What year Audi SQ5 should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2018, 2021, and 2024 Audi SQ5. These years have complaint indexes of 92, 83, and 100, the highest in the model's history, and 2018 and 2021 also carry five recall campaigns each.

What is the best year for the Audi SQ5?

The 2015 and 2016 Audi SQ5 are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 17 and 8, the lowest of any model year, and no do-not-drive recalls.

Does the 2018 Audi SQ5 have a recall?

Yes. The 2018 SQ5 has five recall campaigns, including one do-not-drive recall, covering issues like wheel arch trim detachment and water ingress near the rear seat control module.

What are the most common problems with the Audi SQ5?

Across all model years, engine issues account for 23% of complaints, electrical system issues 21%, collision avoidance and camera issues 14%, and steering issues 13%.

Is the 2021 Audi SQ5 reliable?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 SQ5 is rated Avoid, with a complaint index of 83 and five recall campaigns, including issues with the collision avoidance system, engine, and electrical systems.

Audi SQ5 Best and Worst Years (2013–2025)

Avoid the 2018, 2021, and 2024 Audi SQ5 model years, which carry the highest complaint indexes (92, 83, and 100) and, for 2018 and 2021, multiple recall campaigns. The 2015 and 2016 model years are rated Best, with much lower complaint indexes of 17 and 8.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2018 Avoid 2021 Avoid 2024 Best 2015 Best 2016

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.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Audi SQ5 problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2013	No verdict	0	1	0	0	Engine	—	—
2014	Good	33	12	0	1	Steering	19	4★
2015	Best	17	8	0	1	Structure & Body	19	4★
2016	Best	8	6	0	0	Steering	19	4★
2017	Good	42	5	2	0	Engine	19	4★
2018	Avoid	92	24	1	5 !	Electrical System	21	—
2019	Caution	58	19	1	5	Electrical System	21	—
2020	Caution	50	8	0	4	Engine	20	—
2021	Avoid	83	13	0	5	Engine	20	—
2022	Good	25	5	0	2	Engine	21	—
2023	No verdict	75	3	0	0	Electrical System	21	—
2024	Avoid	100	6	0	0	Collision Avoidance & Cameras	21	—
2025	Caution	67	7	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 highest complaint index in the lineup at 100, driven mainly by collision avoidance and camera issues (33% of complaints). Owners described the vehicle seizing mid-turn with an engine shutdown and multiple dashboard malfunction lights, and a rear hatch closing mechanism triggering unexpectedly on people near the bumper. No recalls have been issued for this model year, and injury counts (4) are the highest among all SQ5 years despite the low complaint volume.

2018 Audi SQ5 Index 92 · 24 complaints · 5 recalls

The 2018 SQ5 has a complaint index of 92 and carries five recall campaigns, including one do-not-drive recall. Electrical system issues make up 33% of complaints for the year, with owners reporting backup cameras defaulting to a black screen and parking-aid top-view mode resetting on every restart. Collision avoidance problems (17% of complaints) include the system erroneously braking the vehicle at low speed with no obstacle present. Two recalls address wheel arch trim detaching and water intrusion near the rear seat affecting the gateway control module. Median mileage at electrical failure was 36,979.

2021 Audi SQ5 Index 83 · 13 complaints · 5 recalls

The 2021 SQ5 has a complaint index of 83 and five recall campaigns. Engine complaints account for 46% of reports, with a median failure mileage of 20,700, while electrical system issues (38% of complaints) occurred at a much lower median of 2,400 miles, including a case where a water spill triggered cascading sensor, window, and steering malfunctions. Owners also reported the collision-avoidance and automatic emergency braking system activating without a legitimate trigger. Recalls cover infotainment software, rear axle alignment, and water ingress near the rear seat module.

Most common Audi SQ5 problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

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%)

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

Frequently asked questions

What year Audi SQ5 should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2018, 2021, and 2024 Audi SQ5. These years have complaint indexes of 92, 83, and 100, the highest in the model's history, and 2018 and 2021 also carry five recall campaigns each.
What is the best year for the Audi SQ5?: The 2015 and 2016 Audi SQ5 are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 17 and 8, the lowest of any model year, and no do-not-drive recalls.
Does the 2018 Audi SQ5 have a recall?: Yes. The 2018 SQ5 has five recall campaigns, including one do-not-drive recall, covering issues like wheel arch trim detachment and water ingress near the rear seat control module.
What are the most common problems with the Audi SQ5?: Across all model years, engine issues account for 23% of complaints, electrical system issues 21%, collision avoidance and camera issues 14%, and steering issues 13%.
Is the 2021 Audi SQ5 reliable?: Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 SQ5 is rated Avoid, with a complaint index of 83 and five recall campaigns, including issues with the collision avoidance system, engine, and electrical systems.