2021 Audi SQ5 Problems and Top Complaints – Is Your Car A Lemon?

Speed control & suspension issues are among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners

Updated on Author: Brian Jones

Updated on Author: Brian Jones

While the compact luxury Audi Q5 SUV was originally produced in 2008, the SQ5 crossover hit the market in 2013. It was the first Audi S-model with a diesel engine and was regarded as a highly upgraded version of the Q5.

Click on other model year to view more problems:  2020

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NHTSA Complaints for the 2021 Audi SQ5

Complaint CategoryNumber of Complaints
Back Over Prevention
1
Air Bags
1
Seat Belts
1
Exterior Lighting
1
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
1
Electrical System
1
Engine
1
Steering
1

In its first year, the SQ5 registered just one complaint with the United States Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This reported “major sudden engine failure” that the complainant said was “extremely dangerous” and couldn’t be controlled. But the complaint was made in 2017 and the vehicle was out of warranty, so the owner had to pay for the repairs. The 2013 Q5, on the other hand, has 74 complaints registered with the NHTSA.

While the SQ5 registered 9 complaints in 2014 and 11 in 2019 (the highest complaints over the years), there are only 4 complaints about the 2021 model so far.

So, what should you be aware of if you think you might have bought a lemon?

Most Common Problems with the 2021 Audi SQ5

Even though there are only 4 NHTSA complaints about the 2021 Audi SQ5, these relate to a total of 7 components and systems. These are airbags, the electrical system, the engine of the car, exterior lighting, forward collision avoidance, seat belts, and steering.

2021 Audi SQ5 Forward Collision Avoidance Problems

This complaint was lodged with NHTSA after the owner of the car was injured due to a malfunction. The complaint states:

“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 terrifying and is not being triggered for any legitimate reason. It is so abrupt when it happens that it makes me jump while driving.

“The worst thing that has happened is yesterday I was going down a ramp toward a parking garage. Out of nowhere, for no legitimate reason, while on the beginning of the decline of the ramp, the car automatically applied the e-brake very violently. I was whiplashed forward, felt my neck crack, and then hit my head on the visor quite hard. Today, I have a bruise on my forehead and am not sure whether I had a mild concussion from the incident.

“It was more violent than when I have been rear-ended in the past. There were no walls, cars, people, ceiling, or objects anywhere near the car to cause this to happen. The pre-sense is a defect and a significant safety risk that can and has caused injury to me.”

2021 Audi SQ5 Electrical System & Other Problems

Another complaint states that the person who is leasing an Audi SQ5 is afraid to drive the car as it seems to be a safety issue.

What happened was that the owner’s child spilled water on the rear seat and within 5 minutes all the sensors started beeping. The display started turning off and on and the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The car windows were opening and closing and the car wouldn’t go into park mode, nor would the engine turn off.

Even though this is “a brand new car” that has been leased for less than 3 months, the Audi dealer reportedly said that the module under the rear seat is corroded. As a result, the complainant is “terrified to drive it again as it appears to be a safety issue and is hazardous for my family.”

2021 Audi SQ5 Multiple Malfunction Problems

It’s always a concern when car owners have problems that the manufacturer cannot identify. This is one of them lodged with NHTSA under airbags and car seats:

“I’ve had a Safety System Malfunction light on for some time now. Dealership replaced a seat belt part, airbag control module, and still the light won’t go away. The car is currently with the dealership.”

What to do if your 2021 Audi SQ5 is a lemon? Your Lemon Rights

If your Audi SQ5 malfunctions, you can be sure that something is wrong. It doesn’t mean you have bought a lemon, but if you have, you need to take immediate action.

Lemberg Law has many years of experience handling lemon law cases, and we will assess your case free of charge. If it looks like you do have a lemon, we can negotiate a settlement on your behalf. The law says that Audi must pay your legal fees for lemon law cases, so what are you waiting for? Call our Helpline now.

Complaint Data

CategoryBack Over Prevention
DateDec 14, 2022
StateCA
Description
The contact owns a 2021 audi sq5. The contact stated that while the gear shifter was shifted into reverse, the rear-view camera displayed a blank screen. As a result, the contact stated that he bumped into another vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the back over prevention system failed, and the infotainment unit software needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact then stated that he then received notification of the nhtsa campaign number: 22v742000 (back over prevention). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the recall was previously repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 10,715.
CategoryAir Bags, Seat Belts
DateAug 11, 2021
StateCA
Description
I've had a safety system malfunction light on for sometime now. Dealership replaced a seat belt part, air bag control module, and still the light won't go away. The car is currently with the dealership.
CategoryExterior Lighting
DateAug 05, 2021
StateIL
Description
The lighting system is sub-par because you nhtsa has been dragging your feet on approving the adb matrix headlights and allowing audi to update the software and enable the system. This is a safety issue as we cannot realize the full capability of visibility when driving on the highway! Nhtsa, please get your act together and approve the adb headlights!
CategoryForward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
DateJun 25, 2021
StateWA
Description
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 terrifying and is not being triggered for any legitimate reason. It is so abrupt when it happens that it makes me jump while driving. The worst thing that has happened is yesterday I was going down a ramp toward a parking garage. Out of no where for no legitimate reason while on the beginning of the decline of the ramp, the car automatically applied the e-brake very violently. I was whiplashed forward, felt my neck crack, and then hit my head on the visor quite hard. Today, I have a bruise on my forehead and am not sure whether I had a mild concussion from the incident. It was more violent than when I have been rear-ended in the past. There were no walls, cars, people, ceiling, or objects anywhere near the car to cause this to happen. The pre-sense is a defect and a significant safety risk that can and has caused injury to me.
CategoryElectrical System, Engine, Steering
DateApr 18, 2021
StateNJ
Description
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 holding ignition multiple times for several seconds). Audi dealer states module underneath the rear seat is corroded. It's a brand new car (leased

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Brian Jones

About the Author:

Brian Jones spent more than 20 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.

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