2016 Audi Sq5 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (2) · Visibility/Wiper (1) · Suspension (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 (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (397)
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 397 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-29 · Suspension“my vehicle was in for its mandatory annual state inspection. it was pointed out that the rear subframe is showing rust which apparently is a common problem with these vehicles, in fact a class action lawsuit is being instituted against volkswagen usa for this very issue. …”
2021-04-29 · Engine“the original engine water pump failed at 18,313 miles on may 12, 2019. the replaced engine water pump has failed again at 24,700 miles on april 25. 2021. this is completely unacceptable and unsafe. …”
2021-04-24 · Steering · 53,000 mi“steering intermediate shaft is a known defect on every mlb-platform audi model. my sq5, like thousands of others, has developed a known defect that causes a squeaking/creaking that can be felt in the steering wheel when turning the wheel. it can also be faintly heard. instead of initiating a recall to fix the issue, audi has released tons of tsbs t…”
2019-06-11 · Steering · 38,000 mi“the audi sq 5 loses power steering if the rack/pinion power steering unit is exposed to water. this does not refer to flooding or submerged car audi considers weather an outside influence and does not honor the warranty the car retains full propulsion but is impossible to steer the electrical mechanism on the power steering is dangerously expos…”
2018-02-22 · Unknown Or Other · 25,000 mi“i have a repeat of my issue 10971202. while it might not seem like a big deal- that the car locks itself after i place my purse with my keys on the back seat and close the door- it is a safety issue for a woman in a mall. i get locked out of my car, and sometimes my phone is in my purse, leaving me stranded. audi claims that no one has reported …”
2017-04-07 · Unknown Or Other · 15,550 mi“i am writing to express my extreme anxiety over my recent experience with the sensor-key. i typically keep the keys in my purse, open the rear door (behind the driver door), and leave my purse on the seat or the floor, close that door, then open the driver door and drive. a couple of weeks ago (march 8th, 2017), the car was parked in my dri…”
2016-03-24 · Visibility/Wiper · 3,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2016 audi sq5. the contact stated that the size and placement of the driver and passenger side mirrors caused a blind spot when making turns. the contact also stated that due to the failure, he nearly crashed into a pedestrian. the contact was concerned that the road was unable to be viewed which could result into a crash due…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.