KnownCarProblems2021 Audi Q5 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 74 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Audi Q5, most often about the electrical (37% of complaints). It is 9th of 18 Q5 model years by number of complaints and has 8 recalls.
Most common 2021 Audi Q5 problems
Electrical
27 complaints · 37%Parts named most often: adas, instrument panel.
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated and the windows started to go up and down. The contact lost power steering functionality however, the brakes was functional and…
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, she noticed that after driving several miles, the fuel gauge displayed that the vehicle was full. The contact then stated that the fuel gauge remained on full although her fuel tank was close to empty. No warning light was…
Engine
18 complaints · 24%The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while she was driving 65-70 MPH, the warning message "transmission engine failure" appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle inadvertently stalled while attempting to veer to the side of the road. The contact stated she was able to restart the vehicle after…
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the malfunction warning light illuminated, followed by the vehicle shaking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The dealer stated that metal fragment was found in the engine, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The…
Transmission
13 complaints · 18%Parts named most often: clutch assembly, driveline.
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while she was driving 65-70 MPH, the warning message "transmission engine failure" appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle inadvertently stalled while attempting to veer to the side of the road. The contact stated she was able to restart the vehicle after…
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH and coming to a stop or making a turn, the vehicle shuddered. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle shuddered at slower speeds. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was…
Driver assistance
11 complaints · 15%Parts named most often: automatic emergency braking, warnings, adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection.
Other or unspecified
8 complaints · 11%Fuel system
6 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: storage.
The contact who is a certified mechanic called on behalf of a customer who owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while the owner was driving, the vehicle ran over a strip of aluminum that was lying in the roadway causing the fuel tank to be ripped open. The contact stated that the fuel tank was made from…
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, she noticed that after driving several miles, the fuel gauge displayed that the vehicle was full. The contact then stated that the fuel gauge remained on full although her fuel tank was close to empty. No warning light was…
Brakes
4 complaints · 5%Visibility and wipers
3 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: sun/moon roof assembly.
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH and exiting off a ramp, the sunroof exploded without impact causing the shattered glass to enter the vehicle and fall on the driver. The contact stated that no object had struck the vehicle to cause the failure. The contact pulled over to the…
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH on the interstate, there was an abnormal booming sound coming from the sunroof, and the contact noticed that the sunroof had shattered. The contact drove to the residence and reported the failure to the insurance company. The vehicle was not…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2021 Audi Q5 recalls
Electrical: traction battery
Risk: A high-voltage battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will install advanced diagnostic software , free of charge. Volkswagen will monitor available online vehicle data and contact owners as necessary, to advise them not to charge the vehicle until the battery can be replaced. For vehicles in which online data is unavailable, owners are advised not to charge their batteries until the final remedy becomes available. Repairs will be performed free of charge. This will be a phased recall. Phase 1 will include interim letters 2022-2023 model year vehicles. Phase 2 will include owner letters 2021-2024 model year vehicles, and phase 3 will inclu
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 audi q5, and 2022 a7 e hybrid electric phev vehicles. The high-voltage battery may overheat.
Electrical: onboard
Risk: An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to use the 220v/240v compact/portable charging cable and only use the 110v home charging cable or public charging stations. Dealers will supply a new 220v/240v compact/portable charging cable with an incorporated temperature sensor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on march 28, 2024. Owners may contact audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's numbers for this recall are 93u6 and 93u8.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 rs e-tron gt, e-tron gt, q4 e-tron sportback, q4 e-tron, 2020-2021 audi a8, 2019-2024 e-tron quattro, 2020-2024 e-tron sportback quattro, q5, and 2021-2022 a7 vehicles. When using the industrial 220v/240v plug at the 100% charge setting, some home power outlets may be incapable of handling the electrical current required to utilize the compact charging system, causing the outlet or charging cable to overheat.
Engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
Risk: A damaged engine can result in engine failure and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash. If the engine failure causes an oil leak, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace an affected engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed december 6, 2022. Owners may contact volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 13i4 (vw) and 13i5 (audi).
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2023 audi q5 sportback, q5, 2022-2023 volkswagen atlas fl, and atlas cross sport vehicles. The engine connecting rod bearings may become damaged, which can result in engine failure.
Backup camera: display function
Risk: A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Wheels and tires: tires
Risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: body
Risk: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts: retractor
Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed august 27, 2021. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69cr (vw) and 69cs (audi).
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 volkswagen id4, audi a4 allroad, a4 sedan, a5 cabriolet, a5 coupe, a5 sportback, a6 allroad, a6 sedan, a7, a8, e-tron quattro, e-tron sportback quattro, q3, q5, q5 sportback, q7, q8, rs5 sportback, rs5 coupe, rs6 avant, rs7, rsq8, s4 sedan, s5 cabriolet, s5 coupe, s5 sportback, s6 sedan, s7, s8, sq5, sq5 sportback, sq7, sq8, and 2021-2022 s3 sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 208, "occupant crash protection."
Suspension: non-powered axle assembly
Risk: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2021 Audi Q5
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Audi Q5?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (27 complaints); engine (18 complaints); transmission (13 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2021 Audi Q5 have?
- 8 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 12, 2025 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2021 a bad year for the Audi Q5?
- It is 9th of 18 Q5 model years by number of complaints, with 74 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.