YearToAvoid

2020 Audi Q5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2020 Audi Q5 has a complaint index of 29, ranking 13th worst of 18 model years, with a Good verdict. It has 25 complaints, 6 recalls, and 3 crashes reported to NHTSA, with Electrical System issues the top problem area.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
29/100
#13 of 18 Q5 years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
25
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
6
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
3
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
3
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2022
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
25.5
23.5 city / 28.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0

Top 2020 Audi Q5 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System8 (32%)
  2. Engine6 (24%)
  3. Other6 (24%)
  4. Collision Avoidance & Cameras4 (16%)
  5. Seat Belts3 (12%)
  6. Steering3 (12%)
  7. Brakes2 (8%)
  8. Structure & Body2 (8%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain2 (8%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Some owners report the vehicle suddenly stalling and dying without warning, including one case where the car could not restart and needed towing at around 2,300 miles.
  • Owners describe a gateway control modular failure that caused the car to stop suddenly on the road, apply the emergency brake automatically, and flash all warning lights.
  • Some drivers report multiple dashboard warning and error messages appearing suddenly followed by a complete shutdown while driving on the expressway.
  • One owner reported the hood opening unexpectedly three separate times while driving.
  • An owner described the rear window shattering loudly while the vehicle was stopped, with no visible cause or projectile.
  • A driver reported the automatic braking feature failing to engage during sudden traffic stop, resulting in a crash.
2020 Audi Q5 complaints: complaints filed per month2Feb 2020Jun 2021May 2022Jan 2023Nov 2023Nov 2024Jun 2025Aug 2026
25 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2020 to Sep 2026; peak May 2022 (2).

2020 Audi Q5 recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V842000Dec 13, 2023Electrical System93,196 vehicles

    Electrical system:propulsion system:charging:cable/cord:onboard

    Volkswagen 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 2021-2022 A7 vehicles. When using the industrial 220V/240V plug at the 100% charge setting, some home power outlets may be incapable of handling the electrical current required to utilize the compact charging system, causing the outlet or charging cable to overheat.

    Risk: An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to use the 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable and only use the 110V home charging cable or public charging stations. Dealers will supply a new 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable with an incorporated temperature sensor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's numbers for this recall are 93U6 and 93U8.

  2. NHTSA 22V034000Jan 26, 2022Suspension, Wheels & Tires31,058 vehicles

    Tires

    Volkswagen 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, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.

    Risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.

  3. NHTSA 21V947000Dec 8, 2021Structure & Body288,991 vehicles

    Structure:body

    Volkswagen 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 underneath the vehicle may allow liquid to penetrate the gateway control module, causing it to shutdown.

    Risk: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover on the gateway control module and seal an underbody seam as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90S9.

See all 6 recalls for the 2020 Audi Q5 →

2020 Audi Q5 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
23.5 MPG
Highway
28.5 MPG
Combined
25.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,125
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2020 compared with other Q5 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Avoid1002046 !25
2019Good4152524
2020Good2925625.5
2021Caution7173825
2022Best2422425

All Audi Q5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Audi Q5 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Q5 has a complaint index of 29 and ranks 13th worst of 18 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other Q5 years.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Audi Q5?
NHTSA data shows the Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 8 of 25 complaints (32%), followed by Engine issues at 6 complaints (24%).
Does the 2020 Audi Q5 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2020 Audi Q5, covering electrical system charging cable issues, suspension lock nuts, structure and body seam sealing, front seat frames, and rear wheel arch trim.
How does the 2020 Q5 compare to other Q5 model years?
The 2020 Q5's complaint index of 29 is lower than years like 2018 (100), 2012 (82), and 2011 (76), all rated Avoid, making 2020 one of the better years based on NHTSA data.
How many people were injured in 2020 Audi Q5 incidents reported to NHTSA?
NHTSA data lists 3 injuries and 0 deaths associated with the 2020 Audi Q5, out of 3 reported crashes and 1 fire.

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.