2020 AUDI Q5 e
Recalls, Specs & Safety Report
This 2020 model shows good reliability, primarily driven by a below-average recall rate for the AUDI brand.
Why This Matters
A clean recall record is a positive signal for both safety and ownership costs. Vehicles with no known defects typically qualify for lower insurance premiums and face fewer unexpected repair expenses.
When negotiating insurance rates, a documented history of zero manufacturer recalls can support your case for preferred pricing.
Expert Analysis
The 2020 Q5 e analysis highlights key safety metrics.
Safety & Reliability Score
Score Breakdown
Technical Specifications
Key specifications for the 2020 AUDI Q5 e
Safety History Timeline
Consumer Complaint Analysis
Most Reported Issue
Complaint Trend
Safety Incidents
Complaint Severity Distribution
Breakdown of 12 consumer complaints by severity level.
Mileage Failure Analysis
Based on consumer reports, issues for this vehicle tend to peak around the 0-20k mileage range. The average reported failure mileage is 27,842 miles.
π οΈ DIY Diagnosis Center
Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).
No Recalls Found
Perfect Recall Status
2020 AUDI Q5 e
Safety Milestone: The 2020 AUDI Q5 e maintains a perfect record. As of January 2026, there are 0 official recalls.
This distinction places it in the top tier of vehicle safety reliability for its model year.
π‘οΈ Proactive Safety Maintenance Guide
Even with a perfect recall record, regular maintenance safeguards your vehicle's reliability. Our experts recommend monitoring these systems:
No active investigations for this vehicle.
Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2020 Q5 e.
Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis
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 have to pay for this myself. Audi should replace the battery packs free of charge as they were clearly defective.
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 this issue should be fixed by Audi. The cost to repair this issue is around $3000.
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 unsafe to drive. The Audi Pre-sense system engages the brakes while driving a varies fast speeds usually while on the highway.
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 times, though not while driving. This problem creates a lot of heat in the engine bay and has led to a problem in my cooling system pipes, causing multiple points of piping to burst. The coolant expansion tank also warped and leaks, as well as the upper radiator hose. The problem with safety is the car will spray coolant onto the wheel well making the brakes less effective. This problem, which seemed to arise from the car ecu overheating during idle, could cause an undesirable effect while driving, potentially leading to an accident. The other issue is that the car is overheating due to a compromised cooling system that leaks coolant fluid. This may damage the engine and other engine bay components. The warning sign and first instance i can recall the "drive system malfunction" happening was in February of last year, a month after purchase. The cooling system started leaking profusely 4 months after the first "drive system malfunction".
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, observed heat and some black residue in the battery compartment, FD deemed it no longer an immediate threat, so they departed. At 3:02pm the battery ignited and quickly developed into fully involved car fire. FD returned at 3:08pm and extinguished the fire by 3:09. Filed an insurance claim. Total loss. AudiUSA has not answered phone calls, emails, messages. They assigned a rep to the incident but he has never made any contact, despite my attempts to reach him.
Brake Booster Brake ServΓ 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.
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 did it to them. They said it had a code for solenoid. They changed valve body and it had codes so they were in contact with Audi Hotline they had them change Mechatronic unit also and the issue was solved, They sent me video, I picked up car and gave them loaner back, I used car local after a few times then it did it again. Had car towed to Audi of Allentown again, they couldn't find issue and sent me video of car. I went to pickup vehicle and they were getting vehicle ready and it did it to them and they said they would let service know. They gave me a loaner. I've called and they haven't had vehicle do it again until today. They videoed it and sent it to Audi Hotline (engineers). There waiting on a reply from Audi. The vehicle is unsafe-- if it did it to me while entering a highway and cut out I could be hit in from rear and it would be a catastrophic accident. Or if it did this at a crosswalk that could be another issue but with pedestrians. If I get car back and it happens again then it cant be fixed and its unsafe I'll need to get a lawyer to rectify this situation.
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.
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 which was clear and dry. There were no vehicles in front, behind or at the intersection. No pedestrians or animals. Cruise control was off. My foot was on the accelerator pedal. Suddenly, for no apparent reason, the Audi Pre-Sense system engaged. The brakes were automatically applied which instantly reduced speed to about 40 mph. Steering wheel shook briefly, there was a brief audible alert, and then a Audi PreSense triangle warning symbol appeared on the instrument gauge cluster. I was thrown into my seat belt when the car quickly decelerated. The entire incident was probably 5 seconds although it seemed longer in the moment. I startled but maintained control of the vehicle. Luckily, I have a previously scheduled dealer maintenance appointment this coming week. This item will be at the top of the list.
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 tire replacement claiming alignment is within specification. However, if you take even a small glance at our tires, it is clear there is something wrong due to the vehicle, matching the description of the recall to a T. This is a serious safety issue that Audi is not properly addressing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any recalls for the 2020 AUDI Q5 e?
No, the 2020 AUDI Q5 e currently has no recorded recalls from NHTSA.
Is the 2020 AUDI Q5 e safe to drive?
The 2020 AUDI Q5 e has no active recalls, which is a positive safety indicator. Always maintain regular service intervals for optimal safety.
Where can I check if my 2020 AUDI Q5 e has open recalls?
You can check for open recalls by visiting NHTSA.gov and entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), or by contacting your local AUDI dealer.
What This Means for You
Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.
If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.
If You Own This Vehicle
- No active recalls are recorded, but maintain regular service intervals and report any unusual symptoms to NHTSA.
- Consider setting up VIN-specific alerts to receive notification of future recalls.
If You're Buying Used
- Request the VIN before purchase and verify recall status at NHTSA.gov.
- This model year shows favorable reliability metrics compared to alternatives.
This page is designed to help you decide, not alarm you.