2021 Audi Q5: common problems and reliability

The 2021 Audi Q5 has 233 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 8 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and engine. Owners most often flag high maintenance and repair costs: very frequent mentions of routine services costing $1,400-$3,000, with out-of-warranty repairs described as exceptionally expensive. frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 2021 model year

233
Owner complaints
8
Recalls
6
Crash reports
0
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2021 Audi Q5 vehicles (US, public record).

Is 2021 a good year for the Q5?

Across the 14 Q5 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 4 (2012) to 233 (2021). With 233 complaints, the 2021 Q5 sits abovethe model's median of 76.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

electrical system
81
engine
55
power train
37
forward collision avoidance
33
fuel/propulsion system
15

Recalls affecting the 2021 Q5

seat belts:rear/other:retractor

Campaign 21V606000

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Qua

tires

Campaign 22V034000

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,

electrical system:body control module/bcm

Campaign 21V947000

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 undern

suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly

Campaign 21V295000

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,

What owners say across generations

Mixed sentiment with a clear dichotomy. The vehicle is consistently praised for its superior driving dynamics, handling, and refinement compared to mainstream and some luxury competitors.

  • High maintenance and repair costs: very frequent mentions of routine services costing $1,400-$3,000, with out-of-warranty repairs described as exceptionally expensive. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Electronic/Infotainment glitches: includes CarPlay/Bluetooth connectivity failures, random system reboots, unresponsive screens, and parasitic battery drain causing "Low Battery" warnings in new models (e.g., 2025). Frequency: very frequent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Q5. See the full Q5 owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used Q5 listings typically run $16,323–$41,642 across 2012 to 2026 model years.

Other Q5 model years

Compare every Q5 year side by side to see how 2021 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Q5 against its rivals