2021 Audi Q5 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 5%of 74 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the brakes of the 2021 Audi Q5, 5% of the 74 complaints for this model year. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“I was driving down a slight hill in 1/2 inch of snow at 5MPH and when I tired to gently brake as I descended the hill, the brake pedal had no resistance and went flat to the floor. I had no brakes. I then tried to steer towards the side of the road and the steering wheel completely locked up and I was not able to steer. I slid 150 feet down the hill and into a ditch. No brakes and no steering. There must have been a failure of some kind. Terrifying.”
NHTSA complaint #11442684, filed 2021-12“The Gateway control module failed in September 2025 on my 2021 Audi Q5. Vehicle error messages included the following failures: Cruise control, Parking brake, transmission, brakes, and steering, windows rolled down, seats moved, dash and MMI black followed by a sudden loss of power, narrowly avoiding an accident (kids in car). Would not restart. Diagnosis by Audi dealer was that the Gateway control module got wet and needed to be replaced. This is Recall 90S9 from 2021 that was “repaired” in March 2022 by covering the module with a plastic bag. …”
NHTSA complaint #11692317, filed 2025-10Related service bulletins
- 11036911Aug 21, 2026This bulletin provides information for all models regarding brake sounds.
- 11036909Aug 21, 2026This bulletin provides information on the zirconium insercts in the brake piston (ceramic brakes only).
- 11036906Aug 21, 2026This bulletin provides information when there is corrosion on the friction survace of steel brake discs.
- 11036921Aug 11, 2026This bulletin provides information about the general approach for brake vibration concerns.
- 11036914Aug 11, 2026This bulletin provides information when there is an ABS/ESC speed sensor implausible signal.
- 11025369Oct 22, 2025This bulletin provides information for all models regarding brake sounds.
- 11025342Oct 21, 2025This bulletin provides information regarding the general approach for all Audi vehicles regarding brake vibrations.
- 11025333Oct 21, 2025This bulletin provides information on the zirconium insercts in the brake piston (ceramic brakes only).
- 11025330Oct 21, 2025This bulletin provides information when there is corrosion on the friction survace of steel brake discs.
- 11025336Oct 17, 2025This bulletin provides information when there is an ABS/ESC speed sensor implausible signal.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 11 | 24% |
| 2024 | 5 | 25% |
| 2023 | 4 | 9% |
| 2021 | 4 | 5% |
| 2020 | 2 | 8% |
| 2019 | 8 | 15% |
| 2018 | 22 | 11% |
| 2017 | 4 | 10% |
| 2016 | 4 | 5% |
| 2015 | 3 | 3% |
| 2014 | 4 | 4% |
| 2013 | 6 | 7% |
| 2012 | 3 | 2% |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2021 Audi Q5
27 complaintsEngine
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsForward collision avoidance
11 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Audi Q5
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology