Audi›Q5 Sportback›2021›Overview/audi/q5-sportback/2021/base/

2021 Audi Q5 Sportback

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Q5 Sportback.

Transmission Automatic (AM-S7)

The 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback is configured with an Automatic (AM-S7) transmission and requires 5.5 qt of 0W-20 engine oil to operate. EPA estimates rate the vehicle at 23/28/25 mpg, establishing an efficiency baseline alongside these mechanical specifications. Within the 2021-2025 model complaint history, this model year records both the highest and lowest total owner complaints at 69, with the Electrical System identified as the top complaint area. Accompanied by 8 recalls, this complaint volume positions the 2021 model as the definitive reliability reference point for the years covered.

Model year20252024202320222021

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy23/28/25 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 06L115562B. 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

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter06L115562B
Engine air filter8W0133843C
Spark plug06Q905601A
Battery000915089BC
Front wiper blades80B998002
Cabin air filter4M0819439C

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AM-S7)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length184.6 in
Overall width74.4 in
Overall height65.4 in
Wheelbase111 in
Curb weight3913 lb
Track (front / rear)63.8 / 63.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)53/47

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined23 / 28 / 25 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.5 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Clutch FluidDOT 4
Engine CoolantAudi Coolant G13-TL-VW774J
Engine Coolant Capacity10.5 qt
Engine Oil0W-20 · Synthetic
Engine Oil Capacity5.5 qt

Engine torques

Cylinder Head InstructionsOnly use new bolts.

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity45 TFSI
Oil Capacity45 TFSI

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

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1110.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 150.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°110 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts with Collar37 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 Q5 Sportback anchors the high end of the complaint and recall arc in the federal record provided, with 69 complaints and 8 recalls, compared to just 1 recall and no complaints filed against the 2024 and 2025 model years. Because the 2021 has had several more years of in-service exposure, the lower 2024 and 2025 numbers likely reflect time-on-road as much as any underlying improvement, so the 2021's elevated counts should be read as the settled baseline for this generation. Within that 2021 record, Electrical System issues lead at 12 complaints, followed by Engine (8), Forward Collision Avoidance (5), and Power Train (5)—a spread that touches drivability, electronics, and active safety. Two of the 69 complaints are crash-related, fires are not represented, and the 1,101 TSBs attached to this model year represent a particularly heavy technical-service footprint signaling broad dealer-level service activity. The data does not specify a common root cause for the electrical or forward-collision-avoidance clustering, so no single known defect can be cited. Net assessment: 2021 is a usable but not standout year in this cohort—buyable provided all eight recalls are confirmed completed and a pre-purchase inspection specifically targets the electrical and driver-assist systems.

8
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1101
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
69
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’21’24’25

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 69 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System12
Engine8
Forward Collision Avoidance5
Power Train5
Electrical System,Structure3
Power Train,Electrical System,Engine3
Unknown Or Other3
Visibility2

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 1101 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 Q5 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 5.5 qtEngine oil filter 06L115562BEngine air filter 8W0133843CSpark plug 06Q905601ABattery 000915089BC

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 Q5 Sportback take?

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

Does the 2021 Q5 Sportback have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Q5 Sportback get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 28 highway / 25 combined mpg.