Audi SQ5 years to avoid (and the best years)

67 NHTSA owner complaints and 11 recalls across 4 model years, 2014 to 2021. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.

67complaints
11recalls
2reported crashes
0reported fires
3reported injuries

Which Audi SQ5 years should you avoid?

No Audi SQ5 model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Audi SQ5 year has 16 complaints on file.

What are the best Audi SQ5 years?

The Audi SQ5 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2021 (12), 2014 (12) and 2019 (19). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.

NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.

Every model year

Year	Complaints	vs typical year	Recalls	Crashes	Injuries	Our read	Most reported
2021	12	0.8×	5	0	1	Few red flags	Engine
2019	19	1.2×	5	1	0	Few red flags	Brakes
2018	24	1.5×	5	1	2	Few red flags	Electrical system
2014	12	0.8×	1	0	0	Few red flags	Steering

Most reported problem areas

Share of the 13 complaints sorted by system, all years together.

Engine & powertrain5 (38%)
Electrical & infotainment5 (38%)
Other systems1 (8%)
Brakes1 (8%)
Airbags & seat belts1 (8%)

Recalls (11)

Safety · 22V742000 · Oct 2022 · model year 2021
A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tires · 22V034000 · Jan 2022 · model year 2021
Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 21V947000 · Dec 2021 · model years 2018, 2019, 2021
A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 21V606000 · Aug 2021 · model year 2021
An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Suspension · 21V295000 · Apr 2021 · model year 2021
A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Structure · 19V737000 · Oct 2019 · model years 2018, 2019
The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Airbags · 19V473000 · Jun 2019 · model year 2019
A damaged frontal air bag may not provide adequate protection, increasing the risk of an injury.
Safety · 19V416000 · Jun 2019 · model years 2018, 2019
The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Brakes · 19V277000 · Apr 2019 · model years 2018, 2019
A short casting can cause a sudden loss of brakes, increasing the risk of crash. The electronic parking brake and its emergency brake function are not affected and will still function.
Brakes · 18V369000 · Jun 2018 · model year 2018
A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Steering · 15V452000 · Jul 2015 · model year 2014
If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.