Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 2 NHTSA variants

2020 Audi Q5Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 37 owner complaints for the 2020 Audi Q5. Most complaints involve electrical system (12) and engine (8). The EPA rates it 24–27 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
24–27mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Dec 2023
Owner complaints
37
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: cable

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Dec 13, 2023NHTSA 23V842000

Tires

Free remedy

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.

TiresReported Jan 26, 2022NHTSA 22V034000

Electrical system: body control module

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Dec 8, 2021NHTSA 21V947000
See all 6 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

37 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2020 – Sep 2026
  1. Electrical system12
  2. Engine8
  3. Service brakes5
  4. Forward collision avoidance4
  5. Steering3
  6. Power train3
  7. Seat belts3
  8. Wheels3
  9. Vehicle speed control2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Q5 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200931
2010100
2011143
20124
201392
2014106
2015100
201678
201742
2018209
201953
202037
2021103
202420
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

12 reports1 fire
“Electrical system failure due to water in the spare tire & battery well, purchased key fob, 2 auto batteries unable to program fob due to non compatible 1st battery, info display contact dealer, had the water extracted, there were no prior indicators of an upcoming issue until the morning of May 22,2026 when my vehicle wouldn't start so I called roadside assistance for a boost. The key symbol is constant on display now, after over 2mos @the dealer, made several calls to Audi Corp, Audi. com, Audi USA., Consumer Protection, Texas Lemon law , it was shown to have an active recall. I was advised to contact my insurance company, which was denied seems as though no resolve for an actual ongoing Audi issue. I'd hate to be driving & the vehicle comes to an abrupt stop & put lives in danger from a known ongoing recall issue by Audi. Thanks in advance for your attention to this matter. Regards,”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 21, 2026Electrical system, Seat belts, SeatsODI 11758407

Engine

8 reports1 fire
“Our vehicle started jerking when it transitioned from EV mode to Hybrid (gas engine). I found TSB 2079556, which describes exactly the diagnostic codes our car has for all eight battery packs. This is clearly a known problem, and as the car is out of its original warranty I would have to pay for this myself. Audi should replace the battery packs free of charge as they were clearly defective.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 7, 2025EngineODI 11698217

Service brakes

5 reports
“I understand that there have been recalls for the brake booster in some 2020 Audi Q5s. I have had my brake booster light come on, but my VIN is not in the recall. My car has less than 50,000 miles on it and I should not be having this issue. I think my car should be recalled and this issue should be fixed by Audi. The cost to repair this issue is around $3000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 22, 2025Service brakesODI 11694972
All 2020 Q5 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo plug-in hybrid · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (AM-S7) · Automatic (S7)
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
EV range
390 mi (EPA)

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Q5
Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
252927$2,950165
Q5
Auto (S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
222824$3,300364
  • Q5
    Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    25 city · 29 hwy · $2,950/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Q5
    Auto (S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 28 hwy · $3,300/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Audi Q5 SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 2026Vehicle 14788
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2020 Q5 questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Audi Q5 have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 6, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2020 Audi Q5 problems?

Owners filed 37 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (12), engine (8), service brakes (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Audi Q5 get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Audi Q5 at 24–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Audi Q5?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Audi Q5 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026