2021 Audi Q5 e Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid 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.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #2 of 6 Q5 e years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 29
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Engine
Top 2021 Audi Q5 e problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine7 (24%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (24%)
- Electrical System6 (21%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (17%)
- Other5 (17%)
- Fuel System4 (14%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (10%)
- Lane Departure2 (7%)
- Steering2 (7%)
- Brakes1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
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 recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2021 compared with other Q5 e years
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.