Home · 2021 · Audi
2021 Audi Q5 Phev
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
69 owner complaints · 0 recalls · data verified July 17, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Electrical system problems dominate (36% of complaints, typically reported near 6k miles).
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Zero recalls, rare for a car this age.
The math, shown
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
NHTSA crash-tested this model year but didn’t publish an overall star rating for it.
1 open NHTSA defect investigation on file for this model year, separate from the recalls above.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2021 Audi Q5 Phev, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Driver assistance (10) · Transmission & drivetrain (10) · Fuel system (5)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Electrical system
36%25 complaints · typically near 6k mi · 9 in the last 2 years
“If I have a sensor that will malfunction due to water then there should be a water indicator alert. My sunroof vent was blocked and water went into my trunk where the …”
Engine
25%17 complaints · typically near 36k mi · 6 in the last 2 years
“Control module located under rear seat became slightly wet from spilled liquid, and failed. Engine and electrical failure as a result of control module failure. Audi r…”
Driver assistance
14%10 complaints · 3 in the last 2 years
“While driving on the highway (70mph) at night, my instrument panel went completely dark. I was not able to see the speed I was driving and my warning sounds/lights wer…”
Transmission & drivetrain
14%10 complaints · 5 in the last 2 years
“Control module located under rear seat became slightly wet from spilled liquid, and failed. Engine and electrical failure as a result of control module failure. Audi r…”
Recalls (0)
No recall campaigns on file for this model year.
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2021? See how every Q5 Phev model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2021 Audi Q5 Phev against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.