AI Damage2021 Audi SQ5: common problems
Owners of the 2021 Audi SQ5 filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. The maker issued 1,000 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 13
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 1,000
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 38% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 31% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 23% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 8% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 8% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 8% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 8% of all complaints
- Engine: 5 complaints (38% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 45.
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (31% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 322.
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (23% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 31.
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 57.
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 45.
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
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 13 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 | 5 | 0 | 45 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 322 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 31 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 57 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 45 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 38 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 14 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 14 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 11 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 233 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 103 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While driving at normal operational speeds, the vehicle suffered a sudden, un-commanded, and catastrophic loss of motive power while navigating a live traffic intersection.
My car has a known issue with a piston skirt defect that can cause engine failure. [dealer] acknowledged this issue with the EA839 and only warranted an 80k mile warranty. I am outside of that warranty and in risk of catastrophic engine failure that could lead to safety issues on the road.
The contact was advised that the mechanic found coolant running through the vac lines. The contact was informed that continuing to drive the vehicle with a failing coolant pump could cause engine damage. The contact had the coolant pump replaced. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure.
The engine experienced an internal coolant leak from the water pump housing, which is a known issue previously acknowledged by Audi in TSB #19Q5 2022 01, covering earlier 3.0T engines (DEWA/DEWC).
Comfort Module J393 failed that is tied to all electronics warnings in car. brake warnings, light warning, security warnings, etc. Car was unable to be started as a result. If these electronics failed during driving, its very dangerous and could force crashing of vehicle.
The contact stated that while the gear shifter was shifted into reverse, the rear-view camera displayed a blank screen. As a result, the contact stated that he bumped into another vehicle.
Dealership replaced a seat belt part, air bag control module, and still the light won’t go away. The car is currently with the dealership.
The Lighting system is SUB-PAR because You NHTSA has been dragging your feet on approving the ADB Matrix Headlights and allowing AUDI to update the software and enable the system. This is a Safety issue as we cannot realize the full capability of visibility when driving on the highway!
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,401 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 33% least complained about).
On average one model year of the SQ5 has 8 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 13, above average.
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.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
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 states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
- This bulletin provides information when the starter/generator drive belt is noisy or came off
- This bulletin provides information when there is a warning message in the instrument cluster about…
- This bulletin provides information when there is an abnormal knocking noise from the engine compartment;…
- This bulletin provides information regarding fault finding and repair information for electric tailgate
- This bulletin provides information about billing for a broken sunroof glass panel
- This bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations
- This bulletin provides information when there are stails/marks on the sill panel trim
- This TSB describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases
- This bulletin provides information when the rear parking sensor sometimes does not work, rear parking…
This bulletin provides information when the rear parking sensor sometimes does not work, rear parking sensor loose, rear parking sensor fault message.
- This bulletin provides informaiton when DTC B200FF0 is stored
- This bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer
NHTSA lists 1,000 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Audi SQ5?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, powertrain. Total complaints: 13. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: engine failure or replacement (15%), seat belts (15%), headlights and tail lights (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Audi SQ5?
NHTSA lists 1,000 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2021 Audi SQ5 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2021 models
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.