2018 Audi SQ5 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
24 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
4,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 24 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 29.2% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 12.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 8.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.2% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.2% |
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 | 8 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
Electrical System: 8; Engine: 6; Power Train: 4; Exterior Lighting: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 2; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 2; Service Brakes: 2
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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 16 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 |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2017: 1; 2018: 3; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2021: 3; 2022: 1; 2023: 5; 2024: 6; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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 11025105 · 2017-09-22 (September 22, 2017)
THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE WITH THE GARAGE DOOR OPEN AND WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED BY A NEIGHBOR THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ROLLED FORWARD OUT OF THE GARAGE DOWN A SMALL INCLINED DRIVEWAY, CROSSED THE STREET, AND CRASHED INTO THE CORNER OF THE NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE. THE VEHICLE THEN ROLLED BACK INTO THE STREET AND STOPPED. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, NO WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUDI SOUTH COAST (1425 AU…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11025105 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11269311 · 2019-10-18 (October 18, 2019)
I WAS STOPPED IN A DESIGNATED LEFT TURN LANE WAITING FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO CLEAR. AS THE LAST CAR WAS PASSING ME GOING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND MAKE MY LEFT TURN. THE AUDI PRE-SENSE SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. SO NOW I'M IN THE LANE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC WITH MY CAR TEMPORARILY DISABLED. THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. IF I HAD HAD MY DOG IN THE BACK OF THE CAR, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN THROWN INTO THE WINDSHIELD. I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR 50 YEARS, MY WIFE, FOR 48 AND HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. IT IS MY OPINION THAT …
Owner-reported narrative. 12,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11269311 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11353852 · 2020-09-08 (September 8, 2020)
WHILE DRIVING, THE 'STEERING MALFUNCTION' WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE WARNING SAID THAT IT WAS OK TO DRIVE. ON THE SAME DAY, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME ASKEW AND WAS NO LONGER ALIGNED. THIS MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE THE CAR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN IN JULY 2020. I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE ON 7/23/20. ON 9/5/20, THE SAME 'STEERING MALFUNCTION' WARNING LIGHT LIT UP. IT IS BACK WITH THE DEALER AS IF 9/8/20.
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11353852 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11530940 · 2023-07-07 (July 7, 2023)
I’m hearing squeaking noise from the steering column when steering left or right slowly of my Audi SQ5 2018 model. I noticed the noise can be heard loud after driving the vehicle for 30 min on the road or longer time driven. The squeaking noise from steering wheel column is often heard when taking the vehicle out from parking lot or moving the vehicle from stationary while turning the steering wheel. It’s kind of creaking noise rubbing off against something and heard from inside the cabin.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11530940 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11608218 · 2024-08-13 (August 13, 2024)
During a rainstorm, water drained from roof drains that are apparently supposed to be cleaned & maintenance done by dealership on a regular basis but were clogged due to them not being any maintenance done. Water shorted out the entire control module for the entire vehicle computer after leaking into the rear inside behind hatch where battery and electrical components are located rendering the vehicle dead and undriveable on the side of the road. By the vehicles complete electrical system being rendered dead, this puts those in risk of accide…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11608218 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11626821 · 2024-11-22 (November 22, 2024)
Car's electrical system fried overnight during a rainstorm. All systems unresponsive to keys or key faub. Car was towed to used dealership and they told me due to drainage system blockage a pool of water collected in rear battery compartment and submerged the battery.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11626821 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11452367 · 2022-02-17 (February 17, 2022)
Two issues: 1. Phantom braking, sudden deceleration, vehicle came to a rapid complete stop on road. Audi assist light came on. Road Conditions: clear, dry, very good visibility for night conditions. 2. While driving at highway speed, i.e. 65 MPH, the transmission disengaged temporarily for several seconds and causing the engine RPM to surge. Transmission re-engaged and operation became normal.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11452367 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11755729 · 2026-08-09 (August 9, 2026)
I purchased my 2018 Audi SQ5 on September 12, 2025, from Audi Denver (McDonald Automotive Group). On XXX, at 114,145 miles, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic engine failure while driving on the highway near [XXX], caused by defective rocker arm needle bearings in the 3.0T EA839 V6 engine. The early-design needle bearings disintegrated within the cylinder head, scattering loose metal roller bearings into the valvetrain and oiling system. This caused an immediate, complete loss of engine power and sudden engine lockup on a remote stret…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11755729 at NHTSA ↗