2021 Audi Q5 E: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
28 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
10,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 28 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 21.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 21.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 17.9% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 7 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
Power Train: 7; Electrical System: 6; Unknown Or Other: 5; Engine: 4; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 2; Steering: 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 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 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 (4). 24 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 | 4 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2021: 4; 2022: 5; 2023: 7; 2024: 4; 2025: 3; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11420815 · 2021-06-14 (June 14, 2021)
When I powered on the car, I got a message "Electrical system failure", and was unable to start the car. After multiple tries, the car started, but had the check engine light on. Had this failure happened while the car was moving, this could have been a very dangerous situation. We live in Arizona, and could have easily been stranded in the desert without cell service, creating another life threatening situation.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11420815 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11426209 · 2021-07-23 (July 23, 2021)
The incident occurred on a busy road during evening rush hour. I was in the middle lane of three lanes, and the lane to the right of me was closed due to construction. The phrase “electrical malfunction” flashed across my dashboard, there were beeping sounds, and about 5-10 later the steering froze up and the car would no longer accelerate. There were no other prior warning indications. I was unable to steer over on a side road or shoulder. I blocked traffic in the middle lane. My 1-and-a-half-year-old was in the back seat with me, and I was 35…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11426209 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11440290 · 2021-11-12 (November 12, 2021)
My 2021 Audi Q5e is a PHEV. There are ion-lithium batteries in this vehicle, but absolutely no markings on the body that this is a hybrid vehicle. The only marking is a small clear window sticker on the driver's side window, which is almost impossible to read. As an exvoluntiee fireman, we had extensive how to handle a fire when it involved a hybrid/electric vehicle. Audi has done enough to alert emergency personnel that the Q5e contains ion-lithium batteries. There needs to be much better badging on the Q5e indicating it is a hybrid. Audi…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11440290 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11441634 · 2021-11-24 (November 24, 2021)
The vehicle automatic emergency braking has engaged over 6 times when no vehicle or other object was in front of the vehicle. The aggressive hard braking has nearly caused rear ending accidents and has also caused a neck injury. The vehicle has been taken to the dealership to address. The dealership indicated they reduced the sensitivity/distance of the system. This has not resolved the problem, and Audi has indicated they have no other actions they can take.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11441634 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11446264 · 2022-01-04 (January 4, 2022)
While driving in the far left of the 405N in Long Beach, the vehicle experienced some catastrophic failure. The accelerator stopped working, gear shifting was not possible, the interior lights turned on and flashed, there was some text instruction on the screen about the vehicle having lost power, and the emergency On-Star system was not available. There were no warnings, messages or other symptoms prior to the malfunction of the vehicle. We managed to coast across 4 lanes of traffic moving at a high freeway speed, with our hazard lights flashi…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11446264 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11447707 · 2022-01-16 (January 16, 2022)
My vehicle was completely shut down. After towing to dealer and had the problem checked out, dealer service department had identify that the problem was the damage of the control module caused by possible liquid reaching to the gateway. This is what the recall is. However, dealer cannot do any repair but rather than forcing me to pay for replacing module part. Dealer claims that they are not aware of any such recall of (Manufacturer Recall Number90S9 NHTSA Recall Number21V947). Manufacturer should be responsible for correcting and paying for an…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11447707 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11452715 · 2022-02-18 (February 18, 2022)
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal noise and all the warning lights illuminated. The contact proceeded and drove at 15 MPH, the vehicle started jerking and could not be driven any further. In addition, all the windows were independently opened and closed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was pending a diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. No further information was available. The failure mileage was 10,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11452715 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11475660 · 2022-07-25 (July 25, 2022)
A/C condenser leaking. Known issue for Audi Q5.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11475660 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.