Owners have filed 13 complaints
about the 2014 Audi SQ5 with NHTSA between 2014 and 2025.
The largest single group is the steering.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 8 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 38
Against the median year of the Audi SQ5. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
70% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2014 Audi SQ5
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Steering
430.8%
Median failure at 45,500 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
323.1%
Median failure at 18,000 miles
Suspension
215.4%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
17.7%
Median failure at 10,000 miles
Body & Structure
17.7%
Electrical System
17.7%
Median failure at 17,200 miles
Engine & Cooling
17.7%
Median failure at 17,200 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
220.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
440.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
110.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
330.0%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2014 Audi SQ5 SUV AWD
15.1% risk
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 2014peak 3Mar 2025
Recalls on the 2014 Audi SQ5
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20153151,398 units in Canada
Steering
On certain vehicles, during cold ambient temperatures, the electric power steering assist system may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault. This would unexpectedly increase the steering effort force necessary to steer the vehicle at lower vehicle speeds, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will update the power steering control module software.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Hamilton, VA
SUSPENSION
After seeing the rear subframe of a 2014 Audi Q5 nearly split in half due to rust, causing vehicle handling and steering issues, I inspected the rear subframe of my 2014 Audi SQ5 and found similar rust, though not quite as bad. The plastic gravel guards that use plastic rivets to attach to the rear subframe trap water, salt, and brine inside the hollow steel tubing of the subframe causing it to rust rapidly from the inside out in two locations, weakening the subframe and greatly increasing the chances of serious injury or death due to losing control of the vehicle. Photos of the damage were sent to one local dealer who claimed not to seen this type of damage before and refused to cover repair under Audi's 12 year corrosion perforation warranty. This is a serious defect that appears to affect quite a few 2008-2017 Audi Q5 and SQ5 models.
NHTSA complaint #11649645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Annapolis, MD
STRUCTURE:BODY
Vehicle has suffered extensive and catastrophic corrosion to the rear sub-frame resulting in structural danger to operate vehicle. Extensive rust appears to be the result of substandard materials and the manufacturer supplied installation of plastic guard which traps and retains moisture and debris next to the subframe. Damage was detected before vehicle incident could occur on road.
NHTSA complaint #11614147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lititz, PA
SUSPENSION
I have a 2014 Audi sq5. Had vehicle in for service today and the tech discovered a huge rust hole in the rear subframe on both the left and right sides under the plastic shielding. This is a huge safety issue and this is not normal on a 10 year old vehicle to have this massive rust problem. After doing some research this seems to be a very common issue on this chassis, someone is going to die if one of these completely rusts through and breaks while driving. My previous car (13 Mercedes c300) had a recall for a similar issue with rear subframe rot. Something needs to be done with this Audi sq5. This is not safe and a recall should be made for these low quality rear subframes
NHTSA complaint #11604869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,000 milesLoudon, TN
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL PUMP STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING. HAPPENED TWICE IN ONE TRIP AND FORTUNATELY WAS ON ROADS WITH LOW TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #11246475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesNashville, TN
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 AUDI SQ5. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING RANDOMLY MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V452000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #11245409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesPhoenix, AZ
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES DRIVING TO OR FROM LOS ANGELES TO PHOENIX, THE FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONS AND THE CAR SHUTS DOWN. IT STARTS AGAIN AFTER VEHICLE COOLS DOWN. THE FIRST TIME IT SHUT DOWN AT BLYTHE CALIFORNIA AND THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE AUDI DEALER IN RANCHO MIRAGE. DIAGNOSTIC SHOWED NO ISSUES WITH PUMP. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED WAS 6/21/2019 WHILE DRIVING FROM LOS ANGELES TO PHOENIX. IT SHUT DOWN ON THE I-17 FREEWAY (I-17 AND JEFFERSON STREET). LOST ALL POWER TO THE VEHICLE DURING AFTERNOON RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I WAS LUCKY TO EXIT AND COAST UP THE EXIT OUT OF HARMS WAY. AUDI CHANDLEWR DEALER IDENTIFIED IT AS A FUEL PUMP VAPOR LOCK AND PUMP HAS TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #11221899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,000 milesLancaster, CA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 AUDI SQ5. BEFORE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V452000 (STEERING). WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE OUT OF THE PARKING LOT, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUDI BEVERLY HILLS (2340 S FAIRFAX AVE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90016) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
NHTSA complaint #11190936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesFOX Lake, IL
VISIBILITY/WIPER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 AUDI SQ5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SITTING IN THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND TRAVELED DOWN TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT NO OBJECT ENCOUNTERED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND THAT HE WAS CONCERNED THAT THE MATERIAL WAS NOT STURDY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDSHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
NHTSA complaint #10845767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,000 milesEagan, MN
STEERING
THIS IS MY SECOND FAILURE EVENT LOOSING STEERING ON MY 2014 SQ5. TWO YEARS AGO I POSTED THE 1ST EVENT. THE DEALER ORDERED NEW RACK AND PINION FROM GERMANY WHICH FIXED IT....TEMPORARILY. HERE TWO YEARS LATER NOW JANUARY 2016, THIS 2ND EVENT I WAS NOT DRIVING. UPON STARTING THE CAR THE DISPLAY LIT UP RED "DO NOT DRIVE STEERING FAILURE". THE AUDI FOLKS HAD FLATBED TRUCK COME. AT THIS MOMENT A 2ND NEW RACK AND PINION IS COMING FROM GERMANY. IN 2015 I RCV'D THE RECALL NOTICE AND HAD AUDI DO THE UPDATE FIRMWARE FIX. OBVIOUSLY MY 1ST REPLACED R&P PLUS THE FIRMWARE FIX DID NOT ELIMINATE THIS DANGEROUS FAILURE FROM RE-OCCURRING YET AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10822587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,200 milesNEW Orleans, LA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE I HEARD A TAPPING / KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND AS I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE THE SOUND BECAME LOUDER AND FASTER THEN SUDDENLY WITHOUT ANY LIGHTS OR NOTIFICATION THE ENGINE PRODUCED A LOUD BOOM, WHITE SMOKE PLUME AND THE ENGINE LOCKED UP. MEANWHILE THE SMELL OF OIL ENTERED THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR AND IT COASTED FOR APPROXIMATELY HALF A MILE AND LEFT ME STRANDED ON AN EXIT RAMP.
NHTSA complaint #10670983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,200 milesNEW Orleans, LA
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE I HEARD A TAPPING / KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND AS I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE THE SOUND BECAME LOUDER AND FASTER THEN SUDDENLY WITHOUT ANY LIGHTS OR NOTIFICATION THE ENGINE PRODUCED A LOUD BOOM, WHITE SMOKE PLUME AND THE ENGINE LOCKED UP. MEANWHILE THE SMELL OF OIL ENTERED THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR AND IT COASTED FOR APPROXIMATELY HALF A MILE AND LEFT ME STRANDED ON AN EXIT RAMP.
NHTSA complaint #10670983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,500 milesWoodside, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WE HAVE A 2014 AUDI SQ-5 THAT SURGES INTERMITTENTLY FROM A FEATHERED THROTTLE. THIS IS A VERY STRONG FORWARD LURCH THAT MAKES THIS CAR DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN TIGHT TRAFFIC CONDITIONS OR IN A PARKING LOT OR ANY TIME YOU DO NOT HAVE A LOT OF ROOM IN FRONT OF THE CAR. THIS HAPPENS LESS THAN 1/100 FEATHERED THROTTLE SITUATIONS. WE FOUND THIS OCCURS IN A ALL POSITIONS OF DRIVE SELECT BUT LESS IN THE COMFORT SETTING. WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO RECTOR AUDI ON TWO OCCASIONS FOR THIS BUT THEY FOUND NO MECHANICAL ISSUES. THE SUDDEN ENGAGEMENT OF THE SUPERCHARGER CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS FROM FEATHERED THROTTLE. THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD AT MAXIMUM ACCELERATION. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN OFTEN, BUT IT SILL HAPPENS.
NHTSA complaint #10669585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,883 milesNorth Pole, AK
STEERING
RIGHT AFTER STARTING THE CAR STEERING LOCKED, LIKE IT'S LOST POWER BOOST, WITH A MESSAGE "STEERING FAILURE".
NHTSA complaint #10568570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.