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Audi SQ5Model year report

2021 Audi SQ5 Problems

Complaints
13filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
10,715miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
5campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl AWD · 18 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Audi SQ5 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2021 Audi SQ5. The part named most often is engine, with 5 complaints (38% of the total), followed by electrical system (4) and transmission and drivetrain (3). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 10,715 miles. Of all complaints, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 1,015 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 45 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 326 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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: Other or unknown (1), Seat belts (1), Steering (1).

Example complaints

Engine: “While driving kid spilled water on rear seat, within 5 min all sensors started beeping, display started turning off and on, steering wheel very hard to maneuver, windows opening and closing spontaneously, car wouldn't go into park mode, engine wouldn't turn off (finally did after pressing and holding ignition multiple times for several seconds). Audi dealer states module underneath the rear seat is corroded. It's a brand new car (leased < 3 months ago). Terrified to drive it again as it appears to be a safety issue and is hazardous for my family.”

NHTSA complaint #11408669, filed 2021-04, 2,400 miles

Electrical system: “While driving at normal operational speeds, the vehicle suffered a sudden, un-commanded, and catastrophic loss of motive power while navigating a live traffic intersection. The transmission completely disengaged all gears without warning, rendering the vehicle entirely stationary and immobilized in the path of oncoming traffic. This failure created an immediate, severe safety hazard, exposing the occupants to a high risk of a side-impact or rear-end collision due to the inability to clear the intersection under the vehicle's own power. …”

NHTSA complaint #11745096, filed 2026-06

Transmission and drivetrain: “Component/System: Engine and Cooling — Water Pump / Coolant System Vehicle: 2021 Audi SQ5 Engine Code: CWGD Mileage at Failure: 71,000 Date of Incident: 8/6/2025 Audi Denver I’m reporting a known defect affecting my 2021 Audi SQ5 with engine code CWGD. The engine experienced an internal coolant leak from the water pump housing, which is a known issue previously acknowledged by Audi in TSB #19Q5 2022 01, covering earlier 3.0T engines (DEWA/DEWC). …”

NHTSA complaint #11678890, filed 2025-08

Air bags: “I’ve had a Safety System Malfunction light on for sometime now. Dealership replaced a seat belt part, air bag control module, and still the light won’t go away. The car is currently with the dealership.”

NHTSA complaint #11428617, filed 2021-08

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 2,400 and 39,000 miles.

33%0–1033%10–2533%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 10,715 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2021420222025420264
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 2021 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
SQ5 Sportback · SUV AWDnot rated———4 · 16.3% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2021 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, 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 2021 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 automatic182420$4,100
SQ5 Sportback AWD3.0L 6-cyl8-speed automatic182420$4,100

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 2021 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. 1,015 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 1,015 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 2021 Audi SQ5 have?

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2021 Audi SQ5 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2021 Audi SQ5 is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 5 complaints (38% of the total), followed by electrical system with 4.

Has the 2021 Audi SQ5 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Audi SQ5 get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Audi SQ5 (SQ5, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2021 Audi SQ5 reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 10,715 miles and the middle half falls between 2,400 and 39,000 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 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.