Most common 2018 Audi SQ5 problems
Share of the 24 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Audi SQ5 complaints by model year
Best SQ5 years: 2022, 2015. Years to avoid: 2018, 2019. Compare all years →
2018 Audi SQ5 recalls (5)
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.
Structure › Body
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi SQ5 and 2018-2020 Audi Q5 vehicles. The rear wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach from the vehicle.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four clips securing the forward part of the rear wheel arch trim, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2019.
Wheels › Hub
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will secure the wheel arch trim with an additional screw and nut, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer at 1-800-253-2834.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake master cylinder casting may be too short.
Remedy: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the brake master cylinder, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 3, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers.
What 2018 Audi SQ5 owners say
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2018 Audi SQ 5. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH in rainy weather, several unknown warning lights started blinking and the rear windshield wiper independently activated, and contact was unable to turn off the rear windshield wiper. The contact pulled over on the side on the road and turned off the vehicle. Once the contact restarted the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that there was a water leaking from the sunroof causing corrosion to the air bags connector, module, and the headliner had mold and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 73,949.
During a rainstorm, water drained from roof drains that are apparently supposed to be cleaned & maintenance done by dealership on a regular basis but were clogged due to them not being any maintenance done. Water shorted out the entire control module for the entire vehicle computer after leaking into the rear inside behind hatch where battery and electrical components are located rendering the vehicle dead and undriveable on the side of the road. By the vehicles complete electrical system being rendered dead, this puts those in risk of accidents and is not covered as a warranty item for an issue that is well known according to dealership on their entire line of SUV products for the last decade. …
Engine & cooling
During a rainstorm, water drained from roof drains that are apparently supposed to be cleaned & maintenance done by dealership on a regular basis but were clogged due to them not being any maintenance done. Water shorted out the entire control module for the entire vehicle computer after leaking into the rear inside behind hatch where battery and electrical components are located rendering the vehicle dead and undriveable on the side of the road. By the vehicles complete electrical system being rendered dead, this puts those in risk of accidents and is not covered as a warranty item for an issue that is well known according to dealership on their entire line of SUV products for the last decade. …
While driving a 2018 Audi SQ5 with the EA839 3.0T engine, a coolant warning light activated and engine temperatures began rising to 210-215 F. The vehicle was pulled over immediately. Upon inspection the coolant reservoir was found to be nearly empty with dried coolant residue on the exterior indicating an active leak. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Audi dealer who confirmed via multi-point inspection that the water pump, shut off valve, and vacuum system require replacement due to coolant leakage, with a repair estimate of $5,324.87. This is a known defect in the EA839 engine platform. Audi has issued multiple Technical Service Bulletins on this issue and is currently named in active federal class action lawsuit Larr et al. v. Volkswagen Group of America, Case No. 2:26-cv-05678. The vehicle was confirmed by the authorized dealer and the component is available for inspection.
Transmission & drivetrain
While driving a 2018 Audi SQ5 with the EA839 3.0T engine, a coolant warning light activated and engine temperatures began rising to 210-215 F. The vehicle was pulled over immediately. Upon inspection the coolant reservoir was found to be nearly empty with dried coolant residue on the exterior indicating an active leak. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Audi dealer who confirmed via multi-point inspection that the water pump, shut off valve, and vacuum system require replacement due to coolant leakage, with a repair estimate of $5,324.87. This is a known defect in the EA839 engine platform. Audi has issued multiple Technical Service Bulletins on this issue and is currently named in active federal class action lawsuit Larr et al. v. Volkswagen Group of America, Case No. 2:26-cv-05678. The vehicle was confirmed by the authorized dealer and the component is available for inspection.
Two issues: 1. Phantom braking, sudden deceleration, vehicle came to a rapid complete stop on road. Audi assist light came on. Road Conditions: clear, dry, very good visibility for night conditions. 2. While driving at highway speed, i.e. 65 MPH, the transmission disengaged temporarily for several seconds and causing the engine RPM to surge. Transmission re-engaged and operation became normal.
2018 Audi SQ5 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 8-speed dual-clutch | AWD | 19 / 24 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Audi SQ5 a good car?
Based on 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 SQ5 rates use caution: 3.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the SQ5 at the same age. It is one of the SQ5 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Audi SQ5?
The electrical system — 8 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (6) and transmission & drivetrain (4).
How many recalls does the 2018 Audi SQ5 have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2018 Audi SQ5, the most recent from December 8, 2021 (body). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Audi SQ5?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2022 and 2015. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2018 and 2019. See the full Audi SQ5 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2018 Audi SQ5 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 7,000 miles; 88% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.