, Audi received more reports of oil leaks and a few fires. To date, Audi has logged 2,539 warranty claims potentially related to the issue and is aware of 11 fires, though there have been no reports of injuries or fatalities.
A total of 89,417 Q5s are involved in the recall. These consist of 78,313 regular 2022-2024 Audi Q5 models built between July 24, 2021, and August 23, 2024, as well as 11,104 Audi Q5 Sportbacks from the 2022-2024MYs, produced from August 7, 2021, to July 2, 2024.
Dealers have been instructed to inspect the cylinder head cover screws for proper torque. If any screws are found to be loose, they will be replaced and tightened to meet new specifications.
