Audi›SQ5 Sportback›2021›Overview/audi/sq5-sportback/2021/base/

2021 Audi SQ5 Sportback

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 SQ5 Sportback.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2021 Audi SQ5 Sportback is a performance-oriented crossover that rides on Audi’s MLB platform and is powered by a turbocharged engine requiring 7.7 quarts of 0W-20 oil, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and delivering EPA fuel economy ratings of 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined. This model year carries forward the Sportback’s sloping roofline and aggressive styling while offering the brand’s signature Quattro all-wheel drive. In terms of reliability, the 2021 SQ5 Sportback recorded five recalls and accumulated 11 owner complaints primarily centered on the powertrain, electrical system, and engine—issues that place it within a broader pattern of early-stage teething problems common to many new vehicle introductions, suggesting prospective buyers should verify that all recall work has been completed during pre-purchase inspections.

Model year20252024202320222021

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity7.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/24/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage. battery, OE oil filter 06M115441G. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage.OEM · verified
Tire size255/45R20 101HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8, Optional: 8, 8.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter06M115441G alt 06M198405F
Engine air filter8W0133843
Spark plug06M905606F
Battery000915089BD
Front wiper blades80B998002
Thermostat06M121688 alt 06M121678H
Cabin air filter4M0819439C

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length184.6 in
Overall width74.4 in
Overall height65.4 in
Wheelbase111 in
Curb weight4266 lb
Track (front / rear)63.8 / 63.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)53/47

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 24 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the SQ5 Sportback of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.40 sec — 2022 Prestige
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2022Prestige 3.0L Turbo V65.40 sec13.90 sec349 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 7.7 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-3-6-2-5.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Clutch FluidDOT 4
Engine Coolant Capacity10.5 qt
Engine Oil0W-20 · Synthetic
Engine Oil Capacity7.7 qt

Engine torques

Cylinder Head InstructionsOnly use new bolts.

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-3-6-2-5

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.12-1.18 lbs

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum87.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum116.0 psi
Residual Pressure43.45 psi

Brakes

ABS Sensor Torque6.4
Minimum Pad Thickness0.079" in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1LC; Rear: 1KD

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Completely install all bolts by hand. Step 222 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22.011 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 40,000 mi.

Every 10,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire Repair Kit Sealant (inspect)
Every 20,000 miBody Water Drains (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection)
Every 40,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 60,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Audi SQ5 Sportback shows 11 complaints, 5 recalls, 0 investigations, and 972 TSBs in the federal record. Because the supplied year-by-year data begins with 2021, no prior-model comparison is possible; against the only later year shown, 2025, every metric is higher in 2021, with complaints at 11 versus 0, recalls at 5 versus 1, and TSBs at 972 versus 666. The top complaint categories are fragmented, each registering only a single report across power train, electrical, engine, and engine-cooling areas, and the data records zero crash and zero fire complaints. This places 2021 at the higher-activity end of the limited two-point arc, consistent with the earliest year in the supplied record accumulating field reports and service bulletins. While the 5 recalls warrant a careful recall-history check, the absence of investigations, fires, and crashes keeps the safety profile unremarkable in the federal data. For a used-car buyer, 2021 is a usable but not standout choice: verify all recalls are completed, and if possible, favor a later year in the generation where the federal record shows lower complaint and recall activity.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
972
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
11
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 11 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train,Electrical System,Engine1
Power Train1
Engine & Engine Cooling1
Power Train,Engine1
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other1
Electrical System1
Back Over Prevention1
Air Bags,Seat Belts1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 972 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB_2076404_82026-06-29Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin provides a deployment overview for customer service packages MLB and MQB…
TSB_2074640_32026-06-26EngineThis bulletin provides information when there is increased oil consumption; >0.5ltr/1000…
TSB_2079226_52026-06-24StructureThis bulletin provides information when the sliding glass panoramic sunroof is leaking.
TSB_2074729_32026-06-23Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides informationwhen noises/vibration are detected from front of…
TSB_2059335_72026-06-23Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific SQ5 Sportback. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group R batteryVehicles taking 7.7 qtEngine oil filter 06M115441GEngine air filter 8W0133843Spark plug 06M905606FBattery 000915089BD

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 SQ5 Sportback take?

7.7 qt of 0W-20 Synthetic, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 SQ5 Sportback have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the SQ5 Sportback get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined mpg.