2021 Audi Q5 e reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2021 Audi Q5 e holds 29 complaints after 6 years, a rate of 5 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 4 Q5 e years on this site. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.

2020 Audi Q5 e
Photo by User 3204, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY 4.0
Complaints

29

Per year

5

Recalls

0

Years on the road

6

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (7 of 29), then Electrical system (6) and Engine (5). Those filings include 1 that reports an injury.

Next to 2020 and 2023

The 2020 Q5 e has 12 complaints, 1 per year, and the 2023 has 7 complaints, 2 per year. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2023.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2021 Audi Q5 e. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (0)

No recalls on file with NHTSA for this model year.

Complaints by component (29 total)

Powertrain
7
Electrical system
6
Engine
5
Forward collision avoidance
3
Fuel and propulsion system
3
Back-over prevention
2
Lane departure
2
Speed control
2
Steering
2
Wheels
2
Hybrid propulsion
1
Service brakes
1
Structure
1
Tires
1
Visibility and wipers
1
Show 7 more Show less
Crash-flagged

0

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

1

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

420215202272023420243202562026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "Vehicle Information: 2021 Audi Q5 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) e-quattro Component: Engine (Engine Block, Connecting Rod Bearings, Cylinders)Description of Incident:My 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV suffered a sudden, catastrophic internal…"
    Engine · filed 2026-09-22
  • "On August 11th, 2026 right before noon, the sunroof on my Audi Q5 (hybrid, 2021 model) exploded without warning. Luckily noone was hurt but the explosion alone was enough to distract someone to run off the road. Luckily…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-08-13
  • "On August 11th, 2026 right before noon, the sunroof on my Audi Q5 (hybrid, 2021 model) exploded without warning. Luckily noone was hurt but the explosion alone was enough to distract someone to run off the road. Luckily…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-08-13
  • "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…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-06-08
  • "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…"
    Engine · filed 2026-05-18

Specs and fitment

FY plug-in hybrid, 2020–present
Body styles SUV
Oil 0W-20 (2.0L turbo; verify Audi PHEV spec) , 5.5 qt capacity
Tire size 235/60R18, 235/55R19, 255/45R20, 255/40R21

Compare

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Audi Q5 e reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2021 Audi Q5 e holds 29 complaints after 6 years, a rate of 5 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 4 Q5 e years on this site. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.

What are common problems with a 2021 Audi Q5 e?

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (7 of 29), then Electrical system (6) and Engine (5). Those filings include 1 that reports an injury.

Is the 2021 Audi Q5 e more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2020 Q5 e has 12 complaints, 1 per year, and the 2023 has 7 complaints, 2 per year. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2023.

Has the 2021 Audi Q5 e been recalled?

NHTSA has no recalls on file for the 2021 Audi Q5 e.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Audi Q5 e?

Owners have filed 29 complaints about the 2021 Audi Q5 e with NHTSA.

What engine oil does a US Audi Q5 e use?

0W-20 (2.0L turbo; verify Audi PHEV spec) With filter, about 5.5 qt is commonly listed for this generation—confirm in the owner manual.

What tire sizes fit a US Audi Q5 e?

Published US specs commonly list front 235/60R18, 235/55R19, 255/45R20, 255/40R21 and rear 235/60R18, 235/55R19, 255/45R20, 255/40R21; confirm on the door jamb placard for your trim.

Where should I confirm Audi Q5 e maintenance specs?

Use the US owner manual and under-hood labels for oil grade, capacities, and tire pressures; this page summarizes common US fitments but does not replace the manual.