2021 Audi Q5 Body Panel Recall (21V947)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 288,991 vehicles · Reported December 8, 2021
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. is recalling 288,991 2021 Audi Q5; 2022 Audi Q5 Sportback; 2021-2022 Audi SQ5 vehicles. A liquid spill in the rear seat, or water ingress from an insufficient body seam underneath the vehicle may allow liquid to penetrate the gateway control module, causing it to shutdown. A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V947 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V947000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 90S9 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | December 8, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2021 Audi Q5; 2022 Audi Q5 Sportback; 2021-2022 Audi SQ5 |
| Units affected | 288,991 |
| Component | Structure > Body |
| Safety risk | A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Audi Q5 in recall 21V947?
A liquid spill in the rear seat, or water ingress from an insufficient body seam underneath the vehicle may allow liquid to penetrate the gateway control module, causing it to shutdown.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, 2018-2022 Q5, and SQ5 vehicles. A liquid spill in the rear seat, or water ingress from an insufficient body seam underneath the vehicle may allow liquid to penetrate the gateway control module, causing it to shutdown.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 Q5 with recall 21V947?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the body.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V947?
Recall 21V947 covers 288,991 vehicles: 2021 Audi Q5; 2022 Audi Q5 Sportback; 2021-2022 Audi SQ5.
NHTSA lists 288,991 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Audi | Q5 |
| 2022 | Audi | Q5 Sportback |
| 2021-2022 | Audi | SQ5 |
What is the fix for the Q5 body panel recall?
Yes. Dealers will install a protective cover on the gateway control module and seal an underbody seam as necessary, free of charge.
Dealers will install a protective cover on the gateway control module and seal an underbody seam as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90S9.
When was recall 21V947 announced?
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. reported recall 21V947 to NHTSA on December 8, 2021. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as January 21, 2022.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| December 8, 2021 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V947000. |
| January 21, 2022 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 58 months ago. If your Q5 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Q5 is part of recall 21V947?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V947 is open on your Q5, it will be listed there.
The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021 Q5 vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.
What should Q5 owners do about recall 21V947?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V947000 applies to your Q5.
- Call a Audi dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Write down when symptoms involving the body happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Q5 owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 115 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 3 of them about the body, doors and seats.
Too few NHTSA complaints about the body, doors and seats have been filed since recall 21V947 was reported (3) to say whether the fix is holding.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 115 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 3 of them involve the body, doors and seats. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Audi Q5: 74 complaints in total, 3 about the body, doors and seats
- 2022 Audi Q5 Sportback: 23 complaints in total, 0 about the body, doors and seats
- 2021 Audi SQ5: 13 complaints in total, 0 about the body, doors and seats
- 2022 Audi SQ5: 5 complaints in total, 0 about the body, doors and seats
A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the windows independently rolled up and down, and the engine seized. While attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start.
2021 Audi Q5 owner, MI, NHTSA complaint 11720211, filed February 24, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V947000 (Electrical System, Structure). The dealer was contacted and informed her that an appointment for service would not be available for two months. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue.
2021 Audi Q5 owner, KY, NHTSA complaint 11451901, filed February 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated and the windows started to go up and down.
2021 Audi Q5 owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11460941, filed April 15, 2022
Can recall 21V947 make my Q5 a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Owners often ask whether this body recall means their Q5 qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Body and latch defects on the 2021 Audi Q5 may seem minor until a door opens while driving or a seat will not lock. Problems that return after repair belong in your records.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Q5 went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Q5 been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Audi Q5 recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V947
Is the 21V947000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed January 21, 2022.
How do I know if my Q5 is part of recall 21V947000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V947000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Audi. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.