Audi hit with class action over alleged subframe defect in Q5, SQ5 vehicles

Audi class action overview:

• Who: Plaintiff Mitchell Behm filed a class action lawsuit against Volkswagen Group of America Inc. (d/b/a Audi of America Inc.), Audi AG and Volkswagen AG.
• Why: Behm alleges Audi concealed a dangerous subframe defect and refused to honor warranty coverage for repairs.
• Where: The lawsuit was filed in New Jersey federal court.

A new class action lawsuit claims Audi concealed a dangerous structural defect in thousands of vehicles and denied warranty coverage to owners left with costly out-of-pocket repairs.

Plaintiff Mitchell Behm filed the Audi class action lawsuit on May 22, alleging the companies manufactured and sold defective 2009–2017 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles without disclosing a known safety hazard.

The complaint alleges that plastic covers affixed to the steel subframe trap water and road salt, accelerating hidden corrosion invisible unless the covers are removed. Furthermore, a compromised subframe can cause wheel or suspension collapse and loss of vehicle control, and that structural weakness increases occupant injury risk in a crash.

In August 2023, Behm says his mechanic removed the plastic subframe covers on his 2015 Audi Q5 during routine maintenance and found extensive hidden rust and holes, declaring the car unsafe to drive.

Behm sought warranty coverage from his Audi dealership and reimbursement from Audi of America; both refused, leaving him to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket for subframe repairs.

Complaint: Audi knew of the defect by 2009, issued zero recalls

The Audi class action lawsuit alleges that by 2009, the company already knew the subframe components were prone to premature rust and corrosion and would require repair or replacement, yet continued selling the vehicles without disclosing the defect.

Instead of alerting owners, the lawsuit claims Audi communicated about the corrosion problem through dealer-facing technical service bulletins and special service messages never shared with consumers.

The complaint also alleges that Audi revised the affected subframe part number at least five times, from 8R0505235F through 8R0505235N, without ever issuing a recall or consumer notification.

Replacement costs typically range from $4,000 to $9,000 or more and can rise further if adjacent components, such as brake lines, the exhaust or the fuel tank, were also damaged, the Audi class action lawsuit says.

Behm demands a jury trial and requests damages, restitution, injunctive relief, a court-ordered recall and attorneys’ fees for a nationwide class of 2009–2017 Audi Q5 and SQ5 owners.

In another recent class action, Audi stands accused of concealing an alleged water pump defect in Audi vehicles equipped with 2.9T and 3.0T EA839 engines and denying repairs to consumers.

What do you think of the allegations made in this Audi class action lawsuit? Let us know in the comments.

Behm is represented by Russell D. Paul, Amey J. Park and Natalie Lesser of Berger Montague P.C. and Anna C. Haac of Haac Law LLC.

The Audi class action lawsuit is Behm v. Volkswagen Group of America Inc., et al., Case No. 1:26-cv-05907, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.

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