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.
The rear subframe on my 2015 Audi SQ5 rusted through structurally at about 118,900 miles. In May 2026, an independent Audi specialist (Evan's Auto Care) found the rear subframe rusted through on critical parts and quoted $6,031.93 to replace it. In June 2026, an Audi dealer-level shop (The Audi Connection) confirmed the rear subframe was almost rusted through, called it a safety issue, and quoted $5,258.19 plus tax for replacement and alignment. We couldn't afford that, so the subframe was welded as a temporary repair. In October 2026, a shop inspected that weld and called it marginal: the tubing had already thinned from rust and the welds are poor quality, because sound welds can't be made on corroded metal. The car has been regularly serviced its whole life. The subframe holds the rear suspension and differential, and its failure while driving could cause loss of control. Many other 2013–2017 Q5 and SQ5 owners report the same rear subframe perforation in the same location, which appears to be caused by a plastic cover that traps water against the subframe. I am asking NHTSA to investigate this as a safety defect and Audi to issue a recall that includes reimbursement for owners who have already paid for repairs.
No injuries · No fire · No crash
Component failed: The vehicle's structural front subframe assembly has suffered severe, catastrophic rust perforation and deterioration. Safety risk: The subframe holds the engine and front suspension. It is structurally compromised and at imminent risk of snapping or collapsing at highway speeds, which would cause a total loss of steering and vehicle control, risking a fatal high-speed crash. Dealer confirmation: An authorized Audi dealership inspected the vehicle on [Insert Date from 2 weeks ago] and explicitly determined that the vehicle is completely unsafe to drive. Availability: The vehicle and the failed component are currently held at the authorized Audi dealership and are fully available for federal inspection upon request. Symptoms: There were zero dashboard warning lights, messages, or symptoms prior to this discovery. The failure was only found because the dealership lifted the vehicle for a separate service. This hidden danger is due to factory-installed plastic underbody covers that trap moisture and road salt directly against the steel frame, concealing the severe rust perforation until the vehicle becomes an active hazard.
No injuries · No fire · No crash
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……
No injuries · No fire · No crash
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.
No injuries · No fire · No crash
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.
No injuries · No fire · No crash