2012 Audi Q5 vs 2012 Subaru Outback
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2012 Audi Q5 | 2012 Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 168 | 291 |
| Recall campaigns | 6 | 16 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 1,272 | 316 |
| Investigations | 0 | 1 |
| Crash reports | 3 | 15 |
| Fire reports | 0 | 6 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | 4/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 20–22 | 20–24 |
| Median reported mileage | 72,000 mi | 90,991 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Audi Q5 | Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 85 | 39 |
| Power Train | 5 | 107 |
| Engine | 47 | 50 |
| Electrical System | 5 | 37 |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 34 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 20 | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 18 |
| Structure | 9 | 5 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Oil consumption | 17 | 0 |
| Stalling | 9 | 83 |
| Check engine light | 6 | 21 |
| Rust / corrosion | 5 | 12 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 32 |
| Hesitation / surging | 0 | 11 |
| Airbag warning light | 0 | 7 |
| Brake problems | 0 | 6 |
2012 Audi Q5
2012 Subaru Outback
Compare all Audi Q5 vs Subaru Outback years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.