InsightArise CarsU.S. Owner Complaint Index
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2021 Audi Q5 problems, complaints & recalls

Far fewer Rising

NHTSA has received 99 owner complaints about the 2021 Audi Q5, or 17.5 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.42, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2021 vehicles we track, it ranks #36 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Audi models its rate is 92% higher; against other Luxury SUVs it is 16% higher.

Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count

Complaints filed between 2021-01-06 and 2026-08-28. Median delay from incident to filing: 9 days.

99Complaints
17.5Complaints per year on the road
0.42Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
8Recalls
2.0%Share involving a crash or fire
24Last 12 months

Analysis

The previous model year (2020) drew 5.4 complaints per year, fewer than this one. The following model year (2022) drew 9.8 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2021 model collected 42 complaints, 31% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.

The most common problem area is Electrical (27.3% of complaints), followed by Engine (22.2%) and Transmission / powertrain (13.1%). Electrical complaints are 1.7 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Electrical reports, owners most often mention “gateway”, “module”, “water”, “system structure” and “wet”. 2 reports (2.0%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 3 injuries and 0 deaths.

Half of the reported incidents happened within 25 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the first year (33% of incidents). In the last 12 months 24 new complaints were filed, versus 12 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls for this model year. 54% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses. 1 NHTSA defect investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Pedestrian alert sounds” (opened 2023-01-27, closed 2023-08-07).

Complaint index

  • vs. all tracked vehicles0.42
  • vs. other Audi models1.92
  • vs. other 2021 models0.46
  • vs. other Luxury SUVs1.16
  • Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (42)0.69
  • #36 of 85 · 2021Rankings ›

1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road.

Other model years

  • 201823.2 per year0.55
  • 20196.5 per year0.15
  • 20205.4 per year0.13
  • 202117.5 per year0.42
  • 20229.8 per year0.23
  • 202312.2 per year0.29
  • 202412.7 per year0.3
  • 202525.1 per year0.6

Audi Q5 problems, complaints & recalls by model year ›

What owners complain about

  • Electrical27 · 27.3% · 1.73×
  • Engine22 · 22.2% · 1.0×
  • Transmission / powertrain13 · 13.1% · 1.13×
  • Driver-assist systems9 · 9.1% · 1.59×
  • Interior & equipment6 · 6.1% · 0.68×
  • Fuel system5 · 5.1% · 1.18×
  • Body & structure5 · 5.1% · 0.56×
  • Wheels, tires & suspension5 · 5.1% · 2.05×

vs. all vehicles: 1.00 = All-vehicle average

Electrical · Common terms in reports

  • gateway9
  • module12
  • water9
  • system structure3
  • wet5
  • towed10

Engine · Common terms in reports

  • module7
  • spilled3
  • gateway3
  • wet4
  • engine13
  • towed8

Transmission / powertrain · Common terms in reports

  • gateway5
  • transmission malfunction4
  • module7
  • liquid3
  • technical4
  • water4

Problem areas: Electrical · Engine · Driver-assist systems · Interior & equipment · Wheels, tires & suspension

When complaints were filed

2021: 25 25 2021 2022: 17 17 2022 2023: 12 12 2023 2024: 11 11 2024 2025: 16 16 2025 2026: 18 18 2026
  • Crashes reported: 2
  • Fires reported: 0
  • Injuries: 3
  • Deaths: 0

Vehicle age at incident

  • <1 yr33.3%
  • 1–2 yrs15.2%
  • 2–3 yrs11.1%
  • 3–5 yrs25.3%
  • 5+ yrs15.2%

Median age at incident: 25 months

What owners report

Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.

Segment peers · 2021 · Luxury SUVs

ModelsComplaintsComplaints per year on the roadComplaint index
2021 Lexus NX173.00.07
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC6311.10.26
2021 Lexus RX7012.30.29
2021 Audi Q77112.50.3
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE8815.50.37
2021 Audi Q59917.50.42
2021 BMW X510318.20.43
2021 BMW X310618.70.44

Safety recalls (8)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY Campaign 25V080000 · 2025-02-12

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.

Risk: A high-voltage battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: 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 include Interim letters 2022-2023 model year vehicles. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed February 28, 2025, and May 7, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 93AA. This recall expands and replaces previous NHTSA recall number 24V898.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:CHARGING:CABLE/CORD:ONBOARD Campaign 23V842000 · 2023-12-13

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.

Risk: An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: 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.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL Campaign 22V753000 · 2022-10-07

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.

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.

Remedy: 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).

BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION Campaign 22V742000 · 2022-10-05

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."

Risk: A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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 Campaign 22V034000 · 2022-01-26

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.

Risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM Campaign 21V947000 · 2021-12-08

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.

Risk: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR Campaign 21V606000 · 2021-08-05

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."

Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: 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 Campaign 21V295000 · 2021-04-26

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.

Risk: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

How to check whether your car has an open recall ›

Investigations

Frequently asked questions

How many complaints were filed for the 2021 Audi Q5?

99 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Audi Q5, or about 17.5 per year on the road.

What is the most common problem reported for the 2021 Audi Q5?

The most common category is Electrical, accounting for 27.3% of complaints.

Does the 2021 Audi Q5 have any recalls?

NHTSA lists 8 safety recall(s) for this model year. 1 NHTSA defect investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Pedestrian alert sounds” (opened 2023-01-27, closed 2023-08-07).

Is the 2021 Audi Q5 still generating complaints?

In the last 12 months 24 new complaints were filed, versus 12 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.

How does the 2021 Audi Q5 compare with similar vehicles?

NHTSA has received 99 owner complaints about the 2021 Audi Q5, or 17.5 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.42, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2021 vehicles we track, it ranks #36 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Audi models its rate is 92% higher; against other Luxury SUVs it is 16% higher.