The Audi SQ5 spans 2014–2026 with 27 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2018, 2019, 2014 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2022, 2023, 2026. It delivers up to 23 mpg combined and 4-star NHTSA safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Audi SQ5 is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2014 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Audi SQ5 VIN — every digit explained
Every Audi SQ5 carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Audi and the country it was built in (real Audi codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this SQ5.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- GermanyWA1 · WAU · WU1 · WUA
- HungaryTRU
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your SQ5, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Audi SQ5 have?
The Audi SQ5 has 27 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2014–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2025 Audi SQ5 recalls 1
Seat Belts:pretensioner
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. Improperly restrained occupants have an increased risk of injury during a crash.
Fix. Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 29, 2026. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69GT.
2022 Audi SQ5 recalls 2
Structure:body:tailgate
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling one 2022 Audi SQ5 Sportback vehicle. The connections that join the metal sheets to form the rear lid may have been improperly connected.
Risk. An improperly connected rear lid may decrease the structural protection of the vehicle during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix. A dealer will replace the rear lid, free of charge. The owner notification letter is expected to be mailed September 30, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 55M6.
Electrical System:body Control Module/bcm
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
2021 Audi SQ5 recalls 5
Back Over Prevention:display Function
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk. A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.
Suspension:rear:axle:non-powered Axle Assembly
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
Risk. A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
Electrical System:body Control Module/bcm
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
Tires
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
Risk. Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
Seat Belts:rear/other:retractor
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk. An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix. Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).
2020 Audi SQ5 recalls 4
Seats
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen ) is recalling certain 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Jetta, Jetta GLI and Tiguan and Audi Q5 and SQ5 and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. Parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may not have been welded properly.
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.
Fix. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats, and, as necessary, replace the seatback frames, free of charge. The recall began September 11, 2020. Volkswagen owners may contact their customer service at 1-888-241-2289. Audi owners may contact their customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 72L1, 72K8, and 72K9.
Suspension:rear:axle:non-powered Axle Assembly
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
Risk. A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
Electrical System:body Control Module/bcm
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
Tires
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
Risk. Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
2019 Audi SQ5 recalls 5
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. 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.
Fix. 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.
Structure:body
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix. 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.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A damaged frontal air bag may not provide adequate protection, increasing the risk of an injury.
Fix. 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.
Wheels:hub
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix. 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.
Electrical System:body Control Module/bcm
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
2018 Audi SQ5 recalls 5
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. 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.
Fix. 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.
Structure:body
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix. 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.
Wheels:hub
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix. 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.
Risk. A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.
Electrical System:body Control Module/bcm
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
2015 Audi SQ5 recalls 1
Steering:electric Power Assist System
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Audi SQ5 vehicles manufactured May 22, 2013, to April 14, 2015. The affected vehicles have an electric power steering assist system that may shut down in cold temperatures due to a steering motor sensor fault.
Risk. If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the power steering control module software, free of charge. The recall began on July 31, 2015. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 48M1.
2014 Audi SQ5 recalls 1
Steering:electric Power Assist System
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Audi SQ5 vehicles manufactured May 22, 2013, to April 14, 2015. The affected vehicles have an electric power steering assist system that may shut down in cold temperatures due to a steering motor sensor fault.
Risk. If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the power steering control module software, free of charge. The recall began on July 31, 2015. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 48M1.
Best and worst years for the Audi SQ5
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 13 tracked years, the worst years are 2018, 2019, 2014 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2022, 2023, 2026.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 SQ5 | Steering | Avoid | |
| 2015 SQ5 | Structure | Average | |
| 2016 SQ5 | Steering | Average | |
| 2017 SQ5 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Average | |
| 2018 SQ5 | Electrical System | Avoid | |
| 2019 SQ5 | Service Brakes | Avoid | |
| 2020 SQ5 | Forward Collision Avoidance | Average | |
| 2021 SQ5 | Electrical System | Average | |
| 2022 SQ5 | — | Best | |
| 2023 SQ5 | — | Best | |
| 2024 SQ5 | Forward Collision Avoidance | Average | |
| 2025 SQ5 | Power Train | Average | |
| 2026 SQ5 | — | Best |
What are the most common Audi SQ5 problems?
The most-reported Audi SQ5 problems are Tires (1 reports), Engine (14 reports) and Wheels (1 reports) — out of 98 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Audi SQ5 specifications & dimensions
The 2026 Audi SQ5 measures 186″ long on a 111″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 4,663 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Audi SQ5 window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 186″ | 75″ | 64″ | 111″ | 4,663 lb |
| 2023 | 184″ | 74″ | 65″ | 111″ | 4,398 lb |
| 2020 | 184″ | 74″ | 65″ | 111″ | 4,398 lb |
| 2014–2017 | 182″ | 75″ | 65″ | 111″ | 4,409 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Audi SQ5 cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the SQ5 holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Audi SQ5 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Audi SQ5 get?
The Audi SQ5 returns up to 23 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $3,350/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2026 Audi SQ5 (3L 6-cyl) gets 23 mpg combined and costs about $3,350/yr to fuel, emitting 382 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 5/10) — about $5,750 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 SQ5 | 21 | 28 | $3,350 | 382 | — | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2025 SQ5 | 19 | 26 | $3,500 | 404 | — | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2024 SQ5 | 19 | 24 | $3,650 | 427 | 5/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2023 SQ5 | 19 | 24 | $3,650 | 422 | 5/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2022 SQ5 | 19 | 24 | $3,650 | 422 | 5/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2021 SQ5 | 18 | 24 | $3,850 | 441 | 5/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2020 SQ5 | 18 | 23 | $3,850 | 444 | 5/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2019 SQ5 | 19 | 24 | $3,650 | 434 | 5/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2018 SQ5 | 19 | 24 | $3,650 | 434 | 5/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2017 SQ5 | 17 | 24 | $4,050 | 458 | 6/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2016 SQ5 | 17 | 24 | $4,050 | 458 | 6/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2015 SQ5 | 17 | 24 | $4,050 | 458 | 6/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2014 SQ5 | 16 | 23 | $4,050 | 475 | 6/10 | 3L 6-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the SQ5 stacks up against the most fuel-efficient SUVs, or calculate this SQ5's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Audi SQ5 have? Power & range
The Audi SQ5 is offered with 1 powertrain — 3L 6-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 3.0L · 6-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | AWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Can a Audi SQ5 tow? Towing & payload
As an SUV, the Audi SQ5 is built to tow and haul. The exact maximum towing capacity and payload depend on the engine, drivetrain and whether it has the factory tow package, on a curb weight near 4,663 lb.
What sets your SQ5's tow & payload rating:
- Engine — a larger or turbocharged engine tows more than the base unit.
- Drivetrain & axle — 4WD/AWD and the axle ratio shift the rating.
- Tow package — the factory towing package (hitch, wiring, transmission cooler) raises the max.
- Payload & GVWR — GVWR caps the combined load; more passengers and cargo lower how much you can tow.
Exact towing capacity, payload and GVWR are added per engine, drivetrain and trim — decode your VIN above, or check the driver's door-jamb and hitch labels. Curb weight from vehicle specifications.
How much does a Audi SQ5 cost to own?
A used Audi SQ5 sells for a median of about $47,899 for a 2024 — most listed between $47,899 and $47,899, from 114 real US listings we track. That real market price is what depreciation eats into, so it's the true anchor of the cost to own:
| Year | Typical price | Market range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 SQ5 | $47,899–$47,899 | 10 | |
| 2023 SQ5 | $33,500–$39,997 | 3 | |
| 2021 SQ5 | $26,999–$33,888 | 7 | |
| 2020 SQ5 | $20,990–$29,749 | 10 | |
| 2019 SQ5 | $19,995–$27,999 | 14 | |
| 2018 SQ5 | $12,999–$24,298 | 33 |
For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a SQ5 is worth today, or browse used-market prices for SUVs.
A Audi SQ5 tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this SQ5 loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $16,750 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the SQ5 ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a Audi SQ5 to insure?
A Audi SQ5 costs about $1,632 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 14% above the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (114, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the SQ5's HLDI loss index. See Audi insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the Audi SQ5 safe?
The Audi SQ5 earns up to 4-star NHTSA overall safety — real government crash-test data. Ratings by year:
| Year | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 SQ5 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2016 SQ5 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2015 SQ5 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2014 SQ5 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested model years.
Want the safest pick? Compare crash-test scores across the safest cars and SUVs.
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How many miles does a Audi SQ5 last?
A well-maintained Audi SQ5 typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.0/5.
Check your Audi SQ5’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this SQ5’s VIN free →All Audi SQ5 model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Audi SQ5 — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 SQ5 | 0 | — | |
| 2025 SQ5 | 1 recall | — | |
| 2024 SQ5 | 1 recall | — | |
| 2023 SQ5 | 0 | — | |
| 2022 SQ5 | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2021 SQ5 | 5 recalls | — | |
| 2020 SQ5 | 4 recalls | — | |
| 2019 SQ5 | 5 recalls | — | |
| 2018 SQ5 | 5 recalls | — | |
| 2017 SQ5 | 1 recall | ★★★★☆ | |
| 2016 SQ5 | 1 recall | ★★★★☆ | |
| 2015 SQ5 | 1 recall | ★★★★☆ | |
| 2014 SQ5 | 1 recall | ★★★★☆ |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the SQ5?
By owner-complaint volume, 2018, 2019, 2014 drew the most reports. 2022, 2023, 2026 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the SQ5 have?
27 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2014–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Audi recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the SQ5 get?
Up to 23 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
Is the SQ5 safe?
The SQ5 earns up to 4-star NHTSA overall crash-test safety; ratings vary by model year.
How many miles does a SQ5 last?
A well-maintained SQ5 typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the SQ5 reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the SQ5 is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Audi SQ5 warranty?
New Audi models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 4 years / 50,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Audi dealer.
Where is the Audi SQ5 made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your SQ5's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Audi may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much does a SQ5 weigh?
The SQ5's curb weight is around 4,663 lb. Its GVWR — the maximum loaded weight — decodes from the VIN.
How much ground clearance does the SQ5 have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.