VehicleVerdict

2022 Audi Q5 Sportback problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 43 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 8.6 times the median Q5 Sportback year — the 2022 model ranks #1 of 4 Q5 Sportback years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Driver Assistance leads the complaint categories with 13 reports (30% of the total).

43

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2022 compare to other Q5 Sportback years?

Q5 Sportback NHTSA complaints by model year, 2022 highlighted43 complaints2022: 43 complaints2023: 10 complaints2024: 0 complaints2025: 0 complaints
Q5 Sportback NHTSA complaints by model year, 2022 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Q5 Sportback years to avoid →

What are the most common 2022 Audi Q5 Sportback problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance1330%
Engine716%
Electrical System614%
Other512%
Brakes512%
Transmission37%
Fuel System12%
Airbags12%
Speed Control12%
Trailer Hitch12%

Does the 2022 Audi Q5 Sportback have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V294000EngineMay 7, 2025 · 89,417 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Q5 Quattro and Q5 Sportback Quattro vehicles. The cylinder head cover screws may have been improperly tightened.

Consequence

The screws can loosen, allowing oil to leak and increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the screws as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 5, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 15ZK.

22V753000EngineOctober 7, 2022 · 76,515 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Audi Q5 Sportback, Q5, 2022-2023 Volkswagen Atlas FL, and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The engine connecting rod bearings may become damaged, which can result in engine failure.

Consequence

A damaged engine can result in engine failure and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash. If the engine failure causes an oil leak, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace an affected engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 6, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 13i4 (VW) and 13i5 (Audi).

22V368000EngineMay 23, 2022 · 72 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022 Audi A6 Sedan, A4 Sedan, Q5, and Q5 Sportback vehicles. The semiconductor inside the engine control unit may short-circuit and cause an engine stall.

Consequence

An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the engine control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 24iH.

21V947000Body & StructureDecember 8, 2021 · 288,991 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

21V825000Driver AssistanceOctober 20, 2021 · 2,857 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8 and S8, 2022 Audi A5 Sportback, A4 Sedan, E-Tron GT, Q3, Q5, RS6 Avant, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RSQ8, SQ7, SQ8, and S3 Sedan vehicles. A software error may prevent the rear-view image from initially displaying when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

A rear-view camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the infotainment unit parameters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 9, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91CR.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“Accident occurred in the parking lot as I was trying to park, sudden unintended acceleration occurred that caused the car to hit the building. Neither front nor back airbags deployed, as well as the automatic emergency break of the collision safety system did not work or activated to stop the car.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · January 1, 2023 · crash

“The vehicle’s engine failed and ignited a fire. There is an active safety recall for the engine connecting rod of this vehicle. NHTSA recall number, 22V753. My husband was assigned a loaner vehicle owned by Audi Ontario with an active manufacture safety recall. The dealership was aware of the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 31, 2023 · fire

“I have had an “open case” with Audi since last April when we purchased this vehicle. 4-5 times, the car has stopped suddenly, showing “electric malfunction” message on the dashboard. It happened again yesterday and I nearly missed being in a very serious accident. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 5, 2022

“1. When parked on a slight incline, vehicle rolls forward (downhill) AFTER shifting from Park to Reverse. Dealership says this is normal, says car will roll forward up to 10 feel even when transmission is in reverse. Appears to be due to a design defect in the electronic transmission. 2. Windows…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · December 1, 2021

“Accident occurred in the parking lot as I was trying to park, sudden unintended acceleration occurred that caused the car to hit the building. Neither front nor back airbags deployed, as well as the automatic emergency break of the collision safety system did not work or activated to stop the car.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 1, 2023 · crash

2022 Audi Q5 Sportback — common questions

Is the 2022 Audi Q5 Sportback reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 43 complaints put the 2022 model at #1 of 4 Q5 Sportback years. It is one of the Q5 Sportback years to avoid.

What are the most common 2022 Q5 Sportback problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are driver assistance (13 complaints), engine (7 complaints), electrical system (6 complaints).

Does the 2022 Audi Q5 Sportback have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2022 Audi Q5 Sportback. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Audi Q5 Sportback years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Q5 Sportback years to avoid are 2022. The cleanest record among Q5 Sportback years belongs to 2025.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.