2021 Audi Q5 E Problems
- Complaints
- 29filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 10,500miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Audi Q5 E (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 2021 Audi Q5 E. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 7 complaints (24% of the total), followed by electrical system (6) and engine (5). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 10,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 483 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 32 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 203 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system6 21%
- Engine5 17%
- Other or unknown5 17%
- Fuel system3 10%
- Lane departure2 6.9%
- Steering2 6.9%
- Vehicle speed control2 6.9%
Also reported: Wheels (2), Brakes (1), Hybrid propulsion system (1), Body and structure (1), Tires (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “When I powered on the car, I got a message Electrical system failure , and was unable to start the car. After multiple tries, the car started, but had the check engine light on. Had this failure happened while the car was moving, this could have been a very dangerous situation. We live in Arizona, and could have easily been stranded in the desert without cell service, creating another life threatening situation.”
NHTSA complaint #11420815, filed 2021-06Electrical system: “The incident occurred on a busy road during evening rush hour. I was in the middle lane of three lanes, and the lane to the right of me was closed due to construction. The phrase “electrical malfunction” flashed across my dashboard, there were beeping sounds, and about 5-10 later the steering froze up and the car would no longer accelerate. There were no other prior warning indications. I was unable to steer over on a side road or shoulder. I blocked traffic in the middle lane. My 1-and-a-half-year-old was in the back seat with me, and I was 35 weeks pregnant at the time. …”
NHTSA complaint #11426209, filed 2021-07Engine: “Vehicle has an issue with the transmission control, it will not reliably shift into the appropriate gears as it gains speed, often slipping & shuddering, sometimes even slamming into a higher gear. A few times it has stayed in first or second gear as I was pulling onto a busy street into oncoming traffic, I was unable to gain speed without taking my foot off the gas entirely and trying again. …”
NHTSA complaint #11738560, filed 2026-05Other or unknown: “The warning lite for the low tire pressure comes on randomly and consistently. I've taken it in about 5 times and have been told the tire pressure is fine and it is just a built in defect. I am concerned because I can't check my tires constantly and especially when I am on the freeway. I fear for my safety, the safety of my passengers and the vehicles around me. It happens on the loaners they give me, so I know it is not just my vehicle. I've talked to corporate and they seem very unconcerned. …”
NHTSA complaint #11732886, filed 2026-04Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 10,000 and 11,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2021 Audi Q5 E in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 483 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11038130Sep 25, 2026Other or unknown. 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.
- 11038129Sep 25, 2026Engine. This bulletin provides information when the starter/generator drive belt is noisy or came off.
- 11038027Sep 25, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
- 11038127Sep 23, 2026Electrical system. This bulletin provides information when there is a warning message in the instrument cluster about external sound.
- 11038031Sep 22, 2026Steering. This bulletin provides informaiton when DTC B200FF0 is stored.
- 11038024Sep 22, 2026Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). This bulletin provides service information regarding exterior glass cleaning.
- 11038056Sep 18, 2026Body and structure. This bulletin provides information about billing for a broken sunroof glass panel.
- 11038032Sep 18, 2026Electrical system. This bulletin provides information when the rear parking sensor sometimes does not work, rear parking sensor loose, rear parking sensor fault message.
- 11038025Sep 15, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.
- 11038039Sep 14, 2026Body and structure. This bulletin provides information when there are stails/marks on the sill panel trim.
Other model years of the Audi Q5 E
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 14 | 6,794 | 0 | — | — | — | Too new |
| 2023 | 7 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Too new |
| 2021 | 29 | 10,500 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
| 2020 | 12 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Audi Q5 E have?
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 2021 Audi Q5 E as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2021 Audi Q5 E is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 7 complaints (24% of the total), followed by electrical system with 6.
Has the 2021 Audi Q5 E been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2021 Audi Q5 E reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 10,500 miles and the middle half falls between 10,000 and 11,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.