2025 Audi SQ5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2025 Audi SQ5 has a complaint index of 67 and ranks 5th worst out of 13 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 7 complaints, 1 recall for seat belts, and no crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths reported.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 67/100
- #5 of 13 SQ5 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 7
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 19 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2025 Audi SQ5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System2 (29%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (29%)
- Fuel System2 (29%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (29%)
- Engine1 (14%)
- Steering1 (14%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (14%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some drivers report sudden loss of engine propulsion and drive-system malfunction warnings that force the vehicle to stop on the highway.
- Owners describe a hesitation of about 20 seconds before the car accelerates when merging into traffic.
- The driver's side exterior mirror has been reported to block the driver's view during left turns.
- Owners report a one to two second delay in throttle response followed by a sudden forward surge or jerk, along with lane departure issues during cruise control use.
- Some owners describe a complete electrical and mechanical shutdown while driving, with loss of braking assist, dashboard displays, and exterior lighting.
- Adaptive cruise control has reportedly triggered unexpected braking events at specific locations, with a dash message indicating an interruption.
- Owners report the digital transmission failing to shift into park, requiring multiple restarts to resolve.
2025 Audi SQ5 recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V266000Apr 24, 2026Seat Belts7,425 vehicles
Seat belts:pretensioner
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2025 Q5, Q5 Sportback, SQ5, and SQ5 Sportback vehicles. The driver and front passenger seat belts may have been manufactured incorrectly, and fail to properly restrain occupants during a crash.
Risk: Improperly restrained occupants have an increased risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 29, 2026. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69GT.
2025 Audi SQ5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 21.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,725
- 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.
2025 compared with other SQ5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2025 Audi SQ5 reliable?
- NHTSA lists 7 complaints and a complaint index of 67 for the 2025 SQ5, ranking 5th worst among 13 model years. It carries a Caution verdict based on owner complaints and recalls.
- What problems does the 2025 Audi SQ5 have?
- Owner complaints are spread evenly across Electrical System, Collision Avoidance & Cameras, Fuel System, and Transmission & Powertrain, each accounting for 29% of complaints. No crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths have been reported.
- Does the 2025 Audi SQ5 have a recall?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 26V266000 covers seat belts on certain 2025 Q5, Q5 Sportback, SQ5, and SQ5 Sportback vehicles, where the driver and front passenger seat belts may have been manufactured incorrectly.
- How does the 2025 SQ5 compare to other SQ5 years?
- The 2025 model's complaint index of 67 is worse than the Best-rated 2015 and 2016 years (17 and 8) but better than the Avoid-rated 2018 and 2024 years (92 and 100).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2025 Audi SQ5?
- The EPA rates the 2025 SQ5 at 21.5 mpg combined (19 city / 25 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,725.