BMW X3 vs Audi Q5: recalls and problems

Since 2000 the BMW X3 has 60 recalls and 2,025 owner complaints; the Audi Q5 has 33 recalls and 1,359 complaints. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.

BMW X3All model years →

Audi Q5All model years →

At a glance

	BMW X3	Audi Q5
Recalls	60	33
Do-not-drive / park-outside recalls	2	1
Owner complaints	2,025	1,359
Crashes reported	105	67
Fires reported	109	12
Injuries reported	96	57
Most reported problem	Engine	Engine

NHTSA data, model years 2000 onward.

Complaints by model year

BMW X3Audi Q5

Every model year

Year	X3 recalls	X3 complaints	Q5 recalls	Q5 complaints
2026	2	22	0	4
2025	9	38	1	49
2024	3	43	4	20
2023	4	17	5	46
2022	7	86	4	22
2021	10	116	8	75
2020	16	110	6	25
2019	10	171	5	53
2018	11	76	6	209
2017	6	92	5	42
2016	5	82	5	78
2015	7	105	6	100
2014	6	86	5	105
2013	7	226	5	89
2012	2	42	6	168
2011	4	113	5	143
2010	4	32	4	100
2009	3	19	6	31
2008	3	66	1	0
2007	3	99	—	—
2006	2	143	—	—
2005	1	103	—	—

BMW X3: top problems

Engine644

Electrical System424

Air Bags306

Unknown or other236

Power Train192

Seats168

Audi Q5: top problems

Engine355

Air Bags258

Electrical System223

Fuel System158

Unknown or other150

Steering97

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

Questions

Which has more problems, the BMW X3 or the Audi Q5?

Since model year 2000 owners have filed 2,025 complaints about the BMW X3 and 1,359 about the Audi Q5 with NHTSA, so the Audi Q5 has fewer. These are raw counts: the model that sold more will usually have more complaints, so compare individual model years too.

Which has more recalls, the BMW X3 or the Audi Q5?

NHTSA lists 60 recall campaigns for the BMW X3 and 33 for the Audi Q5 since model year 2000.