Audi Q5 Sportback Problems by Year

We compared every Audi Q5 Sportback model year from 2022–2023 using 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 5 recalls and federal defect investigations. No Q5 Sportback year stands out with an unusual number of complaints.

2model years
29complaints
5recalls
—worst years
—best years

Complaints by model year

20222023236
Owner complaints per model year, Audi Q5 Sportback. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20236—2BodyFew
202223—5Collision AvoidanceLimited data

* Complaints compared with the median Q5 Sportback year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Audi Q5 Sportback problems

  • Engine & coolingworst: 2022
    828%
  • Driver assistanceworst: 2022
    724%
  • Electrical systemworst: 2022
    724%
  • Other / not specified
    621%
  • Brakesworst: 2022
    621%
  • Transmission & drivetrainworst: 2022
    414%
  • Speed control & accelerationworst: 2022
    27%
  • Body & structureworst: 2023
    27%
  • Fuel & propulsion systemworst: 2022
    13%
  • Equipment & accessoriesworst: 2022
    13%
  • Air bagsworst: 2022
    13%
  • Wheels & tiresworst: 2023
    13%
  • Steeringworst: 2023
    13%

Latest Audi Q5 Sportback recalls

Engine

NHTSA recall 25V-294 · May 7, 2025 · 89,417 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Q5 Quattro and Q5 Sportback Quattro vehicles. The cylinder head cover screws may have been improperly tightened.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the screws as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 5, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical

NHTSA recall 22V-753 · Oct 7, 2022 · 76,515 vehicles

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.

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.

Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Engine control module (ECU/ECM)

NHTSA recall 22V-368 · May 23, 2022 · 72 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022 Audi A6 Sedan, A4 Sedan, Q5, and Q5 Sportback vehicles. The semiconductor inside the engine control unit may short-circuit and cause an engine stall.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 24iH.

Structure › Body

NHTSA recall 21V-947 · Dec 8, 2021 · 288,991 vehicles

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.

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.

Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera

NHTSA recall 21V-825 · Oct 20, 2021 · 2,857 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8 and S8, 2022 Audi A5 Sportback, A4 Sedan, E-Tron GT, Q3, Q5, RS6 Avant, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RSQ8, SQ7, SQ8, and S3 Sedan vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment unit parameters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 9, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

All 5 Audi Q5 Sportback recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Audi Q5 Sportback should you avoid?

None of the Audi Q5 Sportback years has an unusually high number of complaints compared with the others at the same age.

What are the most common Audi Q5 Sportback problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (8), driver assistance (7) and electrical system (7). Engine complaints peak in the 2022 model year.

How many recalls has the Audi Q5 Sportback had?

5 recalls across 2022–2023. The model year with the most is 2022. See all Audi Q5 Sportback recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.