Audi Q5 Blower Motor Failure, Complete HVAC Shutdown

I had the exact same issue with my 2019 Audi Q3 last winter. Having some experience with HVAC repairs, I first tried the basic checks like you did with the fuses. The blower motor completely failed, causing no air flow through the cabin vents. The electrical wiring was intact, but the motor itself was dead. The workshop diagnosed it as a burned-out blower motor, which is quite common in these models due to debris buildup over time. The repair involved replacing the entire blower motor assembly. Total cost was 365 Euro including parts and labor. The job took about 2 hours since they needed to remove several components to access the blower motor housing. What year exactly is your Q5? Also, before it failed completely, did you notice any unusual sounds from the blower like squeaking or rattling? This could help determine if its the same issue I experienced. The symptoms often start gradually before total failure. Worth getting it checked soon since driving without a working HVAC system can be unsafe due to windshield fogging and poor cabin ventilation.

Thanks for the information. My Q5 just hit 52461 KM and had its last service 3 months ago. Now that you mention it, I did notice a faint rattling noise from the fan speed controller area about a week before the complete air conditioning failure. The noise was more noticeable at higher blower speeds and became progressively louder until the complete breakdown. The air flow issue seems identical to what you described. I will schedule a workshop visit since the lack of cabin ventilation is becoming a real problem. Hopefully the repair costs will be similar, though parts prices have likely increased since your repair. Has your blower motor been working reliably since the replacement? Wondering if I should consider any preventive measures once its fixed to avoid future failures.

Thanks for the follow-up. Yes, those symptoms match exactly what I experienced, the progressive rattling is a clear sign of the blower motor beginning to fail. Since having my blower motor replaced, the climate control system has worked flawlessly for over 18 months now. To prevent future issues, I recommend getting the air intake area cleaned during regular service. Debris accumulation around the blower motor housing can cause premature wear. The workshop also installed a better cabin air filter that catches more particles before they reach the HVAC system components. One tip: when they replace the motor, ask them to check the resistor pack and wiring harness too. In my case, they found minor corrosion on the connector pins which could have caused problems later. The extra inspection only added about 30 Euro to the total cost but was worth it for peace of mind. The heater fan should last many years with proper maintenance. My mechanic mentioned these newer models actually have more robust blower motors than the previous generation, so once replaced, you likely wont face this issue again.

Thanks for the detailed response. That all makes sense and matches what I'm experiencing. I'll definitely have them inspect the resistor pack and wiring harness during the repair. Good tip about the better cabin air filter too, I had no idea that could help protect the blower motor. I've scheduled the repair for next week. The service advisor quoted around 400 Euro for parts and labor, which seems reasonable given current prices. They mentioned they'll do a full inspection of the electrical wiring and climate control components while they have everything apart. Really appreciate you sharing your experience with this issue. It helps knowing what to expect and what preventive steps to take after the repair. I'll make sure to have them clean out the air intake area properly and upgrade to a higher quality cabin filter while they're at it. Hopefully this will give me many years of trouble-free HVAC system operation like you've had since your repair. Let me know if anything else comes to mind that I should discuss with the workshop before the repair. Thanks again for all the helpful information.