2020 Audi Q5 E Problems

Good Record

The 2020 Audi Q5 E has 12 NHTSA complaints and zero recalls, but low data volume limits confidence. Based on 12 real NHTSA owner complaints, with Engine Problems the most reported area.

older3 years2021

Before you buy

This 2020 Audi Q5 E has 12 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Engine Problems.

A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.

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12
Complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Injuries
Fatalities
Recalls
Quick Answer

AUDI Q5 E 2020 has 12 NHTSA complaints and zero recalls. Engine problems and electrical faults each account for 4 complaints, while brake issues total 3. No crash-related complaints were filed. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.

2020 Audi Q5 E — key reliability facts
Make
Audi
Model
Q5 E
Model year
2020
NHTSA owner complaints
12
Crash-related complaints
0
Safety recall campaigns
0
Top reported component
Engine Problems
Reliability signal
Good Record

Common problems

Most common 2020 Audi Q5 E problems

Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.

#1
4
complaints

Engine Problems

#2
4
complaints

Electrical Faults

Fires:1
#3
3
complaints

Brake System

Complaint patterns center on Engine Problems, Electrical Faults, Brake System. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.

Buyer verdict

Should you buy a used 2020 Audi Q5 E?

The 2020 Audi Q5 E may be worth considering for buyers who accept some risk, but the low complaint count and absence of recalls provide limited assurance. Pre-purchase inspection is strongly recommended.

Engine and electrical issues are the top complaint categories, which can lead to costly repairs. Brake and suspension problems also appear, affecting safety and comfort.

May Suit

This year may suit buyers who want a plug-in hybrid luxury SUV and are willing to perform thorough pre-purchase checks.

May Want to Avoid

Buyers seeking maximum reliability with minimal risk should consider other model years or vehicles with more robust data.

Pre-purchase

What to check before buying a used 2020 Audi Q5 E

Inspection Focus

  • Inspect engine for any reported issues.
  • Check electrical system, including infotainment and sensors.
  • Examine brake components for wear or malfunction.

Before You Close the Deal

  • Have a mechanic inspect the engine for any reported issues.
  • Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
  • Request service records for electrical and brake systems.
  • Test drive and check for unusual noises or warning lights.

Check the exact car

Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.

Before buying a used 2020 Audi Q5 E, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.

AI verdict

What the complaint data suggests

Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2020 Audi Q5 E shows 12 owner complaints across one model year, with engine problems and electrical faults each accounting for 4 complaints. Brake system issues (3 complaints) and suspension failures (2 complaints) are also noted. No recalls or crash-related complaints were reported. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.

Year context: With only one model year analyzed, no direct comparison to lower- or higher-complaint years is possible.

Recall context: Zero recalls suggest no widespread safety defects were identified, but buyers should still verify open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Key Findings
  • Engine problems account for 4 of 12 total complaints.
  • Electrical faults also account for 4 complaints.
  • Brake system issues account for 3 complaints.
Top Concerns
  • Engine Problems: 4 complaints reported.
  • Electrical Faults: 4 complaints reported.
  • Brake System: 3 complaints reported.
Data note: NHTSA complaints are consumer-submitted and do not confirm a manufacturing defect. Low complaint count (12) and only one model year reduce confidence in findings.

Full breakdown

All 2020 Audi Q5 E complaints by category

Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Audi Q5 E. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Engine Problems4
Electrical Faults41
Brake System3
Suspension Failures2
Wheel Issues2
Uncategorized Issues2
Transmission / Drivetrain1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB1

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.

In their words

Real owner complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2020 Audi Q5 E. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Showing 12 most recent complaints

Engine ProblemsNov 7, 2025

Our vehicle started jerking when it transitioned from EV mode to Hybrid (gas engine). I found TSB 2079556, which describes exactly the diagnostic codes our car has for all eight battery packs. This is clearly a known problem, and as the car is out of its original warranty I would…

Brake SystemOct 22, 2025

I understand that there have been recalls for the brake booster in some 2020 Audi Q5s. I have had my brake booster light come on, but my VIN is not in the recall. My car has less than 50,000 miles on it and I should not be having this issue. I think my car should be recalled and …

Electrical FaultsJan 30, 2025

An Electrical Malfunction has caused several safety issues causing the car engine to idle and have "drive system malfunction" The warning system being displays on the dashboard has show not only cooling issues but issues relating to the brakes and overall engine making the car un…

Electrical FaultsJan 29, 2025

Ecu Malfunction leading to Cooling system malfunction The car after idling more than 30 min with the A/C off has a "drive system malfunction". The warning displays on the dash and the engine runs violently rough until the car shuts itself off. The Audi has done this several tim…

Electrical Faults FireOct 3, 2024

Jul 9 2024. Plug-in hybrid battery fire. Car plugged in at 11:10am with an empty battery. At 1:45pm we noticed white smoke emitting from the battery, (rear left near charge port). Immediately unplugged. Fire Department on scene, car pushed to street. Disconnected battery, observe…

Brake SystemAug 29, 2024

Brake Booster Brake Serví Unit faulty Making noise, took t mechanic and I was told there is a technical service bulletin on this. I called Audi of Danbury and I was told there is no recall. I was told by my mechanic it can cause car t run bad and die.

Transmission / DrivetrainFeb 19, 2024

My Transmission failed to go in forward and was racing in drive. I put it reverse and that worked but put back into drive it races then makes a bang and instantly goes into drive. I had car towed to Audi of Allentown. They initially went over vehicle couldn't find issue then it d…

Electrical FaultsDec 17, 2023

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.

Forward Collision Avoidance: AEBOct 23, 2022

The vehicle is a 2020 Audi Q5 Premium Plus model with 15,525 miles on it. I was driving at 55 mph on a two lane country road and approaching an intersection at 11:55 AM ET. Road and weather conditions were perfect. Clear, sunny weather and 65 degrees. Recently paved roadway…

Suspension FailuresJun 17, 2022

Recall Number: 22V034 Audi has a current recall impacting the alignment of the rear axle. It is causing uneven and unsafe wear on the rear tires. Our tires are experiencing this greatly. We took the car into our Audi dealership. Audi, the manufacturer, rejected the request for t…

Suspension FailuresMar 22, 2022

RECEIVED LETTER FROM AUDI REGARDING NHTSA:22V034. LETTER INDICATED THERE WAS A DEFECT WITH THE REAR AXLE SUSPENSION ALIGNMENT WHICH COULD LEAD TO PREMATURE AND EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR AND, POTENTIAL TIRE FAILURE. AFTER INSPECTION, DEALER (FLETCHER JONE AUDI, COSTA MESA, CA) SAID THER…

Wheel IssuesMar 20, 2022

I went to dealership to fix recall and the dealership didn't finish work on recall because they wanted me to pay for an alignment when it says it should off been fixed on your website because the recall damaged my tires unevenly.

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2020 Audi Q5 E.

Safety recalls

2020 Audi Q5 E recalls

0 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2020 Audi Q5 E. Zero recalls suggest no widespread safety defects were identified, but buyers should still verify open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.

No recall campaigns on record

No NHTSA recalls were found for this model year. Recalls can be added at any time — confirm open-recall status on the exact VIN or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Across model years

Compare Audi Q5 E model years

With only one model year analyzed, no direct comparison to lower- or higher-complaint years is possible.

Research more

Keep researching before you buy

Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.

Questions

2020 Audi Q5 E buying FAQ

Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.

Is the 2020 Audi Q5 E reliable?

Good Record. NHTSA currently shows 12 owner complaints, 0 crash-related complaints, and 0 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2020 Audi Q5 E may be worth considering for buyers who accept some risk, but the low complaint count and absence of recalls provide limited assurance. Pre-purchase inspection is strongly recommended. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Audi Q5 E?

#1: Engine Problems (4 complaints). #2: Electrical Faults (4 complaints). #3: Brake System (3 complaints)

At what mileage do problems start on the 2020 Audi Q5 E?

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2020 Audi Q5 E?

Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2020 Audi Q5 E, NHTSA complaints include 0 crash-related reports and 1 fire reports out of 12 total complaints. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2020 Audi Q5 E have any recalls?

No NHTSA recall campaigns were found for the 2020 Audi Q5 E in the current data. Always verify with a VIN check as recalls can be added at any time.

Should I buy a 2020 Audi Q5 E?

The 2020 Audi Q5 E may be worth considering for buyers who accept some risk, but the low complaint count and absence of recalls provide limited assurance. Pre-purchase inspection is strongly recommended. Engine and electrical issues are the top complaint categories, which can lead to costly repairs. Brake and suspension problems also appear, affecting safety and comfort. Pay extra attention to Engine Problems during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpectorAI.

Wider context: See the full Audi Q5 E reliability report with year-by-year comparison.

Owner Reliability Rating

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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.

Before you buy

Check the exact vehicle history before you buy

Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.

2020 Audi Q5 E: Is It Reliable? Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict | VinSpectorAI