2020 Audi SQ5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2020 Audi SQ5 has a Complaint Index of 50, ranking 7th worst out of 13 model years, with 8 complaints and 4 recalls logged with NHTSA. It earns a Caution verdict, sitting in the middle of the SQ5 lineup rather than among the worst or best years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #7 of 13 SQ5 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 8
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 18 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2020 Audi SQ5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine3 (38%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (38%)
- Other3 (38%)
- Brakes1 (13%)
- Steering1 (13%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Lane-departure and steering-correction system suddenly and sharply pulled the vehicle into another lane while cruise control was active.
- Automatic emergency braking activated abruptly while backing out of a driveway with no obstruction present.
- Rear parking sensors detected phantom objects and triggered hard braking with no object actually behind the vehicle.
- Pre-sense emergency braking engaged unexpectedly while driving around 35 mph after sensing a vehicle that owners say wasn't a real hazard.
- An independent inspection found engine coolant pooling internally beneath the coolant module on the 3.0T engine, undetected by warning lights.
2020 Audi SQ5 recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V034000Jan 26, 2022Suspension, Wheels & Tires31,058 vehicles
Tires
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
Risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
- 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 21V295000Apr 26, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires40,993 vehicles
Suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
Risk: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
2020 Audi SQ5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,000
- 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.
2020 compared with other SQ5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Audi SQ5 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2020 SQ5 a Complaint Index of 50 with 8 complaints and 4 recalls, ranking 7th worst of 13 model years. That puts it in Caution territory, not among the best or worst SQ5 years.
- What are the most common problems on the 2020 Audi SQ5?
- Engine issues and collision avoidance/camera system problems each account for 38% of complaints. One brake complaint and one steering complaint round out the reported issues, both at 13% share.
- Does the 2020 Audi SQ5 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2020 SQ5 covering suspension/wheels and tires, structure and body issues including water ingress and front seat frames. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- Which SQ5 model years should I avoid instead of 2020?
- Based on NHTSA data, 2018, 2021, and 2024 carry Avoid verdicts with Complaint Index scores of 92, 83, and 100 respectively, all worse than the 2020 model's score of 50.
- At what mileage do 2020 SQ5 problems tend to show up?
- The median mileage at failure across all reported issues is 6,075 miles, though engine and steering complaints showed a median of 12,000 miles while collision avoidance and brake issues appeared around 150 miles.