manup

++1....Another satisfied buyer of an 2010 Audi Q5!

runbird13

As FitzLA and G Man have commented, this problem or symptom has been discussed exhaustively on this forum and others. I’ll share a bit of my personal experience on the matter.

In completing my pre-sales due diligence prior to purchase in December of 2010, I did inquire with the Brand Specialist about both the transmission shudder and hesitation issues. To assuage my concerns, the dealership provided me with a response from an AoA representative which addressed an issue that was apparently detailed in some form by JD Power affecting the Q5 and or other Audi products. The discussion concerned a hesitation with acceleration from stop as the torque converter, by design, re-engages from idle or stop. Admittedly, I am still skeptical with the “by design” qualification.

Of course, as the odometer hit 222 miles, I first experienced the “jerk going into 1st gear”. Approaching a series of traffic stop lights in slow moving traffic, I noticed a transmission shudder or subtle “lurch forward” when the car rolled to a stop from 5-7 mph. I also noticed a similar sensation as I released the brakes from a stop. Here is an excerpt from the response that I received from AoA:

‘The symptoms that you are referring to are pretty normal for all Quattro models. Trans shift is completely computerized and has what is called adaption memory (specially designed for more than one style of driving). Also your braking system has a feature that is called "brake pre-fill" which is holding brake fluid pressure for a split second so the vehicle does not roll.’
Although only periodic, the shudders persisted for about 6 weeks before I decided to schedule a service visit. As two additional weeks passed before my appointment, I was delighted to find that the problem or symptoms disappeared. The last occasion of transmission shudder that I logged was at 1,305 miles. It has not resurfaced.

To tie-off on the hesitation issue, I did experience this, as well. To make a long story short (Am I too late for that?), it disappeared when I admitted the vehicle for out of schedule maintenance to have a leaking fuel injector repaired. The service manager (SM) speculated that the culprit was uneven fuel line pressure or poor combustion leading to the hesitation. Per the SM, the next step within break fix procedures would be to update TCM software / firmware and reprogram the shift points. I believe this has been offered up as a possible solution by many in this forum as a fix for the 1st gear jerk and hesitation issues.

Last thoughts? I hope my experiences and anecdotes offer you some comfort for a positive outcome. Hopefully, the 1st gear jerks will disappear soon. And even if you are one of those unlucky owners that comes upon a hesitation or a leaky injector, I hope you can still find enjoyment in your Q5, as I do. By then, Radio shut off design will just be a quirk that you will grow to love, care of our friends in Ingolstadt.

+2 Go Audi. And don't get me started on Honda/Acura.

FitzLA

Hey buddy, Volkswagen (notice the spelling) is still German engineering and nothing like a Honda. But hey, nice try. Not a great argument, but nice try.

Lets not forget, Audi, Volkswagen, Porsche, Bentley. Yes, those are just like a Honda. LMAO!

Ductman

Thank's for the kudo's, hey what's life if we can't poke some fun at each other, I don't take it personally, just fun .

GenSpec

Now that I am firmly leaving my field of knowledge, does the MDX share any components with the Pilot? And likewise the RDX with the CRV? I know my wife's Civic is strikingly similar to the CSX.

On the filp side does the Q5 share with the Tiguan?

The G Man

I think it’s a combination of the aggressive transmission software and a break in issue. Price doesn’t not always equal to a smooth transmission at low speed, have you ever drove a Porsche in bumper to bumper traffic, it bumps and lurches at low speed.
I have a 08 A6 with the same transmission and it did the same thing, the transmission smooth out after 8000 miles or so, My wife's Q5 only had this problem for about 2000 miles, so every Audi will be different.

FitzLA

Well I'm glad you can take the poking. I would expect a Honda driver to cry.

Seriously, I am totally joking with you and I hope you know that. I am just having a little fun. At your expense, yes. But fun, none the less. I mean no offense and I hope you know that. ;-)

Shaft

Not Q5, although Q3 is.

FitzLA

The MDX does share some components with the Pilot, but are really different animals all together.

The Q5 does not share much at all, if anything, with the Tiquan. The Tiguan is really a different beast, and is front wheel drive (or FWD based if equipped with AWD) while the Q5 is RWD biased AWD system. The Tiguan is based off the VW Golf, and the Q5 is based off the Audi A4. Two totally different animals.

The G Man

The MDX and the pilot have the same engine and transmission, but the Pilot still use the electronic AWD system similar to the CRV. The MDX has the SH-AWD which is now mechanical based, but the Q5 still have a much better AWD system by far. I felt the SH-AWD system was wasted on a big SUV such as the MDX, it did not handle as nice as the Q5. Although the MDX has 300 HP, it felt much slower than the Q5. Typical Acura, their cars always drives slower than their HP ratings. Also, one can cough on the sheet metal of the MDX and it would make a dent, it’s that thin. The built material is terrible, imagine plastic wood trim on a $40000+ car. The built quality is also inconsistent, some MDX have tight gaps on their interior and exterior panels and some have wider gaps than other. Overall, I think the MDX is over price and that power ranger shield grille is the ugliest thing I have ever seen.