2020 Audi SQ5 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

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

2020 Audi SQ5, 3.0T EA839 engine. On 9/22/2026 an independent repair shop inspected the vehicle and found engine coolant pooling in the engine valley beneath the coolant module (integrated water pump / thermostat housing). The leak is internal and was not visible from outside the vehicle: no coolant on the ground and no warning light before the shop inspected it. The area was wet and coated with residue, indicating the leak had been active for some time. The shop confirmed the leaking coolant has contaminated the PCV valve and vacuum hose system located in the same area. Repair estimate is approximately $4,600 to replace the coolant module, PCV valve, and vacuum lines. This failure pattern on EA839 engines is the subject of a pending class action (Larr v. Volkswagen Group of America, D.N.J. 2:26-cv-05678). Because the leak is concealed, a driver can lose coolant and overheat the engine with no warning, which is a safety concern. No crash, fire, or injury. Vehicle is outside the factory warranty. Problem confirmed by an independent service center; not yet inspected by the manufacturer.

Incident: April 9, 2026 · Filed: April 18, 2026

My 2020 Audi SQ5 (3.0L turbo V6, EA839 engine) experienced premature water pump failure at 64,361 miles. Coolant leaked into the vacuum system, damaging the vacuum unit and related components. Failed parts are available for inspection. Safety Risk: Loss of coolant circulation causes rapid overheating and risk of sudden engine failure at highway speeds, creating a collision hazard. Coolant intrusion into the vacuum system can also impair brake booster function, compromising stopping ability. Confirmed by Dealer: Diagnosed and confirmed by Audi Reno Tahoe (Reno, NV) on April 9, 2026. Written estimate #XXX documents replacement of the water pump, pulley, valve, vacuum unit, hose, and tank — totaling $6,591.37 out of pocket. No recall or manufacturer assistance has been offered even though this is a known issue dating back to 2013. Warnings: On 4/9/2026, dealer reports that after a non related repair test drive the technician observed "Drive system malfunction ON during hard acceleration" as well as visible signs of coolant leakage. Prior to having the non-related service completed, I did not see any warning lights or receive a temperature warning. Known Defect — Recall Warranted: This failure is consistent with a documented defect across 2013–2022 Audi/VW 3.0T engines. A class action — XXX et al. v. Volkswagen Group of America, Case No. XXX— specifically names the 2020 SQ5. Despite known complaints, internal testing data, and dealer reports, no recall has been issued. I urge NHTSA to investigate and mandate a recall of all affected vehicles.

Incident: January 7, 2025 · Filed: January 8, 2025

My sunroof spontaneously imploded while driving my vehicle on the highway. I was going to speed limit in the middle lane, very little traffic, no semi-trucks near and did not drive under an overpass.

Incident: August 21, 2023 · Filed: August 21, 2023

I recently purchased this vehicle 8/5/23 and since then the pre sense function has activated it’s jarring emergency breaking three times. Once it happened to me backing out of my driveway without any obstruction, another with my husband backing out of a parking spot, and then most recently today with me as a driver going about 35 mph where it “sensed” a vehicle next to me about to change into my lane but changed their mind. Even if the vehicle next to me changed lanes to go in front of me, there was plenty of space and having the emergency pre sense braking created a more unsafe situation with the vehicle behind me potentially rear ending me. I contacted the local Audi dealer and they said there is no way to have this feature turn off as a default. Instead, I have to manually turn it off every time I turn on the ignition. I love the car but the pre sense feature has placed me in more unsafe situations than without it. I wish the manufacturer would allow having this system turn off as a default.

Incident: February 10, 2023 · Filed: March 28, 2023

The sos emergency system continues to fail. It alarms that it failed. Warning light on the dashboard continues to be on. The car was brought to the dealer. emergency calling unavailable while driving.

Incident: December 4, 2022 · Filed: December 19, 2022

I have had multiple instances of the emergency breaking applying improperly. On at least two occasions the rear backup/parking sensors detected some sort of object when one didn’t exist and abruptly engaged the breaks despite there being no object behind me. On one occasion I had a passenger who witnessed the behavior. On another instance, and the one that concerned me, the front collision indicator detected something non-existent and abruptly slammed on my breaks while I was driving 70mph on a 3 lane highway. There were no objects or car in viewable distance at all. The abruptness, lack of warning, and breaking power sent my car out of control across all three lanes and nearly into a barrier before I was able to regain control and the breaks released. I was on the phone (hands-free) when this occurred and my fiancé could hear the whole thing. In both instances no sensors or alarms were activated in advance to give warning, and activated only in concert with the breaks being autonomously applied. All instances were reported to Audi who ran diagnostics and electrical/systems tests and found no errors or problems despite multiple occurrences.

Incident: June 15, 2021 · Filed: April 15, 2022

The contact owns a 2020 Audi SQ5. The contact stated while reversing in her driveway, the automatic braking system activated and the vehicle stopped abruptly. The contact stated that there was a vehicle at a stop sign 500 ft. away from her vehicle when the failure occurred. The contact shifted the vehicle into park. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while reversing and while driving from a complete stop. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was making an abnormal sound while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer approximately 3-4 times however, the mechanic diagnosed that no issues were found. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact notified the manufacturer and inquired about buy back. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 150.

Incident: August 26, 2020 · Filed: August 26, 2020

WHEN USING THE LANE-DEPARTURE AND 'STEERING CORRECTION' SYSTEM THIS VEHICLE WILL ATTEMPT TO SUDDENLY, SHARPLY, AND DANGEROUSLY CHANGE LANES. THIS MORNING (8/26/20), WHILE TRAVELING ON A FOUR LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL AND LANE DEPARTURE ACTIVE, THE VEHICLE JERKED LEFT INTO A TURN-ONLY LANE, OVERRIDING MY MANUAL STEERING OF THE CAR IN THE STRAIGHT TRAVEL LANE. HAD ANOTHER CAR BEEN IN THE TURNING LANE WE WOULD HAVE NEARLY CERTAINLY COLLIDED, AS MY CAR WAS AT LEAST 30% INTO THE LANE BEFORE I COULD REACT AND BRING IT BACK INTO THE CENTER LANE.