YearToAvoid

2014 Audi SQ5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2014 Audi SQ5 has a complaint index of 33 and ranks 9th worst out of 13 model years, earning a Good verdict. Its top problem area is steering, tied to one recall for the electric power steering assist system.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
33/100
#9 of 13 SQ5 years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
12
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Top issue
Steering
Best nearby year
2015
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
19
16 city / 23 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2014 Audi SQ5 problems

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

  1. Steering4 (33%)
  2. Fuel System3 (25%)
  3. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (17%)
  4. Electrical System1 (8%)
  5. Engine1 (8%)
  6. Structure & Body1 (8%)
  7. Visibility & Wipers1 (8%)

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

What owners report

  • Steering can suddenly lock up or lose power assist, sometimes showing a "steering failure" warning message.
  • Owners report the fuel system causing intermittent forward lurching or surging even with light throttle input.
  • Some vehicles experienced fuel pump failures that caused the engine to shut down while driving, requiring towing.
  • One owner described a loud engine boom with knocking noise, white smoke, and engine lockup after driving.
  • A windshield reportedly cracked on its own without any impact, spreading from the driver side to the passenger side.
  • One owner found a rust hole in the rear subframe on both sides under the plastic shielding.
2014 Audi SQ5 complaints: complaints filed per month2Mar 2014Jan 2016Mar 2019Aug 2019Sep 2024
12 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2014 to Mar 2025; peak Jan 2015 (2).

2014 Audi SQ5 recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 15V452000Jul 20, 2015Steering5,625 vehicles

    Steering:electric power assist system

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Audi SQ5 vehicles manufactured May 22, 2013, to April 14, 2015. The affected vehicles have an electric power steering assist system that may shut down in cold temperatures due to a steering motor sensor fault.

    Risk: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the power steering control module software, free of charge. The recall began on July 31, 2015. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 48M1.

2014 Audi SQ5 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16 MPG
Highway
23 MPG
Combined
19 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,200
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.

2014 compared with other SQ5 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2013No verdict010—
2014Good3312119
2015Best178119
2016Best86019

All Audi SQ5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Audi SQ5 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2014 SQ5 has a complaint index of 33, the 9th worst of 13 model years, giving it a Good verdict relative to other SQ5 years.
Does the 2014 Audi SQ5 have a steering recall?
Yes. Recall 15V452000 covers 2014-2015 Audi SQ5 vehicles with an electric power steering assist system issue, remedied with a software update to the power steering control module.
What is the most common problem on the 2014 Audi SQ5?
Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 33% of complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 45,500 miles.
Which Audi SQ5 model years should be avoided?
According to the data, 2018 and 2024 carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes of 92 and 100, while 2021 is also rated Avoid with an index of 83. The 2014 model year is not one of the Avoid years.
What is the fuel economy of the 2014 Audi SQ5?
The EPA rates the 2014 SQ5 at 19 mpg combined (16 city / 23 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200.

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.