Audi · SQ5 · 2015
1
Recall
7
Complaints
4/5
Safety Rating
The 2015 Audi SQ5 has 1 recall and 7 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: steering (2 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
15.1% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
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 Status
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.
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 result in catastrophic collapse of the vehicle suspension with potential loss of control of the vehicle without warning. This is apparently a known issue with this model vehicle and the manufacturer has not issued any formal warnings or recalls……
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.
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 vehicle to a halt. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to get a diagnosis however, the diagnosis was pending. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,084.
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 light illuminated. The contact pulled over and observed that the plastic cover for the rear frame was loosened and was dragging on the roadway. The contact was able to remove the remaining piece of the plastic cover by hand. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear subframe was severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 AUDI SQ5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO THE BLIZZARD LIKE WEATHER IN HIS STATE, THE POWER STEERING FROZE AND A "POWER STEERING ERROR" WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE AND COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INTERNATIONAL AUTOS OF MILWAUKEE (2400 S 108TH ST, MILWAUKEE, WI 53227, (866) 455-8708) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
ON JANUARY 8, 2018; I TOOK MY VEHICLE (AUDI SQ5, 2015, 21847 MILES, WELL WITHIN WARRANTY) INTO FLOW AUDI SERVICE DEPT. IN WINSTON-SALEM, NC. FOR A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER'S WHEEL HITTING AS IF METAL TO METAL, WITH A LOUD BANG AN A HARD JERK AS IF THE WHEEL IS SEPARATING FROM THE FRONT AXLE AS THE VEHICLE GOES INTO TURNS AND CLEARLY UNSAFE. THE SERVICE DEPT. MANAGER ADMITTED(ON RECORDING) TO A HIGH INFLUX OF OTHERS CUSTOMERS COMING IN WITH SAME ISSUE. I'VE BEEN TOLD IT'S THE DIFFERENTIAL, THE STRUTS, THE TRANSMISSION, THE TIRES AND SO ON. THE DEALERSHIP ADMITTED THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. SINCE THEN, I'VE BEEN MET WITH THREATENING HOSTILITY, AGGRESSION AND BULLING FROM UPPER MANAGEMENT TRYING TO MAKE ME TAKE MY VEHICLE WITHOUT IT BEING REPAIRED. I THEN, FILED A CLAIM WITH AUDI USA CORP. THE DEALERSHIP EVEN CALLED IN AN AUDI USA CORP. ENGINEER (FOR A DOG AND PONY SHOW) TO ONLY DRIVE MY CAR AND SAY WHAT HE THINKS COULD BE THE PROBLEM. THE ENGINEER NEVER EXAMINED MY CAR. HE DID WRITE A FACT SHEET PER MY REQUEST. (SEE ATTACHMENT). I MET WITH EXECUTIVE OFFICER(S) & WAS TOLD THEY WERE SORRY ABOUT THE THREATENING BEHAVIOR I RECEIVED AND TO TAKE MY CAR ELSEWHERE. AFTER REQUESTING THE ENGINEER TO SIGN OFF ON THE GUARANTEED SAFETY OF THE CAR WE'VE COME TO A COMPLETE HALT. IT'S NOW GOING ON 60 DAYS WITH NO RESOLVE. ITS CLEAR AUDI DOESN'T WANT TO EXPOSE THE REPAIRS THAT'S NEEDED OUT OF FEAR FOR ANOTHER MAJOR RECALL. SO, I CONTINUE TO BE MET WITH BULLING, UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES AND DECEPTION. THE LENGTHY LAPSE, THE MEASURES TAKEN TO STRONG-ARM ME AND THE DEALERSHIP'S UNWILLINGNESS TO REPAIR THE CAR SHOWS POSSIBLE CORRUPTION, DECEPTION AND UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES ON FLOW AUDI & AUDI USA CORP. PART.
POWER STEERING DISABLED WHILE DRIVING. WARNING ON DASH INDICATED THAT POWER STEERING IS DEFECTIVE. LOSS OF ELECTRONIC STEERING ASSIST WAS IMMEDIATE AND STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE. VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO SHOULDER WITHOUT INCIDENT. DEALER INDICATED SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS INSTALLED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. NO OTHER DETAILS PROVIDED.
The 2015 Audi SQ5 has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 7 owner-reported complaints for the 2015 Audi SQ5.
The 2015 Audi SQ5 received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2015 Audi SQ5 are steering (2 reports), structure (2 reports), service brakes (1 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2015 Audi SQ5. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.