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2021 Audi Q5

Verified August 31, 2026Sources: NHTSA · EPA · vPIC

Compare
Safety
5
of 5 stars
Recalls
8
on record
MPG
0
combined

Heavily recalled

8 safety recalls on record. Confirm with the seller that every campaign has been completed.

Vehicle Summary

2021 Audi Q5

8 recalls
70 complaints
0
5/5 safety rating

Before You Buy

Confirm all 8 recalls were repaired — a dealer checks by VIN, free
Read the 2 complaints reporting a crash
Review the 70 owner complaints on record
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Check vehicle history report
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Safety record at a glance

Recall campaigns
8
Owner complaints
70
Complaints citing a crash
2

These are raw counts from NHTSA records. They are not normalized by how many of these vehicles are on the road, so a model that sold in large numbers will tend to show more of everything. We do not publish a composite safety or reliability score.

8 Recalls on Record

These recalls have been issued by the manufacturer. Contact any authorized dealer to verify they have been completed — repairs are free.

Enter your VIN to check if specific recalls apply to your vehicle.

Safety recalls

8 NHTSA campaigns affecting this model year.

  • 21V606000high

    Safety restraint issue

    SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR

    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."

    Consequence

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

    Remedy

    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).

    Full campaign record
  • 22V034000high

    Tire/wheel issue

    TIRES

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.

    Consequence

    Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.

    Full campaign record
  • 21V947000high

    Electrical issue

    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM

    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.

    Consequence

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

    Remedy

    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.

    Full campaign record
  • 21V295000high

    Suspension issue

    SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.

    Consequence

    A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.

    Full campaign record
  • 22V742000high

    Rear-visibility system issue

    BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Consequence

    A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.

    Full campaign record
  • 22V753000high

    Engine issue

    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Audi Q5 Sportback, Q5, 2022-2023 Volkswagen Atlas FL, and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The engine connecting rod bearings may become damaged, which can result in engine failure.

    Consequence

    A damaged engine can result in engine failure and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash. If the engine failure causes an oil leak, it can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy

    Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace an affected engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 6, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 13i4 (VW) and 13i5 (Audi).

    Full campaign record
  • 23V842000high

    Electrical issue

    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:CHARGING:CABLE/CORD:ONBOARD

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 RS e-tron GT, e-tron GT, Q4 e-tron Sportback, Q4 e-tron, 2020-2021 Audi A8, 2019-2024 e-tron Quattro, 2020-2024 e-tron Sportback Quattro, Q5, and 2021-2022 A7 vehicles. When using the industrial 220V/240V plug at the 100% charge setting, some home power outlets may be incapable of handling the electrical current required to utilize the compact charging system, causing the outlet or charging cable to overheat.

    Consequence

    An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy

    Owners are advised not to use the 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable and only use the 110V home charging cable or public charging stations. Dealers will supply a new 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable with an incorporated temperature sensor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's numbers for this recall are 93U6 and 93U8.

    Full campaign record
  • 25V080000high

    Electrical issue

    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Audi Q5, and 2022 A7 E Hybrid Electric PHEV vehicles. The high-voltage battery may overheat.

    Consequence

    A high-voltage battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.

    Remedy

    Dealers will install advanced diagnostic software , free of charge. Volkswagen will monitor available online vehicle data and contact owners as necessary, to advise them not to charge the vehicle until the battery can be replaced. For vehicles in which online data is unavailable, owners are advised not to charge their batteries until the final remedy becomes available. Repairs will be performed free of charge. This will be a Phased recall. Phase 1 will include Interim letters 2022-2023 model year vehicles. Phase 2 will include Owner letters 2021-2024 model year vehicles, and Phase 3 will include Interim letters 2022-2023 model year vehicles. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed February 28, 2025, and May 7, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 93AA. This recall expands and replaces previous NHTSA recall number 24V898.

    Full campaign record

NHTSA crash-test ratings

NCAP star ratings and the underlying test breakdown for the 2021 Audi Q5.

  • Frontal crash

    Driver
    5 / 5
    Passenger
    5 / 5
  • Side crash

    Driver
    5 / 5
    Passenger
    5 / 5
    Side pole
    5 / 5
  • Rollover

    Rollover risk
    16.4%
    Dynamic tip
    No Tip

Driver-assistance technologies

Electronic stability control
Standard
Forward collision warning
Standard
Lane departure warning
Standard

What the ratings mean

NHTSA gives the 2021 Audi Q5 5 out of 5 stars overall. NHTSA does not publish enough comparable results for this class and year to rank it against peers.

NHTSA published results for every NCAP test in this program, so the overall star rating rests on a complete set of crash and rollover results.

NHTSA's dynamic test put this vehicle's rollover probability at 16.4% in a single-vehicle crash — the figure behind the rollover star rating, published here because the star alone hides how wide each band is.

NHTSA crash tests

2021 Audi Q5 Frontal crash crash test
Frontal crash Video
2021 Audi Q5 Side crash crash test
Side crash Video
2021 Audi Q5 Side pole crash test
Side pole Video

Fuel economy & emissions

EPA figures for the 2021 Audi Q5, with tailpipe CO₂ and class context.

0

City

0

Hwy

0

Comb

Annual fuel cost
$3,050
Tailpipe CO₂
349 g/mi
Charge time
0 hours (240V)

How this compares

The EPA holds too few vehicles in this class and model year to rank the 2021 Audi Q5 against its peers.

Tailpipe CO₂ is 349 grams per mile — about 5.2 metric tons over 15,000 miles of driving.

Consumer complaints

70 owner reports filed with NHTSA.

70
Total
2
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries

Most reported components

  • ENGINE22
  • ELECTRICAL19
  • OTHER11
  • BRAKES4
  • FUEL SYSTEM4

Notable Issues

70 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA. 2 reports involve injuries. 2 reports involve a crash.

Most reported problems

engine problems (stalling, power loss, warning lights)22
electrical issues (battery, wiring, infotainment)19
miscellaneous issues11

Safety timeline

Every dated recall and NHTSA investigation for the 2021 Audi Q5, newest first.

  1. Recall

    Recall 25V080000

    A high-voltage battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.

  2. Recall

    Recall 23V842000

    An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.

  3. Recall

    Recall 22V753000

    A damaged engine can result in engine failure and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash. If the engine failure causes an oil leak, it can increase the risk of a fire.

  4. Recall

    Recall 22V742000

    A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

  5. Recall

    Recall 22V034000

    Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.

  6. Recall

    Recall 21V947000

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

  7. Recall

    Recall 21V606000

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

  8. Recall

    Recall 21V295000

    A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Dates are the NHTSA report-received date for recalls and the ODI open/close date for investigations. Crash-test ratings are not shown here because the source does not provide a reliable publication date for them.

Specifications & ratings

Specifications

Body class
SUV
Drive type
FWD
Engine
2.5L 4-cyl
Fuel type
Regular Gasoline
Transmission
Automatic
Seats
5

Fuel economy

0

City

0

Hwy

0

Comb

Annual cost
$3,050
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

NHTSA crash ratings

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

Explore related

Safety timeline

Full timeline
  1. Recall

    Recall 25V080000

    A high-voltage battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.

  2. Recall

    Recall 23V842000

    An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.

  3. Recall

    Recall 22V753000

    A damaged engine can result in engine failure and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash. If the engine failure causes an oil leak, it can increase the risk of a fire.

  4. Recall

    Recall 22V742000

    A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

  5. Recall

    Recall 22V034000

    Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.