Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.

Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.

ProblemsByVin Index / 2020-AUDI-Q5 / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2020 Audi Q5 owner complaints

25 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 3 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

other 5 complaints shown

12/09/2025 Crash ODI #11703932.0

Traffic stopped very quickly. The automatic breaking did not engage, resulting in a crash and a total loss of the vehicle. I bought the Audi due to quality safety features so this incident was very disappointing and costly for our family.

08/03/2023 ODI #11536289.0

The contact owns a 2020 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera image was intermittently blank or distorted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and to a second dealer, Santa Monica Audi (1020 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401), on several occasions; however, the dealers were unable to duplicate the failure. The dealers replaced the rearview camera twice; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the second dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.

06/10/2025 ODI #11666097.0

I purchased a pre-owned Audi in August 2023 from a franchised dealer. I was explicitly told there were no open recalls or issues. In May 2024, the vehicle suffered a complete electrical failure during use—warning lights flashed, wipers activated on their own, the steering wheel moved without input, and the windows opened/closed erratically. It was inoperable and could not shift into neutral. A flatbed tow was required, and the vehicle had to be physically forced off the truck at home. The next morning, the authorized service center initially refused the tow but later accepted it after I explained the severity. A service advisor confirmed the failure was due to an active safety recall and that a replacement control module was unavailable. I was denied a loaner until I escalated the issue t

05/22/2024 Crash ODI #11590080.0

Subject: Formal Complaint Regarding Vehicle Safety Issue with 2020 Audi Q5 Dear National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding a critical safety issue with my 2020 Audi Q5, as advised by the New York State Division of Consumer Protection. Please find attached a copy of the Division's correspondence dated May 21, 2024, concerning my initial complaint against Audi of America, Inc., along with supporting documents pertinent to this case. On April 10, 2024, while parking in the driveway despite applying the brakes, and despite the reduced speed, the vehicle suddenly accelerated (launching/jumping forward motion) and collided with the side of the house. On April 11, 2024, my auto insurance adjuster confirmed the vehicle was towed to the

05/17/2022 ODI #11465067.0

Sun roof exploded for no reason. No rock hit it, driving on the highway with no other cars around

electrical 5 complaints shown

6 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
11/26/2023 ODI #11556844.0

We were driving today at around 11:30am and all of a sudden the “Audi Presense” light came on at the same time the car brakes abruptly slowed down the car for about 5 seconds or so and then released. Today is a beautiful sunny day and there were no vehicles anywhere or anything in roadway on the road we were traveling on. The jerking /abrupt slowdown really surprised us. We will go to Audi dealer asap but now we don’t trust when it will happen again. A car could have hit us from behind.

08/21/2026 ODI #11758407.0

Electrical system failure due to water in the spare tire & battery well, purchased key fob, 2 auto batteries unable to program fob due to non compatible 1st battery, info display contact dealer, had the water extracted, there were no prior indicators of an upcoming issue until the morning of May 22,2026 when my vehicle wouldn't start so I called roadside assistance for a boost. The key symbol is constant on display now, after over 2mos @the dealer, made several calls to Audi Corp, Audi. com, Audi USA., Consumer Protection, Texas Lemon law , it was shown to have an active recall. I was advised to contact my insurance company, which was denied seems as though no resolve for an actual ongoing Audi issue. I'd hate to be driving & the vehicle comes to an abrupt stop & put lives in danger fr

08/13/2020 ODI #11349103.0

I recently purchased a 2020 Audi q5. It was 6 weeks old and had about 2300 miles on the odometer. When pulling out of a parking space the car died. I could not get it started no matter what I did. I could not even get the flashers to turn on (to the ire of those trying to exit the lot.) after having it towed (I was on vacation, no less!) I learned that the electrical distribution system was defective and had to be replaced. I am just grateful this did not give out on a 55 + MPH highway, which could have been life threatening. Also, since the gear shift is electric, there is a way to put the car in neutral for towing purposes. This system did not work and my car had to be towed backward while in drive.

08/06/2026 ODI #11755361.0

Engine Start Malfunction Warning Light. Apparently, this has been a problem with the 2020 Q5 (and others) from water backing up from clogged moonroof drainage system allowing water into the L rear compartment housing the Comfort Control Module, wiring, fuses, etc. (or other roof drainage problems also saturating the CCM) Dealership has determined that damage to the CCM and corroded wiring will cost about $5500 to replace and program. Audi, I believe. sustained a class action lawsuit and agreed to cover that problem with the moonroof drainage system up to 90000 miles. However, my vehicle is at 114000, but I never received any type of notice of there being a problem or that the drainage system should be evaluated from Audi. And this had to have been occurring for years for system corrosion

06/24/2022 ODI #11470918.0

The car was constantly smelling like smoke. It felt like it was going to catch fire. I got it serviced when it had to be serviced at 15k but Audi dealership did not warn of any recall and mentioned everything was great with the car. In the end I had to sell the car which was in April, 22 because I didn’t feel safe driving the car anymore. I would also constantly get airbag being deployed warnings on the screen and one time the car shut down automatically as I was driving at about 45Mph going up the mountain

steering 3 complaints shown

3 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $700 · see steering cluster analysis →
11/30/2021 ODI #11442139.0

Gateway control modular failure. At dealer currently. We took pictures. Multiple reports of the exact same thing on Audi forums online. Audi confirmed same issue. While driving car it suddenly stopped and the emergency brake was automatically applied. No warning, no way to Live the car to safety, all the warning lights began to flash, windows started to rolling up and down. Then the car just turned off. Unable to start it, turn it on, move it, nothing. Needed a special tow truck to have it towed to dealer. A serious safety issue. I am 8 m pregnant, had my brother and 4 year old nephew in car. I am concerned for my safety but equally concerned for every Q5 has this gateway module in this location. Every person driving a Q5 and other drivers can be affected by the design flaw of

09/04/2026 ODI #11762207.0

On September 2, 2026, I purchased a used 2020 Audi Q5 with disclosed Lemon Law Buyback title branding. Approximately two hours after taking delivery, the vehicle began exhibiting a pronounced vibration/judder in the drivetrain when turning the steering wheel at low speed, approximately 1-5 mph. Initially occurring only at full steering lock, the symptom has progressively worsened and now occurs during slighter turns as well, with increasing frequency. The vehicle operates normally in a straight line. This is consistent with Audi Technical Service Bulletin 2059057 (Quattro Ultra AWD vibration/binding in tight turns), applicable to 2018-2020 Audi Q5 vehicles. Given this vehicle's disclosed prior manufacturer buyback history, this may represent a recurring, unresolved drivetrain defect.

04/27/2020 ODI #11322405.0

Overall problem: Audi q5 2020 appears to have a computer malfunction that instantly disables all systems. Vehicle 'shut itself off' at a brief stop and became very difficult to control, rolling into intersection. Details: I stopped car at residential neighborhood stop sign (brief and complete stop, no wait), immediately ready to proceed forward. Audi's 'auto stop/start' feature shut off the engine, then immediately all electronics shut down. The car basically 'turned itself off.' vehicle then began drifting/coasting into intersection. Controls were unresponsive. I realized the power brakes and power steering were disabled. I braked very hard, which stopped the car. Had to keep brakes pressed very hard to keep car from moving. Ignition button was unresponsive. I then noti

engine 3 complaints shown

3 total in this category · severe · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
09/28/2022 ODI #11486864.0

I have this car and it "drinks" about 300mL of coolant between 800-1000 miles. I have to add coolant once a while, but not much... Went to the dealership and they did an inspection and pressure test and came back all normal. They told me the car will use coolant during summer?! I see many other people having similar issues on the Audi Forum. Please investigate as VW tends to make poor-quality water pump and I hope it is not the engine consuming it...

08/02/2024 ODI #11606175.0

On 12-18-2024, I brought a Audi Q5 2020 from Lynbrook Audi dealership in New york, approximately weeks after the vehicle engine oil light came on to replenish engine oil. I notified the sales representative of the issue, he stated that the vehicle was serviced on 09-2023. After our conversation the vehicle engine oil light continue to light up for oil replenish every 2 to 3 weeks for the past 7 months, I contacted the manufacturer and dealership and both of them is pointing fingers at each other instead of fixing the vehicle. Every time the engine oil light came on i have to take the vehicle to the dealership to replenish. The problem was never resolved.

06/15/2021 Fire ODI #11421025.0

On July 14, 2020, my daughter and I drove my leased Audi Q5 to Cari’s sister’s home. As I pulled in the driveway, and before I turned off the vehicle and exited the car, smoke began to billow from the engine compartment and enter the interior. My daughter and I were suddenly engulfed by white smoke, and evacuated the vehicle immediately. With the use of a garden hose and fire extinguishers, my sister, brother-in-law, and I were able to subdue the fire until the fire department arrived and extinguished it fully. My Audi Q5 was totaled due to this fire that, suddenly and without warning, engulfed the engine compartment. After the incident, Audi inspected the vehicle. Ultimately, Audi stated that the cause/origin of the engine compartment fire was due to the turbocharger electronic waste gat

powertrain 1 complaint shown

11/13/2025 ODI #11699189.0

Purchased a 2020 Audi Q5 sold as-is. Within 30 days, the transmission malfunctioned and the vehicle lost power. A dealer estimated repairs would cost around $27,000. This sudden loss of drive ability poses a safety risk.

wheels 1 complaint shown

11/01/2024 ODI #11623104.0

My dealership informed me that my tires were feathering at the edges and wearing unevenly. I found information that there was a recall for this problem. There was a recall (4215) that stated there was a misalignment in the suspension creating the uneven wearing. This included my car model. I need information regarding why my car isn't listed for the recall. The car does have a weird skip in making hard turns.

visibility 1 complaint shown

05/24/2023 ODI #11523612.0

Stopped on the road, the rear window exploded with a very loud boom. I pulled over and talked to the driver behind me who also pulled over and asked if he saw anything, he said no, only heard the boom. We looked in the back of the car and no projectile or foreign object. I moved to a nearby parking lot and pushed as much of the broken glass into the car as I could so it wouldn't fall off on the road. There were no cracks or defects identifiable before hand. The car was clean and any issues would have been visible. There was no warning of the explosion. I have brought the car in to the dealer, Fletcher Jones in Chicago.

body 1 complaint shown

05/16/2022 ODI #11464750.0

The hood has opened 3 different times with no warning while driving down the road.

Showing 300 of 25 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Audi/Q5#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-09-13. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
Sponsored
Get a free warranty quote →