2020 Audi SQ5 recalls and problems

The 2020 Audi SQ5 has 4 safety recalls and 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Audi dealer.

Recalls
4
Complaints
8
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2020 Audi SQ5 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2020 Audi SQ5 recalls

Recall 22V-034: Tires, Suspension

Reported Jan 26, 2022 · 31,058 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.

Risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.

Recall 21V-947: Structure, Electrical System

Reported Dec 8, 2021 · 288,991 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, 2018-2022 Q5, and SQ5 vehicles. A liquid spill in the rear seat, or water ingress from an insufficient body seam underneath the vehicle may allow liquid to penetrate the gateway control module, causing it to shutdown.

Risk: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will install a protective cover on the gateway control module and seal an underbody seam as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90S9.

Recall 21V-295: Suspension

Reported Apr 26, 2021 · 40,993 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.

Risk: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.

Recall 20V-505: Seats

Reported Aug 26, 2020 · 5,376 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen ) is recalling certain 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Jetta, Jetta GLI and Tiguan and Audi Q5 and SQ5 and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. Parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may not have been welded properly.

Risk: In the event of a rear-end crash, the backrest adjustment could break, possibly reducing the amount of occupant restraint, thus increasing risk of injury.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats, and, as necessary, replace the seatback frames, free of charge. The recall began September 11, 2020. Volkswagen owners may contact their customer service at 1-888-241-2289. Audi owners may contact their customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 72L1, 72K8, and 72K9.

2020 Audi SQ5 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Forward Collision Avoidance4
Unknown or Other3
Vehicle Speed Control2
Steering1
Service Brakes1
Back Over Prevention1
Engine1

Most reported parts

  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 3
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 1
  • Back Over Prevention › Warnings — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 12,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2020 Audi SQ5 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Engine · reported Sep 22, 2026
2020 Audi SQ5, 3.0T EA839 engine. On 9/22/2026 an independent repair shop inspected the vehicle and found engine coolant pooling in the engine valley beneath the coolant module (integrated water pump / thermostat housing). The leak is internal and was not visible from outside the vehicle: no coolant on the ground and no warning light before the shop inspected it. The area was wet and coated with residue, indicating the leak had been active for some time. The shop confirmed the leaking coolant has contaminated the PCV valve and vacuum hose system located in the same area. Repair estimate is…
Vehicle Speed Control · reported Apr 18, 2026
My 2020 Audi SQ5 (3.0L turbo V6, EA839 engine) experienced premature water pump failure at 64,361 miles. Coolant leaked into the vacuum system, damaging the vacuum unit and related components. Failed parts are available for inspection. Safety Risk: Loss of coolant circulation causes rapid overheating and risk of sudden engine failure at highway speeds, creating a collision hazard. Coolant intrusion into the vacuum system can also impair brake booster function, compromising stopping ability. Confirmed by Dealer: Diagnosed and confirmed by Audi Reno Tahoe (Reno, NV) on April 9, 2026. Written…
Unknown or Other · reported Jan 8, 2025
My sunroof spontaneously imploded while driving my vehicle on the highway. I was going to speed limit in the middle lane, very little traffic, no semi-trucks near and did not drive under an overpass.
Forward Collision Avoidance · reported Aug 21, 2023
I recently purchased this vehicle 8/5/23 and since then the pre sense function has activated it’s jarring emergency breaking three times. Once it happened to me backing out of my driveway without any obstruction, another with my husband backing out of a parking spot, and then most recently today with me as a driver going about 35 mph where it “sensed” a vehicle next to me about to change into my lane but changed their mind. Even if the vehicle next to me changed lanes to go in front of me, there was plenty of space and having the emergency pre sense braking created a more unsafe…
Unknown or Other · reported Mar 28, 2023
The sos emergency system continues to fail. It alarms that it failed. Warning light on the dashboard continues to be on. The car was brought to the dealer. emergency calling unavailable while driving.

Other Audi SQ5 years

Compare all Audi SQ5 years · All Audi models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2020 Audi SQ5 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2020 Audi SQ5: 22V-034 (tires, suspension), 21V-947 (structure, electrical system), 21V-295 (suspension), 20V-505 (seats). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2020 Audi SQ5?

Owners report forward collision avoidance problems most often (4 reports), followed by unknown or other (3). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 12,000 miles.

Are Audi recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Audi dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.