2018 Audi SQ5 problems, complaints & recalls

Updated Oct 10, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Audi SQ5, most often about electrical system. There are 5 recalls for this model year.

Complaints: 18
Recalls: 5
Crashes: 0
Fires: 0
Injuries: 2
Median mileage: 50,974 mi

Safety warning: at least one recall for this vehicle tells owners not to drive it until it is repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Key facts

Electrical System is the most-reported problem area, named in 7 of 18 complaints (39%).
Engine (6) and driver assistance & safety tech (3) follow.
Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 50,974 mi.
Owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries.
The 2018 Audi SQ5 has 5 recalls on file, including at least one “do not drive” warning.
It ranks 2nd of 13 Audi SQ5 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)	Complaints
Electrical system	7
Engine	6
Unknown or other	3
Power train	3
Exterior lighting	3
Forward collision avoidance: warnings	2
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking	2
Steering	2

When problems happen (mileage)

Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2018 Audi SQ5 complaints that list mileage.

2018 Audi SQ5 recalls (5)

Recall 21V947000Dec 8, 2021288,991 vehicles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM · STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
Risk: 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.
Recall 19V737000Oct 16, 2019174,278 vehicles
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
Risk: The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
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.
Recall 19V416000Jun 5, 2019126,161 vehicles
WHEELS:HUB
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach.
Risk: The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will secure the wheel arch trim with an additional screw and nut, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 66K6.
Recall 19V277000Apr 8, 201912,645 vehicles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake master cylinder casting may be too short.
Risk: A short casting can cause a sudden loss of brakes, increasing the risk of crash. The electronic parking brake and its emergency brake function are not affected and will still function.
Remedy: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the brake master cylinder, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 3, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 47O9.
Recall 18V369000Jun 1, 201810,225 vehiclesDo not drive
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.
Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. 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 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.

Recent 2018 Audi SQ5 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Filed Aug 9, 2026COElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
I purchased my 2018 Audi SQ5 on September 12, 2025, from Audi Denver (McDonald Automotive Group). On XXX, at 114,145 miles, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic engine failure while driving on the highway near [XXX], caused by defective rocker arm needle bearings in the 3.0T EA839 V6 engine. The early-design needle bearings disintegrated within the cylinder head, scattering loose metal roller bearings into the valvetrain and oiling system. This caused an immediate,…
NHTSA complaint #11755729 · source
Filed Jul 5, 2026OKEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
While driving a 2018 Audi SQ5 with the EA839 3.0T engine, a coolant warning light activated and engine temperatures began rising to 210-215°F. The vehicle was pulled over immediately. Upon inspection the coolant reservoir was found to be nearly empty with dried coolant residue on the exterior indicating an active leak. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Audi dealer who confirmed via multi-point inspection that the water pump, shut off valve, and vacuum system require…
NHTSA complaint #11748361 · source
Filed Dec 29, 2024WAElectrical System
Heavy rain leaked into the cabin of my SUV,and damaged the module, no controls worked through the key fob, no start . I keep my SUV under cover 90% of the time. A recent wind storm damaged my car port that I usually keep it under, so lately it’s been outside more often, especially if wind is in the forecast. I still use it if no wind is forecasted, because of the damage I don’t trust the carport until I can repair the damage.
NHTSA complaint #11632982 · source
Filed Nov 22, 2024WAElectrical SystemLighting
Car's electrical system fried overnight during a rainstorm. All systems unresponsive to keys or key faub. Car was towed to used dealership and they told me due to drainage system blockage a pool of water collected in rear battery compartment and submerged the battery.
NHTSA complaint #11626821 · source
Filed Aug 13, 2024FLDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemEngine
During a rainstorm, water drained from roof drains that are apparently supposed to be cleaned & maintenance done by dealership on a regular basis but were clogged due to them not being any maintenance done. Water shorted out the entire control module for the entire vehicle computer after leaking into the rear inside behind hatch where battery and electrical components are located rendering the vehicle dead and undriveable on the side of the road. By the vehicles complete…
NHTSA complaint #11608218 · source
Filed Aug 12, 2024TXEngine
Oil leaking from the engine. Mechanic determined that it was the Filter Housing. They replaced the filter housing and since then, the problem is all good. I spent over $5000 to identify this problem and get it repaired.
NHTSA complaint #11608039 · source
Filed May 15, 2024MDElectrical SystemLightingOther / Unknown
After a hard rainstorm the Comfort System Control Module (CCM) errored apparently from getting wet from a clogged sun roof drainage line, causing water to enter the rear left side compartment in which the CCM is housed (behind the insulation). The entire area is still damp 3 days later, and water is also located in the tire well and the rear right side compartment. The CCM error in turn caused a cascade of other errors, including causing the rear lights to stop working, an…
NHTSA complaint #11588963 · source
Filed Jul 10, 202373,949 miCAAirbagsElectrical System
The contact owns a 2018 Audi SQ 5. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH in rainy weather, several unknown warning lights started blinking and the rear windshield wiper independently activated, and contact was unable to turn off the rear windshield wiper. The contact pulled over on the side on the road and turned off the vehicle. Once the contact restarted the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that there was a water…
NHTSA complaint #11531458 · source

Compare the 2018 Audi SQ5 with another vehicle →

Other 2018 Audi models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology