Reliable Auto DB

2015 Audi SQ5 reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2015 Audi SQ5 has 8 complaints with NHTSA after 12 years, or 0 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most SQ5 years here — under the median of the other years, which is 1. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Electric power steering.

2014 Audi SQ5
Photo by Elise240SX, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

8

Per year

0

Recalls

1

Years on the road

12

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Structure (4 of 8), then Steering (2) and Suspension (2).

Next to 2014 and 2016

The 2014 SQ5 has 12 complaints, 2 per year, and the 2016 has 6 complaints, 1 per year. The 2015 has fewer complaints per year than the 2014. The 2015 has fewer complaints per year than the 2016.

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 2015 Audi SQ5. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (1)

Recall Electric power steering 2015-07-20 · NHTSA campaign 15V452000
Summary 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.
Remedy 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.

Complaints by component (8 total)

Structure
4
Steering
2
Suspension
2
Service brakes
1
Crash-flagged

0

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

0

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

120171201812019120243202512026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "Component failed: The vehicle's structural front subframe assembly has suffered severe, catastrophic rust perforation and deterioration. Safety risk: The subframe holds the engine and front suspension. It is…"
    Suspension, Structure · filed 2026-08-10
  • "Rear subframe has extensive and significant rust affecting the structural integrity of the critical component…. Have been advised by a qualified certified mechanic that the vehicle should NOT be driven as doing so could…"
    Suspension, Structure · filed 2025-05-18
  • "Rear subframe structure has rusted through in the same location on both sides of the car. Moisture is being trapped between a plastic pieces of molding and the subframe and causing it to rust out completely."
    Structure · filed 2025-03-26
  • "The contact owns a 2015 Audi SQ5. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, while the brake pedal was depressed, the brakes failed to engage; the contact had to initiate the emergency brake to bring the…"
    Service brakes · filed 2025-01-21
  • "The contact owns a 2015 Audi SQ5. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, there was an abnormal scraping and dragging sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated there was no warning…"
    Structure · filed 2024-07-26

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2015 Audi SQ5 SUV AWD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
SQ5 3L, 6-cyl Automatic (8-speed) All-wheel drive 17 24 19 MPG $4200

Specs and fitment

8R generation, 2014–2017
Body styles SUV
Oil 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, or 5W-40 (engine dependent; confirm on cap)
Tire size 255/45R20 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 15V452000 covers certain 2014-2015 Audi SQ5 models where the electric power steering system may fail as described in NHTSA's campaign text; dealers perform the listed remedy.

Compare

Previous year 2014 Audi SQ5 Next year 2016 Audi SQ5 See every Audi SQ5 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2015 Audi SQ5 reliable?

The 2015 Audi SQ5 has 8 complaints with NHTSA after 12 years, or 0 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most SQ5 years here — under the median of the other years, which is 1. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Electric power steering.

What are common problems with a 2015 Audi SQ5?

The complaints owners file most often name Structure (4 of 8), then Steering (2) and Suspension (2).

Is the 2015 Audi SQ5 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2014 SQ5 has 12 complaints, 2 per year, and the 2016 has 6 complaints, 1 per year. The 2015 has fewer complaints per year than the 2014. The 2015 has fewer complaints per year than the 2016.

Has the 2015 Audi SQ5 been recalled?

The 2015 Audi SQ5 has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2015 Audi SQ5?

Owners have filed 8 complaints about the 2015 Audi SQ5 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2015 Audi SQ5 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2015 Audi SQ5 is 19 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What SQ5 generations does this site track?

8R (2014-2017) and FY (2018-on).

What does recall 18V369000 cover on the FY SQ5?

Certain 2018 Audi SQ5 and Q5 vehicles (with several Volkswagen models): brake caliper pistons may have insufficient coating, which can reduce brake performance.

Is oil specified on this SQ5 record yet?

Not yet with a sourced US fill — confirm Audi/VW oil spec from the filler cap and owner’s manual for your engine.