2021 Audi Q5 Sportback Problems: 8 Known Issues
2021 model year · 640+ owner reports · Updated October 2026
According to Au7o's analysis of 640+ owner reports, the 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback has 8 documented known issues, with 4 rated critical. The most serious are 2021-2022 Audi Q5 Sportback Gateway Recall 90S9 / NHTSA 21V947, 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback Rearview-Camera Recall 91DZ / NHTSA 22V742, 2021-2023 Audi Q5 Sportback Engine Recall 13i5 / NHTSA 22V753 and Front Assist Phantom Braking / False Emergency Braking (ADAS) ($0-$1,500 repair). The most commonly reported issue is Rear Brake Squeal and Premature Pad Wear with 640 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $50 to $4,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
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All 8 Known Issues
NHTSA Recalls6 recalls
ENGINE
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
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.
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2025 Q5, Q5 Sportback, SQ5, and SQ5 Sportback vehicles. The driver and front passenger seat belts may have been manufactured incorrectly, and fail to properly restrain occupants during a crash.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Audi Q5 Sportback problems?
According to Au7o's analysis of 640+ owner reports, the 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback has 8 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: 2021-2022 Audi Q5 Sportback Gateway Recall 90S9 / NHTSA 21V947, 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback Rearview-Camera Recall 91DZ / NHTSA 22V742, 2021-2023 Audi Q5 Sportback Engine Recall 13i5 / NHTSA 22V753. Of these, 4 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Audi Q5 Sportback reliable?
The 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback has 8 known issues documented across 640+ owner reports. 4 issues are rated critical: 2021-2022 Audi Q5 Sportback Gateway Recall 90S9 / NHTSA 21V947 and 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback Rearview-Camera Recall 91DZ / NHTSA 22V742 and 2021-2023 Audi Q5 Sportback Engine Recall 13i5 / NHTSA 22V753 and Front Assist Phantom Braking / False Emergency Braking (ADAS). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Audi Q5 Sportback problems?
Repair costs for known Audi Q5 Sportback issues range from $0 to $4,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2021-2022 Audi Q5 Sportback 2021-2022 Audi Q5 Sportback Gateway Recall 90S9 / NHTSA 21V947?
NHTSA campaign 21V947 / Audi 90S9 covers certain 2021-2022 Q5 Sportback vehicles. A rear-seat liquid spill or water entry through an insufficient underbody seam can reach the gateway-control module and cause it to shut down, suddenly reducing engine power. This is not a universal… Severity: high.
What is the 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback Rearview-Camera Recall 91DZ / NHTSA 22V742?
NHTSA campaign 22V742 / Audi 91DZ covers certain 2021 Q5 Sportback vehicles. A software issue can display a blank or black screen instead of the rearview-camera image when Reverse is selected, reducing rear visibility. This campaign does not establish that the virtual-cockpit ins… Severity: high.
What is the 2021-2023 Audi Q5 Sportback 2021-2023 Audi Q5 Sportback Engine Recall 13i5 / NHTSA 22V753?
NHTSA campaign 22V753 / Audi 13i5 covers certain 2021-2023 Q5 Sportback vehicles. Damaged connecting-rod bearings can lead to engine failure and a stall; an associated oil leak can also increase fire risk. Eligibility is VIN-specific and the campaign does not mean every engine in… Severity: high.
What is the 2021-2025 Audi Q5 Sportback Front Assist Phantom Braking / False Emergency Braking (ADAS)?
Q5 owners report the Front Assist / pre sense automatic emergency braking system triggering sudden, forceful braking at speed with no real obstacle present ('phantom braking'), creating a rear-end collision risk. Conversely, some report the ADAS failing to give pre-sense warnings… Repairs typically run $0-$1,500. Severity: high.
What is the 2021-2025 Audi Q5 Sportback Excessive Engine Oil Consumption (2.0 TFSI EA888)?
Audi's EA888 2.0 TFSI engines are prone to elevated oil consumption. Low-tension oil-control piston rings with small drain-back holes can become clogged with carbon, trapping oil on the cylinder walls where it burns. German owners on motor-talk's Q5 FY forum report roughly 0.5 L… Repairs typically run $300-$4,000. Severity: medium.
What is the 2021-2024 Audi Q5 Sportback 2021-2024 Audi Q5 Sportback Coolant-Pump Leak TSB 2071515/1?
Audi TSB 2071515/1 covers 2021-2024 Q5 Sportback vehicles with a 2.0L TFSI engine when coolant loss, a visible leak or the coolant warning lamp can be assigned to the coolant pump. Audi warns that an apparent level drop can instead follow incomplete bleeding during production or… Severity: medium.
What is the 2021-2026 Audi Q5 Sportback Rear Brake Squeal and Premature Pad Wear?
The Q5 Sportback rear brakes develop persistent squealing, especially at low speeds and during light braking. The OEM brake pads have a metallic compound that resonates against the rear rotors. Additionally, the electronic parking brake auto-applies frequently, causing accelerate… Repairs typically run $250-$700. Severity: low.
What is the 2021-2025 Audi Q5 Sportback Panoramic Sunroof Wind Noise and Rattle?
The panoramic sunroof develops rattling noises at highway speeds and wind noise around the leading edge seal. The sunroof glass deflector can also come loose or break. More noticeable in cold weather when seals contract. Repairs typically run $50-$400. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.