YearToAvoid

2022 Audi SQ5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

25/100

#10 most-complained of 13 SQ5 years

The 2022 Audi SQ5 has a complaint index of 25, ranking 10th out of 13 model years, with a "Good" verdict. NHTSA lists 5 complaints and 2 recalls, both tied to structure and body issues, with no crashes, fires, or injuries reported.

Complaints
5
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
21
19 city / 24 hwy

Top 2022 Audi SQ5 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine2 (40%)
  2. Electrical System1 (20%)
  3. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (20%)
  4. Structure & Body1 (20%)
  5. Visibility & Wipers1 (20%)

What owners report

  • Owners report phantom braking events during driving, with the dealer unable to duplicate the issue on two visits.
  • Some vehicles experienced sudden overheating with all warning lights activating, traced to a failed water pump that corrupted vacuum lines.
  • One owner described a water pump failure causing coolant migration, which the owner was told could lead to turbo failure.
  • A separate case involved complete loss of electrical power after water intrusion and debris were found in the rear drainage channels, contacting the wiring harness.
2022 Audi SQ5 complaints: complaints filed per month3Jul 2022May 2026Aug 2026Sep 2026
6 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2022 to Sep 2026; peak Aug 2026 (3).

2022 Audi SQ5 recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V567000Aug 3, 2022Structure & Body1 vehicles

    Structure:body:tailgate

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling one 2022 Audi SQ5 Sportback vehicle. The connections that join the metal sheets to form the rear lid may have been improperly connected.

    Risk: An improperly connected rear lid may decrease the structural protection of the vehicle during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: A dealer will replace the rear lid, free of charge. The owner notification letter is expected to be mailed September 30, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 55M6.

  2. 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.

2022 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.

2022 compared with other SQ5 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2020Good428420
2021Caution6713520
2022Good255221
2023No verdict753021
2024Avoid1006021

All Audi SQ5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2022 Audi SQ5 reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2022 SQ5 a complaint index of 25, the 10th lowest (best) among 13 model years, and rates it "Good" based on owner complaints and recalls.
What are the main problems with the 2022 Audi SQ5?
NHTSA's top problem area is the Engine, accounting for 2 of 5 total complaints, including reports of water pump failure and overheating. There is also 1 complaint each for Electrical System, Collision Avoidance & Cameras, Structure & Body, and Visibility & Wipers.
Does the 2022 Audi SQ5 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2022 SQ5, both related to Structure & Body: one for improperly connected rear lid panels and one for a body seam that could allow water ingress near the gateway control module. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2022 SQ5 compare to other model years?
The 2022 SQ5's complaint index of 25 is much lower than the 2018 model year's 92 and the 2024 model year's 100, both rated "Avoid." Among the 13 model years with data, 2022 ranks 10th worst, meaning most other years scored higher.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.