2021 Audi Q5 Engine Problems

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

If I have a sensor that will malfunction due to water then there should be a water indicator alert. My sunroof vent was blocked and water went into my trunk where the core module is. I had just come to a red light to turn on to a major highway and my car began to smell like fuel. I rolled down the windows and realized the smell was not as strong as inside. The light turned green and as I stepped on the gas the car went into limp mode as I was in the middle of my turn. The power steering then went out in the turn and the wheel yanked to the left and put me half way into the lane next to me. Thankfully no one was there. I had to yank it back to the right to get off of the highway on to the side of the road. I do not think that the power steering should be associated with that module or at least a water indicator sensor should be added. What happens if someone is on the interstate is driving 75 mph and their power steering goes out. It's in the shop and there is no damage other than now I am scared to drive it

NHTSA ID

11745545

Incident

Jun 19, 2026

Control module located under rear seat became slightly wet from spilled liquid, and failed. Engine and electrical failure as a result of control module failure. Audi refuses to cover damages as warranty period is over. Vehicle design is defective.

NHTSA ID

11715668

Incident

Feb 1, 2026

Date of Incident: 11/09/2025 • Location: I-30 near Cumby, TX (towed to Audi Fort Worth). Daughter was stranded on busy highway in middle of nowhere. Texas State Police came to her aid and helped w tow truck which cost $650. Engine catastrophically failed at ~50k + miles due to metal shavings throughout oil — Audi Fort Worth made the statement and I have picture of metal shavings. Which is the exact defect in **NHTSA Recall 22V753 / Audi TSB 13i5** (connecting rod bearing damage from factory machining debris). **Symptoms match TSB 13i5 Pages 1, 10–11 (“NOT OK” filter examples)**: - March 2025 oil change at 50,032 miles: **no metal** or at August oil change. Neither Audi corporate or Fort Worth care. Claimed we bought used car and didn’t have oil changed at Audi dealer. This statement violates federal law: - **49 U.S.C. § 30120**: Safety recall remedy free of charge to all owners regardless of purchase history or service location. - **TSB 13i5 Page 1**: Covers **ALL 2021–2023 Q5s** (42,689 units) — **no VIN exclusions**. - **NHTSA 22V753**: Risk of engine failure, loss of motive power, potential fire** — undriveable vehicle

NHTSA ID

11699332

Incident

Nov 9, 2025

There was a lawsuit, see link below, because the water pump on 2021 Audi Q5’s fail prematurely. My water pump failed at 66,241 miles and I believe that my 2021 Audi Q5 should’ve been covered under this water pump failure recall. However, my VIN was not included. Link: [XXX] I would like the recall on the water pump to be extended to my vehicle as it’s unreasonable that my water pump failed at 66K. Picture of repair in attachments. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11682671

Incident

Jun 18, 2025

The engine has failed and I am not sure why my Q5 was not included in the recall for coolant issues leading to engine failure. My issue started last winter when the car would suddenly kick in a loud fan. It would flash a warning that the start/stop malfunctioned as it only happened when stopped and/or parked. It was extremely alarming to hear so I would turn the car off and let it sit. When I started it up, there were no warnings and would drive normally. This continued to happen randomly. Then came the coolant low warning, engine temp, along with an RPM warning that kicked on the loud fan. I added coolant as it was the reservoir was low but never empty and temp gauge was in normal range . All messages would go away, car would drive normally. The coolant message happened a couple more times and always the same but eventually did not return. The Max RPM and temp continued in conjunction with the start stop messages. It was always the same. It would be stopped or Parked with the start/stop engaged. The fan would kick on and increase in severity and the temp gauge always was within normal. I eventually stopped using the start/stop function and it seemed to resolve the issue. The warnings never stayed on so I was not overly concerned since it drove fine and didn't sound rough when the messages and warning weren't active. Then it expelled the oil under the hood and gave zero warning lights. I only figured it out when the oil low warning came on. I thought it was weird because I had just checked the level since I see lots of complaints that Audi burns oil. When I opened the hood, I saw the oil. I know this happened suddenly and was not a leak because I was checking may parking spots. I took it the oil change place and it was cleaned up and replaced. I then took it to have the source of the leak identified but a pressure test revealed nothing. Again, no warning persisted and it drove fine. The next time the oil was expelled, it seized and failed.

NHTSA ID

11627279

Incident

Nov 19, 2024

Reverse car went full throttle, brakes did not work, car stopped in reverse when it hit a tree. Seat belt did not tighten,

NHTSA ID

11592350

Incident

May 28, 2024

Engine coolant was empty. No indicators about it.

NHTSA ID

11577308

Incident

Jul 20, 2023

When driving in extreme cold (ambient temperatures of -35 or colder) and I reach a speed of 50mph or higher, my engine fails. The dealership refuses to resolve this issue although they’ve had my vehicle twice now, both for months at a time- and the dealership is 400 miles away from me. They also refuse to authorize the Audi-certified shop in my hometown to perform any type of diagnostics or maintenance work on this vehicle, which would significantly decrease my stress and the inconvenience of shipping my vehicle back and forth. This first occurred within just a few months of purchase of this vehicle, and I am the first owner. I am listing the first time this happened, although it is an ongoing issue.

NHTSA ID

11549978

Incident

Dec 13, 2021

The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the malfunction warning light illuminated, followed by the vehicle shaking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The dealer stated that metal fragment was found in the engine, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the contact needed to contact the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was 138,000. The contact stated that the failure mileage was 44,000. Also the vehicle had 2 oil changes, supposed to have 3. The dealership informed the contact that the engine was blown. The dealer would not honor the warranty because the vehicle needed an oil change.

NHTSA ID

11508604

Incident

Feb 9, 2023

Mileage

138,000 mi

After conducting a $10k forensic review on the car, they found out that the computer was infected with malware and that that vehicle will always put out fm transmitters to get into your cellular devise to hack it Unfortunately, this is the case for this bricked...Need a replacement with transferring the lease over to a similar priced vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11459647

Incident

Dec 15, 2021

While driving on the road, multiple warning and error messages suddenly appeared on dashboard. Entire car shut down in very short time left no time for driver to safely pull over. The car cannot move in the middle of the road and put the driver, passengers and surrounding vehicles at risk. The car was towed to a dealer and they confirmed the gate way module under rear seat is wet and shorted.

NHTSA ID

11436964

Incident

Oct 11, 2021

The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while she was driving 65-70 MPH, the warning message "Transmission Engine Failure" appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle inadvertently stalled while attempting to veer to the side of the road. The contact stated she was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts however, the vehicle was towed to her residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to their location for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the ECM chip had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact also stated while she was reversing, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the clutch had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 9,000.

NHTSA ID

11436032

Incident

Aug 15, 2021

Mileage

9,000 mi

While driving a brand new Audi Q5 it suddenly went into "Panic mode" with the windows going up & done,Steering malfunctioning, warning the driver to pull over. The car shuts down unexpectedly without reason. The whole car freezes ! While at the dealership, the tech told us there was another car being repaired with the same issue .Turns out if the back battery gets wet(hidden under the back cup holder)the car shuts down. A cup of coffee spilled in the back seat but there are many reports online (part #J533) with any incidence of wetness. Audi is aware of this problem and although they ordered a new part, the problem is NOT repaired permanently .It can happen again and again .Audi needs to have a major recall on all Q3, Q5 and Q7. We were on a residential street when this happened but a multi vehicle crash would have taken place if on a highway.We are asking for a refund since the car was 2 weeks old at the time with less than 5,000 miles. We need the public to know they are driving a car with a a major design flaw and could cause serious accidents.

NHTSA ID

11428427

Incident

Jul 3, 2021

while driving, my 2021 Audi q5 with 1400 miles, it began to malfunction; every light & warning (transmission, brakes, AWD , etc.) began flashing as failing on the dashboard. The windows begin going up & down. Steering began to be hard. Finally, I was able to steer the q5 out of traffic. Traffic was going about 40-50 mph. 2. the q5 was towed to Audi for diagnostic 3. Audi called & said that the gateway got wet and the cost for the part is $1200. It will take 2 weeks to get the part in. Audi has no openings until October. 4. They stated that the water drains are working and that they found a water bottle cap in the backSeat of the car; therefore, the gateway will not be covered under warranty. Huh? 5. I am unsure why the warranty will not cover any Safety issues on a 4 month old car. 6. Audi is assuming there was a water spill, because there was a water bottle cap in the car. 7. What are you talking about, Audi? Why are you assuming things? What is the real cause of this traumatic experience? 8. Secondly, no one told me not to have a water bottle cap in the q5 backseat area; the q5 without warning, began to shut down. 9. The engine light stayed on. 10. Audi is not acting in good faith, why are there assumptions made? 11. Audi must recall the q5 and announce a public safety warning of the danger that is lurking in the back seat called a gateway. 12. Audi must clearly state “Danger! Danger! No water bottle caps allowed in backseat”. 13. Also, not to mention, there were no Audi loaner cars available; this gives off the appearance that Audi is making a lot of repairs and they are aware of this $1200 “water bottle cap” problem called a gateway. 14. I am aware my experience is possibly rare, BUT it must not happen ever. This was a dangerous scary experience that must not happen again to me or any family! 15. Pls demand Audi to recall these q5s to relocate the gateway, before someone dies!!! 16. I will trade in q5 to avoid death...

NHTSA ID

11428184

Incident

Aug 4, 2021

Water was spilled in the backseat of the car (less than 12 ounces of water). This caused a complete electrical failure impacting the engine and power steering. The failure happened at a slow speed in a parking lot but would have been much more dangerous on highway. The car would not turn on or off and would not shift into any gear after coming to a stop. Was told that the water caused a failure in the data bus control module.

NHTSA ID

11422446

Incident

May 8, 2021

Q5 HAS A VERY SERIOUS DEFECT, THAT IS, THERE IS A GATEWAY MODULE LOCATED UNDER THE REAR SEAT CUSHION/CUP HOLDER. ALL OF THE COMMUNICATIONS TO ALL THE CONTROLLERS GO THROUGH THIS LITTLE BOX. IF WATER SPILLS, IT COLLECTS AROUND THE GATEWAY AND CORRODES IT, WHICH WILL SHUT DOWN THE CAR. THIS SHUTDOWN OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY FAMILY. LOST ALL POWER, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL, EVERYTHING. BARELY COASTED OUT OF THE ROADWAY. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW TO LOCATE THIS SENSITIVE MODULE UNDERNEATH REAR CUP HOLDERS AND WILL LEAD TO DANGEROUS SITUATIONS FOR PEOPLE IN THE CAR.

NHTSA ID

11386836

Incident

Dec 21, 2020

Mileage

600 mi