Problem: 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.
Risk: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2015 Audi SQ5 SUV AWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
15.1%
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
SQ5
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Structure Body
4
0
0
0
—
Suspension
3
0
0
0
—
Steering
2
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
1
0
0
0
—
Service brakes
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
May 21, 2026Suspension 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…
Jul 31, 2026Suspension 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…
May 13, 2025Structure › Body Rear subframe has extensive and significant rust affecting the structural integrity of the critical componentâ¦. 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 recallsâ¦â¦
Mar 26, 2025Structure › Body 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.
Jan 19, 2025 · 108,084 milesService brakes 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.
Jul 9, 2024 · 110,000 milesStructure 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…
Jan 30, 2018Steering 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.
Jan 8, 2018 · 21,847 milesUnknown or other 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,…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.