Is the 2019 Audi SQ5 reliable?

The 2019 Audi SQ5 has 25 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: BRAKES problems.

What are common problems with the 2019 Audi SQ5?

Top problems: BRAKES (4 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (3 complaints, avg repair $500); LIGHTING (3 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2019 Audi SQ5?

Yes, there are 5 recall(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM, WHEELS:HUB, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, STRUCTURE:BODY, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER. Contact any Audi dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2019 Audi SQ5?

The 2019 Audi SQ5 gets 21 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2286. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2019 Audi SQ5?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2019 Audi SQ5 is approximately $2,260/year (suv-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2019 Audi SQ5

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2019 Audi SQ5 has 25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.1x the segment average of 12. 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. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year.

1 crash report

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

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

Recalls (5)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM08/12/2021

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.

Risk: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2019 Audi SQ5

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,286

Per month

$191

Per mile

19.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,527/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,001/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2019 Audi SQ5

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,260

Full coverage / month

$188

Liability only / year

$732

vs US avg

+35%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-luxury)1.35x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$2260

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Audi SQ5 Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

10K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

40K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

40K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

40K mi

Long-interval service (LongLife) uses fully-synthetic oil. Some engines have timing belts (check owner's manual).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Audi New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

12 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

Corrosion coverage is unlimited miles for 12 years

These are the terms for a new Audi. If you're buying a used 2019 SQ5, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Audi dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

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
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Audi dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)