2020 Audi Q5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
13/100
#14 most-complained of 16 Q5 years
The 2020 Audi Q5 ranks 14th worst out of 16 model years, with a complaint index of 13 and a "Best" verdict relative to other Q5 years. It has 25 complaints, 6 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls, with the Electrical System as the top problem area.
- Complaints
- 25
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25.5
- 23.5 city / 28.5 hwy
Top 2020 Audi Q5 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System8 (32%)
- Engine6 (24%)
- Other6 (24%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras4 (16%)
- Seat Belts3 (12%)
- Steering3 (12%)
- Brakes2 (8%)
- Structure & Body2 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (4%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden complete electrical shutdowns while driving, with warning lights flashing and no ability to restart the car immediately, in one case around 2,300 miles.
- Some describe a gateway control module failure that caused the vehicle to stop suddenly and apply the emergency brake without warning while windows moved on their own.
- The automatic emergency braking system reportedly failed to engage during a sudden stop, resulting in a crash.
- Owners describe the seat belt unbuckled alarm activating falsely when a phone was placed on the passenger seat.
- Some report the engine consuming coolant gradually over several hundred miles despite dealership inspections showing normal results.
- One owner reported the hood opening unexpectedly three separate times while driving.
2020 Audi Q5 recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Audi Q5 reliable?
- Among Q5 model years, 2020 has a complaint index of 13 and ranks 14th worst out of 16 years, giving it a "Best" verdict relative to other Q5 years.
- What problems does the 2020 Audi Q5 have?
- NHTSA data shows the top problem area is the Electrical System, accounting for 32% of complaints, followed by Engine issues at 24% and Collision Avoidance & Camera issues at 16%.
- Does the 2020 Audi Q5 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2020 Audi Q5, covering the electrical system, suspension/wheels/tires, and structure/body components, with none classified as do-not-drive.
- What year Audi Q5 should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaint index data, 2012 (80), 2018 (100), 2023 (87), and 2025 (93) are the Q5 years with "Avoid" verdicts, while 2020 (13) is one of the better years.
- How many complaints does NHTSA have on file for the 2020 Audi Q5?
- NHTSA lists 25 complaints for the 2020 Audi Q5, with 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 3 injuries reported.