Vehicle Data Hub

2021 Audi Q5 problems

Owners have filed 114 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Audi Q5. Electrical system is the most reported problem area, at 24% of complaints. After that come engine (16%) and drivetrain & axles (13%).

At a glance

Complaints
114 filed with NHTSA
Most reported
Electrical system 24% of complaints
Crashes and fires
4 and 0
Injuries and deaths
4 and 0
Typical mileage
9,000 miles 19 complaints with mileage

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

Where the complaints are

Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.

When problems show up

Complaints by mileage, 2021 Audi Q5 Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 9,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 10 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 4 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 4 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 0 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 0 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 0 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 1 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 0 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 0 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 0 complaints 200k+ miles: 0 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 9,000 miles
Based on 19 complaints that include mileage. 95% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles10
20k to 40k miles4
40k to 60k miles4
60k to 80k miles0
80k to 100k miles0
100k to 120k miles0
120k to 140k miles1
140k to 160k miles0
160k to 180k miles0
180k to 200k miles0
200k+ miles0

What the data shows

Among the 19 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 9,000 miles.

Safety-related details: 4 complaints mention a crash; 4 injuries reported.

Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2021 ranks 2nd most-complained-about out of 17 model years of the Audi Q5 with enough data (114 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 8 safety recall campaigns.

What owners wrote

A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.

I was driving down a slight hill in 1/2 inch of snow at 5MPH and when I tired to gently brake as I descended the hill, the brake pedal had no resistance and went flat to the floor. I had no brakes. I then tried to steer towards the side of the road and the steering wheel completely locked up and I was not able to steer. I slid 150 feet down the hill and into a ditch. No brakes and no steering. There must have been a failure of some kind. Terrifying.

November 2021 CrashInjury

Reverse car went full throttle, brakes did not work, car stopped in reverse when it hit a tree. Seat belt did not tighten,

May 2024 CrashInjury

The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, she noticed that after driving several miles, the fuel gauge displayed that the vehicle was full. The contact then stated that the fuel gauge remained on full although her fuel tank was close to empty. No warning light was illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there was a pending recall and to contact the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.

Reported at 5,000 miles, October 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the windows independently rolled up and down, and the engine seized. While attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the failure had occurred three times within five days. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was purchased. The failure was diagnosed with a failed gateway control module.

Reported at 37,200 miles, February 2026

Other model years of the Q5

Best and worst years for the Audi Q5