RoadVitals

2014 Audi SQ5 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
12
Latest Mar 21, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
7
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2014 Audi SQ5, 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

  • Steering430.8%
  • Fuel system323.1%
  • Suspension215.4%
  • Engine17.7%
  • Body & structure17.7%
  • Electrical17.7%
  • Visibility17.7%

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

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 AUDI SQ5. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING RANDOMLY MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V452000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ID 11245409 · filed Aug 21, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 AUDI SQ5. BEFORE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V452000 (STEERING). WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE OUT OF THE PARKING LOT, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUDI BEVERLY HILLS (2340 S FAIRFAX AVE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90016) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

NHTSA ID 11190936 · filed Mar 22, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FUEL PUMP STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING. HAPPENED TWICE IN ONE TRIP AND FORTUNATELY WAS ON ROADS WITH LOW TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ID 11246475 · filed Aug 26, 2019

UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES DRIVING TO OR FROM LOS ANGELES TO PHOENIX, THE FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONS AND THE CAR SHUTS DOWN. IT STARTS AGAIN AFTER VEHICLE COOLS DOWN. THE FIRST TIME IT SHUT DOWN AT BLYTHE CALIFORNIA AND THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE AUDI DEALER IN RANCHO MIRAGE. DIAGNOSTIC SHOWED NO ISSUES WITH PUMP. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED WAS 6/21/2019 WHILE DRIVING FROM LOS ANGELES TO PHOENIX. IT SHUT DOWN ON THE I-17 FREEWAY (I-17 AND JEFFERSON STREET). LOST ALL POWER TO THE VEHICLE DURING AFTERNOON RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I WAS LUCKY TO EXIT AND COAST UP THE EXIT OUT OF HARMS WAY. AUDI CHANDLEWR DEALER IDENTIFIED IT AS A FUEL PUMP VAPOR LOCK AND PUMP HAS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID 11221899 · filed Jun 22, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

After seeing the rear subframe of a 2014 Audi Q5 nearly split in half due to rust, causing vehicle handling and steering issues, I inspected the rear subframe of my 2014 Audi SQ5 and found similar rust, though not quite as bad. The plastic gravel guards that use plastic rivets to attach to the rear subframe trap water, salt, and brine inside the hollow steel tubing of the subframe causing it to rust rapidly from the inside out in two locations, weakening the subframe and greatly increasing the chances of serious injury or death due to losing control of the vehicle. Photos of the damage were sent to one local dealer who claimed not to seen this type of damage before and refused to cover repair under Audi's 12 year corrosion perforation warranty. This is a serious defect that appears to affect quite a few 2008-2017 Audi Q5 and SQ5 models.

NHTSA ID 11649645 · filed Mar 21, 2025

I have a 2014 Audi sq5. Had vehicle in for service today and the tech discovered a huge rust hole in the rear subframe on both the left and right sides under the plastic shielding. This is a huge safety issue and this is not normal on a 10 year old vehicle to have this massive rust problem. After doing some research this seems to be a very common issue on this chassis, someone is going to die if one of these completely rusts through and breaks while driving. My previous car (13 Mercedes c300) had a recall for a similar issue with rear subframe rot. Something needs to be done with this Audi sq5. This is not safe and a recall should be made for these low quality rear subframes

NHTSA ID 11604869 · filed Jul 27, 2024

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE I HEARD A TAPPING / KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND AS I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE THE SOUND BECAME LOUDER AND FASTER THEN SUDDENLY WITHOUT ANY LIGHTS OR NOTIFICATION THE ENGINE PRODUCED A LOUD BOOM, WHITE SMOKE PLUME AND THE ENGINE LOCKED UP. MEANWHILE THE SMELL OF OIL ENTERED THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR AND IT COASTED FOR APPROXIMATELY HALF A MILE AND LEFT ME STRANDED ON AN EXIT RAMP. *TR

NHTSA ID 10670983 · filed Jan 8, 2015

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

Vehicle has suffered extensive and catastrophic corrosion to the rear sub-frame resulting in structural danger to operate vehicle. Extensive rust appears to be the result of substandard materials and the manufacturer supplied installation of plastic guard which traps and retains moisture and debris next to the subframe. Damage was detected before vehicle incident could occur on road.

NHTSA ID 11614147 · filed Sep 12, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE I HEARD A TAPPING / KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND AS I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE THE SOUND BECAME LOUDER AND FASTER THEN SUDDENLY WITHOUT ANY LIGHTS OR NOTIFICATION THE ENGINE PRODUCED A LOUD BOOM, WHITE SMOKE PLUME AND THE ENGINE LOCKED UP. MEANWHILE THE SMELL OF OIL ENTERED THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR AND IT COASTED FOR APPROXIMATELY HALF A MILE AND LEFT ME STRANDED ON AN EXIT RAMP. *TR

NHTSA ID 10670983 · filed Jan 8, 2015

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 AUDI SQ5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SITTING IN THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND TRAVELED DOWN TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT NO OBJECT ENCOUNTERED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND THAT HE WAS CONCERNED THAT THE MATERIAL WAS NOT STURDY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDSHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

NHTSA ID 10845767 · filed Mar 9, 2016

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

Data on this page last refreshed .