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ProblemsByVin Index / 2021-AUDI-Q5-E / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2021 Audi Q5 e owner complaints

26 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 1 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

other 6 complaints shown

11/24/2021 1 injury ODI #11441634.0

The vehicle automatic emergency braking has engaged over 6 times when no vehicle or other object was in front of the vehicle. The aggressive hard braking has nearly caused rear ending accidents and has also caused a neck injury. The vehicle has been taken to the dealership to address. The dealership indicated they reduced the sensitivity/distance of the system. This has not resolved the problem, and Audi has indicated they have no other actions they can take.

07/25/2022 ODI #11475660.0

A/C condenser leaking. Known issue for Audi Q5.

05/25/2024 ODI #11590726.0

I have had three occurrences where the Automatic Emergency Braking system and Forward Collision system have been activated for no reason. In one case the Q5 braked suddenly, and the seat belts tightened to the point that it made my passengers back sore. Fortunately, no vehicle was following close behind to cause a rear end collision. I another case I was stopped at a traffic light with a car also stopped in front of me and the seat belts tightened for no reason. It was very startling. The third instance I was driving along a straight 2 lane road with no cars travelling in either direction and the AEB activated. The braking was violent. I am concerned that the AEB could activate on an interstate highway causing a serious accident. The date I used was just one occurance.

05/23/2024 ODI #11590488.0

In several instances, my Audi Q5 has erroneously thought there was a road hazard and slammed on the brakes. It was terrifying. Luckily there were not cars close behind or they would have collided with my car. We took it to the dealer who adjusted the system they call “Pre-sense” but the car still slammed on its brakes for no reason a couple of months later.

05/02/2023 11,000 mi ODI #11520086.0

The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5E. The contact stated that the vehicle was initially taken to the dealer due to an accident unrelated to a failure; however, the contact stated that while his vehicle was being serviced at the dealer, he was notified by the technician that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V742000 (Back Over Prevention) however, during the software update, the infotainment module became corrupted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not yet been repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

03/27/2024 ODI #11579722.0

Gas gauge stuck. Other Audi gas sensors have been recalled.

powertrain 4 complaints shown

6 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain cluster analysis →
10/17/2025 ODI #11694136.0

While driving one day, several warning messages appeared on the dashboard, but would then disappear. The next day, the car engine would not start and the vehicle dashboard would not turn on. The car was inoperable and had to be towed to a dealer service center. Dealer confirmed that the issue was caused by liquid entering the gateway control module. A safety fix had been applied before during a 90S9 recall in 2022, but it appears that fix is inadequate or defective.

06/14/2021 ODI #11420815.0

When I powered on the car, I got a message "Electrical system failure", and was unable to start the car. After multiple tries, the car started, but had the check engine light on. Had this failure happened while the car was moving, this could have been a very dangerous situation. We live in Arizona, and could have easily been stranded in the desert without cell service, creating another life threatening situation.

06/08/2026 ODI #11742774.0

I and my wife were emerging from an intetstate highway entrance ramp when our car suddenly and completely lost power. A "Transmission Malfunction" warning suddenly (and for the first time) appeared on the dashboard.We had just completed a merge with heavy traffic going 70-75 miles per hour. Immediately behind our car was a very large tractor-trailer that hit its brakes but came within inches of the rear of our car before we could get on the highway shoulder--i.e., we came extremely close to suffering serious injury or death. The car was towed to the nearest Audi dealer, where it was determined that the Transmission Control Module had to be replaced, at a cost of $8,000. The warranty on the car is 4 years/40,000 miles, while our car is 5 years, 2 months old, and has 47,000 miles on the odo

04/26/2025 ODI #11656915.0

A transmission malfunction message displayed and vehicle lost power. This happened when ascending a hill.

electrical 2 complaints shown

3 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
10/11/2022 2,000 mi ODI #11488734.0

The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5 E. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle came to a sudden halt as the malfunction indicator light illuminated the instrument panel. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after approximately 15 minutes and drove the vehicle to a dealer(Audi of Quad Cities-1777 E 53rd St, Davenport, IA 52807) where they discovered a defective switch on the vehicle's battery pack which was linked to TSB-9321462062953/1. The contact had the switch repaired by the dealer. The contact stated that the failure recently occurred again while driving at 30 MPH; however, the time, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where it remained in their possession and where it had yet to be diagnosed. The manufacturer had been n

04/26/2023 ODI #11519000.0

Charging socket lock errors out. Disables charging and inhibits the vehicle’s electric drivability. The vehicle displays the following error: Could not execute action. Locking error in charging system.

steering 2 complaints shown

07/23/2021 ODI #11426209.0

The incident occurred on a busy road during evening rush hour. I was in the middle lane of three lanes, and the lane to the right of me was closed due to construction. The phrase “electrical malfunction” flashed across my dashboard, there were beeping sounds, and about 5-10 later the steering froze up and the car would no longer accelerate. There were no other prior warning indications. I was unable to steer over on a side road or shoulder. I blocked traffic in the middle lane. My 1-and-a-half-year-old was in the back seat with me, and I was 35 weeks pregnant at the time. The temperature was 104 outside and my car wouldn’t start despite several trouble shooting attempts to turn it back on. The car kept beeping and flashing malfunction signals on the dashboard indicating that all the differ

06/04/2023 ODI #11525278.0

Every possible warning light came on without notice and the car came to an abrupt halt. Ultimately the front tires locked and the car could not be moved out of park. This happened at Yosemite National Park and was very dangerous. Fortunately I was able to glide most of the car to the side of the road (not all) before the complete shutdown of all systems. The car was towed to our Audi dealer. Audi confirmed that it was the Gateway Module that had completely shut down due to "water ingress." This was perplexing because: 1) There had been a recall to fix this issue in similar Audi's about a year ago and we had promptly taken it in for the fix; and 2) We did not spill any water on the back seat nor drive over any substantial water which in any event should not have resulted in a comple

body 1 complaint shown

11/12/2021 ODI #11440290.0

My 2021 Audi Q5e is a PHEV. There are ion-lithium batteries in this vehicle, but absolutely no markings on the body that this is a hybrid vehicle. The only marking is a small clear window sticker on the driver's side window, which is almost impossible to read. As an exvoluntiee fireman, we had extensive how to handle a fire when it involved a hybrid/electric vehicle. Audi has done enough to alert emergency personnel that the Q5e contains ion-lithium batteries. There needs to be much better badging on the Q5e indicating it is a hybrid. Audi should at least add the letter "e" to the Q5 emblem on the rear tailgate.

brakes 1 complaint shown

08/19/2024 ODI #11609564.0

Reporting a potentially dangerous situation related to the vehicle's braking system. This incident happened on [XXX], on [XXX] in around the Fife WA area. The vehicle is an 2021 Audi Q5 hybrid, purchased new and been taking to dealership for service for every service interval. Initially, the vehicle was in adaptive cruise control, speed set at about 60 miles per hour. Then when the vehicle comes to a congested section of the freeway, the adaptive cruise control tries to slow down the vehicle, but it is about getting close to the vehicle in front, so I manually pressed on the brake and add additional brake force to make sure the vehicle stop in time. About that moment, there were multiple messages showed on the instrument panel, I did not have time to read all of them, but for sure

engine 1 complaint shown

05/18/2026 ODI #11738560.0

Vehicle has an issue with the transmission control, it will not reliably shift into the appropriate gears as it gains speed, often slipping & shuddering, sometimes even slamming into a higher gear. A few times it has stayed in first or second gear as I was pulling onto a busy street into oncoming traffic, I was unable to gain speed without taking my foot off the gas entirely and trying again. This creates a very dangerous situation as I was unable to get to speed, cars did have to slow & go around me as I was not able to speed up I did get a warning light a couple of times, dashboard read "Drive system: Malfunction! Please contact Service" Dealership said it gave the code "P288200," and stated that this indicated "Engine disconnect clutch engagement fault." Audi has a TSB for remedy

visibility 1 complaint shown

04/24/2023 ODI #11518682.0

During heavy rain storms, the audi windshield wipers will stop whenever the car is at a stop. This occurs at every setting, auto, low or hi Settings. This is very dangerous especially at a stop light or sign. A pedestrian could be walking in front of your vehicle and because your wipers are not operating you could not see the pedestrian walking in front of your car. Very dangerous!

wheels 1 complaint shown

04/21/2026 ODI #11732886.0

The warning lite for the low tire pressure comes on randomly and consistently. I've taken it in about 5 times and have been told the tire pressure is fine and it is just a built in defect. I am concerned because I can't check my tires constantly and especially when I am on the freeway. I fear for my safety, the safety of my passengers and the vehicles around me. It happens on the loaners they give me, so I know it is not just my vehicle. I've talked to corporate and they seem very unconcerned. Can you help at all?' I'm considering selling it because of this issue, but don't want some one else coming back on me about it if they get in an accident.

tires 1 complaint shown

03/25/2025 13,000 mi ODI #11650499.0

The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5 E. The contact stated that the TPMS warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions. The dealer inspected the tires while the warning light was illuminated, and the dealer informed the contact that no failure was found; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000.

Showing 300 of 26 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Audi/Q5 e#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-07-26. 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.
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