Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2021 Audi Q5
NHTSA data on file today
The 2021 Audi Q5 has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns and 74 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, for the 1 NHTSA-tested trim.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #25V080000 High-Voltage Battery May Overheat and Cause Fire NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V842000 Power Outlet May Cause Charging Cable to Overheat NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V753000 Damaged Connecting Rod Bearings NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V742000 Rearview Display Inoperative/FMVSS 111 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V034000 Rear Axle May Be Misaligned NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V947000 Control Module Shutdown Can Reduce Engine Power NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V606000 Seat Belt Locking Retractor Malfunction/FMVSS 208 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V295000 Rear Axle Lock Nuts May Break NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 27 complaints
- Engine 17 complaints
- Power Train 13 complaints
- Forward Collision Avoidance 11 complaints
- Unknown or Other 8 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 4 complaints
Of the 74 complaints on file, 2 report a crash; across all 74 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $7,800–$13,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2021 Audi Q5 shows an average reliability rating with multiple recalls, particularly affecting the electrical and engine systems. While there are concerns about battery overheating and engine failure, frequent maintenance and prompt recall resolution can mitigate major issues.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| traction battery | 30,000–50,000 miles | $1,800–$3,500 | common |
| engine bearings | 50,000–80,000 miles | $2,500–$6,000 | occasional |
| body control module | 20,000–40,000 miles | $600–$1,500 | occasional |
| rear axle | 70,000–100,000 miles | $800–$1,800 | rare |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change every 10,000 miles
- Brake fluid replacement every 2 years
- Coolant flush every 5 years
- Tire rotation every 10,000 miles
- Cabin air filter replacement every 20,000 miles
- Spark plug replacement every 40,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Battery overheating or swelling
- Unusual engine noises or knocking
- Fluid leaks beneath the vehicle
- Inconsistent electrical system behavior
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2021 Audi Q5 at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.