2021 Audi Q5

The instrument cluster on my 2021 Audi Q5 failed completely — the display went black, with no speedometer or warning indicators. The failure occurred immediately after a car wash, and the vehicle then lost all electrical power. I had the vehicle towed to Audi Meadowlands on 10/26/26. On 10/29/26, the dealership replaced the battery and performed diagnostics ($972.78, RO# 76004260/1). The dealership diagnosed the failed instrument cluster and quoted $4,000-$4,500 to replace it, but did not repair it. The dealership then released the vehicle to me with the instrument cluster inoperative, after assuring me the vehicle was fine to drive. I drove the vehicle on public roads with no speedometer, no gauges, and no warning displays. Within 48 hours, after approximately two miles of driving, the vehicle lost all power again and would not operate. On 11/5/2026, the vehicle would not start. A first tow truck could not jump-start it; a second tow truck succeeded, and when I drove the vehicle out, reverse was not working properly. The vehicle was taken directly to Audi Englewood for independent diagnosis and is not safe to drive. I believe this involves two existing safety recalls. Safety Recall 90VC (NHTSA Recall 25V201) addresses failure of this vehicle's virtual cockpit instrument cluster, where warnings, tell-tales, and gauges that do not display could increase the risk of a crash. Safety Recall 90S9 (NHTSA Recall 21V947) addresses water penetrating the gateway control module on 2021 Q5 vehicles and causing it to shut down. My cluster failed immediately after a car wash and the vehicle then lost all power. The dealership has provided no documentation that the gateway control module was inspected, that any inspection for water intrusion was performed despite my numerous written requests. My concern is twofold: the defect itselfand the fact that an authorized Audi dealership knowingly released a vehicle with an inoperative instrument cluster into service on public roads.

NHTSA ID

11776002

Incident

Oct 26, 2026

Vehicle Information: 2021 Audi Q5 Component Affected: Electrical System / Electronic Control Unit (Body Control Module / BCM2) Description of Safety Defect: The vehicle suffered a catastrophic failure of the Body Control Module (BCM / BCM2) caused by water ingress originating from a defective rear sunroof drainage tube assembly. The manufacturing failure of the panoramic sunroof drain allows water to pour directly down the vehicle's interior D-pillar. Because of a severe design flaw, Audi positioned this highly critical central electrical computer completely unshielded in the exact cargo cavity where this water runoff pools. When the Body Control Module shorts out due to this water ingress, it creates an immediate and severe safety hazard. The vehicle experiences sudden, unpredictable electrical malfunctions while in motion, including the risk of uncommanded engine shutdown, a total loss of exterior lighting, failure of the central locking safety systems, and a disabled key transponder system. Audi is fully aware of water ingress vulnerabilities affecting central modules in the floorboards and cargo areas of this platform (as evidenced by NHTSA Recall 90S9 for the Gateway module). However, they have failed to address this identical engineering hazard impacting the BCM in the rear cavity. Leaving an unshielded, critical vehicle operating computer vulnerable to known body leaks exposes occupants to sudden component failures at highway speeds. I am requesting that the NHTSA launch a formal investigation into Audi's BCM placement and sunroof drainage defects to compel a mandatory safety recall.

NHTSA ID

11767711

Incident

Sep 27, 2026

We took our 2021 Audi Q5 to the Audi dealership because our vehicle seemed to be skipping gears and making jerking motions while driving. I believe it began happening at least a couple of months ago when my wife noticed a change in driving dynamics. She is the vehicle's sole driver. After taking it to the Audi dealership and driving with the technician in the passenger seat, a diagnosis was made immediately while backing from the parking space. The technician indicated there was no need to go any further because he could determine it needed a differential fluid change. He also indicated it was a common problem with this model Q5 and it is occurring at a high rate with these vehicles. This was a $512.38 (with a 25% discount) expense that should not have occurred for a vehicle this age which was purchased new from this manufacturer. This should not be happening with this vehicle and shouldn't a recall have been made for such a frequently occurring problem? Please investigate and reply

NHTSA ID

11766803

Incident

Jul 1, 2026

When attempting a left-hand turn, despite the oncoming vehicle already passed me, the Audi auto-breaks leaving me in the center of the oncoming lane and causes the vehicle behind me to almost crash into me. Very dangerous.

NHTSA ID

11765676

Incident

Sep 20, 2026

VIN number: [XXX]. Audi Q5 Prestige 2021 Mileage 48,540 I have contacted Audi Corporate regarding a catastrophic Transmission Failure while driving. The dealership investigation discovered that bolts had loosened and the fluid was not getting to the transmission and it stopped dead while I was driving. I was on surface streets going to pick up my baby granddaughter from daycare. I heard what sounded like a "slip" in the gears, a yellow notification appeared stating that the car is safe to drive. A few minutes later it happened again and the same warning appeared. I continued to the daycare and in the driveway the car stopped dead with a Red warning that it is a transmission malfunction. I luckily was not in a busy intersection or the freeway as that would have been catastrophic for my life and the life of my young granddaughter. I have contacted Audi via telephone at [XXX]. They took my statement and gave me a case number: XXX. I have worked with my Audi dealership and they are giving a "goodwill" discount that requires me to pay $800 for the defective bolt replacement. I purchased the vehicle as a certified pre-owned from the Audi dealership on [XXX]. I purchased an extended warranty they refused to cover the repair as it was a manufacturing issue. I have taken the vehicle in for all maintenance. This transmission failure is nothing that I did and not the result of neglect. This failure of the bolts is a manufacturing error. The bolts are supposed to stay bolted. I want Audi to pay in full for the repair, to include replacement of the entire transmission, in addition to replacing the defective volts. I also want a letter stating that this is a permanent fix and will not happen again. I trusted the Audi name and reputation to build a safe vehicle. The abrupt stop of the transmission could have been the death of me and my young granddaughter had it happened on the freeway or a busy intersection. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11760469

Incident

Jun 15, 2026

On 8/3/26, my 2021 Audi Q5 began throwing numerous different malfunction/error alerts and the engine turned off while driving after a bottle of water had partially spilled onto our backseat behind the drivers side. The vehicle was towed to a nearby mechanic who determined that liquid damaged the gateway control module located under the backseat of the vehicle, as the gateway control module is placed in a "protective cover" (an unsealed plastic bag) and that bag visibly had liquid inside of it. We had immediately contacted Audi upon learning of this issue and decided not to move forward with any repairs, but to instead pay out of pocket to have it towed 70 miles to Audi/where we originally purchased the vehicle. This "protective cover" the control module was placed inside was completed as a recall service repair on our vehicle in April of 2022 due to a NHTSA recall announced in December 2021 regarding safety issues in these control modules failing from liquid spills on the backseat. We contacted Audi, explained that liquid had spilled in our backseat and entered the "protective cover" and damaged the control module. They agreed to inspect our vehicle to determine if the "protective cover" had been insufficiently installed. We paid out of pocket to have it towed to the dealership where it took them 6 days to determine the gateway control module is damaged (we had already explained this to them). Although liquid was found in the "protective cover" of this gateway control module, the dealership claims it was installed sufficiently. Upon looking into this matter further, there are numerous complaints of this exact issue (water entering and damaging the gateway control module from a liquid spill on the backseat, even with the "protective cover") on the NHTSA website, as well as a previous class action lawsuit settled out of court in regards to this EXACT issue. THE PRIOR RECALL REPAIR DOES NOT FIX THE SAFETY HAZARD AS STATED IN THE OFFICIAL NHTSA RECALL REPORT.

NHTSA ID

11758347

Incident

Aug 3, 2026

I was driving at highway speeds when a "Transmission Malfunction" warning appeared, and the vehicle lost the ability to accelerate. Once I was able to pull over and put the vehicle in Park, it completely lost the ability to engage Drive or Reverse, leaving me stranded. Important to note pulling over was difficult as I was on a highway driving ar 70mph speed and trying to locate safe space to stop avoid collusion. My car towed to the nearest dealership for repairs. Audi dealership confirmed the cause was broken internal transmission filter housing bolts. I was told this was premature occurrence as the vehicle only has 35,760 miles of driving and no prior work done on the transmission or visible notice of damage that could cause this issue.

NHTSA ID

11747226

Incident

Jun 18, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and the vehicle decelerated before the vehicle stalled. During the failure, the check engine, oil, and coolant warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer determined that the engine bearings had failed, causing catastrophic damage to the engine. The contact was advised that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V753000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 43,000.

NHTSA ID

11745548

Incident

Jun 17, 2026

Mileage

43,000 mi

This bulletin provides informaiton on the use of the PICO-NVH tool (VAS 611 015).

This bulletin provides infomration when basic settings are not possible after repair; DTC P17F900 stored in the TCM.

This bulletin provides information when the air spring symbol is illuminated; DTC U112100 or C1260F0.

This bulletin provides information when DTCs P00B700, P011600, or P268100 is stored; engine temperature too high.

This bulletin provides information regarding the current top concerns being addressed by the Audi Digital Business Solutions (DBS) team.

This bulletin proides service information when there is a prompt to take over the steering wheel (hands off detection).