10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
13,418 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2021 Audi Q5 engine problems

engine problem

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2021 Audi Q5 Owner Comments

problem #11

May 282024

Q5

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Reverse car went full throttle, brakes did not work, car stopped in reverse when it hit a tree. Seat belt did not tighten,

- Doylestown, PA, USA

problem #10

Jul 202023

Q5

  • miles
Engine coolant was empty. No indicators about it.

- Garfield, NJ, USA

problem #9

Dec 132021

Q5

  • miles
When driving in extreme cold (ambient temperatures of -35 or colder) and I reach a speed of 50mph or higher, my engine fails. The dealership refuses to resolve this issue although they-??ve had my vehicle twice now, both for months at a time- and the dealership is 400 miles away from me. They also refuse to authorize the Audi-certified shop in my hometown to perform any type of diagnostics or maintenance work on this vehicle, which would significantly decrease my stress and the inconvenience of shipping my vehicle back and forth. This first occurred within just a few months of purchase of this vehicle, and I am the first owner. I am listing the first time this happened, although it is an ongoing issue.

- Fairbanks, AK, USA

problem #8

Feb 092023

Q5 4-cyl

  • 138,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the malfunction warning light illuminated, followed by the vehicle shaking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The dealer stated that metal fragment was found in the engine, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the contact needed to contact the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was 138,000. The contact stated that the failure mileage was 44,000. Also the vehicle had 2 oil changes, supposed to have 3. The dealership informed the contact that the engine was blown. The dealer would not honor the warranty because the vehicle needed an oil change.

- East Aurora, NY, USA

problem #7

Dec 152021

Q5

  • miles
After conducting a $10k forensic review on the car, they found out that the computer was infected with malware and that that vehicle will always put out fm transmitters to get into your cellular devise to hack it Unfortunately, this is the case for this bricked...Need a replacement with transferring the lease over to a similar priced vehicle.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #6

Oct 112021

Q5

  • miles
While driving on the road, multiple warning and error messages suddenly appeared on dashboard. Entire car shut down in very short time left no time for driver to safely pull over. The car cannot move in the middle of the road and put the driver, passengers and surrounding vehicles at risk. The car was towed to a dealer and they confirmed the gate way module under rear seat is wet and shorted.

- Broomall, PA, USA

problem #5

Aug 152021

Q5 4-cyl

  • 9,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while she was driving 65-70 MPH, the warning message "Transmission Engine Failure" appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle inadvertently stalled while attempting to veer to the side of the road. The contact stated she was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts however, the vehicle was towed to her residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to their location for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the ECM chip had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact also stated while she was reversing, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the clutch had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 9,000.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #4

Jul 032021

Q5

  • miles
While driving a brand new Audi Q5 it suddenly went into "Panic mode" with the windows going up & done, Steering malfunctioning, warning the driver to pull over. The car shuts down unexpectedly without reason. The whole car freezes ! While at the dealership, the tech told us there was another car being repaired with the same issue.Turns out if the back battery gets wet(hidden under the back cup holder)the car shuts down. A cup of coffee spilled in the back seat but there are many reports online (part #J533) with any incidence of wetness. Audi is aware of this problem and although they ordered a new part, the problem is NOT repaired permanently.It can happen again and again.Audi needs to have a major recall on all Q3, Q5 and Q7. We were on a residential street when this happened but a multi vehicle crash would have taken place if on a highway.We are asking for a refund since the car was 2 weeks old at the time with less than 5,000 miles. We need the public to know they are driving a car with a a major design flaw and could cause serious accidents.

- Hawthorne, NJ, USA

problem #3

Aug 042021

Q5

  • miles
while driving, my 2021 Audi q5 with 1400 miles, it began to malfunction; every light & warning (transmission, brakes, AWD, etc.) began flashing as failing on the dashboard. The windows begin going up & down. Steering began to be hard. Finally, I was able to steer the q5 out of traffic. Traffic was going about 40-50 mph. 2. the q5 was towed to Audi for diagnostic 3. Audi called & said that the gateway got wet and the cost for the part is $1200. It will take 2 weeks to get the part in. Audi has no openings until October. 4. They stated that the water drains are working and that they found a water bottle cap in the backSeat of the car; therefore, the gateway will not be covered under warranty. Huh" 5. I am unsure why the warranty will not cover any Safety issues on a 4 month old car. 6. Audi is assuming there was a water spill, because there was a water bottle cap in the car. 7. What are you talking about, Audi? Why are you assuming things? What is the real cause of this traumatic experience? 8. Secondly, no one told me not to have a water bottle cap in the q5 backseat area; the q5 without warning, began to shut down. 9. The engine light stayed on. 10. Audi is not acting in good faith, why are there assumptions made" 11. Audi must recall the q5 and announce a public safety warning of the danger that is lurking in the back seat called a gateway. 12. Audi must clearly state -??Danger! Danger! No water bottle caps allowed in backseat-??. 13. Also, not to mention, there were no Audi loaner cars available; this gives off the appearance that Audi is making a lot of repairs and they are aware of this $1200 -??water bottle cap-?? problem called a gateway. 14. I am aware my experience is possibly rare, BUT it must not happen ever. This was a dangerous scary experience that must not happen again to me or any family! 15. Pls demand Audi to recall these q5s to relocate the gateway, before someone dies!!! 16. I will trade in q5 to avoid death...

- Cordova, TN, USA

problem #2

May 082021

Q5

  • miles
Water was spilled in the backseat of the car (less than 12 ounces of water). This caused a complete electrical failure impacting the engine and power steering. The failure happened at a slow speed in a parking lot but would have been much more dangerous on highway. The car would not turn on or off and would not shift into any gear after coming to a stop. Was told that the water caused a failure in the data bus control module.

- Wyndmoor, PA, USA

problem #1

Dec 212020

Q5

  • 600 miles
Q5 has a very serious defect, that is, there is a gateway module located under the rear seat cushion/cup holder. All of the communications to all the controllers go through this little box. If water spills, it collects around the gateway and corrodes it, which will shut down the car. This shutdown occurred while I was driving my family. Lost all power, engine, electrical, everything. Barely coasted out of the roadway. This is a design flaw to locate this sensitive module underneath rear cup holders and will lead to dangerous situations for people in the car.

- La Mesa, CA, USA

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