Audi SQ5 Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Audi SQ5 model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2013 drew the fewest (1) and the 2018 the most (24).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Engine | — | — |
| 2023 | 3 | 0 | Electrical system | — | 21 |
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
4 | 0 | Forward collision avoidance | — | 23 |
| 2017 Among the fewest complaints |
5 | 0 | Electrical system | 4★ | 19 |
| 2022 | 5 | 2 | Engine | — | 21 |
| 2016 Among the fewest complaints |
6 | 0 | Steering | 4★ | 19 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
6 | 0 | Forward collision avoidance | — | 21 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
7 | 1 | Electrical system | — | 21–22 |
| 2015 | 8 | 1 | Structure | 4★ | 19 |
| 2020 | 8 | 4 | Forward collision avoidance | — | 20 |
| 2014 | 12 | 1 | Steering | 4★ | 19 |
| 2021 Among the most complaints |
13 | 5 | Engine | — | 20 |
| 2019 Among the most complaints |
19 | 5 | Engine | — | 21 |
| 2018 Among the most complaints |
24 | 5 | Electrical system | — | 21 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Audi SQ5 years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2018 Audi SQ5: 24 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 8 (33%); Engine 6 (25%); Forward collision avoidance 4 (17%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 2 injuries. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2019 Audi SQ5: 19 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 4 (21%); Service brakes 4 (21%); Electrical system 3 (16%).
Reports mention 1 crash. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2021 Audi SQ5: 13 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 5 (38%); Electrical system 4 (31%); Power train 3 (23%).
Reports mention 1 injury. 5 recall campaigns listed.
The Audi SQ5 years with the fewest complaints
2017 Audi SQ5: 5 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 1 (20%); Engine and engine cooling 1 (20%); Steering 1 (20%).
Reports mention 2 crashes. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2016 Audi SQ5: 6 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 2 (33%); Engine 1 (17%); Visibility/wiper 1 (17%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Audi SQ5 owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 24 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Audi SQ5 recalls
- Control Module Shutdown Can Reduce Engine Power (2018–2022 model years; 288,991 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2021; 21V947000)
- Wheel Arch Cover Trim May Detach (2018–2019 model years; 174,278 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2019; 19V737000)
- Rearview Display Inoperative/FMVSS 111 (2021 model year; 170,296 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2022; 22V742000)
- Wheel Arch Cover Trim May Detach (2018–2019 model years; 126,161 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2019; 19V416000)
- Seat Belt Locking Retractor Malfunction/FMVSS 208 (2021 model year; 45,496 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2021; 21V606000)
All 14 Audi SQ5 recall campaigns · Audi SQ5 problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Audi SQ5 years FAQ
Which Audi SQ5 year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2013 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Audi SQ5 years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2018, 2019 and 2021 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Audi SQ5 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine (23 of 121 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Audi SQ5 have?
NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns covering the Audi SQ5. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Audi SQ5 recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.