AI DamageAudi SQ5: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Audi SQ5 across 12 model years: 91 owner complaints and 1,938 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 22% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
- 3 Forward collision avoidance 15% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 12% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 10% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 9% of all complaints
- 7 Exterior lighting 9% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 8% of all complaints
- Engine: 20 complaints (22% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 418.
- Electrical system: 18 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2,453.
- Forward collision avoidance: 14 complaints (15% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 19.
- Powertrain: 11 complaints (12% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 293.
- Steering: 9 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 285.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl 2014–2027named in 1 complaints
- automatic, 8-speed 2014–2025
- dual-clutch (DCT), 7-speed 2025–2027
- dual-clutch (DCT), 8-speed 2018
Drive: AWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 91 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 20 | 0 | 418 |
| Electrical system | 18 | 0 | 2,453 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 14 | 0 | 19 |
| Powertrain | 11 | 1 | 293 |
| Steering | 9 | 0 | 285 |
| Service brakes | 8 | 0 | 344 |
| Exterior lighting | 8 | 0 | 120 |
| Visibility | 7 | 1 | 337 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | 0 | 95 |
| Air bags | 4 | 1 | 106 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 1 | 7 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 745 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 359 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 317 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Collision on highway and airbags did not deploy. White powder was present on dashboard after accident but not deployment of any airbags. Was hit on driver side and pushed off the highway were I struck a metal pole knocked that down and crashed into woods and trees area.
The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 24,000.
The contact stated that the vehicle was parked in the garage with the garage door open and with the parking brake engaged. The contact was notified by a neighbor that the vehicle had rolled forward out of the garage down a small inclined driveway, crossed the street, and crashed into the corner of the neighbor's…
Drivers view is largely obstructed (you could lose sight of a crowd of people) by the outside mirrors. This is an obvious danger to all pedesatrians crossing in front of this vehicle that is turning left. And also affects the view on the right side.
[B9 SQ5 - EA839 3.0T V6 CWGD] - Remove Front Bumper & Activate Radiator Support Service Position - Drain Cooling System - Remove & Replace Water Pump, Thermo- Pneumatic Valve, & Vacuum Line Set w/ Solenoids & All Necessary Hardware - Remove & Replace Thermostat Assembly w/ Seal - Remove & Replace Both Accessory Drive…
More than 50% of the time when I start the vehicle, numerous warning lights and error messages appear simultaneously on the dashboard, indicating failures across multiple driver assistance and safety systems.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has…
- This bulletin provides information when the starter/generator drive belt is noisy or came off
- This bulletin provides information regarding setup in the Audi Connect app for digital key
- This bulletin provides information when there is a warning message in the instrument cluster about…
- This bulletin is a help guide for Audi connect remote start
- This Pending Service Solution (PSS) requests that technicians create a record in the PSS database when…
- This Pending Service Solution (PSS) requests that technicians create a record in the PSS database when…
- This Pending Service Solution (PSS) requests that technicians create a record in the PSS database when…
- This Pending Service Solution (PSS) requests that technicians enter a record in the PSS databse in…
- This bulletin provides information when there is a driver system fault, or an MIL - DTC P060C00 symptom…
- This bulletin is an aid supportin gthe combined softare update 03.11.00/C (28.14.01) KD2*
- This bulletin provides information regarding software update KD2* 03.11.00/C (28.14.01)
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.