Has anyone fitted a Towbar other than an Audi one to a 2025 Q5? I have been told that there is coding within the vehicle that will not allow certain systems to work correctly if anything other than an Audi one is fitted? Hope I’ve not just bought a new car that I can’t tow with!
As far as I know this position still exists as mentioned on other forums. One owner has just returned their motor for a full refund as it was specifically stated when ordered it will need towbar fitted.
Audi stopped allowing third parties to 'recode' some time ago. Personally if if I were to buy another Audi (very doubtful) I would bite the bullet and go with dealer fit but make sure they do all the correct pin connections for your caravan. My last Audi had a 3rd party fit - at the time when it was 'allowed' - but when the car had electrical problems their insistence was that it was all cause by the dedicated tow bar wiring - they even refused to carry out a pre-paid service on the vehicle as they claimed it would be impossible to clear all the faults with the tow wiring connected. I was 'offered' a full diagnostic check but not under warranty at a cost of - hold your breath -£480 plus vat. They wouldn't even give me a price on the car if i were to part-ex for a new one; something I was probably going to do within six months. So after 20 0dd years of Audis i voted with my feet. Bought a Kia Sorrento at 10 months old -seven seats to suit the grandkids and a great tow car. Great dealership - genuinely family run- what a difference it attitude to customers - oh and still 6 years of warranty on that car.
Edit: There was, in the long run, no financial loss to myself. Deal on the replacement was very good- even with being honest about the problems. - apparently a good squirt of electrical lubricant of some sort does wonders!
Hi, we have a 2024 VW T-Roc and had a aftermarket towbar fitted. At some point in the future the fitters said it will need to be recoded as it beeps like mad in reverse with the bike frame fitted. They are awaiting the codes to be released from VW, the older models can already be done they said.
Worth seeing if same applies to Audi as all part of same group?
Hi everyone, so sorry to be going on about this! Still struggling with what to do about fitting a Towbar to the 2025 Q5 I have just bought. The Audi dealership never told me of the issues even though they knew I was going to use it for towing! Has anyone out there had a Towbar other than an Audi one fitted? If so, I would appreciate you letting me know how you’re getting on with it. Many thanks.
At least aftermarket towbars are available, which is a start!
Some info on the bars available including warnings about fixed types OR in situ removable types possibly triggering reversing sensors! My swan neck does not trigger my reversing sensors on my Citroen, and plenty of other cars are OK, BUT it's not assured unless verified!
TBH, my towbar was a factory fit option fully integrated into the car's electrics, so small possibility it may be more tolerant than an aftermarket fit, but I suspect no more than location and range of sensors on the bumper that dictate whether it's an issue. Once trailer hooked up, an integrated system would discount presence of trailer, but an unintegrated system would alarm!
They offer no upfront assurance that they can fully integrate the electrics into vehicle systems, but will advise on a vehicle specific basis. - I wouldn't expect it with yours based on VWG policy! (but worth asking!). Be careful of any VWG unauthorised 'work arounds', they may compromise any manufacturers warranty on the whole vehicle!
I’ve got. Land Rover discovery sport and had an aftermarket towbar fitted, the towbar installer advised me prior to fitting that it would have to go to LR main dealer for coding.
To be honest, I couldn’t be bothered paying extra cash for the few extras that the coding gives me, it tows just fine, the lights work so that’s good enough for me.
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Topic: 2025 Q5 towbar
via mobile 03/3/2026 at 10:29pm
