2021 Audi Q5 Engine Problems
Engine problems account for 19 of 73 complaints (26%) filed against the 2021 Audi Q5. NHTSA lists a related recall (campaign 22V753000) for engine connecting rod bearing damage. Median mileage at failure was 26,000.
- Engine complaints
- 19
- 26% of 73
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 26,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Engine stalls or shuts down unexpectedly at highway speed, sometimes displaying a "Transmission Engine Failure" warning before the vehicle loses power and requires towing.
- Engine failure occurs after water intrusion reaches electrical components under the rear seat, cutting power to the engine and power steering even after only a small spill.
- Complete loss of engine power happens during cold-weather driving at speeds above 50 mph, with dealers unable to resolve the issue on return visits.
- Owners report engine shaking accompanied by a malfunction warning light, later traced by dealers to metal fragments found inside the engine requiring replacement.
- Water pump failures are reported at high mileage, with owners noting their vehicle was not included in a related recall despite a similar failure pattern.
- Owners describe catastrophic engine failure with metal shavings found throughout the oil, leaving the vehicle stranded on the road.
When 2021 Audi Q5 engine complaints were filed
First complaint Jan 6, 2021, latest Jun 29, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2021 Audi Q5
- 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).
Engine complaints by Q5 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are engine problems in the 2021 Audi Q5?
- NHTSA lists 19 engine-related complaints out of 73 total complaints for the 2021 Audi Q5, or 26% of all complaints filed for that year.
- Is there a recall for the 2021 Audi Q5 engine?
- Yes. Recall campaign 22V753000 covers 2021-2023 Audi Q5 and Q5 Sportback vehicles for engine connecting rod bearings that may become damaged.
- At what mileage do 2021 Audi Q5 engine problems usually happen?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 26,000 at the time of failure for engine-related complaints on this model year.
- Were any crashes or injuries linked to engine complaints on the 2021 Q5?
- Among the complaints filed in this area, NHTSA records show 1 crash and 1 injury, with no fires reported.
- How does the 2021 Q5 engine complaint rate compare to other Q5 years?
- The 2021 Q5's 26% engine-complaint share is lower than years like 2016 (48%) and 2017 (50%), but higher than 2019 (23%) and 2020 (24%).