2021 Audi Q5 power train problems
12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2021 Audi Q5 — 17% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“VIN number: [XXX]. Audi Q5 Prestige 2021 Mileage 48,540 I have contacted Audi Corporate regarding a catastrophic Transmission Failure while driving. The dealership investigation discovered that bolts had loosened and the fluid was not getting to the transmission and it stopped dead while I was…”
filed Aug 28, 2026
“On 8/3/26, my 2021 Audi Q5 began throwing numerous different malfunction/error alerts and the engine turned off while driving after a bottle of water had partially spilled onto our backseat behind the drivers side. The vehicle was towed to a nearby mechanic who determined that liquid damaged the…”
filed Aug 20, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Power Train problems in other Q5 years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q5 | 3 | 7% |
| 2024 Q5 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 Q5 | 5 | 12% |
| 2022 Q5 | 2 | 9% |
| 2020 Q5 | 2 | 8% |
| 2019 Q5 | 6 | 12% |
| 2018 Q5 | 10 | 5% |
| 2017 Q5 | 1 | 2% |
| 2016 Q5 | 3 | 4% |
| 2015 Q5 | 4 | 4% |
| 2014 Q5 | 6 | 6% |
| 2013 Q5 | 6 | 7% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2021 Audi Q5
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.