ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:CHARGING:CABLE/CORD:ONBOARD
2020 Audi Q5
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 23 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Audi Q5, most frequently naming the electrical, driver assistance and engine categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1,007 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 2020 | 1 | 1 |
| Apr 2020 | 1 | 2 |
| Aug 2020 | 1 | 3 |
| Jun 2021 | 1 | 4 |
| Nov 2021 | 1 | 5 |
| Jan 2022 | 1 | 6 |
| May 2022 | 2 | 8 |
| Jun 2022 | 1 | 9 |
| Sep 2022 | 1 | 10 |
| Jan 2023 | 1 | 11 |
| May 2023 | 1 | 12 |
| Aug 2023 | 1 | 13 |
| Nov 2023 | 1 | 14 |
| May 2024 | 1 | 15 |
| Aug 2024 | 1 | 16 |
| Nov 2024 | 1 | 17 |
| Feb 2025 | 1 | 18 |
| Apr 2025 | 1 | 19 |
| Jun 2025 | 1 | 20 |
| Nov 2025 | 1 | 21 |
| Dec 2025 | 1 | 22 |
| Aug 2026 | 1 | 23 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Electrical725.9%
- Driver assistance518.5%
- Engine414.8%
- Steering27.4%
- Seat belts27.4%
- Other / unspecified27.4%
- Brakes27.4%
- Visibility13.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
6 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govSUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY; TIRES
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM; STRUCTURE:BODY
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
Engine Start Malfunction Warning Light. Apparently, this has been a problem with the 2020 Q5 (and others) from water backing up from clogged moonroof drainage system allowing water into the L rear compartment housing the Comfort Control Module, wiring, fuses, etc. (or other roof drainage problems also saturating the CCM) Dealership has determined that damage to the CCM and corroded wiring will cost about $5500 to replace and program. Audi, I believe. sustained a class action lawsuit and agreed to cover that problem with the moonroof drainage system up to 90000 miles. However, my vehicle is at 114000, but I never received any type of notice of there being a problem or that the drainage system should be evaluated from Audi. And this had to have been occurring for years for system corrosion and failure. This apparently can cause the vehicle to freeze in the middle of driving, which is a significant risk, as well as other problems of inability to access vehicle and multiple other warning lights. The warranty for this problem should be extended to cover damages incurred from the poor drainage system design and improper notification of such by Audi.
- NHTSA ID
- 11755361
- Incident
- Aug 5, 2026
Traffic stopped very quickly. The automatic breaking did not engage, resulting in a crash and a total loss of the vehicle. I bought the Audi due to quality safety features so this incident was very disappointing and costly for our family.
- NHTSA ID
- 11703932
- Incident
- Nov 12, 2025
Purchased a 2020 Audi Q5 sold as-is. Within 30 days, the transmission malfunctioned and the vehicle lost power. A dealer estimated repairs would cost around $27,000. This sudden loss of drive ability poses a safety risk.
- NHTSA ID
- 11699189
- Incident
- Oct 5, 2025
I purchased a pre-owned Audi in August 2023 from a franchised dealer. I was explicitly told there were no open recalls or issues. In May 2024, the vehicle suffered a complete electrical failure during use—warning lights flashed, wipers activated on their own, the steering wheel moved without input, and the windows opened/closed erratically. It was inoperable and could not shift into neutral. A flatbed tow was required, and the vehicle had to be physically forced off the truck at home. The next morning, the authorized service center initially refused the tow but later accepted it after I explained the severity. A service advisor confirmed the failure was due to an active safety recall and that a replacement control module was unavailable. I was denied a loaner until I escalated the issue to a manager. For months, I received repeated notices that there were no updates or parts available. The loaner was significantly smaller and disrupted both personal and work transportation. On June 5, 2025, the dealer said the part would never arrive and advised me to request a buyback through Audi corporate. I did so. On June 10, the dealer claimed the buyback was approved and told me to return the loaner. When I asked for verification, they changed their story. I contacted Audi corporate and was told the buyback had been denied, confirming the dealer had misrepresented the situation. This experience reflects deceptive business practices, potential violations of recall disclosure laws, and failure to resolve a known safety defect. My safety—and that of my pregnant wife—was placed at risk due to the sale of a recalled vehicle. I urge NHTSA to investigate. Their actions show a disregard for safety, federal compliance, and consumer rights. Others may not be as lucky.
- NHTSA ID
- 11666097
- Incident
- May 3, 2024
The seatbelt comes loose and Nuna sent me a pad and screwdriver and refused to replace the seat. The harness won’t stay tight and I do not trust the seat to be safe for my child
- NHTSA ID
- 11653229
- Incident
- Apr 7, 2025
Without warning, on [XXX, my 2020 Audi Q5 stopped working. I called Audi Care, who arranged a tow to the nearest Audi dealer, the Q5 was under manufacturer warranty. Audi had previously recalled its gateway control module; resolution, put a bag over the part. Audi completed the “fix” upon recall. Failure of that part is catastrophic; it renders the vehicle disabled; it cannot even be put into Neutral. My Q5 was chain dragged onto a flatbed and taken to Audi for service. Audi confirmed the gateway control module failed, stating the component needed to be replaced. The part was back-ordered and would take 7-10 business days. After nearly 8 weeks with no part, on April 2, 2024 the Q5 and repair were transferred to the Audi dealer I purchased the Q5 from. The part was listed as “high priority”, the Q5 was not drivable. April, May, June and July passed, no part. Audi service continued to claim the part was being made in Germany. Each month I was told the part would arrive, it never did. In August 2024, I contacted VW America (Audi’s parent company), to request a buyback. Six months had passed, there was no sign of the part. VW America requested the repair order, purchase agreement, warranty info and registration. On [XXX], I submitted a buyback request with all documents. On [XXX], VW of America refused to settle, and suggested I initiate a case with the Better Business Bureau. BBB determined the Q5 was eligible and opened a claim. I uploaded all requested documents to the BBB case. Audi did not respond. The case was set to go to arbitration, then BBB suddenly determined the Q5 was not eligible; it was over three years old, it had been over three when the case was opened. Nearly 10 months after the Q5 stopped working, I contacted the dealer, asking them to intervene. Audi refused to admit it could not make the part. Their solution, buy a new car. Audi still owes me thousands of dollars for an extended warranty on a Q5 it could not repair. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C
- NHTSA ID
- 11643069
- Incident
- Feb 9, 2024
My dealership informed me that my tires were feathering at the edges and wearing unevenly. I found information that there was a recall for this problem. There was a recall (4215) that stated there was a misalignment in the suspension creating the uneven wearing. This included my car model. I need information regarding why my car isn't listed for the recall. The car does have a weird skip in making hard turns.
- NHTSA ID
- 11623104
- Incident
- Mar 1, 2023
On 12-18-2024, I brought a Audi Q5 2020 from Lynbrook Audi dealership in New york, approximately weeks after the vehicle engine oil light came on to replenish engine oil. I notified the sales representative of the issue, he stated that the vehicle was serviced on 09-2023. After our conversation the vehicle engine oil light continue to light up for oil replenish every 2 to 3 weeks for the past 7 months, I contacted the manufacturer and dealership and both of them is pointing fingers at each other instead of fixing the vehicle. Every time the engine oil light came on i have to take the vehicle to the dealership to replenish. The problem was never resolved.
- NHTSA ID
- 11606175
- Incident
- Jan 8, 2024
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
This bulletin provides a statement regarding the bottleneck of supply for VW approved oil types VW 504.00 and VW 507.00.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
This bulletin provides information when DTC B105A1A, B103E25 is stored in 0017; fuel tank level implausible.
STRUCTURE:BODY
This service information TSB provides warranty coverage information for vehicles with a broken sunroof panel.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This bulletin provides informatoinw hent here are scratches or a coating on the cover of the instrument cluster, or particles inside of the housing.
STRUCTURE:BODY
This bulletin provides information when there is a film/visible rings on the clear glass cover of the headlight when the dipped beam is switched on.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
This bulletin provides information when DTC B105A1A, B103E25 is stored in 0017; fuel tank level implausible.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.