2020 Audi Q5: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 23 owner complaints on record; most reports concern electrical system.
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Dec 2023
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Traffic stopped very quickly. The automatic breaking did not engage, resulting in a crash and a total loss of the vehicle. I bought the Audi due to quality safety features so this incident was very disappointing and costly for our family.”Owner report · Forward Collision Avoidance · Nov 2025
“Purchased a 2020 Audi Q5 sold as-is. Within 30 days, the transmission malfunctioned and the vehicle lost power. A dealer estimated repairs would cost around $27,000. This sudden loss of drive ability poses a safety risk.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2025
“The seatbelt comes loose and Nuna sent me a pad and screwdriver and refused to replace the seat. The harness won't stay tight and I do not trust the seat to be safe for my child”Owner report · Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness · Apr 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“On 12-18-2024, I brought a Audi Q5 2020 from Lynbrook Audi dealership in New york, approximately weeks after the vehicle engine oil light came on to replenish engine oil. I notified the sales representative of the issue, he stated that the vehicle was serviced on 09-2023. After our conversation the vehicle engine oil light continue to light up for oil replenish every 2 to 3 weeks for the past 7 months, I contacted the manufacturer and dealership and both of them is pointing fingers at each other instead of fixing the vehicle. Every time the engine oil light came on i have to take the vehicle to the dealership to replenish. The problem was never resolved.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2024
“We were driving today at around 11:30am and all of a sudden the "Audi Presense" light came on at the same time the car brakes abruptly slowed down the car for about 5 seconds or so and then released. Today is a beautiful sunny day and there were no vehicles anywhere or anything in roadway on the road we were traveling on. The jerking /abrupt slowdown really surprised us. We will go to Audi dealer asap but now we don't trust when it will happen again. A car could have hit us from behind.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2023
“The contact owns a 2020 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera image was intermittently blank or distorted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and to a second dealer, Santa Monica Audi (1020 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401), on several occasions; however, the dealers were unable to duplicate the failure. The dealers replaced the rearview camera twice; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the second dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.”Owner report · Back Over Prevention · Jun 2023
“Stopped on the road, the rear window exploded with a very loud boom. I pulled over and talked to the driver behind me who also pulled over and asked if he saw anything, he said no, only heard the boom. We looked in the back of the car and no projectile or foreign object. I moved to a nearby parking lot and pushed as much of the broken glass into the car as I could so it wouldn't fall off on the road. There were no cracks or defects identifiable before hand. The car was clean and any issues would have been visible. There was no warning of the explosion. I have brought the car in to the dealer, Fletcher Jones in Chicago.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · May 2023
“My dealership informed me that my tires were feathering at the edges and wearing unevenly. I found information that there was a recall for this problem. There was a recall (4215) that stated there was a misalignment in the suspension creating the uneven wearing. This included my car model. I need information regarding why my car isn't listed for the recall. The car does have a weird skip in making hard turns.”Owner report · Wheels · Mar 2023
“I have this car and it "drinks" about 300mL of coolant between 800-1000 miles. I have to add coolant once a while, but not much... Went to the dealership and they did an inspection and pressure test and came back all normal. They told me the car will use coolant during summer?! I see many other people having similar issues on the Audi Forum. Please investigate as VW tends to make poor-quality water pump and I hope it is not the engine consuming it...”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2022
“The car was constantly smelling like smoke. It felt like it was going to catch fire. I got it serviced when it had to be serviced at 15k but Audi dealership did not warn of any recall and mentioned everything was great with the car. In the end I had to sell the car which was in April, 22 because I didn't feel safe driving the car anymore. I would also constantly get airbag being deployed warnings on the screen and one time the car shut down automatically as I was driving at about 45Mph going up the mountain”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2022
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi SQ5 and 2018-2020 Audi Q5 vehicles. The rear wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach from the vehicle.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four clips securing the forward part of the rear wheel arch trim, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 66K8.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen ) is recalling certain 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Jetta, Jetta GLI and Tiguan and Audi Q5 and SQ5 and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. Parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may not have been welded properly.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats, and, as necessary, replace the seatback frames, free of charge. The recall began September 11, 2020. Volkswagen owners may contact their customer service at 1-888-241-2289. Audi owners may contact their customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 72L1, 72K8, and 72K9.
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.
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.
How other years compare
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Is the 2020 Audi Q5 reliable?
NHTSA has 23 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2020 Audi Q5. The most complained-about area is electrical system.
Does the 2020 Audi Q5 have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning structure:body. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.