Audi SQ5 problems and owner complaints

The contact owns a 2015 Audi SQ5. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, while the brake pedal was depressed, the brakes failed to engage; the contact had to initiate the emergency brake to bring the vehicle to a halt. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to get a diagnosis however, the diagnosis was pending. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,084.

Owner-reported narrative. 108,084 miles reported. Look up ODI 11637365 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 (NA) AUDI SQ5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO HIS RESIDENCE BY THE DEALER (BEVERLY HILLS AUDI IN BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA) AND WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE. ON AUGUST 2, 2017, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PROGRAM THE CELLULAR PHONE AND THE OTHER FEATURES THAT THE NEW VEHICLE OFFERED. THE CONTACT PRESSED A BUTTON THAT CHANGED THE DRIVING MODE AND A PARKING BRAKE ERROR MESSAGE ILLUMINATED, ASKING THE DRIVER TO CONTACT AUDI TECHNICAL SUPPORT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM…

Owner-reported narrative. 37 miles reported. Look up ODI 11016157 at NHTSA ↗

RIGHT AFTER STARTING THE CAR STEERING LOCKED, LIKE IT'S LOST POWER BOOST, WITH A MESSAGE "STEERING FAILURE". *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 2,883 miles reported. Look up ODI 10568570 at NHTSA ↗

THIS IS MY SECOND FAILURE EVENT LOOSING STEERING ON MY 2014 SQ5. TWO YEARS AGO I POSTED THE 1ST EVENT. THE DEALER ORDERED NEW RACK AND PINION FROM GERMANY WHICH FIXED IT....TEMPORARILY. HERE TWO YEARS LATER NOW JANUARY 2016, THIS 2ND EVENT I WAS NOT DRIVING. UPON STARTING THE CAR THE DISPLAY LIT UP RED "DO NOT DRIVE STEERING FAILURE". THE AUDI FOLKS HAD FLATBED TRUCK COME. AT THIS MOMENT A 2ND NEW RACK AND PINION IS COMING FROM GERMANY. IN 2015 I RCV'D THE RECALL NOTICE AND HAD AUDI DO THE UPDATE FIRMWARE FIX. OBVIOUSLY MY 1ST REPLACED R&P PLUS…

Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10822587 at NHTSA ↗

THE AUDI SQ 5 LOSES POWER STEERING IF THE RACK/PINION POWER STEERING UNIT IS EXPOSED TO WATER. THIS DOES NOT REFER TO FLOODING OR SUBMERGED CAR AUDI CONSIDERS WEATHER AN OUTSIDE INFLUENCE AND DOES NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY THE CAR RETAINS FULL PROPULSION BUT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE ELECTRICAL MECHANISM ON THE POWER STEERING IS DANGEROUSLY EXPOSED , AND APPARENTLY NOT WEATHER PROOF I MADE A LEFT HAND TURN IN A HEAVY RAIN STORM UP THE APRON OF A DRIVEWAY TO A PARKING LOT. I DROVE THE CAR 100-150 FEET TO A SECURE SPOT TO WAIT OUT A HEAVY …

Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11219220 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

ON JANUARY 8, 2018; I TOOK MY VEHICLE (AUDI SQ5, 2015, 21847 MILES, WELL WITHIN WARRANTY) INTO FLOW AUDI SERVICE DEPT. IN WINSTON-SALEM, NC. FOR A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER'S WHEEL HITTING AS IF METAL TO METAL, WITH A LOUD BANG AN A HARD JERK AS IF THE WHEEL IS SEPARATING FROM THE FRONT AXLE AS THE VEHICLE GOES INTO TURNS AND CLEARLY UNSAFE. THE SERVICE DEPT. MANAGER ADMITTED(ON RECORDING) TO A HIGH INFLUX OF OTHERS CUSTOMERS COMING IN WITH SAME ISSUE. I'VE BEEN TOLD IT'S THE DIFFERENTIAL, THE STRUTS, THE TRANSMISSION, THE TIRES A…

Owner-reported narrative. 21,847 miles reported. Look up ODI 11075427 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 AUDI SQ5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO THE BLIZZARD LIKE WEATHER IN HIS STATE, THE POWER STEERING FROZE AND A "POWER STEERING ERROR" WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE AND COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INTERNATIONAL AUTOS OF MILWAUKEE (2400 S 108TH ST, MILWAUKEE, WI 53227, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DI…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11181960 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES DRIVING TO OR FROM LOS ANGELES TO PHOENIX, THE FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONS AND THE CAR SHUTS DOWN. IT STARTS AGAIN AFTER VEHICLE COOLS DOWN. THE FIRST TIME IT SHUT DOWN AT BLYTHE CALIFORNIA AND THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE AUDI DEALER IN RANCHO MIRAGE. DIAGNOSTIC SHOWED NO ISSUES WITH PUMP. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED WAS 6/21/2019 WHILE DRIVING FROM LOS ANGELES TO PHOENIX. IT SHUT DOWN ON THE I-17 FREEWAY (I-17 AND JEFFERSON STREET). LOST ALL POWER TO THE VEHICLE DURING AFTERNOON RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I WAS LUCKY TO EXIT AND …

Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11221899 at NHTSA ↗

FUEL PUMP STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING. HAPPENED TWICE IN ONE TRIP AND FORTUNATELY WAS ON ROADS WITH LOW TRAFFIC.

Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11246475 at NHTSA ↗