YearToAvoid

2021 Audi Q5 e Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

80/100

#2 most-complained of 6 Q5 e years

The 2021 Audi Q5 e ranks 2nd-worst of 6 model years, with a Complaint Index of 80 and 29 NHTSA complaints. Engine and Transmission & Powertrain issues each account for 24% of complaints, with median failure mileage around 10,000-10,500 miles.

Complaints
29
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2021 Audi Q5 e problems

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

  1. Engine7 (24%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain7 (24%)
  3. Electrical System6 (21%)
  4. Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (17%)
  5. Other5 (17%)
  6. Fuel System4 (14%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (10%)
  8. Lane Departure2 (7%)
  9. Steering2 (7%)
  10. Brakes1 (3%)

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden electrical system failure messages that prevent the car from starting or cause it to stall while driving.
  • Some describe the steering freezing up and the car losing acceleration while driving in traffic, preceded by dashboard warnings and beeping.
  • Several report the vehicle shutting down completely, with dealers tracing the issue to a control module damaged by liquid intrusion, related to a recall.
  • Owners describe abnormal noises and illuminated warning lights at startup, followed by jerking and an inability to keep driving.
  • Some report the automatic emergency braking system engaging hard with no object present, creating a rear-end collision risk.
  • A few note the electric-plus-gas driving range dropping noticeably from the original figure after purchase.
2021 Audi Q5 e complaints: complaints filed per month6Jun 2021Jan 2022Oct 2022Apr 2023Mar 2024Mar 2025Apr 2026Aug 2026
44 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2021 to Sep 2026; peak Jan 2022 (6).

2021 Audi Q5 e recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2021 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—
2023Caution6070—

All Audi Q5 e years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Audi Q5 e a good year to buy?
NHTSA data ranks the 2021 Audi Q5 e as the 2nd-worst of 6 model years, with a Complaint Index of 80 and a verdict of Avoid relative to other Q5 e years.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Audi Q5 e?
The top problem areas are Engine and Transmission & Powertrain, each making up 24% of the 29 NHTSA complaints, followed by Electrical System issues at 21%.
Does the 2021 Audi Q5 e have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2021 Audi Q5 e in this data, including 0 do-not-drive recalls.
At what mileage do 2021 Audi Q5 e problems typically start?
Median mileage at failure across complaints is 10,500 miles overall, with Engine issues reported around 10,000 miles and Electrical System issues around 2,000 miles.
How does the 2021 Audi Q5 e compare to other years?
The 2020 Q5 e has a lower Complaint Index of 40 and a Good verdict, while the 2024 Q5 e has the highest Complaint Index at 100 with an Avoid verdict.

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.