YearToAvoid

2021 Audi Q5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2021 Audi Q5 has 73 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 71, and 8 recall campaigns, ranking 6th worst of 18 model years and earning a Caution verdict. Electrical system issues, tied to a water-sensitive gateway module, dominate owner reports.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
71/100
#6 of 18 Q5 years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
73
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
8
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
2
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2022
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
25
23 city / 28 hwy
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Top 2021 Audi Q5 problems

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

  1. Electrical System27 (37%)
  2. Engine19 (26%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain13 (18%)
  4. Collision Avoidance & Cameras12 (16%)
  5. Other9 (12%)
  6. Fuel System6 (8%)
  7. Brakes4 (5%)
  8. Steering3 (4%)
  9. Structure & Body3 (4%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (4%)

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

What owners report

  • Water spilled in the rear seat area reaches a gateway control module under the seat cushion, corroding it and shutting down all electrical systems while driving.
  • Complete electrical failure disables the engine, power steering, and gear shifting, sometimes at low speed in a parking lot.
  • Owners describe sudden 'panic mode' events with windows moving on their own, steering warnings, and the car shutting down without warning.
  • Brake pedal reportedly goes flat with no resistance, in one case combined with a locked steering wheel while descending a hill.
  • Fuel tank punctures from road debris cause gasoline leaks, with one report noting the tank is plastic rather than metal.
  • A panoramic sunroof reportedly shattered spontaneously while the vehicle was in motion.
2021 Audi Q5 complaints: complaints filed per month5Jan 2021Sep 2021Apr 2022Nov 2022Oct 2023Nov 2024Sep 2025Feb 2026
73 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2021 to Sep 2026; peak Sep 2021 (5).

2021 Audi Q5 recalls

8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 25V080000Feb 12, 2025Electrical System20,201 vehicles

    Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Audi Q5, and 2022 A7 E Hybrid Electric PHEV vehicles. The high-voltage battery may overheat.

    Risk: A high-voltage battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will install advanced diagnostic software , free of charge. Volkswagen will monitor available online vehicle data and contact owners as necessary, to advise them not to charge the vehicle until the battery can be replaced. For vehicles in which online data is unavailable, owners are advised not to charge their batteries until the final remedy becomes available. Repairs will be performed free of charge. This will be a Phased recall. Phase 1 will include Interim letters 2022-2023 model year vehicles. Phase 2 will include Owner letters 2021-2024 model year vehicles, and Phase 3 will include Interim letters 2022-2023 model year vehicles. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed February 28, 2025, and May 7, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 93AA. This recall expands and replaces previous NHTSA recall number 24V898.

  2. 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.

  3. NHTSA 22V753000Oct 7, 2022Engine76,515 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Audi Q5 Sportback, Q5, 2022-2023 Volkswagen Atlas FL, and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The engine connecting rod bearings may become damaged, which can result in engine failure.

    Risk: A damaged engine can result in engine failure and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash. If the engine failure causes an oil leak, it can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace an affected engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 6, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 13i4 (VW) and 13i5 (Audi).

See all 8 recalls for the 2021 Audi Q5 →

2021 Audi Q5 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
23 MPG
Highway
28 MPG
Combined
25 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,200
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.

2021 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
2019Good4152524
2020Good2925625.5
2021Caution7173825
2022Best2422425
2023Avoid8843525

All Audi Q5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Audi Q5 reliable?
NHTSA lists 73 complaints for the 2021 Q5, giving it a complaint index of 71 and a Caution verdict, ranking 6th worst among 18 model years of the Q5.
What is the main problem with the 2021 Audi Q5?
Electrical System complaints lead at 27, or 37% of all reports, mostly tied to a gateway control module under the rear seat that fails when exposed to spilled liquid or water ingress.
Does the 2021 Audi Q5 have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA has issued 8 recall campaigns for the 2021 Q5, covering the electrical system, engine connecting rod bearings, infotainment software, suspension lock nuts, seat belts, and a body seam/water ingress fix related to the gateway module.
How does the 2021 Q5 compare to other Q5 years?
The 2021 Q5 has a complaint index of 71, worse than 2020 (29, Good) and 2022 (24, Best), but better than 2018 (100, Avoid) and 2012 (82, Avoid).
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Audi Q5?
EPA rates the 2021 Q5 at 25 mpg combined (23 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200.

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.