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Electrical systemPart report

2020 Audi Q5 Electrical system Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
32%of 25 total for the year
Median mileage
1,225miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the electrical system of the 2020 Audi Q5, 32% of the 25 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 1,225 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Overall problem: Audi Q5 2020 appears to have a computer malfunction that instantly disables all systems. Vehicle 'shut itself off' at a brief stop and became very difficult to control, rolling into intersection. Details: I stopped car at residential neighborhood stop sign (brief and complete stop, no wait), immediately ready to proceed forward. Audi's 'auto stop/start' feature shut off the engine, then immediately all electronics shut down. The car basically 'turned itself off.' vehicle then began drifting/coasting into intersection. Controls were unresponsive. …”

NHTSA complaint #11322405, filed 2020-04, 150 miles

“We were driving today at around 11:30am and all of a sudden the “Audi Presense” light came on at the same time the car brakes abruptly slowed down the car for about 5 seconds or so and then released. Today is a beautiful sunny day and there were no vehicles anywhere or anything in roadway on the road we were traveling on. The jerking /abrupt slowdown really surprised us. We will go to Audi dealer asap but now we don’t trust when it will happen again. A car could have hit us from behind.”

NHTSA complaint #11556844, filed 2023-11

“Yesterday I driving my AUDI Q5 2020 on the expressway , then with no warning multiple warning and error messages suddenly appeared on dashboard. The Entire car immediately shut down in middle of the expressway, no time for me to put on my hazard, no time for me to safely pull over ..With difficulty moving it to safety. The car wouldn't start and I was in the middle of the expressway which put me at great risk along with my passengers and surrounding vehicles.... I was scared and shocked Very dangerous !!!!”

NHTSA complaint #11448154, filed 2022-01

“The car was constantly smelling like smoke. It felt like it was going to catch fire. I got it serviced when it had to be serviced at 15k but Audi dealership did not warn of any recall and mentioned everything was great with the car. In the end I had to sell the car which was in April, 22 because I didn’t feel safe driving the car anymore. I would also constantly get airbag being deployed warnings on the screen and one time the car shut down automatically as I was driving at about 45Mph going up the mountain”

NHTSA complaint #11470918, filed 2022-06

“Gateway control modular failure. At dealer currently. We took pictures. Multiple reports of the exact same thing on Audi forums online. Audi confirmed same issue. While driving car it suddenly stopped and the emergency brake was automatically applied. No warning, no way to Live the car to safety, all the warning lights began to flash, windows started to rolling up and down. Then the car just turned off. Unable to start it, turn it on, move it, nothing. Needed a special tow truck to have it towed to dealer. A serious safety issue. I am 8 m pregnant, had my brother and 4 year old nephew in car. …”

NHTSA complaint #11442139, filed 2021-11

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20252146%
2024210%
20231023%
2022732%
20212736%
2020832%
20191325%
20187436%
2017410%
20161013%
201544%
201499%
2013910%
201253%
201186%
201077%
200913%

Other parts of the 2020 Audi Q5

Other or unknown
6 complaints
Engine
4 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
3 complaints
Seat belts
3 complaints
Steering
3 complaints
Brakes
2 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
2 complaints
Vehicle speed control
2 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaints
Seats
1 complaints
Body and structure
1 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2020 Audi Q5

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology