2019 Audi SQ5 problems

SERVICE BRAKES

Brake booster issue

NHTSA complaint #11740518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

There’s a knocking noise coming from the engine that could lead to potential engine failure. There is a known manufacturers defect in these engines. Audi has extended a warranty, but not all cars are eligible. This should be a recall because if the engine fails on a high speed through a highway, it could be a highly dangerous situation

NHTSA complaint #11711317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Piston skirt recall and warranty. Bulletin number AWA-25-08. Needs investigated. Based off average Audi owner statistics along with NHTSA statistics, when this bulletin was released in August of 2025, over 60% of vehicles with this 3.0T engine code EA839 would be disqualified from repairs for under 80,000 miles.

NHTSA complaint #11705497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The rear brake lights on my 2019 Audi SQ5 stopped functioning due to a failure of the Comfort System Central Control Module (J393). This defect is documented by Audi in Technical Service Bulletin 2055123/5 and earlier versions. The malfunction causes the “rear lighting warning” to appear in the instrument cluster, and the brake lights do not illuminate when the brake pedal is pressed. The issue is not related to bulbs or wear-and-tear; it is caused by a software defect in the vehicle’s body control module, which results in loss of communication with the rear-lighting system. The failure occurred at approximately 73,000 miles, but the defect existed earlier and is acknowledged by Audi in the TSB. Because brake lights are a federally required safety system, the vehicle cannot be safely operated until this defect is corrected. The dealership confirmed the issue and advised that the required repair is a software update to the control module. Audi has declined responsibility, leaving the vehicle unsafe to drive. This is a safety-critical defect involving a known software failure that disables brake lights, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions.

NHTSA complaint #11704064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

The contact owns a 2019 Audi SQ5. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the front passenger’s side wheel flare detached. The driver’s side wheel flare was loosened. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

NHTSA complaint #11660370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Panoramic roof glass exploded outwards while driving on the highway. No sign of rock damage or debris hitting. The glass is deformed outwards. The glass was sent towards the interior of the car. The sunroof shade was closed and many pieces of glass were caught by this otherwise the driver would have been hit by glass shards.

NHTSA complaint #11611752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

No warning lights or fault codes. Took it to Audi of Dallas and without a code they said they couldn’t troubleshoot it. The car makes a whining noise only while under acceleration and is prominate between 20-50 mph. Also the fuel gauge (electric) does not show the correct amount of fuel. I have already ran out of fuel and it still showed 200+ miles left and the gauge was still around 1/2. Also while at the dealer they replaced my motor mounts through my extended warranty and said i needed to replace the rear shocks but it wasn’t covered (3rd party extended warranty) that i purchased from the dealer i bought the car from in Austin.

NHTSA complaint #11585696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

No warning lights or fault codes. Took it to Audi of Dallas and without a code they said they couldn’t troubleshoot it. The car makes a whining noise only while under acceleration and is prominate between 20-50 mph. Also the fuel gauge (electric) does not show the correct amount of fuel. I have already ran out of fuel and it still showed 200+ miles left and the gauge was still around 1/2. Also while at the dealer they replaced my motor mounts through my extended warranty and said i needed to replace the rear shocks but it wasn’t covered (3rd party extended warranty) that i purchased from the dealer i bought the car from in Austin.

NHTSA complaint #11585696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

No warning lights or fault codes. Took it to Audi of Dallas and without a code they said they couldn’t troubleshoot it. The car makes a whining noise only while under acceleration and is prominate between 20-50 mph. Also the fuel gauge (electric) does not show the correct amount of fuel. I have already ran out of fuel and it still showed 200+ miles left and the gauge was still around 1/2. Also while at the dealer they replaced my motor mounts through my extended warranty and said i needed to replace the rear shocks but it wasn’t covered (3rd party extended warranty) that i purchased from the dealer i bought the car from in Austin.

NHTSA complaint #11585696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

The Adaptive Cruise Control erroneously detects things such as shadows when going under bridges as stationary objects positioned in front of the vehicle, and aggressively applies the brake, causing an unsafe situation. If this occurs on wintry roads or icy conditions, this could create a safety hazard, especially at highway speeds. There is also no known way to disable the adaptive cruise control during periods where this could be a likely scenario, such as certain times of the day when the sun can cast shadows into the lane of traffic.

NHTSA complaint #11580069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

The Adaptive Cruise Control erroneously detects things such as shadows when going under bridges as stationary objects positioned in front of the vehicle, and aggressively applies the brake, causing an unsafe situation. If this occurs on wintry roads or icy conditions, this could create a safety hazard, especially at highway speeds. There is also no known way to disable the adaptive cruise control during periods where this could be a likely scenario, such as certain times of the day when the sun can cast shadows into the lane of traffic.

NHTSA complaint #11580069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2019 Audi SQ5 Tail Lights, Brake Lights and rear blinker failure. All lights inoperable with errors and warnings appearing on the dashboard display. Failed while driving home from a weekend trip in the evening approximately 1 hour from home. Had a friend follow behind me to reduce risk of any issues with other drivers colliding with my vehicle. The dealership inspected the vehicle and found numerous faults stored in comfort module for short circuits to B+ in lighting for rear of vehicle. Dealer performed software update to comfort module per technical service bulletin 2055123/4. As the owner of an expensive vehicle with Platinum extended warranty coverage, the dealership and warranty company (VWFS Protection Services, Inc.) claim software is not covered by my warranty. The dealership stated: "At this time the module has not failed, so there is no replacement needed. Audi has a technical service bulletin for optimized software to address this concern. That is where things would need to start with having the most current version. If there was a continued issue after that update, then it's possible there's a replacement of parts that would be needed." This is a serious safety concern. The vehicle software caused the failure. Audi has created a problem that caused the lights to become non-operational. This presents a clear and apparent risk to driver safety. This could easily be deemed grounds for a recall for leaving the vehicle in a dangerous condition. The vehicle tail lights, brake lights and rear blinkers do not work without the software update. The same statement can be made for the control module. They now fail to operate with this vehicle. If Audi chooses to fix the vehicle via a software fix instead of replacing them with parts that do work mechanically and/or electrically with this vehicle, that was the choice Audi and their dealership made, thus eliminating my warranty coverage for the fix, forcing me to pay full cost for their software errors/update.

NHTSA complaint #11538402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

First, the tail lights malfunctioned randomly. Both tail lights were out due to some software error that eventually resolved after a week. Thankfully this was covered by Audi, and there is a redundant tail light system in place. The error just suddenly came up and all main tail lights and turning signals failed. This could have ended terribly as i was driving at night. An additional issue is the power steering also randomly failed. This is probably my biggest issue so far. The vehicle has 37k miles, and the power steering randomly went out while driving. This could have been catastrophic if i wasnt on a small road. In winter this could have easily caused a crash either to the terrain around me or another motorist. Issue has been diagnosed as electronic steering rack failure. For both these issues there were 0 symptoms just a sudden loss.

NHTSA complaint #11522432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

First, the tail lights malfunctioned randomly. Both tail lights were out due to some software error that eventually resolved after a week. Thankfully this was covered by Audi, and there is a redundant tail light system in place. The error just suddenly came up and all main tail lights and turning signals failed. This could have ended terribly as i was driving at night. An additional issue is the power steering also randomly failed. This is probably my biggest issue so far. The vehicle has 37k miles, and the power steering randomly went out while driving. This could have been catastrophic if i wasnt on a small road. In winter this could have easily caused a crash either to the terrain around me or another motorist. Issue has been diagnosed as electronic steering rack failure. For both these issues there were 0 symptoms just a sudden loss.

NHTSA complaint #11522432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Rear sunroof exploded. Sounded like a large rock or gunshot and then shattered glass from the rear sunroof. The interior shade caught the glass. Car was immediately dropped off at the Audi dealership in SLC, Ut. Dealership tried to say it was from a rock hitting the car but no one was around me. A simple search on the internet shows this gas occurred numerous times on all different Audi models.

NHTSA complaint #11465846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CARS DASH BOARD GO WILL GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. COMPLETELY DISABLING ALL GAUGES UNTIL IT RESETS. BLUEGRASS AUDI CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE IT. I ASKED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO TO BE CONTACTED BY AUDI BUT I WAS NEVER CONTACTED. AUDI BLUEGRASS HAS HAD THE CAR2-3 TIMES NOW WITH NO SOLUTION. THIS ALSO INCLUDES ONE TIME WHERE THEY DROVE OVER 400 MILES ON IT. PICTURE I INCLUDED IS A JUST A GUESS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 OR 4 TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #11328753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

CARS DASH BOARD GO WILL GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. COMPLETELY DISABLING ALL GAUGES UNTIL IT RESETS. BLUEGRASS AUDI CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE IT. I ASKED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO TO BE CONTACTED BY AUDI BUT I WAS NEVER CONTACTED. AUDI BLUEGRASS HAS HAD THE CAR2-3 TIMES NOW WITH NO SOLUTION. THIS ALSO INCLUDES ONE TIME WHERE THEY DROVE OVER 400 MILES ON IT. PICTURE I INCLUDED IS A JUST A GUESS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 OR 4 TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #11328753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

ISSUES WITH AUTO BREAKING IN REVERSE CAR WILL SOMETIMES STOP ABRUPTLY WHILE BACKING UP WHEN NO OTHER VEHICLES OR PEOPLE ARE PRESENT.

NHTSA complaint #11328754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 AUDI SQ5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE SOS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY AUDI ROCKLIN LOCATED AT 4448 GRANITE DRIVE, ROCKLIN, CA 95677, TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BLOWER ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THERE WAS ALSO A MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHICH STATED THAT NO KEYFOB WAS DETECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,300.

NHTSA complaint #11309874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 AUDI SQ5. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUDI STEVENS CREEK 3350 STEVENS CREEK BLVD, SAN JOSE, CA 95117 AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.

NHTSA complaint #11307518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE TRUNK LID HAS OPENED ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE NIGHT TIME, SOME SMALL CARGO (MADE OF PLASTIC) FELL OUT OF THE TRUNK AND WAS DESTROYED BY THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME AND IN ADJACENT LANE WHILE CREATING SOME MINOR ROAD HAZARD. INSTANTLY PULLED OVER ON A SOFT SHOULDER, PUT THE HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND GOT OUT TO CHECK OUT WHAT HAPPENED. THE TRUNK WAS WIDE OPEN BUT HAZARDS WERE NOT VISIBLE AS THEY ARE ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK LID WHICH WAS OPEN AND FACING UPWARDS, EFFECTIVELY MAKING THE HAZARD LIGHTS INVISIBLE TO THE TRAFFIC IN THE NIGHT TIME BEHIND ME. SMALL REFLECTORS ON THE BUMPER ARE SO TINY THAT IN THE NIGHT TIME ARE PRACTICALLY USELESS AND INVISIBLE TO THE CARS BEHIND YOU IF THEY ARE CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. A FEW CARS BEHIND ME HAD TO BRAKE HARD AND CHANGE LANES. THERE ARE ESSENTIALLY TWO SAFETY PROBLEMS: 1) THE TRUNK OPENED WHILE DRIVING (NO SOUND OR DASHBOARD WARNINGS) AND 2) DESIGN FLAW OF THE TAILGATE LIGHTS WHICH ARE ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK LID INSTEAD OF AT LEAST PARTIALLY BEING ATTACHED TO REAR PART OF QUARTER PANEL. SINCE IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO STAY ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE NIGHT, I PULLED IN TO A NEAREST PARKING LOT TO REPORT TO AUDI ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. IMAGINE THE SITUATION WHEN SOMEONE GETS A FLAT IN THE NIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY AND NEEDS TO CHANGE THE TIRE THEMSELVES, IF THE TRUNK IS OPEN WHILE YOU GET THE SPARE AND TOOLS , THEY ARE IN GREAT DANGER. DISCUSSED THIS WITH AUDI CORPORATE AND THEY SENT ME TO A DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTICS BUT DEALERSHIP COULD NOT REPLICATE IT. SEEMS LIKE NEITHER OF THEM HAVE A SOLUTION. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #11300531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE TRUNK LID HAS OPENED ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE NIGHT TIME, SOME SMALL CARGO (MADE OF PLASTIC) FELL OUT OF THE TRUNK AND WAS DESTROYED BY THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME AND IN ADJACENT LANE WHILE CREATING SOME MINOR ROAD HAZARD. INSTANTLY PULLED OVER ON A SOFT SHOULDER, PUT THE HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND GOT OUT TO CHECK OUT WHAT HAPPENED. THE TRUNK WAS WIDE OPEN BUT HAZARDS WERE NOT VISIBLE AS THEY ARE ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK LID WHICH WAS OPEN AND FACING UPWARDS, EFFECTIVELY MAKING THE HAZARD LIGHTS INVISIBLE TO THE TRAFFIC IN THE NIGHT TIME BEHIND ME. SMALL REFLECTORS ON THE BUMPER ARE SO TINY THAT IN THE NIGHT TIME ARE PRACTICALLY USELESS AND INVISIBLE TO THE CARS BEHIND YOU IF THEY ARE CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. A FEW CARS BEHIND ME HAD TO BRAKE HARD AND CHANGE LANES. THERE ARE ESSENTIALLY TWO SAFETY PROBLEMS: 1) THE TRUNK OPENED WHILE DRIVING (NO SOUND OR DASHBOARD WARNINGS) AND 2) DESIGN FLAW OF THE TAILGATE LIGHTS WHICH ARE ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK LID INSTEAD OF AT LEAST PARTIALLY BEING ATTACHED TO REAR PART OF QUARTER PANEL. SINCE IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO STAY ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE NIGHT, I PULLED IN TO A NEAREST PARKING LOT TO REPORT TO AUDI ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. IMAGINE THE SITUATION WHEN SOMEONE GETS A FLAT IN THE NIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY AND NEEDS TO CHANGE THE TIRE THEMSELVES, IF THE TRUNK IS OPEN WHILE YOU GET THE SPARE AND TOOLS , THEY ARE IN GREAT DANGER. DISCUSSED THIS WITH AUDI CORPORATE AND THEY SENT ME TO A DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTICS BUT DEALERSHIP COULD NOT REPLICATE IT. SEEMS LIKE NEITHER OF THEM HAVE A SOLUTION. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #11300531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE TRUNK LID HAS OPENED ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE NIGHT TIME, SOME SMALL CARGO (MADE OF PLASTIC) FELL OUT OF THE TRUNK AND WAS DESTROYED BY THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME AND IN ADJACENT LANE WHILE CREATING SOME MINOR ROAD HAZARD. INSTANTLY PULLED OVER ON A SOFT SHOULDER, PUT THE HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND GOT OUT TO CHECK OUT WHAT HAPPENED. THE TRUNK WAS WIDE OPEN BUT HAZARDS WERE NOT VISIBLE AS THEY ARE ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK LID WHICH WAS OPEN AND FACING UPWARDS, EFFECTIVELY MAKING THE HAZARD LIGHTS INVISIBLE TO THE TRAFFIC IN THE NIGHT TIME BEHIND ME. SMALL REFLECTORS ON THE BUMPER ARE SO TINY THAT IN THE NIGHT TIME ARE PRACTICALLY USELESS AND INVISIBLE TO THE CARS BEHIND YOU IF THEY ARE CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. A FEW CARS BEHIND ME HAD TO BRAKE HARD AND CHANGE LANES. THERE ARE ESSENTIALLY TWO SAFETY PROBLEMS: 1) THE TRUNK OPENED WHILE DRIVING (NO SOUND OR DASHBOARD WARNINGS) AND 2) DESIGN FLAW OF THE TAILGATE LIGHTS WHICH ARE ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK LID INSTEAD OF AT LEAST PARTIALLY BEING ATTACHED TO REAR PART OF QUARTER PANEL. SINCE IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO STAY ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE NIGHT, I PULLED IN TO A NEAREST PARKING LOT TO REPORT TO AUDI ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. IMAGINE THE SITUATION WHEN SOMEONE GETS A FLAT IN THE NIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY AND NEEDS TO CHANGE THE TIRE THEMSELVES, IF THE TRUNK IS OPEN WHILE YOU GET THE SPARE AND TOOLS , THEY ARE IN GREAT DANGER. DISCUSSED THIS WITH AUDI CORPORATE AND THEY SENT ME TO A DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTICS BUT DEALERSHIP COULD NOT REPLICATE IT. SEEMS LIKE NEITHER OF THEM HAVE A SOLUTION. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #11300531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

ON A SUBURBAN STREET THAT I REGULARLY DRIVE ON WITH NO CAR NEARER THAN 100 YARDS IN FRONT OF ME AND FORTUNATELY NO CAR BEHIND ME THE AUDI PRESENSE SYSTEM ACTUATED SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES AND FLASHING A RED TRIANGLE IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION SCREEN. IF A CAR HAD BEEN FOLLOWED BEHIND ME I WOULD'VE BEEN REAR-ENDED

NHTSA complaint #11270821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.