YearToAvoid

2020 Audi Q5 e Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

40/100

#4 most-complained of 6 Q5 e years

The 2020 Audi Q5 e has 12 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 40, ranking 4th out of 6 model years with a "Good" verdict relative to other Q5 e years. No recalls are on file for this model year.

Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
0 / 1
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2020 Audi Q5 e problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System4 (33%)
  2. Engine4 (33%)
  3. Brakes3 (25%)
  4. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (25%)
  5. Other2 (17%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (8%)
  7. Fuel System1 (8%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain1 (8%)

What owners report

  • A plug-in hybrid battery caught fire while charging with an empty battery, producing white smoke near the rear charge port.
  • Owners report the rear axle suspension alignment recall (22V034) caused uneven and premature tire wear, and dealers sometimes denied warranty tire replacement.
  • Some owners describe complete failure of the car to start or turn on, diagnosed as a computer problem.
  • One owner reported the transmission failed to engage forward properly, racing in drive with a bang before finally shifting.
  • A drive system malfunction after extended idling with A/C off caused the engine to run rough and shut itself off, generating excessive heat in the engine bay.
  • One owner described a brake booster unit making noise alongside a broader electrical malfunction affecting the Pre-sense braking system.
2020 Audi Q5 e complaints: complaints filed per month5Mar 2022Oct 2022Feb 2024Oct 2024Oct 2025
19 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2022 to Nov 2025; peak Jan 2025 (5).

2020 Audi Q5 e recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2020 compared with other Q5 e years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2020Good40120—
2021Avoid80290—
2022No verdict010—

All Audi Q5 e years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Audi Q5 e reliable?
NHTSA lists 12 complaints for the 2020 Audi Q5 e with a complaint index of 40, and it ranks 4th out of 6 model years, earning a "Good" verdict relative to other Q5 e years.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Audi Q5 e?
The top problem areas are the Electrical System and Engine, each with 4 complaints (33% share), followed by Brakes and Suspension, Wheels & Tires with 3 complaints each (25% share).
Does the 2020 Audi Q5 e have any recalls?
NHTSA shows 0 recalls filed specifically for the 2020 model year, though owners referenced recall 22V034 regarding rear axle alignment in their complaints.
Which Audi Q5 e model years should I avoid?
Based on complaint index, the 2024 model year has the highest index at 100 and is rated "Avoid," and the 2021 model year is also rated "Avoid" with an index of 80, both worse than the 2020 model year's index of 40.
Were there any fires reported for the 2020 Audi Q5 e?
NHTSA lists 1 fire complaint for the 2020 Audi Q5 e, involving a plug-in hybrid battery that produced smoke while charging.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.