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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2013–2026

Audi SQ5 recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns and 120 owner complaints for the Audi SQ5, covering model years 2013 to 2026. The 2018 model year drew the most complaints (24), and Engine is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Audi SQ5 VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 14 recall campaigns on file
  • 120 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 14 model years with data (2013–2026)
  • most complaints: 2018 (24 for that model year)
  • top component: Engine (23 complaints)
  • latest recall 26V266000 (reported Apr 24, 2026)
  • 4 complaints reporting a crash (3.3%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a fire (0.0%)
  • 5 complaints reporting an injury (4.2%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Audi SQ5 complaints by model year

14 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2018 model year has the most complaints: 24 of 120, or 20.0%. Next come 2019 (19) and 2021 (13). The fewest are for 2013, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Audi SQ5 owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2013–2026Column chart of 120 complaints across 14 model years. The highest is 2018 with 24. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2013: 1 complaint120132014: 12 complaints1220142015: 8 complaints820152016: 6 complaints620162017: 5 complaints520172018: 24 complaints2420182019: 19 complaints1920192020: 8 complaints820202021: 13 complaints1320212022: 5 complaints520222023: 3 complaints320232024: 6 complaints620242025: 7 complaints720252026: 3 complaints32026
Show the figures for all 14 model years
Audi SQ5 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Audi SQ5 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
201310000
2014120000
201580000
201660000
201752000
2018241010
2019191000
202080000
2021130010
202250000
202330010
202460020
202570000
202630000
All model years1204050

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Audi SQ5 components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Engine is the component named most often, in 23 complaints (19.2% of all 120), followed by Electrical System (22) and Forward Collision Avoidance (16).

Components named most often in Audi SQ5 complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Audi SQ5 complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Engine2319.2%
Electrical System2218.3%
Forward Collision Avoidance1613.3%
Steering1512.5%
Unknown or Other1310.8%
Power Train119.2%
Structure108.3%
Service Brakes97.5%
Exterior Lighting86.7%
Fuel/Propulsion System86.7%
Visibility/Wiper86.7%
Suspension75.8%
Air Bags43.3%
Vehicle Speed Control43.3%
Back Over Prevention21.7%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Audi SQ5 recalls

14 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name SQ5, newest first. The 14 campaigns cover model years 2014 to 2025. The 2018, 2019 and 2021 model years appear in the most campaigns (5 each).

  • 14 recall campaigns
  • 1 “Do Not Drive” advisory
Audi SQ5 recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
2014: 1 campaign2015: 1 campaign2016: no campaigns2017: no campaigns2018: 5 campaigns2019: 5 campaigns
2020: 4 campaigns2021: 5 campaigns2022: 2 campaigns2023: no campaigns2024: no campaigns2025: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model years with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 26V266000

    Reported

    Seat Belts › Pretensioner

    Model year 2025

    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.

    Consequence:
    Improperly restrained occupants have an increased risk of injury 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. Audi's number for this recall is 69GT.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  2. NHTSA campaign 22V742000

    Reported

    Back Over Prevention › Display Function

    Model year 2021

    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."

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

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  3. NHTSA campaign 22V567000

    Reported

    Structure › Body › Tailgate

    Model year 2022

    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.

    Consequence:
    An improperly connected rear lid may decrease the structural protection of the vehicle during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
    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. Audi's number for this recall is 55M6.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  4. NHTSA campaign 22V034000

    Reported

    Tires; Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-Powered Axle Assembly

    Model years 2020–2021

    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.

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

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  5. NHTSA campaign 21V947000

    Reported

    Structure › Body; Electrical System › Body Control Module/BCM

    Model years 2018–2022

    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.

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

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  6. NHTSA campaign 21V606000

    Reported

    Seat Belts › Rear/Other › Retractor; Seat Belts

    Model year 2021

    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."

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

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  7. NHTSA campaign 21V295000

    Reported

    Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-Powered Axle Assembly

    Model years 2020–2021

    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.

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

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  8. NHTSA campaign 20V505000

    Reported

    Seats

    Model year 2020

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen ) is recalling certain 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Jetta, Jetta GLI and Tiguan and Audi Q5 and SQ5 and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. Parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may not have been welded properly.

    Consequence:
    In the event of a rear-end crash, the backrest adjustment could break, possibly reducing the amount of occupant restraint, thus increasing risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats, and, as necessary, replace the seatback frames, free of charge. The recall began September 11, 2020. Volkswagen owners may contact their customer service at 1-888-241-2289. Audi owners may contact their customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 72L1, 72K8, and 72K9.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  9. NHTSA campaign 19V737000

    Reported

    Structure › Body

    Model years 2018–2019

    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.

    Consequence:
    The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
    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. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 66K8.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  10. NHTSA campaign 19V473000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module; Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel

    Model year 2019

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. In the event of a crash deploying the passenger's frontal air bag, the instrument panel carrier may break due to incorrect welding. If the carrier breaks, there may be damage to the passenger frontal air bag.

    Consequence:
    A damaged frontal air bag may not provide adequate protection, increasing the risk of an injury.
    Remedy:
    Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the instrument panel and the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began August 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 90N1.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Show 4 more recalls

  1. NHTSA campaign 19V416000

    Reported

    Wheels › Hub

    Model years 2018–2019

    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.

    Consequence:
    The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
    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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 66K6.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  2. NHTSA campaign 19V277000

    Reported

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder

    Model years 2018–2019

    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.

    Consequence:
    A short casting can cause a sudden loss of brakes, increasing the risk of crash. The electronic parking brake and its emergency brake function are not affected and will still function.
    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. Audi's number for this recall is 47O9.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  3. NHTSA campaign 18V369000

    Reported

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper

    Model year 2018

    NHTSA “Do Not Drive” advisory: affected vehicles should not be driven until the recall repair is done.

    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.

    Consequence:
    A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
    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. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. 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 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  4. NHTSA campaign 15V452000

    Reported

    Steering › Electric Power Assist System

    Model years 2014–2015

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Audi SQ5 vehicles manufactured May 22, 2013, to April 14, 2015. The affected vehicles have an electric power steering assist system that may shut down in cold temperatures due to a steering motor sensor fault.

    Consequence:
    If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
    Remedy:
    Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the power steering control module software, free of charge. The recall began on July 31, 2015. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 48M1.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Audi SQ5 questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Audi SQ5 have?

NHTSA lists 14 vehicle recall campaigns for the Audi SQ5, covering model years 2013 to 2026. The most recent, 26V266000, was reported on April 24, 2026 and is filed under “Seat belts”. The 2018, 2019 and 2021 model years are covered by the most campaigns (5 each).

Which Audi SQ5 model year has the most complaints?

The 2018 model year, with 24 of the 120 complaints in NHTSA’s file (20.0%). The next are 2019 (19) and 2021 (13). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Audi SQ5 complaint?

Engine is the component named most often: 23 complaints, or 19.2% of all 120. Electrical System (22) and Forward Collision Avoidance (16) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Audi SQ5?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Audi dealer.

How many Audi SQ5 complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 120 complaints, 4 report a crash, 0 a fire, 5 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Audi models

8 models · most complaints first

The Audi models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Audi VIN decoder with every Audi model page, WMI code and VIN note.

  • Audi A4 1995–2024 · 27 recalls · 2,893 complaints
  • Audi A6 1995–2026 · 54 recalls · 1,656 complaints
  • Audi Q5 2008–2026 · 33 recalls · 1,337 complaints
  • Audi Q7 2007–2026 · 32 recalls · 1,042 complaints
  • Audi A3 2001–2025 · 20 recalls · 728 complaints
  • Audi S4 1995–2022 · 15 recalls · 560 complaints
  • Audi A5 2008–2026 · 19 recalls · 325 complaints
  • Audi TT 2000–2023 · 12 recalls · 319 complaints

All Audi models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.