2021 Audi Q5 E Safety Report
2021 Audi Q5 E Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Audi Q5 E
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 Audi Q5 E. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Low (0) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (23) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Forward Collision Avoidance | Compare forward collision avoidance issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2023 | Compare against the 2023 Audi Q5 E with 7 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2020 | Check the 2020 Audi Q5 E before buying across this generation. |
Audi Q5 E Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Audi Q5 E years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Audi Q5 E | 12 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2023 Audi Q5 E | 7 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2021 Audi Q5 E Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 Audi Q5 E, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Forward Collision Avoidance
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Forward Collision Avoidance issues Audi onlyPower Train
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Audi onlyFuel/Propulsion System
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Audi onlyPower Train,Engine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Engine issues Audi onlyTires
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Tires issues Audi onlyService Brakes
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Audi onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Audi Q5 E
Reliability Score
The 2021 Audi Q5 E receives a reliability score of 87 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
Known Issues for the 2021 Audi Q5 E
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Audi Q5 E:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance System Malfunction The system has been activated for no reason, causing sudden braking and potential accidents. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Transmission Malfunction Transmission malfunctions have been reported, leading to power loss, especially when ascending hills. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Tpms Warning Light The TPMS warning light has been intermittently illuminated, requiring periodic attention. |
Low | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Braking System Warning A potentially dangerous situation related to the vehicle's braking system has been reported. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Audi Q5 E:
The system has been activated erroneously in multiple instances, causing sudden braking and potential accidents.
Transmission malfunctions have been reported, leading to power loss, especially when ascending hills.
The TPMS warning light has been intermittently illuminated, requiring periodic attention.
A potentially dangerous situation related to the vehicle's braking system has been reported.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Audi Q5 E
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Audi Q5 E with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
While driving one day, several warning messages appeared on the dashboard, but would then disappear. The next day, the car engine would not start and the vehicle dashboard would not turn on. The car was inoperable and had to be towed to a dealer service center. Dealer confirmed that the issue was caused by liquid entering the gateway control module. A safety fix had been applied before during a 90...
A transmission malfunction message displayed and vehicle lost power. This happened when ascending a hill.
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5 E. The contact stated that the TPMS warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions. The dealer inspected the tires while the warning light was illuminated, and the dealer informed the contact that no failure was found; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer w...
Reporting a potentially dangerous situation related to the vehicle's braking system. This incident happened on [XXX], on [XXX] in around the Fife WA area. The vehicle is an 2021 Audi Q5 hybrid, purchased new and been taking to dealership for service for every service interval. Initially, the vehicle was in adaptive cruise control, speed set at about 60 miles per hour. Then when the vehicle ...
I have had three occurrences where the Automatic Emergency Braking system and Forward Collision system have been activated for no reason. In one case the Q5 braked suddenly, and the seat belts tightened to the point that it made my passengers back sore. Fortunately, no vehicle was following close behind to cause a rear end collision. I another case I was stopped at a traffic light with a car also...
In several instances, my Audi Q5 has erroneously thought there was a road hazard and slammed on the brakes. It was terrifying. Luckily there were not cars close behind or they would have collided with my car. We took it to the dealer who adjusted the system they call “Pre-sense” but the car still slammed on its brakes for no reason a couple of months later.
Gas gauge stuck. Other Audi gas sensors have been recalled.
Every possible warning light came on without notice and the car came to an abrupt halt. Ultimately the front tires locked and the car could not be moved out of park. This happened at Yosemite National Park and was very dangerous. Fortunately I was able to glide most of the car to the side of the road (not all) before the complete shutdown of all systems. The car was towed to our Audi dealer. ...
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5E. The contact stated that the vehicle was initially taken to the dealer due to an accident unrelated to a failure; however, the contact stated that while his vehicle was being serviced at the dealer, he was notified by the technician that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V742000 (Back Over Prevention) however, during the software update, the infotain...
Charging socket lock errors out. Disables charging and inhibits the vehicle’s electric drivability. The vehicle displays the following error: Could not execute action. Locking error in charging system.
During heavy rain storms, the audi windshield wipers will stop whenever the car is at a stop. This occurs at every setting, auto, low or hi Settings. This is very dangerous especially at a stop light or sign. A pedestrian could be walking in front of your vehicle and because your wipers are not operating you could not see the pedestrian walking in front of your car. Very dangerous!
Six months ago received a warning saying Electrical System Failure: safely stop vehicle. Took it to the dealer. They had the vehicle 30+ days and said they had finally fixed it. Almost immediately began receiving the same error message upon driving vehicle again. Called dealer and asked what to do. They said it must be a sensor problem because they replaced everything. Said it could be ignor...
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5 E. The contact stated that when she purchased the vehicle the MMI (Multimedia Interface) system failed to load correctly. The contact stated that the dealer informed her that the system would upload later as the system was not communicating with Audi corporate and she would be able to finish the programming later. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken back t...
When the car was initially purchased in 2021 a fully filled gas tank and fully charged battery gave a total range of approx 400-420 miles. As of recently the fully filled up gas tank and fully charged battery are giving a digital range reading of 368 miles. At the minimum this is a 32 mile to 52 mile range difference. Took it to the dealership on Jan 2023 after noticing an issue in December 2022 a...
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5 E. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle came to a sudden halt as the malfunction indicator light illuminated the instrument panel. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after approximately 15 minutes and drove the vehicle to a dealer(Audi of Quad Cities-1777 E 53rd St, Davenport, IA 52807) where they discovered a defective switch on the...
A/C condenser leaking. Known issue for Audi Q5.
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 ...
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...
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 symptom...
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, a...
Showing 20 of 23 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Audi Q5 E
Has the 2021 AUDI Q5 E been recalled?
No, the 2021 AUDI Q5 E has no recalls on record with NHTSA as of our latest data update.
How many complaints does the 2021 AUDI Q5 E have?
The 2021 AUDI Q5 E has 23 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. 1 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 AUDI Q5 E?
The 2021 AUDI Q5 E does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 AUDI Q5 E?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 AUDI Q5 E involve forward collision avoidance (3 complaints), power train (2 complaints), fuel/propulsion system (2 complaints). Other affected components include power train,engine, tires, service brakes.
How many crash reports does the 2021 AUDI Q5 E have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2021 AUDI Q5 E in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2021 AUDI Q5 E have?
There are no fire reports for the 2021 AUDI Q5 E in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 AUDI Q5 E?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 AUDI Q5 E.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 AUDI Q5 E?
1 injury has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 AUDI Q5 E. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2021 AUDI Q5 E?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 AUDI Q5 E is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 23 complaints, 0 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2021 AUDI Q5 E?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 AUDI Q5 E are: 1. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (3 complaints), 2. POWER TRAIN (2 complaints), 3. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (2 complaints), 4. POWER TRAIN,ENGINE (1 complaints), 5. TIRES (1 complaints). FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE is the single most-reported problem area with 3 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 AUDI Q5 E?
Be cautious of the Forward Collision Avoidance System and transmission malfunctions, which have been reported to cause sudden braking and power loss. The 2021 AUDI Q5 E has 23 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2021 AUDI Q5 E?
The 2021 AUDI Q5 E receives a reliability score of 87/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 23 owner complaints, 0 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Forward Collision Avoidance System Malfunction and Transmission Malfunction.
What are the known issues with the 2021 AUDI Q5 E?
Known issues with the 2021 AUDI Q5 E include: Forward Collision Avoidance System Malfunction, Transmission Malfunction, TPMS Warning Light, Braking System Warning. These are based on patterns found across 23 NHTSA complaints.
What are the common issues with the 2021 Audi Q5 E?
Common issues include Forward Collision Avoidance System malfunctions and transmission malfunctions.
How often do these issues occur?
These issues have been reported to occur moderately frequently.
What should I do if I experience these issues?
Contact your dealer for inspection and repair as soon as possible.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of the Forward Collision Avoidance System and transmission malfunctions, which have been reported to cause sudden braking and power loss.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Audi Q5 E
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Audi Q5 E. The data includes 23 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 0 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 1 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-13