2021 Audi Q5 Problems

69 owner complaints filed with the United States safety regulator · top issue: Electrical System · verdict CAUTION 48/100

Source NHTSA public complaint and recall record · methodology

What breaks, by owner reports

Electrical System25
Engine17
Forward Collision Avoidance10
Power Train10
Unknown Or Other8
Fuel/Propulsion System4

In the owners’ words

“I was driving at highway speeds when a "Transmission Malfunction" warning appeared, and the vehicle lost the ability to accelerate. Once I was able to pull over and put the vehicle in Park, it completely lost the ability to engage Drive or Reverse, leaving me stranded. Important to note pulling over was difficult as I was on a highway driving ar 70mph speed and trying to locate safe space to stop avoid collusion. M”NHTSA complaint, 2021 Audi Q5 owner
“The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and the vehicle decelerated before the vehicle stalled. During the failure, the check engine, oil, and coolant warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer determined that the engine bearings had failed, causing catastrophic damage t”NHTSA complaint, 2021 Audi Q5 owner
“Control module located under rear seat became slightly wet from spilled liquid, and failed. Engine and electrical failure as a result of control module failure. Audi refuses to cover damages as warranty period is over. Vehicle design is defective.”NHTSA complaint, 2021 Audi Q5 owner

Recall campaigns

ReportedComponentSummary
05/08/2021Seat Belts:Rear/Other:Retractor SAFETYVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Qua
26/01/2022TiresVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5,
08/12/2021Electrical System:Body Control Module/Bcm SAFETYVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, 2018-2022 Q5, and SQ5 vehicles. A liquid spill in the rear seat, or water ingress from an insufficient body seam under
26/04/2021Suspension:Rear:Axle:Non-Powered Axle AssemblyVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5,
05/10/2022Back Over Prevention:Display FunctionVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A
07/10/2022Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/MechanicalVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Audi Q5 Sportback, Q5, 2022-2023 Volkswagen Atlas FL, and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The engine connecting rod bearings may become damaged,
13/12/2023Electrical System:Propulsion System:Charging:Cable/Cord:Onboard SAFETYVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 RS e-tron GT, e-tron GT, Q4 e-tron Sportback, Q4 e-tron, 2020-2021 Audi A8, 2019-2024 e-tron Quattro, 2020-2024 e-tron Sportback Quattro, Q5, and 20
12/02/2025Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Battery SAFETYVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Audi Q5, and 2022 A7 E Hybrid Electric PHEV vehicles. The high-voltage battery may overheat.

Questions owners ask

Is the 2021 Audi Q5 reliable?

On the federal record it scores 48/100: 69 owner complaints (13.8 per year on the road) and 8 recall campaigns, 4 touching safety-critical systems.

What is the most common problem with the 2021 Audi Q5?

The most-reported component in NHTSA complaints is Electrical System, with 25 of 74 categorised reports.

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The 2021 Audi Q5 scored 48/100 on the federal record.

Full 2021 data pagecosts, verdict, every numberAll Q5 yearswhich year to avoid Most complained-about carsthe national ranking