European crossovers are often practical, well-thought-out and very well-tuned vehicles. But, alas, they also have technical problems, and some models have a whole collection of them. We have compiled a list of the 5 most unreliable SUVs from the EU, produced from 2000 to the mid-2010s.
Audi Q5
The Q5 body holds up well, but its technical components require ;kfhf attention. The already legendary 2.0 TFSI turbo engine (EA888) in the first versions can surprise the owner with its appetite for oil - up to a liter per thousand kilometers. The timing chain requires inspection after 100,000 kilometers, and the water pump likes to present surprises in the form of leaks.
Diesel engines are much more reliable, but they require high-quality fuel and timely replacement of the timing belt. The story with the transmission is also interesting. The “Robot“ S-Tronic from the first years of production is a lottery: mechatronics can fail as early as 60,000 kilometers. But the eight-speed ZF automatic transmission is a model of reliability. With timely maintenance, it will easily last 250,000 kilometers.
On the road, the Q5 behaves decently, but the suspension requires investment: the front wheel bearings are a constant headache, and the front wishbones rarely last more than 100,000 kilometers. The rear multi-link system lasts longer, but after 150 thousand it also needs care.