I just bought a new 2011 Q5 back in November 2010. When I hit the brake at low speeds the car would jerk sometimes (when I first bought it). Since then, it has been happening more frequently. I just now took it into the dealership and they said that after performing a brake inspection of both the front and rear brakes everything was okay. In addition, they said that the jerking feeling I was feeling is the transmission downshift, and that this is normal. But this transmission downshift is VERY rough and now happens all the time; it doesn't seem normal to me AT ALL. I was doing my research online and found some posts about voluntary recalls? I am not sure if that is true or not but I'm not quite sure where to go from here, esp since the dealership "thinks" everything is normal. The car has about 4500 miles on it too. Anybody else going through the same thing?

 

There should be software update for jerky transmissions, I know I red about that not that long ago.

 

I read the same thing.

I also feel the jerking once in a while when it downshifts on my 2011 Q5 2.0T.
It seems to happen only on highway rush hour when I speed up just enough for the gear to shift up but then slow down right away and cause it downshift to higher rmp and it jerks.

It doesn't happen when I drive in Dynamic mode (Audi Drive Select).
I guess because the rpm goes higher before shifting up.

 

I had the same issue with my 2011 Q5 2.0T, but only occasionally. I just had it dpne the 1st scheduled service a couple of days ago. They confirmed the compliant and did a software update. They also performed a "adaptation road test" after the sw update and confirmed okay now. That's what the report says - the dealer service advisor was not available at the time when I picked up the car so I was not given an explanation.
So far (only a couple of days) I have not noticed the rough downshift yet - it means nothing as it's only a couple of days of driving. But I found my car is no longer the same - it's driving wierd. I am still trying to figuring out the difference while trying to get the advisor to explain what the SW update is doing.

Another thing is the mileage the dealer tech used on my car for service. They drove 70KM, It does not seem normal to me for a scheduled service and wahtever that adpatation road test was.

Post here to share the info and also looking for any similar from the community.

Thanks
Fan

 

I've got the same issue. When i slowdown for a stop, the downshifting is rough - a bit jerky as if one was driving a standard car and was not easing the clutch out. I've only got 3,500k on it, but i will definitely ask the dealership to look into it at the first regular service.

For a luxury vehicle I was expecting a bit more of a smoother ride both in acceleration and deceleration.

 

Hey guys, I had same issue, after complaining - they performed manual adaptation. Now it's way better. It took 40km for them to do it.

 

I have the same problem but I never considered it a problem at all. With 8 gears in the 2011 it has to shift a lot. I find I get smooth acceleration especially when I accelerate with force. The braking to me seems to be a timing issue. If you start braking as soon as it shifts you get a jerk. The down-shift is my favorite part because I love stick shift and this is my first Automatic vehicle. The fact that I can go from about 50 to 5 without touching the breaks is good for me. I've been contemplating whether to get the dealer to adjust it! Evaluating it till my first service.

 

An update on mine. They updated the software and did the adaptation test and told me it's all okay. But now it having problem with up-shift around 5th gear. They confirmed the problem and tried five different versions of software but neither resolved the problem. So they dropped the oil pan and replaced the filter and float, and "concluded" the mechatronic device needs to be replaced. They have ordered the part from Germany it it will arrive in two weeks (rash order). They told me the car is good to drive (with the oringal mechatronic) while waiting for the order to come. I raised my concern if it's safe to release the car to customer to drive and they said it's safe. Then I asked dealer rep to put the words on paper and she refused to do so. At the moment they said they will have to wait the dealer manager for next step. Do you guys know if in Canada if there is any lemon law to protect the consumers and if it's leagle to release the vehicle with transmission pending replacement of mechatronic?

 

Bump.
Today i went to my dealer for the rough downshift thing.
They decided to do the software update (not sure which). After sitting in the dealer for 4 hours straight, they told this: they found an update but failed to install it because my car just wont take it. they even called the tech line and tried to it remotely (not sure if they actually did it or not since they were on hold for hours). Now they said they will have to do an adaptation test to fix the problem.
Just thought I should post it.

 

This might actually turn to your advantage. In my case, software update made it even worse, the they done manual adaptation and it maid world of difference. It's still not silky smoth, but way better then before, and totally acceptable.