Audi Q5 Recall R/2018/161: Rear Brake Pistons Coated Incorrectly, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 18 Jun 2018
- Launched
- 606
- vehicles in the UK
- R/2018/161
- DVSA reference
Audi recalled Q5 vehicles built between 20 March 2018 and 19 April 2018. The rear brake pistons may have been coated incorrectly potentially causing the brake pedal travel to increase under braking and the effectiveness of the rear brakes to be reduced. The recall notice describes the fix as: the rear brake hydraulic system (rear left and rear right brake calipers) must be bled on the affected vehicles. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The rear brake pistons may have been coated incorrectly potentially causing the brake pedal travel to increase under braking and the effectiveness of the rear brakes to be reduced. Gas bubbles may form in the hydraulic system on the rear brake circuit under certain conditions as a function of temperature and time. In the event of a fault only the rear brake circuit will be affected. As a result the vehicle may take significantly longer to stop.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: REAR BRAKE PISTONS COATED INCORRECTLY Defect: The rear brake pistons may have been coated incorrectly potentially causing the brake pedal travel to increase under braking and the effectiveness of the rear brakes to be reduced. Gas bubbles may form in the hydraulic system on the rear brake circuit under certain conditions as a function of temperature and time. In the event of a fault only the rear brake circuit will be affected. As a result the vehicle may take significantly longer to stop. Remedy: The rear brake hydraulic system (rear left and rear right brake calipers) must be bled on the affected vehicles.
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The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could cause the brake pedal travel to increase under braking and the effectiveness of the rear brakes to be reduced.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: the rear brake hydraulic system (rear left and rear right brake calipers) must be bled on the affected vehicles.
Are You Affected?
Q5 built between 20 March 2018 and 19 April 2018 may be included. Audi estimates 606 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Audi, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Audi.
- Book with any franchised Audi dealer, quoting the DVSA reference R/2018/161. See how to get a Audi recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q5Replacing seat belt with tensioner | Urgent | R/2026/192 | |
| A6, A7, Q5Software update for battery control unit | Urgent | R/2025/463 | |
| A3, A4, A4 Cabrio, A5 and 3 moreStop-drive TAKATA PSAN | Stop driving | R/2025/387 | |
| Q5Cylinder head cover bolts inspection | Urgent | R/2025/184 | |
| A6, Q5Servicing high-voltage battery | Stop driving | R/2024/495 |
This is one of 158 Audi recalls in DVSA’s data. The Audi recall launched before it was R/2018/152 on 11 Jun 2018, for risk of overheating and failure of additional coolant pump. The one launched after it was R/2018/255 on 21 Sep 2018, for possible oil leakage may occur at the gearbox breather. You can also see every Audi recall, the Audi Q5 recall history, all recalls launched in 2018 and brake recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2018/161, launched 18 June 2018. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.