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

2021 Audi SQ5Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 14 owner complaints for the 2021 Audi SQ5. Most complaints involve electrical system (5) and engine (5). The EPA rates it 20 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
20mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Oct 2022
Owner complaints
14
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Back over prevention: display function

Free remedy

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."

Back over preventionReported Oct 5, 2022NHTSA 22V742000

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 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

14 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2021 – Nov 2026
  1. Electrical system5
  2. Engine5
  3. Power train3
  4. Forward collision avoidance2
  5. Service brakes1
  6. Fuel/propulsion system1
  7. Engine and engine cooling1
  8. Back over prevention1
  9. Air bags1

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 SQ5 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201412
20159
20167
20175
201825
201920
20208
202114
20247
20258
20264
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

5 reports
“Whenever driving around town or long distance whilst getting to a red light without a car in front or anything and coming to a stop the car beeps and the front parking sensors go off whilst there is nothing up front.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 2, 2026Electrical system, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11775034

Engine

5 reports
“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. While my car was in the shop they replaced all 6 of my pistons. When they told me my car was ready for pick up I picked up my call, drove it for 20 miles and my car started to make a louder tapping noise from the engine bay. I took it back to the dealership the following day they told me they were going to look into it to figure out the problem. Couple weeks go by and I finally get a phone call saying that they can’t do nothing that my car is making that noise due to “outside influence “ I am frustrated because I just had got the car barley drove it around and they are pointing the finger to as if I had to do something with the noise. They said everything now has to be be paid out of pocket. It has been a frustrating experience. Also when they did the whole brake down one of the techs noticed that the front calibers did…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2026Service brakes, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11766280

Power train

3 reports
“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 an immediate, severe safety hazard, exposing the occupants to a high risk of a side-impact or rear-end collision due to the inability to clear the intersection under the vehicle's own power. The vehicle had to be flatbedded to an authorized dealer (Audi - Glenwood Springs). The professional diagnostic evaluation confirmed an internal failure of the transmission assembly and Transmission Control Module (TCM) / Mechatronic unit, requiring a total replacement of the powertrain assembly. The failure occurred at 59,000 miles.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 18, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11745096
All 2021 SQ5 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

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 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
SQ5
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
182420$3,850441
  • SQ5
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,850/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Audi SQ5 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 15611
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

2021 SQ5 questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Audi SQ5 have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 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 2021 Audi SQ5 problems?

Owners filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (5), engine (5), power train (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2021 Audi SQ5 get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Audi SQ5 at 20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026