Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | 1.3× | 1 | Collision Avoidance | Few |
| 2024 | 6 | 1.4× | — | Collision Avoidance | Average |
| 2022 | 5 | −43% | 2 | Engine | Average |
| 2021 | 13 | 1.6× | 5 | Engine | Average |
| 2020 | 8 | typical | 4 | Collision Avoidance | Average |
| 2019 | 20 | 2.5× | 5 | Engine | Caution |
| 2018 | 24 | 3.2× | 5 | Electrical | Caution |
| 2017 | 5 | typical | — | Window & Wiper | Average |
| 2016 | 6 | typical | — | Steering | Average |
| 2015 | 9 | −38% | 1 | Body | Average |
| 2014 | 12 | 1.6× | 1 | Steering | Average |
* Complaints compared with the median SQ5 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Audi SQ5 problems
Latest Audi SQ5 recalls
Seat belts › Pretensioner
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2025 Q5, Q5 Sportback, SQ5, and SQ5 Sportback vehicles. The driver and front passenger seat belts may have been manufactured incorrectly, and fail to properly restrain occupants during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 29, 2026. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
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 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5,…
Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Structure › Body › Tailgate
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling one 2022 Audi SQ5 Sportback vehicle. The connections that join the metal sheets to form the rear lid may have been improperly connected.
Remedy: A dealer will replace the rear lid, free of charge. The owner notification letter is expected to be mailed September 30, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
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, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8,…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022.
Structure › Body
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.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Audi SQ5 should you avoid?
2018 and 2019 — these years have the most complaints relative to other SQ5 years at the same age, led by electrical system problems in the 2018.
What is the best year for the Audi SQ5?
2022 has the fewest complaints compared with other SQ5 years at the same age, followed by 2015. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Audi SQ5 problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (24), electrical system (20) and driver assistance (16). Engine complaints peak in the 2018 model year.
How many recalls has the Audi SQ5 had?
14 recalls across 2014–2025. The model year with the most is 2018. See all Audi SQ5 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.