Skip to content
Audi SQ5Model year report

2018 Audi SQ5 Problems

Complaints
25filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
4,250miles, 8 complaints with mileage
Recalls
51 do-not-drive
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl AWD · 19 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2018 Audi SQ5 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2018 Audi SQ5. The part named most often is electrical system, with 8 complaints (32% of the total), followed by engine (7) and forward collision avoidance (4). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 88% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 4,250 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns (1 marked do-not-drive) and 804 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 184 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 42 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.

Also reported: Fuel system (1), Tires (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “Backup camera defaults to a black graphic view in stead of camera. Almost in multiple accidents as I had to switch to camera after every start while backing up in parking lots.”

NHTSA complaint #11119449, filed 2018-08, 10 miles

Engine: “The car windows were down the windshield wipers were running the front lights were on and parking brake light is flashing. I'm not sure how water was sitting where the spare tire was located. As I researched it stated it may be a faulty comfort module.”

NHTSA complaint #11503500, filed 2023-01

Forward collision avoidance: “The Forward Collision Warning system in my 2018 Audi SQ5 is meant to autonomously apply the vehicle's brakes in the event the car senses an oncoming forward collision. At least five different times over the past five months, my vehicle's Forward Collision Warning system activated and applied the brakes at seemingly random times when there was no possible threat of an oncoming forward collision because, in each instance, the vehicle was being driven on multi-lane highways with no other vehicles, barriers, or any other frontal hazard within a quarter-mile of my vehicle. …”

NHTSA complaint #11526568, filed 2023-06

Transmission and drivetrain: “Two issues: 1. Phantom braking, sudden deceleration, vehicle came to a rapid complete stop on road. Audi assist light came on. Road Conditions: clear, dry, very good visibility for night conditions. 2. While driving at highway speed, i.e. 65 MPH, the transmission disengaged temporarily for several seconds and causing the engine RPM to surge. Transmission re-engaged and operation became normal.”

NHTSA complaint #11452367, filed 2022-02

Mileage when problems were reported

88% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 500 and 12,700 miles.

63%0–1013%10–2513%25–5013%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (8 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 4,250 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.

2017201820192020202120222023202462026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Audi SQ5. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
SQ5 · SUV AWDnot rated———4 · 16.3% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2018 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2018 Audi SQ5 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
SQ5 AWD3.0L 6-cyl8-speed automatic192421$3,900

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2018 Audi SQ5 → · Check a 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. 804 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 804 bulletins →

Other model years of the Audi SQ5

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202588001—22—Too new
20246—0—21—Too new
2022625,4552—21—Not enough data
20211310,7155—20—Not enough data
202086,0754—20—Not enough data
2019207,1505—21—Rising
2018254,2505—21Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Rising
2017524,0000419—Not enough data
2016625,0000419—Not enough data
2015964,9661419—Not enough data
20141218,0001419—Not enough data

All Audi SQ5 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 Audi SQ5 have?

NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2018 Audi SQ5 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2018 Audi SQ5 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 8 complaints (32% of the total), followed by engine with 7.

Has the 2018 Audi SQ5 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 of them with a do-not-drive advisory. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Audi SQ5 get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Audi SQ5 (SQ5, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 19 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2018 Audi SQ5 reported?

Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 4,250 miles and the middle half falls between 500 and 12,700 miles; 88% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

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.