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2018 Audi SQ5

Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
1 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
53 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls1 critical5
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA24
Crash ratingNHTSA overall—
Fuel economybest combined, EPA21 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016
Active NHTSA advisory: do not drive. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and see the recall details below.

The 2018 Audi SQ5 is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV. The most efficient version, the SQ5, is EPA-rated at 21 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 24 complaints, most often about the electrical system.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
SQ5GasAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo192421$3,700

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 38587.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2018 Audi SQ5 is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (5)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Electrical System

90S9
288,991 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, 2018-2022 Q5, and SQ5 vehicles. A liquid spill in the rear seat, or water ingress from an insufficient body seam underneath the vehicle may allow liquid to penetrate the gateway control module, causing it to shutdown.RiskA gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will install a protective cover on the gateway control module and seal an underbody seam as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90S9.
NHTSA campaign 21V947000reported Dec 8, 2021Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
▲high

Structure

66K8
174,278 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi SQ5 and 2018-2020 Audi Q5 vehicles. The rear wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach from the vehicle.RiskThe detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.FixAudi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four clips securing the forward part of the rear wheel arch trim, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 66K8.
NHTSA campaign 19V737000reported Oct 16, 2019Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
▲high

Wheels

66K6/66K7
126,161 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach.RiskThe detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.FixVolkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will secure the wheel arch trim with an additional screw and nut, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 66K6.
NHTSA campaign 19V416000reported Jun 5, 2019Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

47O9
12,645 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake master cylinder casting may be too short.RiskA short casting can cause a sudden loss of brakes, increasing the risk of crash. The electronic parking brake and its emergency brake function are not affected and will still function.FixAudi has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the brake master cylinder, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 3, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 47O9.
NHTSA campaign 19V277000reported Apr 8, 2019Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
!critical

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

47N8, 47N9, 47N6
Do not drive10,225 vehicles
ProblemVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake performance.RiskA reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.FixVolkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been checked. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 47N8, 47N9, and 47N6.
NHTSA campaign 18V369000reported Jun 1, 2018Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
24complaints filed

1 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 2 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2017: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2021: 3 · 2022: 1 · 2023: 5 · 2024: 6 · 2026: 2

Most-cited components

Electrical System8
Engine6
Forward Collision Avoidance5
Power Train4
Unspecified3
Exterior Lighting3

What owners describe

“I purchased my 2018 Audi SQ5 on September 12, 2025, from Audi Denver (McDonald Automotive Group). On XXX, at 114,145 miles, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic engine failure while driving on the highway near [XXX], caused by defective rocker arm needle bearings in the 3.0T EA839 V6 engine. ​The early-design …”Aug 9, 2026 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“While driving a 2018 Audi SQ5 with the EA839 3.0T engine, a coolant warning light activated and engine temperatures began rising to 210-215°F. The vehicle was pulled over immediately. Upon inspection the coolant reservoir was found to be nearly empty with dried coolant residue on the exterior indicating an active leak…”Jul 5, 2026 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“Heavy rain leaked into the cabin of my SUV,and damaged the module, no controls worked through the key fob, no start . I keep my SUV under cover 90% of the time. A recent wind storm damaged my car port that I usually keep it under, so lately it’s been outside more often, especially if wind is in the forecast. I still …”Dec 29, 2024 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★☆16%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning.

Other SQ5 model years

A

2026 Audi SQ5

0 recalls · 1 complaints

A

2025 Audi SQ5

1 recalls · 7 complaints

A

2024 Audi SQ5

0 recalls · 6 complaints

A

2023 Audi SQ5

0 recalls · 3 complaints

B

2022 Audi SQ5

2 recalls · 4 complaints

D

2021 Audi SQ5

5 recalls · 11 complaints

D

2020 Audi SQ5

4 recalls · 7 complaints

D

2019 Audi SQ5

5 recalls · 19 complaints

A

2017 Audi SQ5

0 recalls · 5 complaints

A

2016 Audi SQ5

0 recalls · 6 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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