The most-reported SQ5 run is WA1C4AFYXK2 (2019 builds) with 3 complaints, 2.3× the typical run. Engine problems make up 19% of reports; 2019 is the worst model year at 1.7 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for SQ5 model years 2014–2025.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Audi SQ5 has 86 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 14% of every SQ5 complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WA1C4AFYXK2•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| WA1C4AFYXJ2•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| WA1C4AFY5K2•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| WA1CCAFP6GA•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| WA1CGAFP5FA•••••• | 2015 | — | — | |
| WA1B4AFY5K2•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| WA1C4AFY7J2•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| WA1VGAFP8EA•••••• | 2014 | — | — | |
| WA1B4AFYXK2•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| WA1C4AFY3J2•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| WA1C4AFY4J2•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| WA1CGAFP0FA•••••• | 2015 | — | — |
Each of the other 74 SQ5 runs has 2 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 107 SQ5 VINs so far, most often 2023, 2018, 2025 builds; 5 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Audi SQ5 the gap between build years is 1.7×: a 2019 car draws 1.7 complaints per run, a 2017 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | 6 | — | |
| 2024 | 6 | 6 | — | |
| 2021 | 13 | 12 | — | |
| 2020 | 8 | 8 | — | |
| 2019 | 20 | 12 | 1 | |
| 2018 | 24 | 18 | 1 | |
| 2017 | 5 | 5 | 2 | |
| 2016 | 6 | 4 | — | |
| 2015 | 9 | 6 | — | |
| 2014 | 12 | 10 | — |
Heaviest year here is 2019 at 1.7 complaints per run; lightest is 2017 at 1. The 2025 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 19% of everything Audi SQ5 owners report: Engine, 20 of 110 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | — | — | |
| Electrical System | — | — | |
| Steering | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | — | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | — | — | |
| Power Train | 1 | — | |
| Service Brakes | — | — | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 14 recall campaigns on the Audi SQ5; the 6 below cover build years 2018 to 2022. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 21V947000 | Electrical System:body Control Module/bcm | 2018–2022 |
| 22V034000 | Tires | 2020–2021 |
| 21V295000 | Suspension:rear:axle:non-powered Axle Assembly | 2020–2021 |
| 19V737000 | Structure:body | 2018–2019 |
| 19V416000 | Wheels:hub | 2018–2019 |
| 19V277000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder | 2018–2019 |
21V947000 was opened in 2021 on cars built from 2018: 3 years on the road before the recall.
The SQ5 against its rivals
The SQ5 draws 1.3 complaints per production run; the Toyota RAV4 2.3, the Honda CR-V 3.7 and the Tesla Model Y 5.5. That is the lowest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi SQ5 | 110 | 86 | 3.6% | |
| Toyota RAV4 | 8,453 | 3,661 | 8.5% | |
| Honda CR-V | 14,848 | 4,017 | 5.1% | |
| Tesla Model Y | 677 | 124 | 20.2% |
How serious were they
Of the 110 reports on the Audi SQ5, 3.6% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Audi SQ5 | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 110 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 4 (3.6%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 0 (0%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 7 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 38% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Audi SQ5 share of that is 110 complaints over 86 runs, 0.01% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Audi SQ5 VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 110 NHTSA complaints from 86 SQ5 runs and 14 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which SQ5 production run has the most complaints?
WA1C4AFYXK2, a 2019 build, with 3 complaints. The typical SQ5 run has 1.3.
Which SQ5 years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2019 is heaviest at 1.7 complaints per run and 2017 lightest at 1.
Does the SQ5 get more complaints than the Toyota RAV4?
No: 1.3 complaints per production run for the SQ5 against 2.3 for the Toyota RAV4.
How many SQ5 complaints involve a crash?
3.6% of 110 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 0 involved a fire.
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