Is the 2021 Audi SQ5 reliable?

The 2021 Audi SQ5 has 18 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.5x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2021 Audi SQ5?

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

Are there any recalls on the 2021 Audi SQ5?

Yes, there are 5 recall(s): SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR, TIRES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM, SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY, BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION. Contact any Audi dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Audi SQ5?

The 2021 Audi SQ5 gets 20 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2400. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2021 Audi SQ5?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2021 Audi SQ5 is approximately $2,373/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.

2021 Audi SQ5

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2021 Audi SQ5 has 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.5x the segment average of 12. The most common issue is electrical problems (22% of all complaints), specifically: while driving kid spilled water on rear seat, within 5 min all sensors started beeping, display started turning off and on, steering wheel very hard to maneuver, windows opening and closing spontaneously, car wouldn't go into park mode, engine wouldn't turn off (finally did after pressing and holdin. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year.

1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

4 complaints

22%

• WHILE DRIVING KID SPILLED WATER ON REAR SEAT, WITHIN 5 MIN ALL SENSORS STARTED BEEPING, DISPLAY STARTED TURNING OFF AND ON, STEERING WHEEL VERY HARD TO MANEUVER, WINDOWS OPENING AND CLOSING SPONTANEOUSLY, CAR WOULDN'T GO INTO PARK MODE, ENGINE WOULDN'T TURN OFF (FINALLY DID AFTER PRESSING AND HOLDIN
• Comfort Module J393 failed that is tied to all electronics warnings in car. brake warnings, light warning, security warnings, etc. Car was unable to be started as a result. If these electronics failed during driving, its very dangerous and could force crashing of vehicle. According to Dealershi
• MMI not connecting Control module for emergency call module

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

“WHILE DRIVING KID SPILLED WATER ON REAR SEAT, WITHIN 5 MIN ALL SENSORS STARTED BEEPING, DISPLAY STARTED TURNING OFF AND ON, STEERING WHEEL VERY HARD TO MANEUVER, WINDOWS OPENING AND CLOSING SPONTANEOUSLY, CAR WOULDN'T GO INTO PARK MODE, ENGINE WOULDN'T TURN OFF (FINALLY DID AFTER PRESSING AND HOLDIN”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (5)

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR05/08/2021

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2021 Audi SQ5

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,401

Per month

$200

Per mile

20.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,667/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 2021 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

$2,373

Full coverage / month

$198

Liability only / year

$732

vs US avg

+42%

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 age1.05x

= Full coverage estimate$2373

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 2021 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

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 18 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: WHILE DRIVING KID SPILLED WATER ON REAR SEAT, WITHIN 5 MIN ALL SENSORS STARTED BEEPING, DISPLAY STARTED TURNING OFF AND ON, STEERING WHEEL VERY HARD TO MANEUVER, WINDOWS OPENING AND CLOSING SPONTANEOUSLY, CAR WOULDN'T GO INTO PARK MODE, ENGINE WOULDN'T TURN OFF (FINALLY DID AFTER PRESSING AND HOLDIN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: WHILE DRIVING KID SPILLED WATER ON REAR SEAT, WITHIN 5 MIN ALL SENSORS STARTED BEEPING, DISPLAY STARTED TURNING OFF AND ON, STEERING WHEEL VERY HARD TO MANEUVER, WINDOWS OPENING AND CLOSING SPONTANEOUSLY, CAR WOULDN'T GO INTO PARK MODE, ENGINE WOULDN'T TURN OFF (FINALLY DID AFTER PRESSING AND HOLDIN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: Component/System: Engine and Cooling — Water Pump / Coolant System Vehicle: 2021 Audi SQ5 Engine Code: CWGD Mileage at Failure: 71,000 Date of Incident: 8/6/2025 Audi Denver I’m reporting a known defect affecting my 2021 Audi SQ5 with engine code CWGD. The engine experienced an internal coolant le
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: The pre-sense and/or automatic emergency braking function comes on unnecessarily at least once a week. It will occur when I am driving on the highway and the car thinks there is something in front of me and then the seatbelt will tighten out of nowhere. This is a significant safety risk as it is t
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)