2021 Audi Q5: owner complaints and recalls
Analysis of 69 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 8 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.
69
Complaints
8
Recalls
2
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
2
Injuries
34.8
Severity index
Severity index 34.8 - Medium. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.
Among the 90 2021 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2021 Audi Q5 ranks 76 of 90 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 16% of its model-year peers. See the full 2021 ranking.
What actually fails
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 25 | 36.2% |
| ENGINE | 17 | 24.6% |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 10 | 14.5% |
| POWER TRAIN | 10 | 14.5% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 8 | 11.6% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 4 | 5.8% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 4 | 5.8% |
| STRUCTURE | 3 | 4.3% |
The single most-reported system is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, cited in 25 of 69 complaints (36.2%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 21 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 13 |
| 2026 (year to date) | 11 |
Complaint volume is broadly steady year over year.
Recall campaigns
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21V606000 | 05/08/2021 | SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR | 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 |
| 22V034000 | 26/01/2022 | TIRES | 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, 20 |
| 21V947000 | 08/12/2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM | 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 |
| 21V295000 | 26/04/2021 | SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY | 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, 2 |
| 22V742000 | 05/10/2022 | BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION | 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 Cabri |
| 22V753000 | 07/10/2022 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL | 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. |
| 23V842000 | 13/12/2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:CHARGING:CABLE/CORD:ONBOARD | 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 pl |
| 25V080000 | 12/02/2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY | 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. |
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.