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U.S. public vehicle records

2020 Audi SQ5: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

7 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

6,075 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 7 complaints (42.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior342.9%
Electrical and battery issues114.3%
Steering behavior114.3%

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.

Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
3
Unknown Or Other
3
Vehicle Speed Control
2
Back Over Prevention: Warnings
1
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
1
Service Brakes
1
Steering
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking3
Unknown Or Other3
Vehicle Speed Control2
Back Over Prevention: Warnings1
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings1
Service Brakes1
Steering1

Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Back Over Prevention: Warnings: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Steering: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
2
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
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0002
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 2; 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 (2). 5 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.

2020
1
2022
2
2023
2
2025
1
2026
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20201
20222
20232
20251
20261

2020: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 2; 2025: 1; 2026: 1

Pattern summary

Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 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 11351294 · 2020-08-26 (August 26, 2020)

WHEN USING THE LANE-DEPARTURE AND 'STEERING CORRECTION' SYSTEM THIS VEHICLE WILL ATTEMPT TO SUDDENLY, SHARPLY, AND DANGEROUSLY CHANGE LANES. THIS MORNING (8/26/20), WHILE TRAVELING ON A FOUR LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL AND LANE DEPARTURE ACTIVE, THE VEHICLE JERKED LEFT INTO A TURN-ONLY LANE, OVERRIDING MY MANUAL STEERING OF THE CAR IN THE STRAIGHT TRAVEL LANE. HAD ANOTHER CAR BEEN IN THE TURNING LANE WE WOULD HAVE NEARLY CERTAINLY COLLIDED, AS MY CAR WAS AT LEAST 30% INTO THE LANE BEFORE I COULD REACT AND BRING IT BACK INTO THE C…

Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11351294 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11460882 · 2022-04-15 (April 15, 2022)

The contact owns a 2020 Audi SQ5. The contact stated while reversing in her driveway, the automatic braking system activated and the vehicle stopped abruptly. The contact stated that there was a vehicle at a stop sign 500 ft. away from her vehicle when the failure occurred. The contact shifted the vehicle into park. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while reversing and while driving from a complete stop. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was making an abnormal sound while depr…

Owner-reported narrative. 150 miles reported. Look up ODI 11460882 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11498140 · 2022-12-19 (December 19, 2022)

I have had multiple instances of the emergency breaking applying improperly. On at least two occasions the rear backup/parking sensors detected some sort of object when one didn’t exist and abruptly engaged the breaks despite there being no object behind me. On one occasion I had a passenger who witnessed the behavior. On another instance, and the one that concerned me, the front collision indicator detected something non-existent and abruptly slammed on my breaks while I was driving 70mph on a 3 lane highway. There were no objects or car in v…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11498140 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11514158 · 2023-03-28 (March 28, 2023)

The sos emergency system continues to fail. It alarms that it failed. Warning light on the dashboard continues to be on. The car was brought to the dealer. emergency calling unavailable while driving.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11514158 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11539949 · 2023-08-21 (August 21, 2023)

I recently purchased this vehicle 8/5/23 and since then the pre sense function has activated it’s jarring emergency breaking three times. Once it happened to me backing out of my driveway without any obstruction, another with my husband backing out of a parking spot, and then most recently today with me as a driver going about 35 mph where it “sensed” a vehicle next to me about to change into my lane but changed their mind. Even if the vehicle next to me changed lanes to go in front of me, there was plenty of space and having the emergency pre …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11539949 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11634946 · 2025-01-08 (January 8, 2025)

My sunroof spontaneously imploded while driving my vehicle on the highway. I was going to speed limit in the middle lane, very little traffic, no semi-trucks near and did not drive under an overpass.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11634946 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11732057 · 2026-04-18 (April 18, 2026)

My 2020 Audi SQ5 (3.0L turbo V6, EA839 engine) experienced premature water pump failure at 64,361 miles. Coolant leaked into the vacuum system, damaging the vacuum unit and related components. Failed parts are available for inspection. Safety Risk: Loss of coolant circulation causes rapid overheating and risk of sudden engine failure at highway speeds, creating a collision hazard. Coolant intrusion into the vacuum system can also impair brake booster function, compromising stopping ability. Confirmed by Dealer: Diagnosed and confirmed by Audi R…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11732057 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

20V505000 · Seats

Reported: 2020-08-26 (August 26, 2020)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen ) is recalling certain 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Jetta, Jetta GLI and Tiguan and Audi Q5 and SQ5 and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. Parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may not have been welded properly.

Consequence: In the event of a rear-end crash, the backrest adjustment could break, possibly reducing the amount of occupant restraint, thus increasing risk of injury.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats, and, as necessary, replace the seatback frames, free of charge. The recall began September 11, 2020. Volkswagen owners may contact their customer service at 1-888-241-2289. Audi owners may contact their customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 72L1, 72K8, and 72K9.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V295000 · Suspension:Rear:Axle:Non-Powered Axle Assembly

Reported: 2021-04-26 (April 26, 2021)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.

Consequence: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V947000 · Structure:Body | Electrical System:Body Control Module/Bcm

Reported: 2021-12-08 (December 8, 2021)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, 2018-2022 Q5, and SQ5 vehicles. A liquid spill in the rear seat, or water ingress from an insufficient body seam underneath the vehicle may allow liquid to penetrate the gateway control module, causing it to shutdown.

Consequence: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover on the gateway control module and seal an underbody seam as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90S9.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
22V034000 · Tires | Suspension:Rear:Axle:Non-Powered Axle Assembly

Reported: 2022-01-26 (January 26, 2022)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.

Consequence: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.

NHTSA campaign record ↗