2021 Audi SQ5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2021 Audi SQ5 has a complaint index of 83, ranked 3rd worst out of 13 model years, with 13 complaints and 5 recall campaigns. NHTSA data shows Engine problems as the top issue (46% of complaints), earning this year an Avoid verdict relative to other SQ5 years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 83/100
- #3 of 13 SQ5 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 13
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 18 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2021 Audi SQ5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine6 (46%)
- Electrical System5 (38%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (23%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (15%)
- Airbags1 (8%)
- Brakes1 (8%)
- Fuel System1 (8%)
- Other1 (8%)
- Seat Belts1 (8%)
- Steering1 (8%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the water pump develops an internal coolant leak, sometimes with coolant found running through vac lines during routine service.
- Some owners describe the rearview camera showing a blank screen while shifting into reverse, in one case leading to a collision.
- Owners report the pre-sense/automatic emergency braking system triggers unnecessarily, tightening the seatbelt without any real obstacle present.
- A water spill on the rear seat was reported to trigger cascading electrical faults, including sensors beeping, windows opening and closing on their own, and difficulty steering.
- Owners report the transmission losing all gears suddenly and without warning while driving at normal speed.
- Some owners describe the comfort control module failing due to water intrusion, causing brake, light, and security warnings and preventing the car from starting.
2021 Audi SQ5 recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V742000Oct 5, 2022Collision Avoidance & Cameras170,296 vehicles
Back over prevention:display function
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.
- 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.
2021 Audi SQ5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 24 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.
2021 compared with other SQ5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Audi SQ5 reliable?
- Compared with other SQ5 model years, the 2021 has a complaint index of 83, the third-worst of 13 model years tracked, and carries an Avoid verdict. Engine complaints make up 46% of reported issues.
- What are the main problems with the 2021 Audi SQ5?
- NHTSA complaint data shows Engine issues (46% of complaints, median mileage 20,700), Electrical System issues (38%, median mileage 2,400), and Transmission & Powertrain issues (23%) as the top problem areas.
- Does the 2021 Audi SQ5 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2021 SQ5, covering infotainment software, suspension lock nuts, seat belts, and a water-intrusion body seam issue, none of them do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2021 SQ5 compare to other years?
- The 2021 SQ5's complaint index of 83 is worse than most other years; only 2018 (92) and 2024 (100) score higher. Years like 2015 and 2016, with indexes of 17 and 8, carry Best verdicts.
- What mileage do 2021 SQ5 problems typically show up at?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 10,715 miles overall, with Engine complaints centered around 20,700 miles and Electrical System complaints around 2,400 miles.