2019 Audi SQ5

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2019 Audi SQ5 has 25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is brakes problems (16% of all complaints), specifically: on a suburban street that i regularly drive on with no car nearer than 100 yards in front of me and fortunately no car behind me the audi presense system actuated slamming on the brakes and flashing a red triangle in the driver information screen. if a car had been followed behind me i would've been.

1 crash report

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

BRAKES

4 complaints

16%

• ON A SUBURBAN STREET THAT I REGULARLY DRIVE ON WITH NO CAR NEARER THAN 100 YARDS IN FRONT OF ME AND FORTUNATELY NO CAR BEHIND ME THE AUDI PRESENSE SYSTEM ACTUATED SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES AND FLASHING A RED TRIANGLE IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION SCREEN. IF A CAR HAD BEEN FOLLOWED BEHIND ME I WOULD'VE BEEN
• CARS DASH BOARD GO WILL GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. COMPLETELY DISABLING ALL GAUGES UNTIL IT RESETS. BLUEGRASS AUDI CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE IT. I ASKED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO TO BE CONTACTED BY AUDI BUT I WAS NEVER CONTACTED. AUDI BLUEGRASS HAS HAD THE CAR2-3 TIMES NOW WITH NO SOLUTION. THIS ALSO INCLUDES ONE T
• ISSUES WITH AUTO BREAKING IN REVERSE CAR WILL SOMETIMES STOP ABRUPTLY WHILE BACKING UP WHEN NO OTHER VEHICLES OR PEOPLE ARE PRESENT.

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

“ON A SUBURBAN STREET THAT I REGULARLY DRIVE ON WITH NO CAR NEARER THAN 100 YARDS IN FRONT OF ME AND FORTUNATELY NO CAR BEHIND ME THE AUDI PRESENSE SYSTEM ACTUATED SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES AND FLASHING A RED TRIANGLE IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION SCREEN. IF A CAR HAD BEEN FOLLOWED BEHIND ME I WOULD'VE BEEN”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

3 complaints

12%

• THE TRUNK LID HAS OPENED ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE NIGHT TIME, SOME SMALL CARGO (MADE OF PLASTIC) FELL OUT OF THE TRUNK AND WAS DESTROYED BY THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME AND IN ADJACENT LANE WHILE CREATING SOME MINOR ROAD HAZARD. INSTANTLY PULLED OVER ON A SOFT SHOULDER, PUT THE
• CARS DASH BOARD GO WILL GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. COMPLETELY DISABLING ALL GAUGES UNTIL IT RESETS. BLUEGRASS AUDI CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE IT. I ASKED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO TO BE CONTACTED BY AUDI BUT I WAS NEVER CONTACTED. AUDI BLUEGRASS HAS HAD THE CAR2-3 TIMES NOW WITH NO SOLUTION. THIS ALSO INCLUDES ONE T
• The rear brake lights on my 2019 Audi SQ5 stopped functioning due to a failure of the Comfort System Central Control Module (J393). This defect is documented by Audi in Technical Service Bulletin 2055123/5 and earlier versions. The malfunction causes the “rear lighting warning” to appear in the inst

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

“THE TRUNK LID HAS OPENED ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE NIGHT TIME, SOME SMALL CARGO (MADE OF PLASTIC) FELL OUT OF THE TRUNK AND WAS DESTROYED BY THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME AND IN ADJACENT LANE WHILE CREATING SOME MINOR ROAD HAZARD. INSTANTLY PULLED OVER ON A SOFT SHOULDER, PUT THE ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

LIGHTING

3 complaints

12%

• THE TRUNK LID HAS OPENED ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE NIGHT TIME, SOME SMALL CARGO (MADE OF PLASTIC) FELL OUT OF THE TRUNK AND WAS DESTROYED BY THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME AND IN ADJACENT LANE WHILE CREATING SOME MINOR ROAD HAZARD. INSTANTLY PULLED OVER ON A SOFT SHOULDER, PUT THE
• First, the tail lights malfunctioned randomly. Both tail lights were out due to some software error that eventually resolved after a week. Thankfully this was covered by Audi, and there is a redundant tail light system in place. The error just suddenly came up and all main tail lights and turning si
• 2019 Audi SQ5 Tail Lights, Brake Lights and rear blinker failure. All lights inoperable with errors and warnings appearing on the dashboard display. Failed while driving home from a weekend trip in the evening approximately 1 hour from home. Had a friend follow behind me to reduce risk of any issues

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

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

3 complaints

12%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 AUDI SQ5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE SOS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY AUDI ROCKLIN LOCATED AT 4448 GRANITE DRIVE, ROCKLIN, CA 95677, TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICAT
• Piston skirt recall and warranty. Bulletin number AWA-25-08. Needs investigated. Based off average Audi owner statistics along with NHTSA statistics, when this bulletin was released in August of 2025, over 60% of vehicles with this 3.0T engine code EA839 would be disqualified from repairs for under
• There’s a knocking noise coming from the engine that could lead to potential engine failure. There is a known manufacturers defect in these engines. Audi has extended a warranty, but not all cars are eligible. This should be a recall because if the engine fails on a high speed through a highway, it

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 AUDI SQ5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE SOS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY AUDI ROCKLIN LOCATED AT 4448 GRANITE DRIVE, ROCKLIN, CA 95677, TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICAT”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BODY/STRUCTURE

2 complaints

• THE TRUNK LID HAS OPENED ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE NIGHT TIME, SOME SMALL CARGO (MADE OF PLASTIC) FELL OUT OF THE TRUNK AND WAS DESTROYED BY THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME AND IN ADJACENT LANE WHILE CREATING SOME MINOR ROAD HAZARD. INSTANTLY PULLED OVER ON A SOFT SHOULDER, PUT THE
• The contact owns a 2019 Audi SQ5. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the front passenger’s side wheel flare detached. The driver’s side wheel flare was loosened. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer wa

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

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 25 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: ON A SUBURBAN STREET THAT I REGULARLY DRIVE ON WITH NO CAR NEARER THAN 100 YARDS IN FRONT OF ME AND FORTUNATELY NO CAR BEHIND ME THE AUDI PRESENSE SYSTEM ACTUATED SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES AND FLASHING A RED TRIANGLE IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION SCREEN. IF A CAR HAD BEEN FOLLOWED BEHIND ME I WOULD'VE BEEN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: THE TRUNK LID HAS OPENED ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE NIGHT TIME, SOME SMALL CARGO (MADE OF PLASTIC) FELL OUT OF THE TRUNK AND WAS DESTROYED BY THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME AND IN ADJACENT LANE WHILE CREATING SOME MINOR ROAD HAZARD. INSTANTLY PULLED OVER ON A SOFT SHOULDER, PUT THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
LIGHTING: THE TRUNK LID HAS OPENED ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE NIGHT TIME, SOME SMALL CARGO (MADE OF PLASTIC) FELL OUT OF THE TRUNK AND WAS DESTROYED BY THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME AND IN ADJACENT LANE WHILE CREATING SOME MINOR ROAD HAZARD. INSTANTLY PULLED OVER ON A SOFT SHOULDER, PUT THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 AUDI SQ5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE SOS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY AUDI ROCKLIN LOCATED AT 4448 GRANITE DRIVE, ROCKLIN, CA 95677, TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICAT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)