2020 Audi Q5Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 25 owner complaints about the 2020 Audi Q5, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 23V-842 the manufacturer reports only 89% of affected cars repaired.

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 4, 2026. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2020 Audi Q5 has problems

25 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system80
Engine41
Steering30
Forward collision avoidance32
Seat belts30
Service brakes20
Vehicle speed control22
Power train20
Wheels10
5 other systems50

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

6 recalls

2020 Audi Q5 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

89%repaired · 2025 Q4

Cable/cord: onboard

Recall 23V-842 · Dec 13, 2023 · 93,196 vehicles · 82,514 repaired

Risk. An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

97%repaired · 2023 Q4

Axle: non-powered axle assembly

Recall 22V-034 · Jan 26, 2022 · 31,058 vehicles · 30,217 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

91%repaired · 2023 Q4

Electrical system: body control module/bcm

Recall 21V-947 · Dec 8, 2021 · 288,991 vehicles · 263,821 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

96%repaired · 2023 Q1

Axle: non-powered axle assembly

Recall 21V-295 · Apr 26, 2021 · 40,993 vehicles · 39,296 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
97%repaired · 2022 Q2

Seats

Recall 20V-505 · Aug 26, 2020 · 5,376 vehicles · 5,211 repaired

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

95%repaired · 2021 Q1

Structure: body

Recall 19V-737 · Oct 16, 2019 · 174,278 vehicles · 165,927 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Audi.

Best & worst years

2020 vs. every other Q5 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Q5 median. How we score

'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2020 Audi Q5 safety ratings

2020 Audi Q5 SUV AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

★★★★★Overall rating
2020 Audi Q5 frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crash★★★★★
2020 Audi Q5 side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrier★★★★★
2020 Audi Q5 side pole test, NHTSA
Side pole★★★★★
  • Rollover: 4 stars (16.4% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: Standard
  • Lane departure warning: Optional
In owners' words

What Q5 owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 11758407 · Aug 21, 2026
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…
Complaint 11755361 · Aug 6, 2026
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…
Complaint 11556844 · Nov 26, 2023

Own a 2020 Q5?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.