NHTSA vehicle safety data

2019 Audi SQ5 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2019 Audi SQ5 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 20 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Audi dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2019 Audi SQ5, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2019 Audi SQ5 owner complaints

Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Audi SQ5, describing incidents dated January 16, 2019 to August 1, 2026.

Most-cited components

Engine 5 complaints
Service Brakes 4 complaints
Electrical System 3 complaints
Exterior Lighting 3 complaints
Air Bags 2 complaints
Structure 2 complaints

Of the 20 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11770864 · Filed October 13, 2026
Engine rocker arm failed, per audi tech metal shavings in oil.
ODI #11762508 · Filed September 7, 2026
Piston skirt extended warranty calls for replacement of the pistons. This does NOT fix the issue if the vehicle was driven long term with damaged pistons. In my case the vehicle started knocking 1000 miles after replacement. Unsafe to drive and I now how to pay for a new engine on my own.
ODI #11740518 · Filed May 28, 2026
Brake booster issue

Read all 20 complaints

Control Module Shutdown Can Reduce Engine Power

NHTSA #21V947000 · Electrical System — Body Control Module/BCM · NHTSA notice

Reported December 8, 2021 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 288,991 vehicles

Repair completion: 94.1% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 90S9 · Owners notified January 21, 2022

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Wheel Arch Cover Trim May Detach

NHTSA #19V737000 · Structure — Body · NHTSA notice

Reported October 16, 2019 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 174,278 vehicles

Repair completion: 95.22% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 66K8 · Owners notified November 1, 2019 · Vehicles built January 12, 2017 – August 7, 2019 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Instrument Panel Carrier May Break; Damage Airbags

NHTSA #19V473000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported June 19, 2019 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 28 vehicles

Repair completion: 100% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 90N1 · Owners notified August 16, 2019 · Vehicles built November 21, 2018 – November 21, 2018 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. In the event of a crash deploying the passenger's frontal air bag, the instrument panel carrier may break due to incorrect welding. If the carrier breaks, there may be damage to the passenger frontal air bag.

Safety consequence

A damaged frontal air bag may not provide adequate protection, increasing the risk of an injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the instrument panel and the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began August 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 90N1.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Wheel Arch Cover Trim May Detach

NHTSA #19V416000 · Wheels — Hub · NHTSA notice

Reported June 5, 2019 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 126,161 vehicles

Repair completion: 96.01% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 66K6/66K7 · Owners notified July 26, 2019 · Vehicles built January 12, 2017 – December 18, 2018 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Hydraulic Brakes May Fail

NHTSA #19V277000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Master Cylinder · NHTSA notice

Reported April 8, 2019 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 12,645 vehicles

Repair completion: 97.73% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 47O9 · Owners notified May 3, 2019 · Vehicles built July 18, 2018 – October 25, 2018 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2019 Audi SQ5 SUV AWD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

16% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control Forward Collision Warning Lane Departure Warning (Optional)

20 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Audi SQ5.

Engine

ODI #11770864

Incident: August 1, 2026 · Filed: October 13, 2026

Engine rocker arm failed, per audi tech metal shavings in oil.

Engine

ODI #11762508

Incident: April 22, 2026 · Filed: September 7, 2026

Piston skirt extended warranty calls for replacement of the pistons. This does NOT fix the issue if the vehicle was driven long term with damaged pistons. In my case the vehicle started knocking 1000 miles after replacement. Unsafe to drive and I now how to pay for a new engine on my own.

Service Brakes

ODI #11740518

Incident: May 27, 2026 · Filed: May 28, 2026

Brake booster issue

Engine

ODI #11711317

Incident: December 15, 2025 · Filed: January 15, 2026

There’s a knocking noise coming from the engine that could lead to potential engine failure. There is a known manufacturers defect in these engines. Audi has extended a warranty, but not all cars are eligible. This should be a recall because if the engine fails on a high speed through a highway, it could be a highly dangerous situation

Engine

ODI #11705497

Incident: November 1, 2025 · Filed: December 17, 2025

Piston skirt recall and warranty. Bulletin number AWA-25-08. Needs investigated. Based off average Audi owner statistics along with NHTSA statistics, when this bulletin was released in August of 2025, over 60% of vehicles with this 3.0T engine code EA839 would be disqualified from repairs for under 80,000 miles.

Electrical System

ODI #11704064

Incident: December 8, 2025 · Filed: December 9, 2025

The rear brake lights on my 2019 Audi SQ5 stopped functioning due to a failure of the Comfort System Central Control Module (J393). This defect is documented by Audi in Technical Service Bulletin 2055123/5 and earlier versions. The malfunction causes the “rear lighting warning” to appear in the instrument cluster, and the brake lights do not illuminate when the brake pedal is pressed. The issue is not related to bulbs or wear-and-tear; it is caused by a software defect in the vehicle’s body control module, which results in loss of communication with the rear-lighting system. The failure occurred at approximately 73,000 miles, but the defect existed earlier and is acknowledged by Audi in the TSB. Because brake lights are a federally required safety system, the vehicle cannot be safely operated until this defect is corrected. The dealership confirmed the issue and advised that the required repair is a software update to the control module. Audi has declined responsibility, leaving the vehicle unsafe to drive. This is a safety-critical defect involving a known software failure that disables brake lights, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions.

Structure

ODI #11660370

Incident: May 10, 2025 · Filed: May 12, 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Audi SQ5. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the front passenger’s side wheel flare detached. The driver’s side wheel flare was loosened. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

Visibility/Wiper

ODI #11611752

Incident: August 30, 2024 · Filed: August 30, 2024

Panoramic roof glass exploded outwards while driving on the highway. No sign of rock damage or debris hitting. The glass is deformed outwards. The glass was sent towards the interior of the car. The sunroof shade was closed and many pieces of glass were caught by this otherwise the driver would have been hit by glass shards.

Suspension; Power Train; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11585696

Incident: March 22, 2024 · Filed: April 28, 2024

No warning lights or fault codes. Took it to Audi of Dallas and without a code they said they couldn’t troubleshoot it. The car makes a whining noise only while under acceleration and is prominate between 20-50 mph. Also the fuel gauge (electric) does not show the correct amount of fuel. I have already ran out of fuel and it still showed 200+ miles left and the gauge was still around 1/2. Also while at the dealer they replaced my motor mounts through my extended warranty and said i needed to replace the rear shocks but it wasn’t covered (3rd party extended warranty) that i purchased from the dealer i bought the car from in Austin.

Forward Collision Avoidance

ODI #11580069

Incident: March 28, 2024 · Filed: March 29, 2024

The Adaptive Cruise Control erroneously detects things such as shadows when going under bridges as stationary objects positioned in front of the vehicle, and aggressively applies the brake, causing an unsafe situation. If this occurs on wintry roads or icy conditions, this could create a safety hazard, especially at highway speeds. There is also no known way to disable the adaptive cruise control during periods where this could be a likely scenario, such as certain times of the day when the sun can cast shadows into the lane of traffic.

Other Audi SQ5 model years

Check your 2019 Audi SQ5 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Audi SQ5 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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