Audi SQ5 Best and Worst Years (2013–2025)
Avoid the 2018, 2024, and 2025 Audi SQ5. The 2018 has a complaint index of 92 with 24 complaints, 5 recalls (one do-not-drive), and electrical failures at a median 4,250 miles. 2024 and 2025 score 100 and 83 with camera, transmission, and fuel-system issues reported by owners; the 2015 and 2016 model years are Best.
- Model years
- 13
- 2013–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 117
- Recall campaigns
- 14
- Crashes reported
- 4
- Fires reported
- 0
- Top problem area
- Engine
SQ5 Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Audi SQ5 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | No verdict | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Engine | — | — |
| 2014 | Caution | 50 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Steering | 19 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Best | 17 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Structure & Body | 19 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Best | 8 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Steering | 19 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Good | 33 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 19 | 4★ |
| 2018 | Avoid | 92 | 24 | 1 | 0 | 5 ! | Electrical System | 21 | — |
| 2019 | Caution | 58 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 5 | Electrical System | 21 | — |
| 2020 | Good | 42 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Engine | 20 | — |
| 2021 | Caution | 67 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 5 | Engine | 20 | — |
| 2022 | Good | 25 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Engine | 21 | — |
| 2023 | No verdict | 75 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 21 | — |
| 2024 | Avoid | 100 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 21 | — |
| 2025 | Avoid | 83 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 21.5 | — |
SQ5 years to avoid: what went wrong
2024 Audi SQ5 Index 100 · 6 complaints · 0 recalls
The 2024 SQ5 has the worst complaint index of any year at 100, driven by 6 complaints with no recalls filed. Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues account for 33% of complaints; one owner described the vehicle seizing and the engine shutting down mid-turn with dashboard malfunction warnings, twice, with oncoming traffic nearby. A Structure & Body complaint describes the rear hatch's automatic-closing sensor triggering an alarm and attempting to close on a person near the bumper. A Transmission & Powertrain complaint describes a sudden CV axle/driveshaft failure mid-turn on a high-speed road, leaving the vehicle stranded across active lanes.
2018 Audi SQ5 Index 92 · 24 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2018 SQ5 has a complaint index of 92, the second-highest of any year, from 24 complaints and 5 recalls, including one do-not-drive recall. Electrical System problems make up 33% of complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 36,979.5. Owners report backup cameras defaulting to a black screen and the 360-degree top view mode reverting settings after every restart. Collision Avoidance & Cameras complaints, 17% of the total, describe the system erroneously activating and abruptly stopping the vehicle at low speed, sometimes in reverse. Two recalls address wheel arch trim detaching and water ingress near the rear seat.
2025 Audi SQ5 Index 83 · 7 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2025 SQ5 carries a complaint index of 83 from 7 complaints and one seat belt recall affecting driver and front passenger belts that may have been manufactured incorrectly. Electrical System, Collision Avoidance & Cameras, Fuel System, and Transmission & Powertrain problems each make up 29% of complaints. Owners report a new vehicle showing an engine light and drive-system malfunction warning before slowing and stopping on the highway with stiffened steering, a roughly 20-second acceleration lag while merging into highway traffic, and an exterior mirror blocking the driver's view during a left turn, at a median mileage of 800 for one reported case.
Most common Audi SQ5 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine27 (23%)
- Electrical System24 (21%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras16 (14%)
- Steering15 (13%)
- Other12 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (9%)
- Brakes10 (9%)
- Structure & Body10 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (8%)
- Visibility & Wipers9 (8%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Audi SQ5 should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2018, 2024, and 2025 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 92, 100, and 83 respectively. The 2018 model also has a do-not-drive recall.
- What is the best year for the Audi SQ5?
- 2015 and 2016 are the Best-rated years, with complaint indexes of 17 and 8, the lowest among all SQ5 model years covered.
- Is the 2018 Audi SQ5 reliable based on complaints?
- The 2018 SQ5 has 24 complaints, 5 recalls including one do-not-drive recall, and a complaint index of 92, the second-worst of the 13 model years covered. Electrical System issues account for 33% of its complaints.
- Does the Audi SQ5 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns across all SQ5 model years, with 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 each having multiple recalls; only the 2018 model year includes a do-not-drive recall.
- What are the most common problems across all Audi SQ5 years?
- Engine issues make up 23% of all complaints, Electrical System 21%, Collision Avoidance & Cameras 14%, and Steering 13%, based on 117 total complaints across 13 model years.