2019 Audi SQ5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2019 Audi SQ5 has a complaint index of 58, ranking 6th worst out of 13 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 19 complaints, 5 recalls, and 1 crash, with Electrical System issues the top problem area (26% of complaints).
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 58/100
- #6 of 13 SQ5 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 19
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2019 Audi SQ5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System5 (26%)
- Brakes4 (21%)
- Engine4 (21%)
- Airbags2 (11%)
- Structure & Body2 (11%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (11%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (5%)
- Fuel System1 (5%)
- Steering1 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Passenger airbag warning light illuminates or airbags fail to deploy in a crash, with dealers sometimes finding no fault at all.
- Adaptive cruise control or automatic emergency braking slams on the brakes for no visible reason on empty streets.
- Instrument dash gauges go blank temporarily while driving, requiring multiple dealer visits without a fix.
- Rear sunroof has shattered unexpectedly while driving, with dealers blaming road debris despite no impact.
- Tail lights and turn signals have failed randomly due to a software error, sometimes at night.
- Engine has stalled at low speed with an SOS warning light on, and technicians could not duplicate the fault.
2019 Audi SQ5 recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V947000Dec 8, 2021Structure & Body288,991 vehicles
Structure:body
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, 2018-2022 Q5, and SQ5 vehicles. A liquid spill in the rear seat, or water ingress from an insufficient body seam underneath the vehicle may allow liquid to penetrate the gateway control module, causing it to shutdown.
Risk: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover on the gateway control module and seal an underbody seam as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90S9.
- NHTSA 19V737000Oct 16, 2019Structure & Body174,278 vehicles
Structure:body
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi SQ5 and 2018-2020 Audi Q5 vehicles. The rear wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach from the vehicle.
Risk: The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four clips securing the forward part of the rear wheel arch trim, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 66K8.
- NHTSA 19V473000Jun 19, 2019Airbags28 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. In the event of a crash deploying the passenger's frontal air bag, the instrument panel carrier may break due to incorrect welding. If the carrier breaks, there may be damage to the passenger frontal air bag.
Risk: A damaged frontal air bag may not provide adequate protection, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the instrument panel and the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began August 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 90N1.
2019 Audi SQ5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 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.
2019 compared with other SQ5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Audi SQ5 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2019 SQ5 has a complaint index of 58 and ranks 6th worst of 13 model years, earning a Caution verdict relative to other SQ5 years.
- What problems does the 2019 Audi SQ5 have?
- NHTSA complaints most often cite the Electrical System (26% of complaints), followed by Brakes and Engine (21% each), including dash blackouts, unexpected automatic braking, and engine stalling.
- Does the 2019 Audi SQ5 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2019 SQ5, covering airbag instrument panel breakage, brake master cylinder length, wheel arch trim detachment, and a later structure/body water-ingress recall.
- How does the 2019 SQ5 compare to other SQ5 years?
- The 2019 SQ5's complaint index of 58 is worse than the 2015-2017 and 2022 model years but better than the 2018, 2021, and 2024 model years, which carry Avoid verdicts with higher complaint indexes.
- What is the median mileage for SQ5 electrical failures in 2019?
- For the Electrical System, the median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 2,900 miles, an early-onset pattern compared to Engine complaints at 10,300 miles.