Problems · NHTSA complaints
2014 Audi SQ5 problems
Owners filed 12 complaints about the 2014 Audi SQ5 with NHTSA between Mar 2014 and Mar 2025. The most-cited component is steering (4).
Complaints
12
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Steering4
- Fuel/propulsion system3
- Suspension2
- Structure1
- Visibility/wiper1
- Electrical system1
- Engine1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
2
2
0
0
4
0
0
0
0
2
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Steering
4 reports1 related recall
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 AUDI SQ5. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING RANDOMLY MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V452000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.”
Fuel/propulsion system
3 reports
“FUEL PUMP STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING. HAPPENED TWICE IN ONE TRIP AND FORTUNATELY WAS ON ROADS WITH LOW TRAFFIC.”
Suspension
2 reports
“After seeing the rear subframe of a 2014 Audi Q5 nearly split in half due to rust, causing vehicle handling and steering issues, I inspected the rear subframe of my 2014 Audi SQ5 and found similar rust, though not quite as bad. The plastic gravel guards that use plastic rivets to attach to the rear subframe trap water, salt, and brine inside the hollow steel tubing of the subframe causing it to rust rapidly from the inside out in two locations, weakening the subframe and greatly increasing the chances of serious injury or death due to losing control of the vehicle. Photos of the damage were sent to one local dealer who claimed not to seen this type of damage before and refused to cover repair under Audi's 12 year corrosion perforation warranty. This is a serious defect that appears to affect quite a few 2008-2017 Audi Q5 and SQ5 models.”
Structure
1 report
“Vehicle has suffered extensive and catastrophic corrosion to the rear sub-frame resulting in structural danger to operate vehicle. Extensive rust appears to be the result of substandard materials and the manufacturer supplied installation of plastic guard which traps and retains moisture and debris next to the subframe. Damage was detected before vehicle incident could occur on road.”
Visibility/wiper
1 report
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 AUDI SQ5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SITTING IN THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND TRAVELED DOWN TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT NO OBJECT ENCOUNTERED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND THAT HE WAS CONCERNED THAT THE MATERIAL WAS NOT STURDY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDSHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.”
Electrical system
1 report
“WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE I HEARD A TAPPING / KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND AS I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE THE SOUND BECAME LOUDER AND FASTER THEN SUDDENLY WITHOUT ANY LIGHTS OR NOTIFICATION THE ENGINE PRODUCED A LOUD BOOM, WHITE SMOKE PLUME AND THE ENGINE LOCKED UP. MEANWHILE THE SMELL OF OIL ENTERED THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR AND IT COASTED FOR APPROXIMATELY HALF A MILE AND LEFT ME STRANDED ON AN EXIT RAMP. *TR”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.