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2021 Audi SQ5

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

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2021 Audi SQ5 utilizes an S8 automatic transmission and requires 7.7 quarts of 0W-20 engine oil, delivering an EPA-rated fuel economy of 18/24/20 mpg. This model year recorded 11 owner complaints—primarily involving the engine, electrical system, and power train—alongside five recalls. Within a model history spanning 2013 to 2025, these figures place the 2021 model between the series high of 23 complaints in 2018 and the low of one in 2013.

Model year2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020

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 filter	06M115441G alt 06M198405F
Engine air filter	8W0133843
Spark plug	06M905606F
Battery	000915089BD
Front wiper blades	80B998002
Thermostat	06M121688 alt 06M121115N
Cabin air filter	4M0819439C

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	184.3 in
Overall width	74.4 in
Overall height	65.4 in
Wheelbase	111 in
Curb weight	4398 lb
Track (front / rear)	63.8 / 63.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	53/47

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	18 / 24 / 20 mpg
Drivetrain	All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

4.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.70 sec — 2021 Prestige

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2021	Prestige 3.0L Turbo V6	4.70 sec	13.40 sec	349 hp	AWD
2018	V6T Prestige 3.0L Turbo V6	5.00 sec	13.50 sec	354 hp	AWD
2018	V6T Prestige 3.0L Turbo V6	5.10 sec	13.70 sec	354 hp	AWD
2018	V6T Premium Plus 3.0L Turbo V6	5.30 sec	13.80 sec	354 hp	AWD
2025	Prestige 3.0L Turbo V6	4.30 sec	12.90 sec	349 hp	AWD
2025	Prestige 3.0L Turbo V6	5.00 sec	13.50 sec	349 hp	AWD

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, Front: 0D; Rear: 0D in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to Use new seal: 22.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-3-6-2-5.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	Audi P/N G 060 162 A2
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	9.0 qt
Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Clutch Fluid	DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil	Front: 0D; Rear: 0D
Engine Coolant Capacity	10.5 qt
Engine Oil	0W-20 · Synthetic
Engine Oil Capacity	7.7 qt

Engine torques

Cylinder Head Instructions	Only use new bolts.
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	Use new seal: 22.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

103 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order

1-4-3-6-2-5

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity	1.12-1.18 lbs

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	87.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum	116.0 psi
Residual Pressure	43.45 psi

Brakes

ABS Sensor Torque	6.4
Minimum Pad Thickness	0.079" in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: 1LC; Rear: 1KD

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages

Completely install all bolts by hand. Step 2

22 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

11.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22.0

11 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 mi	Brake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire Repair Kit Sealant (inspect)
Every 20,000 mi	Body Water Drains (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection)
Every 40,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 60,000 mi	Drive 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 shows 11 consumer complaints and 5 recalls, placing it within a period of elevated activity that began in 2018 (23 complaints, 5 recalls) and continued through 2019 (18 complaints, 5 recalls). While the complaint count in 2021 is lower than the 2018-2019 peak, it represents an increase from 2020 (7 complaints) and coincides with the highest TSB count in the dataset at 968—indicating substantial dealer service activity. The top complaint categories focus on powertrain and engine systems, though no crash or fire complaints were filed. By 2024, complaints drop significantly to 5 with zero recalls, suggesting the model settled. The 2021 model falls at the tail end of a quality concern cycle, so prospective buyers should verify all recall work was completed and budget for potential powertrain-related repairs.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

968

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20’21’24 ’25

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

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V606000Seat Belts:Rear/Other:RetractorReported 05/08/2021

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback… Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact…

22V034000TiresReported 26/01/2022

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8… Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 968 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TSB_2076404_8	2026-06-29	Unknown Or Other	This bulletin provides a deployment overview for customer service packages MLB and MQB…
TSB_2074640_3	2026-06-26	Engine	This bulletin provides information when there is increased oil consumption; >0.5ltr/1000…
TSB_2079226_5	2026-06-24	Structure	This bulletin provides information when the sliding glass panoramic sunroof is leaking.
TSB_2074729_3	2026-06-23	Electrical System	This bulletin provides informationwhen noises/vibration are detected from front of…
TSB_2059335_7	2026-06-23	Electrical System	This 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. 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 battery Vehicles taking 7.7 qt Engine oil filter 06M115441G Engine air filter 8W0133843 Spark plug 06M905606F Battery 000915089BD

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 SQ5 take?

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

Does the 2021 SQ5 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 get?

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