VehicleVerdict

2019 Audi SQ5 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 25 complaints on file for the 2019 Audi SQ5 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

25

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2019 compare to other SQ5 years?

SQ5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 highlighted35 complaints2013: 1 complaints2014: 13 complaints2015: 8 complaints2016: 6 complaints2017: 5 complaints2018: 35 complaints2019: 25 complaints2020: 12 complaints2021: 18 complaints2022: 2 complaints2023: 3 complaints2024: 8 complaints2025: 7 complaints
SQ5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all SQ5 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2019 Audi SQ5 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes416%
Engine312%
Lighting312%
Electrical System312%
Visibility & Wipers28%
Driver Assistance28%
Body & Structure28%
Airbags28%
Transmission14%
Suspension14%
Fuel System14%
Steering14%

Does the 2019 Audi SQ5 have recalls?

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

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.

19V737000Body & StructureOctober 16, 2019 · 174,278 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi SQ5 and 2018-2020 Audi Q5 vehicles. The rear wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach from the vehicle.

Consequence

The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four clips securing the forward part of the rear wheel arch trim, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 66K8.

19V473000AirbagsJune 19, 2019 · 28 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. In the event of a crash deploying the passenger's frontal air bag, the instrument panel carrier may break due to incorrect welding. If the carrier breaks, there may be damage to the passenger frontal air bag.

Consequence

A damaged frontal air bag may not provide adequate protection, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the instrument panel and the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began August 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 90N1.

19V416000Tires & WheelsJune 5, 2019 · 126,161 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach.

Consequence

The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will secure the wheel arch trim with an additional screw and nut, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 66K6.

19V277000BrakesApril 8, 2019 · 12,645 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake master cylinder casting may be too short.

Consequence

A short casting can cause a sudden loss of brakes, increasing the risk of crash. The electronic parking brake and its emergency brake function are not affected and will still function.

Remedy

Audi has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the brake master cylinder, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 3, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 47O9.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“ON A SUBURBAN STREET THAT I REGULARLY DRIVE ON WITH NO CAR NEARER THAN 100 YARDS IN FRONT OF ME AND FORTUNATELY NO CAR BEHIND ME THE AUDI PRESENSE SYSTEM ACTUATED SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES AND FLASHING A RED TRIANGLE IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION SCREEN. IF A CAR HAD BEEN FOLLOWED BEHIND ME I WOULD'VE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 23, 2019

“CARS DASH BOARD GO WILL GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. COMPLETELY DISABLING ALL GAUGES UNTIL IT RESETS. BLUEGRASS AUDI CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE IT. I ASKED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO TO BE CONTACTED BY AUDI BUT I WAS NEVER CONTACTED. AUDI BLUEGRASS HAS HAD THE CAR2-3 TIMES NOW WITH NO SOLUTION. THIS ALSO INCLUDES ONE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 8, 2020

“There’s a knocking noise coming from the engine that could lead to potential engine failure. There is a known manufacturers defect in these engines. Audi has extended a warranty, but not all cars are eligible. This should be a recall because if the engine fails on a high speed through a highway,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 15, 2025

“First, the tail lights malfunctioned randomly. Both tail lights were out due to some software error that eventually resolved after a week. Thankfully this was covered by Audi, and there is a redundant tail light system in place. The error just suddenly came up and all main tail lights and turning…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · May 4, 2023

“Panoramic roof glass exploded outwards while driving on the highway. No sign of rock damage or debris hitting. The glass is deformed outwards. The glass was sent towards the interior of the car. The sunroof shade was closed and many pieces of glass were caught by this otherwise the driver would…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · August 30, 2024

2019 Audi SQ5 — common questions

Is the 2019 Audi SQ5 reliable?

The record is thin — 25 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2019 SQ5 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (4 complaints), electrical system (3 complaints), lighting (3 complaints).

Does the 2019 Audi SQ5 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2019 Audi SQ5. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Audi SQ5 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the SQ5 years to avoid are 2018. The cleanest record among SQ5 years belongs to 2013.

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.