2021 Audi Sq5 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (3) · Steering (1) · Service Brakes (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 (5)
Back Over Prevention:display Function 2022-10-05 · campaign 22V742000 · 170,296 vehicles
Defect: 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 rear
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.
Tires 2022-01-26 · campaign 22V034000 · 31,058 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Structure:body 2021-12-08 · campaign 21V947000 · 288,991 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Seat Belts 2021-08-05 · campaign 21V606000 · 45,496 vehicles
Defect: 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 ear
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).
Suspension:rear:axle:non-Powered Axle Assembly 2021-04-26 · campaign 21V295000 · 40,993 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Service bulletins (1,011)
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.
Engine 2026-09-25 · TSB_2083393_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when the starter/generator drive belt is noisy or came off.
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.
Electrical System 2026-09-23 · TSB_2083385_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when there is a warning message in the instrument cluster about external sound.
Steering 2026-09-22 · TSB_2074846_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
Steering 2026-09-22 · TSB_2065871_4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides informaiton when dtc b200ff0 is stored.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,011 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-23 · Service Brakes“i noticed my car started to lose coolant, i checked my water pump and i saw there was a leak on of the hoses. once i discovered that i also heard a tapping noise coming from the engine. i took it to my local audi shop, and they discovered that my pistons were going bad. they told me i qualified for the extended piston skirt warranty for my car. whi…”
2026-09-13 · Engine“the engine water pump on this vehicle is leaking both internally and externally. this vehicle uses the 3.0t (ea839) engine, which uses a vacuum-actuated water pump with a shroud sleeve mechanism. a licensed repair facility diagnosed the failure and estimated repair cost at approximately $5,500. the internal leak path allows coolant to migrate into…”
2026-06-18 · Power Train“while driving at normal operational speeds, the vehicle suffered a sudden, un-commanded, and catastrophic loss of motive power while navigating a live traffic intersection. the transmission completely disengaged all gears without warning, rendering the vehicle entirely stationary and immobilized in the path of oncoming traffic. this failure created…”
2026-05-03 · Power Train“my car has a known issue with a piston skirt defect that can cause engine failure. audi of america acknowledged this issue with the ea839 and only warranted an 80k mile warranty. i am outside of that warranty and in risk of catastrophic engine failure that could lead to safety issues on the road. i am worried about my safety in driving this vehicle…”
2025-09-16 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 39,000 mi“the contact owns a 2021 audi sq5. the contact stated that the vehicle was taken for routine service at the dealer, and the contact was informed that the coolant pump was starting to fail. the contact was advised that the mechanic found coolant running through the vac lines. the contact was informed that continuing to drive the vehicle with a failin…”
2025-08-06 · Power Train“component/system: engine and cooling — water pump / coolant system vehicle: 2021 audi sq5 engine code: cwgd mileage at failure: 71,000 date of incident: 8/6/2025 audi denver i’m reporting a known defect affecting my 2021 audi sq5 with engine code cwgd. the engine experienced an internal coolant leak from the water pump housing, which is a known i…”
2025-08-01 · Unknown Or Other“mmi not connecting control module for emergency call module…”
2025-04-30 · Electrical System“comfort module j393 failed that is tied to all electronics warnings in car. brake warnings, light warning, security warnings, etc. car was unable to be started as a result. if these electronics failed during driving, its very dangerous and could force crashing of vehicle. according to dealership, failed module was submerged (ie water flooeded)…”
2022-12-14 · Back Over Prevention · 10,715 mi“the contact owns a 2021 audi sq5. the contact stated that while the gear shifter was shifted into reverse, the rear-view camera displayed a blank screen. as a result, the contact stated that he bumped into another vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the back over prevention system failed, and the infotainment un…”
2021-08-11 · Seat Belts“i’ve had a safety system malfunction light on for sometime now. dealership replaced a seat belt part, air bag control module, and still the light won’t go away. the car is currently with the dealership. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.