2021 Audi Q5 reliability record
Every consumer complaint and recall the U.S. government (NHTSA) has on file for the 2021 Audi Q5 — the repair risk behind the ownership cost.
- NHTSA complaints
- 102
- 99 in the last 5 years
- Top problem area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- 22 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 8
- see below
- Reported harm
- 4 reported crashes · 4 injuries
How this record compares
raw NHTSA counts, not defect ratesComplaint rank
#4,113
of 4,194 vehicle records
Vs Audi median
-49
median 152 across 46 Audi records
Vs 2019-2023
-137
median 240 complaints in 444 records
Top component share
22%
Electrical System: 22 complaints
What owners report fails — 2021 Audi Q5
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 22
- ENGINE 15
- POWER TRAIN 10
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 8
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING 6
8 recalls on record for the 2021 Audi Q5
- NHTSA 25V080000 · 2025 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRAC A high-voltage battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
- NHTSA 23V842000 · 2024 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:CHAR An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.
- NHTSA 21V947000 · 2022 · STRUCTURE:BODY A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- NHTSA 22V742000 · 2022 · BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- NHTSA 22V034000 · 2022 · TIRES Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2021 Audi Q5
A vehicle's complaint record hints at the repair and maintenance budget you'll need. Add your state, purchase price, and mileage to the TCO calculator for the full picture.
Open TCO calculatorThese are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 2021 Audi Q5 units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Data as of 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Audi Q5 reliable?
NHTSA has 102 consumer complaints on record for the 2021 Audi Q5 and 8 recalls. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (22 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2021 Audi Q5 units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Audi Q5?
Owners most often report problems with: electrical system (22), engine (15), power train (10), unknown or other (8). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
How much does it cost to own a 2021 Audi Q5?
Ownership cost depends on your state taxes, insurance, fuel, and the maintenance the vehicle's reliability record implies. Use the CarOutlay 5-year TCO calculator to estimate the full cost including the repair risk this complaint record suggests.