The Lemon Index

All cars · Audi Q5

2020 Audi Q5.

The 2020 Audi Q5 is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 24 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 48, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about automatic emergency braking, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 24 to 27 mpg combined. The best Audi Q5 year is 2019.

48Lemon Index · 100 = average car

One of the most reliable. 2.1× fewer complaints than average.

Best year 2019 · Worst year 2021

Audi Q5
Photo shows an Audi Q5. Alexander Migl, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Owner complaints24first 3 years
Fuel economy24–27 mpgcombined, EPA
Crash test★★★★★NHTSA overall

How serious. Out of 45 owner complaints, owners reported:

3crashes
3injuries
2fires
3tows

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

automatic emergency braking33%
electrical29%
engine17%
steering12%
brakes12%

Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.

Transmission problems in every Audi Q5 year →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 1K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 0K to 6K miles on the car (6 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

Recalls 6

  • electrical 2023

    When using the industrial 220V/240V plug at the 100% charge setting, some home power outlets may be incapable of handling the electrical current required to utilize the compact charging system, causing the outlet or char…

  • tires 2022

    The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.

  • electrical 2021

    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.

Show all 6 recalls
  • suspension 2021

    The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.

  • seats 2020

    Parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may not have been welded properly.

  • body structure 2019

    The rear wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach from the vehicle.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Audi told dealers about

Audi sent dealers 1129 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • This bulletin contains instructions for oil leaking from the vehicle without a DTC
  • This bulletin contains repair instructions for when there is a knocking or rattling noise in…
  • This bulletin contains instructions for using the UV additive to find engine oil leaks

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Safety

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningStandard
Lane departure warningOptional
NHTSA front crash test of the 2020 Audi Q5
Front crash test · NHTSA
Crash test details
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Audi Q5 SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Audi Q5 PHEV SUV AWDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated
Fuel cost and engines

About $2950–3300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.

In owners' words

Complete failure of the car to start or turn on. This occurred once in 2021 and a second time in 2023. Taken to dealership. Diagnosed with a computer problem. Fixed by dealership.

2020 Audi Q5 owner · NHTSA complaint 11560541

Quick answers

Is the 2020 Audi Q5 reliable?

Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.1× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 48; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Audi Q5 year by this measure is 2019.

What are the most common 2020 Audi Q5 problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are automatic emergency braking (33%), electrical (29%) and engine (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2020 Audi Q5 have?

6 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2020 Audi Q5 get?

24 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Is the 2020 Audi Q5 safe?

NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.

Does the 2020 Audi Q5 have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.

How much does the 2020 Audi Q5 cost in fuel a year?

About $2950 to $3300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2020 Audi Q5 have?

2.0L 4-cyl.

What Audi Q5 year is better than the 2020?

By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2017 and 2020.

Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data