Model year record

2021 Audi Q5

8 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 153 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 25V080000

Electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery

Component
Electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
20,201
Reported to NHTSA
2025-02-12
Owners notified
2025-05-01

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A high-voltage battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will install advanced diagnostic software , free of charge. Volkswagen will monitor available online vehicle data and contact owners as necessary, to advise them not to charge the vehicle until the battery can be replaced. For vehicles in which online data is unavailable, owners are advised not to charge their batteries until the final remedy becomes available. Repairs will be performed free of charge. This will be a Phased recall. Phase 1 will include Interim letters 2022-2023 model year vehicles. Phase 2 will include Owner letters 2021-2024 model year vehicles, and Phase 3 will include Interim letters 2022-2023 model year vehicles. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed February 28, 2025, and May 7, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 93AA. This recall expands and replaces previous NHTSA recall number 24V898.

Recall campaignNHTSA 23V842000

Electrical system: propulsion system: charging: cable/cord: onboard

Component
Electrical system: propulsion system: charging: cable/cord: onboard
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
93,196
Reported to NHTSA
2023-12-13
Owners notified
2024-03-28

Defect description

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 plug at the 100% charge setting, some home power outlets may be incapable of handling the electrical current required to utilize the compact charging system, causing the outlet or charging cable to overheat.

Safety risk

An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Owners are advised not to use the 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable and only use the 110V home charging cable or public charging stations. Dealers will supply a new 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable with an incorporated temperature sensor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's numbers for this recall are 93U6 and 93U8.

Recall campaignNHTSA 22V753000

Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical

Component
Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
76,515
Reported to NHTSA
2022-10-07
Owners notified
2022-11-08

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A damaged engine can result in engine failure and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash. If the engine failure causes an oil leak, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer 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. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 13i4 (VW) and 13i5 (Audi).

Recall campaignNHTSA 22V742000

Back over prevention: display function

Component
Back over prevention: display function
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
170,296
Reported to NHTSA
2022-10-05
Owners notified
2022-10-25

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.

Recall campaignNHTSA 22V034000

Tires

Component
Tires
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
31,058
Reported to NHTSA
2022-01-26
Owners notified
2022-03-03

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.

Recall campaignNHTSA 21V947000

Structure: body

Component
Structure: body
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
288,991
Reported to NHTSA
2021-12-08
Owners notified
2022-01-21

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90S9.

Recall campaignNHTSA 21V606000

Seat belts

Component
Seat belts
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
45,496
Reported to NHTSA
2021-08-05
Owners notified
2021-08-27

Defect description

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, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Safety risk

An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).

Recall campaignNHTSA 21V295000

Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly

Component
Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
40,993
Reported to NHTSA
2021-04-26
Owners notified
2021-06-04

Defect description

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, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.

Safety risk

A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system3320,000 mi
Engine229,000 mi
Power train189,000 mi
Unknown or other12
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking8
Forward collision avoidance: warnings7
Service brakes6
Fuel/propulsion system5
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control4
Steering4
Structure437,200 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly351,000 mi
Back over prevention: warnings2
Carry handle, shell, base2
Engine and engine cooling243,000 mi
Exterior lighting2
Lane departure: assist2
Lane departure: blind spot detection2
Tires2
Vehicle speed control2
Wheels2
Air bags1
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera1
Electrical system: adas1
Electrical system: instrument panel: fuel gauge15,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly19,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system15,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly19,000 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit150,000 mi
Visibility/wiper1

The 2020 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. The 2022 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.