2014 Audi SQ5

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2014 Audi SQ5 has 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is steering problems (31% of all complaints), specifically: right after starting the car steering locked, like it's lost power boost, with a message "steering failure". *tr.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

STEERING

4 complaints

31%

• RIGHT AFTER STARTING THE CAR STEERING LOCKED, LIKE IT'S LOST POWER BOOST, WITH A MESSAGE "STEERING FAILURE". *TR
• THIS IS MY SECOND FAILURE EVENT LOOSING STEERING ON MY 2014 SQ5. TWO YEARS AGO I POSTED THE 1ST EVENT. THE DEALER ORDERED NEW RACK AND PINION FROM GERMANY WHICH FIXED IT....TEMPORARILY. HERE TWO YEARS LATER NOW JANUARY 2016, THIS 2ND EVENT I WAS NOT DRIVING. UPON STARTING THE CAR THE DISPLAY LIT UP
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 AUDI SQ5. BEFORE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V452000 (STEERING). WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE OUT OF THE PARKING LOT, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUDI BEVERLY HILLS (2340 S

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“RIGHT AFTER STARTING THE CAR STEERING LOCKED, LIKE IT'S LOST POWER BOOST, WITH A MESSAGE "STEERING FAILURE". *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

3 complaints

23%

• WE HAVE A 2014 AUDI SQ-5 THAT SURGES INTERMITTENTLY FROM A FEATHERED THROTTLE. THIS IS A VERY STRONG FORWARD LURCH THAT MAKES THIS CAR DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN TIGHT TRAFFIC CONDITIONS OR IN A PARKING LOT OR ANY TIME YOU DO NOT HAVE A LOT OF ROOM IN FRONT OF THE CAR. THIS HAPPENS LESS THAN 1/100 FEAT
• UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES DRIVING TO OR FROM LOS ANGELES TO PHOENIX, THE FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONS AND THE CAR SHUTS DOWN. IT STARTS AGAIN AFTER VEHICLE COOLS DOWN. THE FIRST TIME IT SHUT DOWN AT BLYTHE CALIFORNIA AND THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE AUDI DEALER IN RANCHO MIRAGE. DIAGNOSTIC SHOWED NO ISSUE
• FUEL PUMP STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING. HAPPENED TWICE IN ONE TRIP AND FORTUNATELY WAS ON ROADS WITH LOW TRAFFIC.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WE HAVE A 2014 AUDI SQ-5 THAT SURGES INTERMITTENTLY FROM A FEATHERED THROTTLE. THIS IS A VERY STRONG FORWARD LURCH THAT MAKES THIS CAR DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN TIGHT TRAFFIC CONDITIONS OR IN A PARKING LOT OR ANY TIME YOU DO NOT HAVE A LOT OF ROOM IN FRONT OF THE CAR. THIS HAPPENS LESS THAN 1/100 FEAT”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SUSPENSION

2 complaints

15%

• I have a 2014 Audi sq5. Had vehicle in for service today and the tech discovered a huge rust hole in the rear subframe on both the left and right sides under the plastic shielding. This is a huge safety issue and this is not normal on a 10 year old vehicle to have this massive rust problem. After do
• After seeing the rear subframe of a 2014 Audi Q5 nearly split in half due to rust, causing vehicle handling and steering issues, I inspected the rear subframe of my 2014 Audi SQ5 and found similar rust, though not quite as bad. The plastic gravel guards that use plastic rivets to attach to the rear

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“I have a 2014 Audi sq5. Had vehicle in for service today and the tech discovered a huge rust hole in the rear subframe on both the left and right sides under the plastic shielding. This is a huge safety issue and this is not normal on a 10 year old vehicle to have this massive rust problem. After do”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

1 complaints

• WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE I HEARD A TAPPING / KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND AS I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE THE SOUND BECAME LOUDER AND FASTER THEN SUDDENLY WITHOUT ANY LIGHTS OR NOTIFICATION THE ENGINE PRODUCED A LOUD BOOM, WHITE SMOKE PLUME AND THE ENGINE LOCKED UP. MEANWHILE THE SMELL OF OIL

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE I HEARD A TAPPING / KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND AS I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE THE SOUND BECAME LOUDER AND FASTER THEN SUDDENLY WITHOUT ANY LIGHTS OR NOTIFICATION THE ENGINE PRODUCED A LOUD BOOM, WHITE SMOKE PLUME AND THE ENGINE LOCKED UP. MEANWHILE THE SMELL OF OIL”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

1 complaints

• WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE I HEARD A TAPPING / KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND AS I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE THE SOUND BECAME LOUDER AND FASTER THEN SUDDENLY WITHOUT ANY LIGHTS OR NOTIFICATION THE ENGINE PRODUCED A LOUD BOOM, WHITE SMOKE PLUME AND THE ENGINE LOCKED UP. MEANWHILE THE SMELL OF OIL

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 13 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
STEERING: RIGHT AFTER STARTING THE CAR STEERING LOCKED, LIKE IT'S LOST POWER BOOST, WITH A MESSAGE "STEERING FAILURE". *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: WE HAVE A 2014 AUDI SQ-5 THAT SURGES INTERMITTENTLY FROM A FEATHERED THROTTLE. THIS IS A VERY STRONG FORWARD LURCH THAT MAKES THIS CAR DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN TIGHT TRAFFIC CONDITIONS OR IN A PARKING LOT OR ANY TIME YOU DO NOT HAVE A LOT OF ROOM IN FRONT OF THE CAR. THIS HAPPENS LESS THAN 1/100 FEAT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: I have a 2014 Audi sq5. Had vehicle in for service today and the tech discovered a huge rust hole in the rear subframe on both the left and right sides under the plastic shielding. This is a huge safety issue and this is not normal on a 10 year old vehicle to have this massive rust problem. After do
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE I HEARD A TAPPING / KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND AS I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE THE SOUND BECAME LOUDER AND FASTER THEN SUDDENLY WITHOUT ANY LIGHTS OR NOTIFICATION THE ENGINE PRODUCED A LOUD BOOM, WHITE SMOKE PLUME AND THE ENGINE LOCKED UP. MEANWHILE THE SMELL OF OIL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)