MotorDeets

2021 Audi Q5: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2021 Audi Q5: 8 recalls, 74 owner complaints and up to 27 mpg combined.

8vehicle recalls
74owner complaints
2mention a crash
27best combined mpg
2021 Audi Q5
Photo: LuvsMG481 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

8 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Suspension Vehicle recall #21V295000 · 2021 · 40,993 vehicles

What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 q7, q8, q5 sportback, sq5 sportback, rs6 avant, rs7, rs q8, 2020-2021 Audi s6 sedan, q5, a8, s8, a7, a6 allroad, a5 cabriolet, a4 sedan, a4 allroad, sq5, s7, a6 sedan, s5 coupe, s4 sedan, s5 cabriolet, a5 coupe, 2019-2021 rs5 coupe, a5 sportback, s5 sportback, rs5 sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle May break due to…

Why it matters: A broken lock nut May misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021.

Seat belts, Seat belts Vehicle recall #21V606000 · 2021 · 45,496 vehicles

What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen id4, Audi a4 allroad, a4 sedan, a5 cabriolet, a5 coupe, a5 sportback, a6 allroad, a6 sedan, a7, a8, e-tron quattro, e-tron sportback quattro, q3, q5, q5 sportback, q7, q8, rs5 sportback, rs5 coupe, rs6 avant, rs7, rsq8, s4 sedan, s5 cabriolet, s5 coupe, s5 sportback, s6 sedan, s7, s8, sq5, sq5 sportback, sq7, sq8, and 2021-2022 s3…

Why it matters: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

The fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021.

Body & structure, Electrical Vehicle recall #21V947000 · 2021 · 288,991 vehicles

What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 q5 sportback, sq5 sportback, 2018-2022 q5, and sq5 vehicles. A liquid spill in the rear seat, or water ingress from an insufficient body seam underneath the vehicle May allow liquid to penetrate the gateway control module, causing it to shutdown.

Why it matters: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will install a protective cover on the gateway control module and seal an underbody seam as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022.

Tires, Suspension Vehicle recall #22V034000 · 2022 · 31,058 vehicles

What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi a5 sportback, rs5 coupe, rs5 sportback, s5 sportback, 2020-2021 a4 allroad, a4 sedan, a5 cabriolet, a5 coupe, a6 allroad, a6 sedan, a7, a8, q5, s4 sedan, s5 coupe, s5 cabriolet, s6 sedan, s7, s8, sq5, 2021 q5 sportback, q7, q8, rs6 avant, rs7, rsq8, sq5 sportback, sq7, and sq8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment May not have been inspected…

Why it matters: Rear axle misalignment May cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022.

Backup camera Vehicle recall #22V742000 · 2022 · 170,296 vehicles

What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi a8, rs7, rs6 avant, rs5 sportback, rs5 coupe, q8, q7, q5 sportback, s4 sedan, q5, a7, a6, a6 allroad, a5 sportback, a5 coupe, a5 cabrioleet, a4 sedan, a4 allroad, e-tron sportback quattro, sq7, s5 cabriolet, e-tron quattro, sq8, sq5 sportback, sq5, s8, s7, s6 sedan, s5 sportback, s5 coupe, 2022 e-tron gt, and 2021-2022 rsq8 vehicles. Due…

Why it matters: A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022.

Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #22V753000 · 2022 · 76,515 vehicles

What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Audi q5 sportback, q5, 2022-2023 Volkswagen atlas fl, and atlas cross sport vehicles. The engine connecting rod bearings May become damaged, which can result in engine failure.

Why it matters: A damaged engine can result in engine failure and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash. If the engine failure causes an oil leak, it can increase the risk of a fire.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace an affected engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 6, 2022.

Electrical Vehicle recall #23V842000 · 2023 · 93,196 vehicles

What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 rs e-tron gt, e-tron gt, q4 e-tron sportback, q4 e-tron, 2020-2021 Audi a8, 2019-2024 e-tron quattro, 2020-2024 e-tron sportback quattro, q5, and 2021-2022 a7 vehicles. When using the industrial 220v/240v plug at the 100% charge setting, some home power outlets May be incapable of handling the electrical current required to utilize the compact…

Why it matters: An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.

The fix: Owners are advised not to use the 220v/240v compact/portable charging cable and only use the 110v home charging cable or public charging stations. Dealers will supply a new 220v/240v compact/portable charging cable with an incorporated temperature sensor, free of charge. Owner notification letters…

Electrical Vehicle recall #25V080000 · 2025 · 20,201 vehicles

What's wrong: Volkswagen group of america, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Audi q5, and 2022 a7 e hybrid electric phev vehicles. The high-voltage battery May overheat.

Why it matters: A high-voltage battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.

The fix: Dealers will install advanced diagnostic software , free of charge. Volkswagen will monitor available online vehicle data and contact owners as necessary, to advise them not to charge the vehicle until the battery can be replaced. For vehicles in which online data is unavailable, owners are advised…

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.

Electrical27
Engine17
Transmission & drivetrain13
Forward collision avoidance11
Other / unknown8
Fuel & propulsion4
Brakes4
Steering3

What owners describe

The 2021 Audi Q5 has 74 owner complaints, ranking #9 of 19 Q5 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 71). Complaints peaked in 2021 (21 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 2 years old, at a median of 20,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2020 (25 complaints, 6 recalls), 2022 (22 complaints, 4 recalls).

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
2.0 L 4-cyl turbo hybridAutomatic (AM-S7)All-Wheel Drive252927Premium and Electricity
2.0 L 4-cyl turbo hybridAutomatic (AM-S7)All-Wheel Drive232825Premium

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2021 Audi Q5.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
Check 2021 Audi Q5 manual
Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
Check 2021 Audi Q5 manual
ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
Check 2021 Audi Q5 manual
Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 2021 Audi Q5 manual

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FAQ

Does the 2021 Audi Q5 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 8 vehicle recalls for the 2021 Audi Q5. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2021 Audi Q5 problems?

Owners have filed 74 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (27), engine (17), transmission & drivetrain (13).

What gas mileage does the 2021 Audi Q5 get?

EPA ratings run up to 27 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (AM-S7)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.

Where can I get a 2021 Audi Q5 repair manual?

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.

Other Q5 years

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