Audi · Model Year Profile · 2021

2021 Audi Q5 Health Check: Recalls and Bulletins

The 2021 Audi Q5 has no reported recalls or federal investigations, and zero owner complaints. However, Audi has issued 20 service bulletins addressing various issues such as slow window operation, cylinder head oil leaks, airbag warning lights, and gearbox malfunctions. This guide summarizes…

ByAhmet Topcu — Founder & Editor-in-ChiefAutomated summaryUpdated
2021 AUDI Q5 safety profile — editorial illustration
Editorial illustration generated for this model-year profile.

The 2021 Audi Q5, a popular luxury SUV, has demonstrated a solid safety record with no recalls or federal investigations reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Furthermore, no owner complaints have been filed for this model year. However, like many modern vehicles, the 2021 Audi Q5 has been subject to numerous manufacturer service bulletins (TSBs) that address various technical issues and common customer concerns. This comprehensive guide will delve into these bulletins, providing owners and prospective buyers with a clear understanding of potential issues and their resolutions.

At a glance

For the 2021 Audi Q5, the reliability profile indicates a strong performance in terms of major safety concerns. There are no recalls, no owner complaints, and no open federal investigations. The primary source of reported issues comes from 20 manufacturer service bulletins, which cover a range of components from engine to interior features, indicating that while no widespread safety defects exist, owners may encounter specific operational quirks or component-level problems.

Recalls

There are no recalls reported for the 2021 Audi Q5 model year.

Owner complaints

No owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Audi Q5.

Federal investigations

No federal investigations have been opened against the 2021 Audi Q5.

Service bulletins

While the 2021 Audi Q5 has no recalls, Audi has issued several service bulletins to help dealerships address common issues reported by owners. These bulletins outline diagnostic procedures and repair methods for various components.

Window Operation Issues

Owners of 2021-2024 Audi Q5 models may experience issues with their door windows moving slowly, unevenly, or failing to close properly. Technical Service Bulletin TSB 2071472/3 addresses these concerns, often tracing the root cause to incorrectly installed or damaged window guides. Similarly, TSB 2071472/1 covers slow or binding power window operation in 2021-2023 Q5 and SQ5 models, recommending checking, cleaning, or replacing window guides. Additionally, TSB 2064585/2 provides a cleaning and lubrication procedure for front power window noise in 2021-2023 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles, often caused by dirt and contamination.

Cylinder Head Oil Leaks

Several bulletins address oil residue and leaks around the cylinder head cover, particularly for 2021-2024 Audi Q5 vehicles equipped with the 2.0L TFSI engine. TSB 2072716/6 indicates that loose bolts are often the culprit. Earlier versions like TSB 2072716/3, TSB 2072716/2, and TSB 2072716/1 also detail how burrs from the manufacturing process can cause bolts to loosen, leading to leakage. The repair typically involves checking, re-tightening, or replacing these bolts.

Airbag Warning Light

An illuminated airbag warning light on the dashboard of 2021-2024 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles is a concern addressed by manufacturer communication TSB 2073566. This issue is frequently accompanied by diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) B101704 or B103604, indicating a potential problem within the airbag control module. The bulletin outlines specific diagnostic and repair procedures for technicians.

Gearbox Malfunction Messages

Some 2021-2022 Audi Q5 and A4 models may display a

What Audi Q5 owners report

Counted from the records in our database across 18 model years.

1,386
Owner complaints
35
Recalls
4,663
Service bulletins
68
Crashes reported
13
Fires reported
63
Injuries reported

The 2021 model year

74 complaints, the 9th most of 18 model years on file. Owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries for this year, which also has 8 recalls on file.

Complaints by model year

Model years with the most complaints for the Audi Q5
2010100
2011143
2012168
201392
2014106
2015100
201678
2018209
201953
202174

Most-reported systems

  1. Engine — 338
  2. Air Bags — 259
  3. Electrical System — 230
  4. Fuel/Propulsion System — 140
  5. Steering — 99

Latest recalls for the 2021 model year

  • 25V080000 — Electrical System (Feb 2025)
  • 23V842000 — Electrical System (Dec 2023)
  • 22V753000 — Engine And Engine Cooling (Oct 2022)
All 2021 recalls →

Recent owner reports

Vehicle Information: 2021 Audi Q5 Component Affected: Electrical System / Electronic Control Unit (Body Control Module / BCM2) Description of Safety Defect: The vehicle suffered a catastrophic failure of the Body Control Module (BCM / BCM2) caused by water…

2021 Audi Q5 owner, Sep 2026

We took our 2021 Audi Q5 to the Audi dealership because our vehicle seemed to be skipping gears and making jerking motions while driving. I believe it began happening at least a couple of months ago when my wife noticed a change in driving dynamics.

2021 Audi Q5 owner, Sep 2026
Read owner complaints →

Complaints are owner reports filed with NHTSA. They are unverified, and counts depend on how many vehicles were sold, so they are not a failure rate.