2021 Audi Q5
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2021 Audi Q5 has 105 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.3x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: 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 o.
105
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.3x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
ELECTRICAL
25 complaints- • 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 O
- • Driver was with 2 passengers (3 young females) driving in a new 2021 Audi Q5 (less than 5 months old and less than 6000 miles) at about 70 mph on Garden State Parkway in NJ. A brake malfunction warning light appeared on the dashboard and within 5 seconds the car completely shut down in the middle la
- • On August 19th, we drove our Audi through heavy rain early in the day on Interstate 90 to go to Mass General Hospital. It was then parked in their covered parking garage. When we went to return home, we were on the entrance ramp to I 90 East and suddenly the car displayed messages of brake failure,
“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 O”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ENGINE
16 complaints- • 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 O
- • 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
- • 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
“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 O”
— NHTSA complaint filing
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS
16 complaints- • when using cruise control, the vehicle suddenly brakes. If set a 70mph it will jam on the brakes and reset to 45 mph. This has caused near rear collisions. This is a recurring problem,.Audi service tried 3 times to identify the problem. Google has other owners with the same problem.
- • The backup camera in the car randomly stops working while driving in reverse. These cameras are mandated by federal law and malfunctions can lead to collision with unforeseen living beings while backing up. The MMI screen also goes completely white/blue while driving forward. Additionally, the adas
- • The backup camera in the car randomly stops working while driving in reverse. These cameras are mandated by federal law and malfunctions can lead to collision with unforeseen living beings while backing up. The MMI screen also goes completely white/blue while driving forward. Additionally, the adas
“when using cruise control, the vehicle suddenly brakes. If set a 70mph it will jam on the brakes and reset to 45 mph. This has caused near rear collisions. This is a recurring problem,.Audi service tried 3 times to identify the problem. Google has other owners with the same problem.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
TRANSMISSION
12 complaints- • 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 O
- • I leased a 2021 Audi Q5 (VIN: WA1BAAFY7M2[XXX]) in November 2020. 2021 Audi Q5 has gateway module underneath the middle row seat. The gateway module is like the brain of the car and if it stops working the car stops - basically the car is brain dead. In my case, I was driving the car with my family
- • 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
“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 O”
— NHTSA complaint filing
OTHER
9 complaints- • My 2021 Audi Q5 has a manufacturing recall (Safety Recall 42L1 - Rear Axle Trailing Arm Lock Nut) on it and my dealer cancelled my appointment and informed me that they will not perform the recall repair unless I schedule (something that I have to pay for) at the same time - they will not perform th
- • The backup camera in the car randomly stops working while driving in reverse. These cameras are mandated by federal law and malfunctions can lead to collision with unforeseen living beings while backing up. The MMI screen also goes completely white/blue while driving forward. Additionally, the adas
- • My sunroof exploded while I was driving. No apparent cause and it was not a hot day.. 79 degrees. Glass landed all over me, my passengers seat and the back seat. I was startled and confused and was fortunate that no cars were near me.I was 2 miles from home and did not call police but paid almost
“My 2021 Audi Q5 has a manufacturing recall (Safety Recall 42L1 - Rear Axle Trailing Arm Lock Nut) on it and my dealer cancelled my appointment and informed me that they will not perform the recall repair unless I schedule (something that I have to pay for) at the same time - they will not perform th”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 105 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: 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 O
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: 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 O
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: when using cruise control, the vehicle suddenly brakes. If set a 70mph it will jam on the brakes and reset to 45 mph. This has caused near rear collisions. This is a recurring problem,.Audi service tried 3 times to identify the problem. Google has other owners with the same problem.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: 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 O
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Audi Q5 — Year Comparison
How does 2021 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 105
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 3
- Injury reports
- 3
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2021 Audi Q5