2015 Audi Sq5 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (3) · Steering (2) · Structure:body (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Audi Sq5 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Steering:electric Power Assist System 2015-07-20 · campaign 15V452000 · 5,625 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Audi SQ5 vehicles manufactured May 22, 2013, to April 14, 2015. The affected vehicles have an electric power steering assist system that may shut down in cold temperatures due to a steering motor sensor fault.
Risk: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the power steering control module software, free of charge. The recall began on July 31, 2015. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 48M1.
Service bulletins (462)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2083409_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2052680_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
Steering 2026-09-22 · TSB_2074846_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
Visibility/Wiper 2026-09-22 · TSB_2020552_15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · TSB_2030471_9 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.
Structure:body 2026-09-08 · TSB_2068999_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this tsb describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases.
Showing the 6 most recent of 462 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-09 · Suspension“the rear subframe on my 2015 audi sq5 rusted through structurally at about 118,900 miles. in may 2026, an independent audi specialist (evan's auto care) found the rear subframe rusted through on critical parts and quoted $6,031.93 to replace it. in june 2026, an audi dealer-level shop (the audi connection) confirmed the rear subframe was almost rus…”
2026-08-10 · Suspension“component failed: the vehicle's structural front subframe assembly has suffered severe, catastrophic rust perforation and deterioration. safety risk: the subframe holds the engine and front suspension. it is structurally compromised and at imminent risk of snapping or collapsing at highway speeds, which would cause a total loss of steering and veh…”
2025-05-18 · Suspension“rear subframe has extensive and significant rust affecting the structural integrity of the critical component…. have been advised by a qualified certified mechanic that the vehicle should not be driven as doing so could result in catastrophic collapse of the vehicle suspension with potential loss of control of the vehicle without warning. this is …”
2025-03-26 · Structure:body“rear subframe structure has rusted through in the same location on both sides of the car. moisture is being trapped between a plastic pieces of molding and the subframe and causing it to rust out completely.…”
2025-01-21 · Service Brakes · 108,084 mi“the contact owns a 2015 audi sq5. the contact stated while driving at approximately 65 mph, while the brake pedal was depressed, the brakes failed to engage; the contact had to initiate the emergency brake to bring the vehicle to a halt. no warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to get a diagnosis however, t…”
2024-07-26 · Structure · 110,000 mi“the contact owns a 2015 audi sq5. the contact stated while driving at approximately 40 mph, there was an abnormal scraping and dragging sound coming from the front of the vehicle. the contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. the contact pulled over and observed that the plastic cover for the rear frame was loosened and was dragging on…”
2019-02-22 · Steering“tl* the contact owns a 2015 audi sq5. the contact stated that due to the blizzard like weather in his state, the power steering froze and a "power steering error" warning message appeared on the instrument panel. the vehicle was unable to shift into drive and could not be driven. the vehicle was taken to international autos of milwaukee (2400 s 108…”
2018-02-28 · Unknown Or Other · 21,847 mi“on january 8, 2018; i took my vehicle (audi sq5, 2015, 21847 miles, well within warranty) into flow audi service dept. in winston-salem, nc. for a major problem with the front passenger's wheel hitting as if metal to metal, with a loud bang an a hard jerk as if the wheel is separating from the front axle as the vehicle goes into turns and clearly …”
2017-07-31 · Steering · 19,754 mi“power steering disabled while driving. warning on dash indicated that power steering is defective. loss of electronic steering assist was immediate and steering became extremely difficult, if not impossible. vehicle was moved to shoulder without incident. dealer indicated software update was installed to correct the problem. no other details p…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.