2014 Audi SQ5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
50/100
#7 most-complained of 13 SQ5 years
The 2014 Audi SQ5 has a Complaint Index of 50 and ranks 7th worst out of 13 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Steering complaints (33% of total) and one steering-related recall stand out as the top concern.
- Complaints
- 12
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16 city / 23 hwy
Top 2014 Audi SQ5 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering4 (33%)
- Fuel System3 (25%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (17%)
- Electrical System1 (8%)
- Engine1 (8%)
- Structure & Body1 (8%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (8%)
What owners report
- Steering can lose power assist or lock up entirely, sometimes displaying a "steering failure" or "do not drive" warning message.
- Some owners report the steering wheel becoming very difficult to turn at low speeds, with the issue occurring intermittently.
- One owner needed a rack and pinion replacement, and the same vehicle experienced a second steering failure two years later.
- Fuel system complaints describe intermittent strong forward lurches from a feathered throttle, and separate incidents of the fuel pump cutting out and stalling the vehicle while driving.
- One owner reported an engine knocking noise followed by a loud bang, white smoke, and engine lockup at 17,200 miles.
- A windshield reportedly cracked on its own without any impact, and another owner found rust holes in the rear subframe on both sides.
2014 Audi SQ5 recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- 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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Audi SQ5 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a Complaint Index of 50 for the 2014 SQ5, placing it 7th worst among 13 model years and earning a Caution verdict relative to other SQ5 years.
- What is the main problem with the 2014 Audi SQ5?
- Steering is the top problem area, making up 33% of complaints, tied to a recall for the electric power steering assist system software.
- Does the 2014 Audi SQ5 have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (campaign 15V452000) covers the electric power steering assist system on 2014-2015 SQ5 vehicles built between May 22, 2013 and April 14, 2015; the remedy is a software update to the power steering control module.
- At what mileage do 2014 SQ5 problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure across all complaints is 18,000 miles, though steering-specific complaints show a higher median mileage of 45,500 miles.
- How does the 2014 SQ5 compare to other years?
- The 2014 SQ5 (Complaint Index 50) is worse than 2015-2017 and 2020/2022 (rated Good or Best) but better than 2018 and 2024 (rated Avoid, Complaint Index 92 and 100).