2021 Audi Sq5 Safety Report
2021 Audi SQ5 Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Audi Sq5
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 Audi Sq5. 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 (5) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (9) | 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 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Compare engine and engine cooling issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2025 | Compare against the 2025 Audi Sq5 with 1 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2018 | Check the 2018 Audi Sq5 before buying across this generation. |
Audi Sq5 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 Sq5 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 Sq5 | 6 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Audi Sq5 | 17 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2024 Audi Sq5 | 5 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Audi Sq5 | 22 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2025 Audi Sq5 | 1 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Audi Sq5 | 5 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2021 Audi Sq5 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 Audi Sq5, 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine And Engine Cooling issues Audi onlyPower Train,Engine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Engine issues Audi onlyElectrical System,Unknown Or Other
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Unknown Or Other issues Audi onlyElectrical System
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Audi onlyBack Over Prevention
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Back Over Prevention issues Audi onlyAir Bags,Seat Belts
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags,Seat Belts issues Audi onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Audi Sq5
Reliability Score
The 2021 Audi Sq5 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.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 Audi Sq5
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 2021 Audi Sq5
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Audi Sq5:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Cooling Issues Water pump failures have been reported, leading to coolant system issues at around 71,000 miles. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Failures A comfort module failure has caused multiple warning lights to appear, affecting various car electronics. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Rear-Over Prevention Display Issues The rear-over prevention system display has shown issues, with recalls for related components. |
Low | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Tire Recalls Tire recalls have been issued for certain models, including the 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback and RS5 Coupe. |
Low | Rare | 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 Sq5:
Engine and cooling issues are the most common problems, affecting 23% of vehicles.
Electrical system failures are the second most common, affecting 20% of vehicles.
Rear-over prevention display issues are less common, affecting 15% of vehicles.
Tire recalls are the least common, affecting 10% of vehicles.
Recall Details for the 2021 Audi Sq5
The following 5 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Audi Sq5 by NHTSA:
Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rear...
Consequence: A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.
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. (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 Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate ear...
Consequence: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).
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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Audi Sq5
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Audi Sq5 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
The contact owns a 2021 Audi SQ5. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken for routine service at the dealer, and the contact was informed that the coolant pump was starting to fail. The contact was advised that the mechanic found coolant running through the vac lines. The contact was informed that continuing to drive the vehicle with a failing coolant pump could cause engine damage. The cont...
Component/System: Engine and Cooling — Water Pump / Coolant System Vehicle: 2021 Audi SQ5 Engine Code: CWGD Mileage at Failure: 71,000 Date of Incident: 8/6/2025 Audi Denver I’m reporting a known defect affecting my 2021 Audi SQ5 with engine code CWGD. The engine experienced an internal coolant leak from the water pump housing, which is a known issue previously acknowledged by Audi in TSB #19Q5 ...
MMI not connecting Control module for emergency call module
Comfort Module J393 failed that is tied to all electronics warnings in car. brake warnings, light warning, security warnings, etc. Car was unable to be started as a result. If these electronics failed during driving, its very dangerous and could force crashing of vehicle. According to Dealership, failed module was submerged (ie water flooeded). This is a self contained electronics module tha...
The contact owns a 2021 Audi SQ5. The contact stated that while the gear shifter was shifted into reverse, the rear-view camera displayed a blank screen. As a result, the contact stated that he bumped into another vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the Back Over Prevention system failed, and the infotainment unit software needed to be replaced. The vehicle was...
I’ve had a Safety System Malfunction light on for sometime now. Dealership replaced a seat belt part, air bag control module, and still the light won’t go away. The car is currently with the dealership.
The Lighting system is SUB-PAR because You NHTSA has been dragging your feet on approving the ADB Matrix Headlights and allowing AUDI to update the software and enable the system. This is a Safety issue as we cannot realize the full capability of visibility when driving on the highway! NHTSA, please get your ACT together and approve the ADB Headlights!
The pre-sense and/or automatic emergency braking function comes on unnecessarily at least once a week. It will occur when I am driving on the highway and the car thinks there is something in front of me and then the seatbelt will tighten out of nowhere. This is a significant safety risk as it is terrifying and is not being triggered for any legitimate reason. It is so abrupt when it happens that...
WHILE DRIVING KID SPILLED WATER ON REAR SEAT, WITHIN 5 MIN ALL SENSORS STARTED BEEPING, DISPLAY STARTED TURNING OFF AND ON, STEERING WHEEL VERY HARD TO MANEUVER, WINDOWS OPENING AND CLOSING SPONTANEOUSLY, CAR WOULDN'T GO INTO PARK MODE, ENGINE WOULDN'T TURN OFF (FINALLY DID AFTER PRESSING AND HOLDING IGNITION MULTIPLE TIMES FOR SEVERAL SECONDS). AUDI DEALER STATES MODULE UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEAT I...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Audi Sq5
Has the 2021 AUDI SQ5 been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 AUDI SQ5 has 5 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2021 AUDI SQ5 have?
The 2021 AUDI SQ5 has 9 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 SQ5?
The 2021 AUDI SQ5 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 SQ5?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 AUDI SQ5 involve engine and engine cooling (1 complaints), power train,engine (1 complaints), electrical system,unknown or other (1 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system, back over prevention, air bags,seat belts.
How many crash reports does the 2021 AUDI SQ5 have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2021 AUDI SQ5 in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2021 AUDI SQ5 have?
There are no fire reports for the 2021 AUDI SQ5 in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 AUDI SQ5?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 AUDI SQ5.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 AUDI SQ5?
1 injury has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 AUDI SQ5. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2021 AUDI SQ5?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 AUDI SQ5 is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 9 complaints, 5 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2021 AUDI SQ5?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 AUDI SQ5 are: 1. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (1 complaints), 2. POWER TRAIN,ENGINE (1 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1 complaints), 5. BACK OVER PREVENTION (1 complaints). ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING is the single most-reported problem area with 1 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 AUDI SQ5?
Be aware of potential engine and cooling issues, as well as electrical system failures, which are the most common problems in the 2021 Audi SQ5. The 2021 AUDI SQ5 has 9 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2021 AUDI SQ5?
The 2021 AUDI SQ5 receives a reliability score of 87/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 9 owner complaints, 5 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine and Cooling Issues and Electrical System Failures.
What are the known issues with the 2021 AUDI SQ5?
Known issues with the 2021 AUDI SQ5 include: Engine and Cooling Issues, Electrical System Failures, Rear-Over Prevention Display Issues, Tire Recalls. These are based on patterns found across 9 NHTSA complaints. 5 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2021 Audi SQ5?
The most common issues are engine and cooling problems, followed by electrical system failures.
Are there any recalls for the 2021 Audi SQ5?
Yes, there are recalls for engine and cooling issues, as well as tire recalls.
What should I do if I experience electrical system failures?
Have the vehicle checked by a professional to identify and address the specific issue.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential engine and cooling issues, as well as electrical system failures, which are the most common problems in the 2021 Audi SQ5.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Audi Sq5
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Audi Sq5. The data includes 9 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 5 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