2021 Audi Q5 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
71 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
20,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 24 of 71 complaints (33.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 17 | 23.9% |
| Steering behavior | 14 | 19.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 16.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 11.3% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 9.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 5.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 24 |
| Engine | 17 |
| Power Train | 12 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 6 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
Electrical System: 24; Engine: 17; Power Train: 12; Unknown Or Other: 8; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 6; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 5; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Service Brakes: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 60 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 21 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 13 |
| 2026 | 13 |
2021: 21; 2022: 12; 2023: 5; 2024: 7; 2025: 13; 2026: 13
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 12 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11422846 · 2021-06-29 (June 29, 2021)
Driver was with 2 passengers (3 young females) driving in a new 2021 Audi Q5 (less than 5 months old and less than 6000 miles) at about 70 mph on Garden State Parkway in NJ. A brake malfunction warning light appeared on the dashboard and within 5 seconds the car completely shut down in the middle lane of the parkway (in a black car at 10pm). This was the first notification or warning--nothing in the prior minutes or days. The driver was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts and was unable to drift to the shoulder of the parkway. …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11422846 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11428184 · 2021-08-07 (August 7, 2021)
while driving, my 2021 Audi q5 with 1400 miles, it began to malfunction; every light & warning (transmission, brakes, AWD , etc.) began flashing as failing on the dashboard. The windows begin going up & down. Steering began to be hard. Finally, I was able to steer the q5 out of traffic. Traffic was going about 40-50 mph. 2. the q5 was towed to Audi for diagnostic 3. Audi called & said that the gateway got wet and the cost for the part is $1200. It will take 2 weeks to get the part in. Audi has no openings until October. 4. They state…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11428184 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11422446 · 2021-06-26 (June 26, 2021)
Water was spilled in the backseat of the car (less than 12 ounces of water). This caused a complete electrical failure impacting the engine and power steering. The failure happened at a slow speed in a parking lot but would have been much more dangerous on highway. The car would not turn on or off and would not shift into any gear after coming to a stop. Was told that the water caused a failure in the data bus control module.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11422446 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11386836 · 2021-01-06 (January 6, 2021)
Q5 HAS A VERY SERIOUS DEFECT, THAT IS, THERE IS A GATEWAY MODULE LOCATED UNDER THE REAR SEAT CUSHION/CUP HOLDER. ALL OF THE COMMUNICATIONS TO ALL THE CONTROLLERS GO THROUGH THIS LITTLE BOX. IF WATER SPILLS, IT COLLECTS AROUND THE GATEWAY AND CORRODES IT, WHICH WILL SHUT DOWN THE CAR. THIS SHUTDOWN OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY FAMILY. LOST ALL POWER, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL, EVERYTHING. BARELY COASTED OUT OF THE ROADWAY. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW TO LOCATE THIS SENSITIVE MODULE UNDERNEATH REAR CUP HOLDERS AND WILL LEAD TO DANGEROUS SITUATIONS FOR PEOP…
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11386836 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11436032 · 2021-10-08 (October 8, 2021)
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while she was driving 65-70 MPH, the warning message "Transmission Engine Failure" appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle inadvertently stalled while attempting to veer to the side of the road. The contact stated she was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts however, the vehicle was towed to her residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to their location for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who …
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11436032 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11396809 · 2021-02-18 (February 18, 2021)
A PIECE OF METAL IN THE ROADWAY PIERCED MY GAS TANK CAUSING THE GASOLINE TO LEAK OUT. THIS CREADTED A CONDITION WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE OR AN EXPLOSION.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11396809 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11397753 · 2021-02-24 (February 24, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT WHO IS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC CALLED ON BEHALF OF A CUSTOMER WHO OWNS A 2021 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE OWNER WAS DRIVING, THE VEHICLE RAN OVER A STRIP OF ALUMINUM THAT WAS LYING IN THE ROADWAY CAUSING THE FUEL TANK TO BE RIPPED OPEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS MADE FROM PLASTIC AND NOT METAL CAUSING THE FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUDI RENO TAHOE (9190 S. VIRGINIA ST, RENO, NV 89511) WHERE THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11397753 at NHTSA ↗