2015 Audi SQ5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
17/100
#11 most-complained of 13 SQ5 years
The 2015 Audi SQ5 has a low Complaint Index of 17 and ranks 11th worst out of 13 model years, earning a "Best" verdict among SQ5 years. It has 8 complaints and 1 recall, with steering software and rear subframe rust being the main concerns.
- Complaints
- 8
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 17 city / 24 hwy
Top 2015 Audi SQ5 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body4 (50%)
- Steering2 (25%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (25%)
- Brakes1 (13%)
- Other1 (13%)
What owners report
- Power steering suddenly disables while driving, with a dashboard warning and a temporary loss of steering assist, sometimes fixed by a software update.
- Power steering can freeze in cold or snowy conditions, triggering a power steering error and preventing the vehicle from shifting into drive.
- Rear subframe structure rusts through in the same spot on both sides, with moisture trapped under plastic molding that causes the rust.
- Front subframe assembly can develop severe rust perforation that owners describe as a risk of sudden structural collapse of the suspension.
- Brakes have failed to engage when the pedal was depressed at highway speed, requiring use of the emergency brake to stop.
2015 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.
2015 Audi SQ5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 24 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.
2015 compared with other SQ5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Audi SQ5 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2015 SQ5 has a Complaint Index of 17, the second-lowest of all 13 SQ5 model years, and carries a "Best" verdict relative to other SQ5 years.
- What problems does the 2015 Audi SQ5 have?
- Owners most often report Structure & Body issues (50% of complaints), followed by Steering (25%) and Suspension, Wheels & Tires (25%). Structure & Body complaints occurred at a median mileage of 110,000.
- Does the 2015 Audi SQ5 have a recall?
- Yes, one recall (campaign 15V452000) covers a defective electric power steering assist system; Volkswagen updated the power steering control module software to fix it.
- Which Audi SQ5 model years should be avoided instead?
- Among other SQ5 years, 2018 (Complaint Index 92), 2024 (100), and 2025 (83) carry "Avoid" verdicts, all higher than the 2015 model's index of 17.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2015 Audi SQ5?
- The 2015 SQ5 is EPA-rated at 19 mpg combined (17 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200.