2021 Audi Q5 E Recalls & Complaints

Incident: August 5, 2026 · Filed: September 22, 2026

Vehicle Information: 2021 Audi Q5 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) e-quattro Component: Engine (Engine Block, Connecting Rod Bearings, Cylinders)Description of Incident:My 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV suffered a sudden, catastrophic internal engine failure. Upon professional diagnostic inspection at an authorized Audi dealership, technicians discovered destructive metal debris and fragments inside the engine cylinders and oil circuit.This exact mechanical failure, engine block damage, and presentation of metal shavings perfectly mirrors the known manufacturing defect described in NHTSA Safety Recall 22V753 (Audi Recall Campaign 13i5) for improperly machined connecting rod bearings. However, when checking the vehicle's VIN, it shows as currently excluded from the active recall list.The vehicle has experienced the identical catastrophic manufacturing defect identified in the 13i5 campaign, suggesting the vehicle identification parameters of the original safety recall were under-inclusive. The authorized Audi dealership is currently refusing coverage because the VIN is not flagged, despite the identical mechanical failure. Safety Risk Statement:Severe internal engine damage from migrating metal fragments poses an immediate safety hazard. It risks sudden engine seizure, catastrophic power loss, or stalling without warning while operating at highway speeds, significantly increasing the danger of a collision.

Incident: August 11, 2026 · Filed: August 13, 2026

On August 11th, 2026 right before noon, the sunroof on my Audi Q5 (hybrid, 2021 model) exploded without warning. Luckily noone was hurt but the explosion alone was enough to distract someone to run off the road. Luckily there were no pedestrians around otherwise they could have been hit by flying glass. And luckily the sunroof cover was protecting me otherwise the glass would have been all over the cabin. I had never heard of exploding sunroofs but have since learned that it’s a known problem. I realize there was an investigation which was eventually called off with no results, but I want you to know that the problem is still there. There was nothing wrong with our sunroof. I wasn’t hit by any debris, it just exploded out of nowhere. I seriously thought I was shot at. I am emailing to bring this back to your attention in the hopes that you don’t shrug this off. The explosion was loud and freaked me out. People could have gotten hurt.

Incident: August 11, 2026 · Filed: August 13, 2026

On August 11th, 2026 right before noon, the sunroof on my Audi Q5 (hybrid, 2021 model) exploded without warning. Luckily noone was hurt but the explosion alone was enough to distract someone to run off the road. Luckily there were no pedestrians around otherwise they could have been hit by flying glass. And luckily the sunroof cover was protecting me otherwise the glass would have been all over the cabin. I had never heard of exploding sunroofs but have since learned that it’s a known problem. I realize there was an investigation which was eventually called off with no results, but I want you to know that the problem is still there. There was nothing wrong with our sunroof. I wasn’t hit by any debris, it just exploded out of nowhere. I seriously thought I was shot at. I am emailing to bring this back to your attention in the hopes that you don’t shrug this off. The explosion was loud and freaked me out. People could have gotten hurt.

Incident: May 31, 2026 · Filed: June 8, 2026

I and my wife were emerging from an intetstate highway entrance ramp when our car suddenly and completely lost power. A "Transmission Malfunction" warning suddenly (and for the first time) appeared on the dashboard.We had just completed a merge with heavy traffic going 70-75 miles per hour. Immediately behind our car was a very large tractor-trailer that hit its brakes but came within inches of the rear of our car before we could get on the highway shoulder--i.e., we came extremely close to suffering serious injury or death. The car was towed to the nearest Audi dealer, where it was determined that the Transmission Control Module had to be replaced, at a cost of $8,000. The warranty on the car is 4 years/40,000 miles, while our car is 5 years, 2 months old, and has 47,000 miles on the odometer. The dealer (Flow Audi of Charlottesville) confirmed the car's problem and determined that, because of the threat to safety, the cost of the repair, and the lack of any previous warning, it should be covered by warranty in spite of the car's age and mileage, but Audi has refused to do so. Audi has been aware of this problem with Q5e (plug-in hybrid) models such as ours, as they have published a Technical Service Bulletin about it (without provision for the affected vehicles to be examined or repaired). The vehicle is still at the dealer for repair (as of 06/08/2026).

Incident: May 14, 2026 · Filed: May 18, 2026

Vehicle has an issue with the transmission control, it will not reliably shift into the appropriate gears as it gains speed, often slipping & shuddering, sometimes even slamming into a higher gear. A few times it has stayed in first or second gear as I was pulling onto a busy street into oncoming traffic, I was unable to gain speed without taking my foot off the gas entirely and trying again. This creates a very dangerous situation as I was unable to get to speed, cars did have to slow & go around me as I was not able to speed up I did get a warning light a couple of times, dashboard read "Drive system: Malfunction! Please contact Service" Dealership said it gave the code "P288200," and stated that this indicated "Engine disconnect clutch engagement fault." Audi has a TSB for remedy (Audi Technical Service Bulletin 2070965), in which is stated that "There is a software error in the transmission control module." This indicates that this is an ongoing issue with this component. The dealership that I brought it to was able to replicate the problem when test driving the car. quoted a $537 software update to remedy the malfunction.

Incident: January 1, 2023 · Filed: April 21, 2026

The warning lite for the low tire pressure comes on randomly and consistently. I've taken it in about 5 times and have been told the tire pressure is fine and it is just a built in defect. I am concerned because I can't check my tires constantly and especially when I am on the freeway. I fear for my safety, the safety of my passengers and the vehicles around me. It happens on the loaners they give me, so I know it is not just my vehicle. I've talked to corporate and they seem very unconcerned. Can you help at all?' I'm considering selling it because of this issue, but don't want some one else coming back on me about it if they get in an accident.

Incident: October 9, 2025 · Filed: October 17, 2025

While driving one day, several warning messages appeared on the dashboard, but would then disappear. The next day, the car engine would not start and the vehicle dashboard would not turn on. The car was inoperable and had to be towed to a dealer service center. Dealer confirmed that the issue was caused by liquid entering the gateway control module. A safety fix had been applied before during a 90S9 recall in 2022, but it appears that fix is inadequate or defective.

Incident: April 24, 2025 · Filed: April 26, 2025

A transmission malfunction message displayed and vehicle lost power. This happened when ascending a hill.

Incident: January 25, 2024 · Filed: March 25, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5 E. The contact stated that the TPMS warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions. The dealer inspected the tires while the warning light was illuminated, and the dealer informed the contact that no failure was found; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000.

Incident: August 19, 2024 · Filed: August 19, 2024

Reporting a potentially dangerous situation related to the vehicle's braking system. This incident happened on [XXX], on [XXX] in around the Fife WA area. The vehicle is an 2021 Audi Q5 hybrid, purchased new and been taking to dealership for service for every service interval. Initially, the vehicle was in adaptive cruise control, speed set at about 60 miles per hour. Then when the vehicle comes to a congested section of the freeway, the adaptive cruise control tries to slow down the vehicle, but it is about getting close to the vehicle in front, so I manually pressed on the brake and add additional brake force to make sure the vehicle stop in time. About that moment, there were multiple messages showed on the instrument panel, I did not have time to read all of them, but for sure one of the messages said braking system malfunction, and plus the icon with the vehicle and some curve line show up. After I came to a complete stop, and all the message disappeared, (I think the at that time, the vehicle icon with curve line still on), I begin to accelerate again, but then I noticed the brake is not functioning properly. The brake was very tight, I was only going maybe 15 miles per hour at the time and still have hard time stopping. If I would have accelerated to a higher speed, I may not be able to bring the vehicle to a stop safely then. On a busy freeway, I turned on my hazard light, and I drove slowly and safely try to move to an area on the freeway where I can slowly roll the vehicle to a complete stop and I have to push the brake very hard to do so. I reset my vehicle couple of times. Then the brake appears to be working again. But the check engine light came on. Since the braking system is working again at that time, I continue my drive home. After I arrived home, I restarted my vehicle again, and the check engine light disappeared. But please investigate this situation as the safety of the drivers and others are at risk INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)