2015 Audi SQ5

The rear subframe on my 2015 Audi SQ5 rusted through structurally at about 118,900 miles. In May 2026, an independent Audi specialist (Evan's Auto Care) found the rear subframe rusted through on critical parts and quoted $6,031.93 to replace it. In June 2026, an Audi dealer-level shop (The Audi Connection) confirmed the rear subframe was almost rusted through, called it a safety issue, and quoted $5,258.19 plus tax for replacement and alignment. We couldn't afford that, so the subframe was welded as a temporary repair. In October 2026, a shop inspected that weld and called it marginal: the tubing had already thinned from rust and the welds are poor quality, because sound welds can't be made on corroded metal. The car has been regularly serviced its whole life. The subframe holds the rear suspension and differential, and its failure while driving could cause loss of control. Many other 2013–2017 Q5 and SQ5 owners report the same rear subframe perforation in the same location, which appears to be caused by a plastic cover that traps water against the subframe. I am asking NHTSA to investigate this as a safety defect and Audi to issue a recall that includes reimbursement for owners who have already paid for repairs.

NHTSA ID

11770033

Incident

May 21, 2026

Component failed: The vehicle's structural front subframe assembly has suffered severe, catastrophic rust perforation and deterioration. Safety risk: The subframe holds the engine and front suspension. It is structurally compromised and at imminent risk of snapping or collapsing at highway speeds, which would cause a total loss of steering and vehicle control, risking a fatal high-speed crash. Dealer confirmation: An authorized Audi dealership inspected the vehicle on [Insert Date from 2 weeks ago] and explicitly determined that the vehicle is completely unsafe to drive. Availability: The vehicle and the failed component are currently held at the authorized Audi dealership and are fully available for federal inspection upon request. Symptoms: There were zero dashboard warning lights, messages, or symptoms prior to this discovery. The failure was only found because the dealership lifted the vehicle for a separate service. This hidden danger is due to factory-installed plastic underbody covers that trap moisture and road salt directly against the steel frame, concealing the severe rust perforation until the vehicle becomes an active hazard.

NHTSA ID

11755816

Incident

Jul 31, 2026

Rear subframe has extensive and significant rust affecting the structural integrity of the critical component…. Have been advised by a qualified certified mechanic that the vehicle should NOT be driven as doing so could result in catastrophic collapse of the vehicle suspension with potential loss of control of the vehicle without warning. This is apparently a known issue with this model vehicle and the manufacturer has not issued any formal warnings or recalls……

NHTSA ID

11661723

Incident

May 13, 2025

Rear subframe structure has rusted through in the same location on both sides of the car. Moisture is being trapped between a plastic pieces of molding and the subframe and causing it to rust out completely.

NHTSA ID

11650932

Incident

Mar 26, 2025

The contact owns a 2015 Audi SQ5. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, while the brake pedal was depressed, the brakes failed to engage; the contact had to initiate the emergency brake to bring the vehicle to a halt. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to get a diagnosis however, the diagnosis was pending. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,084.

NHTSA ID

11637365

Incident

Jan 19, 2025

Mileage

108,084 mi

The contact owns a 2015 Audi SQ5. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, there was an abnormal scraping and dragging sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and observed that the plastic cover for the rear frame was loosened and was dragging on the roadway. The contact was able to remove the remaining piece of the plastic cover by hand. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear subframe was severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

NHTSA ID

11604754

Incident

Jul 9, 2024

Mileage

110,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 AUDI SQ5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO THE BLIZZARD LIKE WEATHER IN HIS STATE, THE POWER STEERING FROZE AND A "POWER STEERING ERROR" WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE AND COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INTERNATIONAL AUTOS OF MILWAUKEE (2400 S 108TH ST, MILWAUKEE, WI 53227, (866) 455-8708) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11181960

Incident

Jan 30, 2018

ON JANUARY 8, 2018; I TOOK MY VEHICLE (AUDI SQ5, 2015, 21847 MILES, WELL WITHIN WARRANTY) INTO FLOW AUDI SERVICE DEPT. IN WINSTON-SALEM, NC. FOR A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER'S WHEEL HITTING AS IF METAL TO METAL, WITH A LOUD BANG AN A HARD JERK AS IF THE WHEEL IS SEPARATING FROM THE FRONT AXLE AS THE VEHICLE GOES INTO TURNS AND CLEARLY UNSAFE. THE SERVICE DEPT. MANAGER ADMITTED(ON RECORDING) TO A HIGH INFLUX OF OTHERS CUSTOMERS COMING IN WITH SAME ISSUE. I'VE BEEN TOLD IT'S THE DIFFERENTIAL, THE STRUTS, THE TRANSMISSION, THE TIRES AND SO ON. THE DEALERSHIP ADMITTED THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. SINCE THEN, I'VE BEEN MET WITH THREATENING HOSTILITY, AGGRESSION AND BULLING FROM UPPER MANAGEMENT TRYING TO MAKE ME TAKE MY VEHICLE WITHOUT IT BEING REPAIRED. I THEN, FILED A CLAIM WITH AUDI USA CORP. THE DEALERSHIP EVEN CALLED IN AN AUDI USA CORP. ENGINEER (FOR A DOG AND PONY SHOW) TO ONLY DRIVE MY CAR AND SAY WHAT HE THINKS COULD BE THE PROBLEM. THE ENGINEER NEVER EXAMINED MY CAR. HE DID WRITE A FACT SHEET PER MY REQUEST. (SEE ATTACHMENT). I MET WITH EXECUTIVE OFFICER(S) & WAS TOLD THEY WERE SORRY ABOUT THE THREATENING BEHAVIOR I RECEIVED AND TO TAKE MY CAR ELSEWHERE. AFTER REQUESTING THE ENGINEER TO SIGN OFF ON THE GUARANTEED SAFETY OF THE CAR WE'VE COME TO A COMPLETE HALT. IT'S NOW GOING ON 60 DAYS WITH NO RESOLVE. ITS CLEAR AUDI DOESN'T WANT TO EXPOSE THE REPAIRS THAT'S NEEDED OUT OF FEAR FOR ANOTHER MAJOR RECALL. SO, I CONTINUE TO BE MET WITH BULLING, UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES AND DECEPTION. THE LENGTHY LAPSE, THE MEASURES TAKEN TO STRONG-ARM ME AND THE DEALERSHIP'S UNWILLINGNESS TO REPAIR THE CAR SHOWS POSSIBLE CORRUPTION, DECEPTION AND UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES ON FLOW AUDI & AUDI USA CORP. PART.

NHTSA ID

11075427

Incident

Jan 8, 2018

Mileage

21,847 mi

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

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

This bulletin provides information when the starter battery is discharged or malfunctioning.

This bulletin provides information when the engine is not runing smoothly; all gas engines.

This bulletin provides information to aid in diagnosing the vehicle locking system.

This bulletin provides information on VIN plates, Safety Certification labels, and ordering procedures.