2018 Audi SQ5

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Audi SQ5 has 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.4x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: backup camera defaults to a black graphic view in stead of camera. almost in multiple accidents as i had to switch to camera after every start while backing up in parking lots..

2 crash reports 4 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ELECTRICAL

7 complaints

20%

• BACKUP CAMERA DEFAULTS TO A BLACK GRAPHIC VIEW IN STEAD OF CAMERA. ALMOST IN MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS AS I HAD TO SWITCH TO CAMERA AFTER EVERY START WHILE BACKING UP IN PARKING LOTS.
• The car windows were down the windshield wipers were running the front lights were on and parking brake light is flashing. I'm not sure how water was sitting where the spare tire was located. As I researched it stated it may be a faulty comfort module.
• The contact owns a 2018 Audi SQ 5. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH in rainy weather, several unknown warning lights started blinking and the rear windshield wiper independently activated, and contact was unable to turn off the rear windshield wiper. The contact pulled over on the side on the

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

“BACKUP CAMERA DEFAULTS TO A BLACK GRAPHIC VIEW IN STEAD OF CAMERA. ALMOST IN MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS AS I HAD TO SWITCH TO CAMERA AFTER EVERY START WHILE BACKING UP IN PARKING LOTS.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

5 complaints

14%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 AUDI SQ5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ABRUPTLY STOP. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES IN THE VICINITY AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE
• Two issues: 1. Phantom braking, sudden deceleration, vehicle came to a rapid complete stop on road. Audi assist light came on. Road Conditions: clear, dry, very good visibility for night conditions. 2. While driving at highway speed, i.e. 65 MPH, the transmission disengaged temporarily for severa
• The Forward Collision Warning system in my 2018 Audi SQ5 is meant to autonomously apply the vehicle's brakes in the event the car senses an oncoming forward collision. At least five different times over the past five months, my vehicle's Forward Collision Warning system activated and applied the br

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 AUDI SQ5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ABRUPTLY STOP. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES IN THE VICINITY AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

4 complaints

11%

• THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE WITH THE GARAGE DOOR OPEN AND WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED BY A NEIGHBOR THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ROLLED FORWARD OUT OF THE GARAGE DOWN A SMALL INCLINED DRIVEWAY, CROSSED THE STREET, AND CRASHED INTO THE CORNER OF T
• MY CAR KEEPS SAYING PLEASE REDUCE OIL LEVEL
• Twice in the past 5 months my stop/start system has malfunctioned. While rolling to a stop my car had died, reports a malfunction and will only start again after 5-7 attempts. The first time this happened I was at a stop light and could have been hit from the rear. The second time this happened I wa

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE WITH THE GARAGE DOOR OPEN AND WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED BY A NEIGHBOR THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ROLLED FORWARD OUT OF THE GARAGE DOWN A SMALL INCLINED DRIVEWAY, CROSSED THE STREET, AND CRASHED INTO THE CORNER OF T”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

4 complaints

11%

• The car windows were down the windshield wipers were running the front lights were on and parking brake light is flashing. I'm not sure how water was sitting where the spare tire was located. As I researched it stated it may be a faulty comfort module.
• Oil leaking from the engine. Mechanic determined that it was the Filter Housing. They replaced the filter housing and since then, the problem is all good. I spent over $5000 to identify this problem and get it repaired.
• During a rainstorm, water drained from roof drains that are apparently supposed to be cleaned & maintenance done by dealership on a regular basis but were clogged due to them not being any maintenance done. Water shorted out the entire control module for the entire vehicle computer after leaking in

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

“The car windows were down the windshield wipers were running the front lights were on and parking brake light is flashing. I'm not sure how water was sitting where the spare tire was located. As I researched it stated it may be a faulty comfort module.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

LIGHTING

3 complaints

• The car windows were down the windshield wipers were running the front lights were on and parking brake light is flashing. I'm not sure how water was sitting where the spare tire was located. As I researched it stated it may be a faulty comfort module.
• After a hard rainstorm the Comfort System Control Module (CCM) errored apparently from getting wet from a clogged sun roof drainage line, causing water to enter the rear left side compartment in which the CCM is housed (behind the insulation). The entire area is still damp 3 days later, and water is
• Car's electrical system fried overnight during a rainstorm. All systems unresponsive to keys or key faub. Car was towed to used dealership and they told me due to drainage system blockage a pool of water collected in rear battery compartment and submerged the battery.

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

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 35 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: BACKUP CAMERA DEFAULTS TO A BLACK GRAPHIC VIEW IN STEAD OF CAMERA. ALMOST IN MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS AS I HAD TO SWITCH TO CAMERA AFTER EVERY START WHILE BACKING UP IN PARKING LOTS.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 AUDI SQ5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ABRUPTLY STOP. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES IN THE VICINITY AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE WITH THE GARAGE DOOR OPEN AND WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED BY A NEIGHBOR THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ROLLED FORWARD OUT OF THE GARAGE DOWN A SMALL INCLINED DRIVEWAY, CROSSED THE STREET, AND CRASHED INTO THE CORNER OF T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: The car windows were down the windshield wipers were running the front lights were on and parking brake light is flashing. I'm not sure how water was sitting where the spare tire was located. As I researched it stated it may be a faulty comfort module.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)