2020 Audi Q5 Safety Report
2020 Audi Q5 Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2020 Audi Q5
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2020 Audi Q5. 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 | High (6) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (22) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 4 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2024 | Compare against the 2024 Audi Q5 with 16 complaints and 4 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2018 | Check the 2018 Audi Q5 before buying across this generation. |
Audi Q5 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 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Audi Q5 | 63 | 8 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Audi Q5 | 41 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Audi Q5 | 189 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Audi Q5 | 23 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Audi Q5 | 40 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2024 Audi Q5 | 16 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2020 Audi Q5 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2020 Audi Q5, 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.
Unknown Or Other
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Audi onlyEngine
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Audi onlyElectrical System
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Audi onlySteering,Electrical System,Service Brakes
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering,Electrical System,Service Brakes issues Audi onlyUnknown Or Other,Forward Collision Avoidance
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Audi onlyPower Train
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Audi onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2020 Audi Q5
Reliability Score
The 2020 Audi Q5 receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2020 Audi Q5
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2020 Audi Q5
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2020 Audi Q5:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System Recalls have been issued for issues with the propulsion system charging and body control module/BCM, affecting the vehicle's performance and safety. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Steering There have been reports of steering issues, though no specific recalls have been issued for this component. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Service Brakes Issues with service brakes have been reported, affecting the vehicle's braking performance. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Seatbelt Harness There have been reports of seatbelt harness issues, including coming loose, which can compromise occupant safety. |
High | Occasional | 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 2020 Audi Q5:
Issues with the electrical system, including propulsion system charging and body control module/BCM, are the most common problems reported.
Steering issues are reported but less frequently than electrical system problems.
Service brake issues are reported but less frequently than electrical system problems.
Seatbelt harness issues are reported but less frequently than electrical system problems.
Recall Details for the 2020 Audi Q5
The following 6 recalls have been issued for the 2020 Audi Q5 by NHTSA:
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 RS e-tron GT, e-tron GT, Q4 e-tron Sportback, Q4 e-tron, 2020-2021 Audi A8, 2019-2024 e-tron Quattro, 2020-2024 e-tron Sportback Quattro, Q5, and 2021-2022 A7 vehicles. When using the industrial 220V/240V plug at the 100% charge setting, some home power outlets may be incapable of handling the electrical current required to utilize the compact charging system, causing the outlet or charging cable to overheat.
Consequence: An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to use the 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable and only use the 110V home charging cable or public charging stations. Dealers will supply a new 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable with an incorporated temperature sensor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's...
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi SQ5 and 2018-2020 Audi Q5 vehicles. The rear wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach from the vehicle.
Consequence: The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four clips securing the forward part of the rear wheel arch trim, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 66K8.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2020 Audi Q5
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2020 Audi Q5 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 3 complaints involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 3 reported injuries or fatalities.
Traffic stopped very quickly. The automatic breaking did not engage, resulting in a crash and a total loss of the vehicle. I bought the Audi due to quality safety features so this incident was very disappointing and costly for our family.
Purchased a 2020 Audi Q5 sold as-is. Within 30 days, the transmission malfunctioned and the vehicle lost power. A dealer estimated repairs would cost around $27,000. This sudden loss of drive ability poses a safety risk.
I purchased a pre-owned Audi in August 2023 from a franchised dealer. I was explicitly told there were no open recalls or issues. In May 2024, the vehicle suffered a complete electrical failure during use—warning lights flashed, wipers activated on their own, the steering wheel moved without input, and the windows opened/closed erratically. It was inoperable and could not shift into neutral. A fla...
The seatbelt comes loose and Nuna sent me a pad and screwdriver and refused to replace the seat. The harness won’t stay tight and I do not trust the seat to be safe for my child
Without warning, on [XXX, my 2020 Audi Q5 stopped working. I called Audi Care, who arranged a tow to the nearest Audi dealer, the Q5 was under manufacturer warranty. Audi had previously recalled its gateway control module; resolution, put a bag over the part. Audi completed the “fix” upon recall. Failure of that part is catastrophic; it renders the vehicle disabled; it cannot even be put into Neut...
My dealership informed me that my tires were feathering at the edges and wearing unevenly. I found information that there was a recall for this problem. There was a recall (4215) that stated there was a misalignment in the suspension creating the uneven wearing. This included my car model. I need information regarding why my car isn't listed for the recall. The car does have a weird skip in makin...
On 12-18-2024, I brought a Audi Q5 2020 from Lynbrook Audi dealership in New york, approximately weeks after the vehicle engine oil light came on to replenish engine oil. I notified the sales representative of the issue, he stated that the vehicle was serviced on 09-2023. After our conversation the vehicle engine oil light continue to light up for oil replenish every 2 to 3 weeks for the past 7 mo...
Subject: Formal Complaint Regarding Vehicle Safety Issue with 2020 Audi Q5 Dear National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding a critical safety issue with my 2020 Audi Q5, as advised by the New York State Division of Consumer Protection. Please find attached a copy of the Division's correspondence dated May 21, 2024, concerning my initial com...
We were driving today at around 11:30am and all of a sudden the “Audi Presense” light came on at the same time the car brakes abruptly slowed down the car for about 5 seconds or so and then released. Today is a beautiful sunny day and there were no vehicles anywhere or anything in roadway on the road we were traveling on. The jerking /abrupt slowdown really surprised us. We will go to Audi dealer ...
The contact owns a 2020 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera image was intermittently blank or distorted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and to a second dealer, Santa Monica Audi (1020 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401), on several occasions; however, the dealers were unable to duplicate the failure. The dealers replaced the rearview camera twice...
Stopped on the road, the rear window exploded with a very loud boom. I pulled over and talked to the driver behind me who also pulled over and asked if he saw anything, he said no, only heard the boom. We looked in the back of the car and no projectile or foreign object. I moved to a nearby parking lot and pushed as much of the broken glass into the car as I could so it wouldn't fall off on the...
Incident occurred as I was waiting third in line to add fuel to my Audi. Usually when I am in a long wait I put my vehicle in neutral and to move forward then I have to put my foot on brake to change gears. In this incident I did just that when car in front moved up, but the car suddenly accelerated forward quickly and hit with force the car in front. I put car in reverse to back off with intent t...
I have this car and it "drinks" about 300mL of coolant between 800-1000 miles. I have to add coolant once a while, but not much... Went to the dealership and they did an inspection and pressure test and came back all normal. They told me the car will use coolant during summer?! I see many other people having similar issues on the Audi Forum. Please investigate as VW tends to make poor-quality wate...
The car was constantly smelling like smoke. It felt like it was going to catch fire. I got it serviced when it had to be serviced at 15k but Audi dealership did not warn of any recall and mentioned everything was great with the car. In the end I had to sell the car which was in April, 22 because I didn’t feel safe driving the car anymore. I would also constantly get airbag being deployed warnings ...
Sun roof exploded for no reason. No rock hit it, driving on the highway with no other cars around
The hood has opened 3 different times with no warning while driving down the road.
Yesterday I driving my AUDI Q5 2020 on the expressway , then with no warning multiple warning and error messages suddenly appeared on dashboard. The Entire car immediately shut down in middle of the expressway, no time for me to put on my hazard, no time for me to safely pull over ..With difficulty moving it to safety. The car wouldn't start and I was in the middle of the expressway which put ...
Gateway control modular failure. At dealer currently. We took pictures. Multiple reports of the exact same thing on Audi forums online. Audi confirmed same issue. While driving car it suddenly stopped and the emergency brake was automatically applied. No warning, no way to Live the car to safety, all the warning lights began to flash, windows started to rolling up and down. Then the car just ...
On July 14, 2020, my daughter and I drove my leased Audi Q5 to Cari’s sister’s home. As I pulled in the driveway, and before I turned off the vehicle and exited the car, smoke began to billow from the engine compartment and enter the interior. My daughter and I were suddenly engulfed by white smoke, and evacuated the vehicle immediately. With the use of a garden hose and fire extinguishers, my sis...
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2020 AUDI Q5. IT WAS 6 WEEKS OLD AND HAD ABOUT 2300 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. WHEN PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE CAR DIED. I COULD NOT GET IT STARTED NO MATTER WHAT I DID. I COULD NOT EVEN GET THE FLASHERS TO TURN ON (TO THE IRE OF THOSE TRYING TO EXIT THE LOT.) AFTER HAVING IT TOWED (I WAS ON VACATION, NO LESS!) I LEARNED THAT THE ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM...
Showing 20 of 22 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2020 Audi Q5
Has the 2020 AUDI Q5 been recalled?
Yes, the 2020 AUDI Q5 has 6 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2020 AUDI Q5 have?
The 2020 AUDI Q5 has 22 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 3 involved crashes. 3 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 AUDI Q5?
The 2020 AUDI Q5 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 AUDI Q5?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2020 AUDI Q5 involve unknown or other (3 complaints), engine (3 complaints), electrical system (2 complaints). Other affected components include steering,electrical system,service brakes, unknown or other,forward collision avoidance, power train.
How many crash reports does the 2020 AUDI Q5 have?
There are 3 crash reports associated with the 2020 AUDI Q5 out of 22 total complaints (13.6% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2020 AUDI Q5 have?
There are 1 fire reports for the 2020 AUDI Q5 out of 22 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2020 AUDI Q5?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 AUDI Q5.
How many injuries are reported for the 2020 AUDI Q5?
3 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 AUDI Q5. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2020 AUDI Q5?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2020 AUDI Q5 is acceptable with caveats. It has 22 complaints, 6 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2020 AUDI Q5?
The components with the most failures on the 2020 AUDI Q5 are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3 complaints), 2. ENGINE (3 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2 complaints), 4. STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES (2 complaints), 5. UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 3 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2020 AUDI Q5?
Be cautious of electrical system issues, particularly with propulsion system charging and body control module/BCM. Regular maintenance is crucial to ensure the safety and performance of your 2020 Audi Q5. The 2020 AUDI Q5 has 22 NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2020 AUDI Q5?
The 2020 AUDI Q5 receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 22 owner complaints, 6 recalls, and 4 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Electrical System and Steering.
What are the known issues with the 2020 AUDI Q5?
Known issues with the 2020 AUDI Q5 include: Electrical System, Steering, Service Brakes, Seatbelt Harness. These are based on patterns found across 22 NHTSA complaints. 6 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common safety issues with the 2020 Audi Q5?
The most common safety issues include electrical system problems, steering issues, and service brake issues.
Are there any recalls for the 2020 Audi Q5?
Yes, there have been recalls for issues with the propulsion system charging, body control module/BCM, and rear axle assembly.
What should I do if I experience electrical system issues with my 2020 Audi Q5?
Contact your local Audi dealer for inspection and repair to address any electrical system issues promptly.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of electrical system issues, particularly with propulsion system charging and body control module/BCM. Regular maintenance is crucial to ensure the safety and performance of your 2020 Audi Q5.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2020 Audi Q5
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2020 Audi Q5. The data includes 22 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 6 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 3 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2020 Audi Q5 an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
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