2020 Audi Q5 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2020 Audi Q5, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical725.9%
- Driver assistance518.5%
- Engine414.8%
- Steering27.4%
- Seat belts27.4%
- Other / unspecified27.4%
- Brakes27.4%
- Visibility13.7%
- Powertrain (other)13.7%
- Body & structure13.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
We were driving today at around 11:30am and all of a sudden the “Audi Presense” light came on at the same time the car brakes abruptly slowed down the car for about 5 seconds or so and then released. Today is a beautiful sunny day and there were no vehicles anywhere or anything in roadway on the road we were traveling on. The jerking /abrupt slowdown really surprised us. We will go to Audi dealer asap but now we don’t trust when it will happen again. A car could have hit us from behind.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Subject: Formal Complaint Regarding Vehicle Safety Issue with 2020 Audi Q5 Dear National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding a critical safety issue with my 2020 Audi Q5, as advised by the New York State Division of Consumer Protection. Please find attached a copy of the Division's correspondence dated May 21, 2024, concerning my initial complaint against Audi of America, Inc., along with supporting documents pertinent to this case. On April 10, 2024, while parking in the driveway despite applying the brakes, and despite the reduced speed, the vehicle suddenly accelerated (launching/jumping forward motion) and collided with the side of the house. On April 11, 2024, my auto insurance adjuster confirmed the vehicle was towed to the Southampton Audi Dealership for an investigation, of which supporting documentation is also attached. Following this incident, I alerted Audi of America on April 15, 2024, and have since made several follow-up communications concerning the safety risks posed by the vehicle's unexpected behavior. Copies of these communications are enclosed for your reference. Unfortunately, there has been a significant lack of substantive responses from Audi of America, leaving the issue unresolved and ongoing safety concerns unaddressed. I appreciate your assistance with this matter and look forward to your assistance in ensuring that this safety concern is adequately resolved. Very truly yours
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
I have this car and it "drinks" about 300mL of coolant between 800-1000 miles. I have to add coolant once a while, but not much... Went to the dealership and they did an inspection and pressure test and came back all normal. They told me the car will use coolant during summer?! I see many other people having similar issues on the Audi Forum. Please investigate as VW tends to make poor-quality water pump and I hope it is not the engine consuming it...
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
Gateway control modular failure. At dealer currently. We took pictures. Multiple reports of the exact same thing on Audi forums online. Audi confirmed same issue. While driving car it suddenly stopped and the emergency brake was automatically applied. No warning, no way to Live the car to safety, all the warning lights began to flash, windows started to rolling up and down. Then the car just turned off. Unable to start it, turn it on, move it, nothing. Needed a special tow truck to have it towed to dealer. A serious safety issue. I am 8 m pregnant, had my brother and 4 year old nephew in car. I am concerned for my safety but equally concerned for every Q5 has this gateway module in this location. Every person driving a Q5 and other drivers can be affected by the design flaw of the location/ lack of protection of this gateway module. We were lucky we were not on the highway. What if this happened on a highway at high speeds or in a curve.
OVERALL PROBLEM: AUDI Q5 2020 APPEARS TO HAVE A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION THAT INSTANTLY DISABLES ALL SYSTEMS. VEHICLE 'SHUT ITSELF OFF' AT A BRIEF STOP AND BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL, ROLLING INTO INTERSECTION. DETAILS: I STOPPED CAR AT RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD STOP SIGN (BRIEF AND COMPLETE STOP, NO WAIT), IMMEDIATELY READY TO PROCEED FORWARD. AUDI'S 'AUTO STOP/START' FEATURE SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, THEN IMMEDIATELY ALL ELECTRONICS SHUT DOWN. THE CAR BASICALLY 'TURNED ITSELF OFF.' VEHICLE THEN BEGAN DRIFTING/COASTING INTO INTERSECTION. CONTROLS WERE UNRESPONSIVE. I REALIZED THE POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING WERE DISABLED. I BRAKED VERY HARD, WHICH STOPPED THE CAR. HAD TO KEEP BRAKES PRESSED VERY HARD TO KEEP CAR FROM MOVING. IGNITION BUTTON WAS UNRESPONSIVE. I THEN NOTICED A SMALL MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD CONTROLS WHICH READ SOMETHING LIKE 'START/STOP IGNITION SYSTEM DISABLED ' PUT CAR IN P.' (THIS WAS THE ONLY WORKING ELECTRICAL FEATURE I NOTICED, THE EVENT WAS FRIGHTENING AND DISORIENTING, BUT I'M FAIRLY SURE NOTHING ELSE WAS FUNCTIONING). I THEN SHIFTED GEARSHIFT TO PARK, AND WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR AND DRIVE AWAY. I REPORTED PROBLEM TO DEALER. DEALER CLAIMED TO INSPECT VEHICLE, AND SAID THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. DEALER SAID VEHICLE'S COMPUTER HAD NO RECORD/MEMORY OF THE INCIDENT. DEALER ALSO SEEMED RESISTANT TO PROPERLY DOCUMENTING THE INCIDENT ON THEIR PAPERWORK. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO AUDI CORPORATE IN AUBURN HILLS MI, EXPLAINING I NO LONGER FELT SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR, AND WOULD NOT DRIVE IT AGAIN. AUDI CLAIMED TO PERFORM THEIR OWN INVESTIGATION, AND THEIR BRIEF REPLY SAID THAT THEY WERE NOT OBLIGATED TO DO ANYTHING UNDER APPLICABLE LEMON LAWS. CAR WAS IN 3RD MONTH OF LEASE, ~150 MILES. PREVIOUSLY I DROVE AN AUDI A4 2017 FOR 3 YEARS SO I WAS/AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE WAY AUDIS OPERATE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
The car was constantly smelling like smoke. It felt like it was going to catch fire. I got it serviced when it had to be serviced at 15k but Audi dealership did not warn of any recall and mentioned everything was great with the car. In the end I had to sell the car which was in April, 22 because I didn’t feel safe driving the car anymore. I would also constantly get airbag being deployed warnings on the screen and one time the car shut down automatically as I was driving at about 45Mph going up the mountain
ANY TIME MY APPLE CELL PHONE SE MODEL IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED ALARM INTERMITTENTLY IS ACTIVATED ON THE DASH. I SEE THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE PARTICULARLY IF A CHILD WAS IN THE BACK SEAT, SINCE IT COULD BE REALIZED AS A FALSE ALARM, BUT ACTUALLY BE A TRUE UNBUCKLING SOMEWHERE IN THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURS WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, BUT THE PHONE STATIONARY (IE. NOT TRAVELING OVER ROAD BUMPS, POTHOLES OR CORNERING) AND IS UNPREDICTABLE. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE I TOOK POSSESSION NOV 30 LAST YEAR AND WAS NOT ABLE TO BE RECTIFIED BY THE DEALERSHIP OR BY THEM CONTACTING AUDI CENTRAL FOR GUIDANCE. ALL THAT WAS DONE WAS RESETTING THE ELECTRONICS TO FACTORY SETTINGS WHICH DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. ONLY SUGGESTION WAS NOT TO ALLOW THE PHONE TO SIT IN THE SEAT?
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
Gateway control modular failure. At dealer currently. We took pictures. Multiple reports of the exact same thing on Audi forums online. Audi confirmed same issue. While driving car it suddenly stopped and the emergency brake was automatically applied. No warning, no way to Live the car to safety, all the warning lights began to flash, windows started to rolling up and down. Then the car just turned off. Unable to start it, turn it on, move it, nothing. Needed a special tow truck to have it towed to dealer. A serious safety issue. I am 8 m pregnant, had my brother and 4 year old nephew in car. I am concerned for my safety but equally concerned for every Q5 has this gateway module in this location. Every person driving a Q5 and other drivers can be affected by the design flaw of the location/ lack of protection of this gateway module. We were lucky we were not on the highway. What if this happened on a highway at high speeds or in a curve.
OVERALL PROBLEM: AUDI Q5 2020 APPEARS TO HAVE A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION THAT INSTANTLY DISABLES ALL SYSTEMS. VEHICLE 'SHUT ITSELF OFF' AT A BRIEF STOP AND BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL, ROLLING INTO INTERSECTION. DETAILS: I STOPPED CAR AT RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD STOP SIGN (BRIEF AND COMPLETE STOP, NO WAIT), IMMEDIATELY READY TO PROCEED FORWARD. AUDI'S 'AUTO STOP/START' FEATURE SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, THEN IMMEDIATELY ALL ELECTRONICS SHUT DOWN. THE CAR BASICALLY 'TURNED ITSELF OFF.' VEHICLE THEN BEGAN DRIFTING/COASTING INTO INTERSECTION. CONTROLS WERE UNRESPONSIVE. I REALIZED THE POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING WERE DISABLED. I BRAKED VERY HARD, WHICH STOPPED THE CAR. HAD TO KEEP BRAKES PRESSED VERY HARD TO KEEP CAR FROM MOVING. IGNITION BUTTON WAS UNRESPONSIVE. I THEN NOTICED A SMALL MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD CONTROLS WHICH READ SOMETHING LIKE 'START/STOP IGNITION SYSTEM DISABLED ' PUT CAR IN P.' (THIS WAS THE ONLY WORKING ELECTRICAL FEATURE I NOTICED, THE EVENT WAS FRIGHTENING AND DISORIENTING, BUT I'M FAIRLY SURE NOTHING ELSE WAS FUNCTIONING). I THEN SHIFTED GEARSHIFT TO PARK, AND WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR AND DRIVE AWAY. I REPORTED PROBLEM TO DEALER. DEALER CLAIMED TO INSPECT VEHICLE, AND SAID THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. DEALER SAID VEHICLE'S COMPUTER HAD NO RECORD/MEMORY OF THE INCIDENT. DEALER ALSO SEEMED RESISTANT TO PROPERLY DOCUMENTING THE INCIDENT ON THEIR PAPERWORK. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO AUDI CORPORATE IN AUBURN HILLS MI, EXPLAINING I NO LONGER FELT SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR, AND WOULD NOT DRIVE IT AGAIN. AUDI CLAIMED TO PERFORM THEIR OWN INVESTIGATION, AND THEIR BRIEF REPLY SAID THAT THEY WERE NOT OBLIGATED TO DO ANYTHING UNDER APPLICABLE LEMON LAWS. CAR WAS IN 3RD MONTH OF LEASE, ~150 MILES. PREVIOUSLY I DROVE AN AUDI A4 2017 FOR 3 YEARS SO I WAS/AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE WAY AUDIS OPERATE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
Stopped on the road, the rear window exploded with a very loud boom. I pulled over and talked to the driver behind me who also pulled over and asked if he saw anything, he said no, only heard the boom. We looked in the back of the car and no projectile or foreign object. I moved to a nearby parking lot and pushed as much of the broken glass into the car as I could so it wouldn't fall off on the road. There were no cracks or defects identifiable before hand. The car was clean and any issues would have been visible. There was no warning of the explosion. I have brought the car in to the dealer, Fletcher Jones in Chicago.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
The hood has opened 3 different times with no warning while driving down the road.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .