2021 Audi Q5: sudden loss of power

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · NJ

The instrument cluster on my 2021 Audi Q5 failed completely — the display went black, with no speedometer or warning indicators. The failure occurred immediately after a car wash, and the vehicle then lost all electrical power. I had the vehicle towed to Audi Meadowlands on 10/26/26. On 10/29/26, the dealership replaced the battery and performed diagnostics ($972.78, RO# 76004260/1). The dealership diagnosed the failed instrument cluster and quoted $4,000-$4,500 to replace it, but did not repair it. The dealership then released the vehicle to me with the instrument cluster inoperative, after assuring me the vehicle was fine to drive. I drove the vehicle on public roads with no speedometer, no gauges, and no warning displays. Within 48 hours, after approximately two miles of driving, the vehicle lost all power again and would not operate. On 11/5/2026, the vehicle would not start. A first tow truck could not jump-start it; a second tow truck succeeded, and when I drove the vehicle out, reverse was not working properly. The vehicle was taken directly to Audi Englewood for independent diagnosis and is not safe to drive. I believe this involves two existing safety recalls. Safety Recall 90VC (the federal safety agency Recall 25V201) addresses failure of this vehicle's virtual cockpit instrument cluster, where warnings, tell-tales, and gauges that do not display could increase the risk of a crash. Safety Recall 90S9 (the federal safety agency Recall 21V947) addresses water penetrating the gateway control module on 2021 Q5 vehicles and causing it to shut down. My cluster failed immediately after a car wash and the vehicle then lost all power. The dealership has provided no documentation that the gateway control module was inspected, that any inspection for water intrusion was performed despite my numerous written requests. My concern is twofold: the defect itselfand the fact that an authorized Audi dealership knowingly released a vehicle with an inoperative instrument cluster into service on public roads.

Filed Oct 9, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · NH

The Gateway control module failed in September 2025 on my 2021 Audi Q5. Vehicle error messages included the following failures: Cruise control, Parking brake, transmission, brakes, and steering, windows rolled down, seats moved, dash and MMI black followed by a sudden loss of power, narrowly avoiding an accident (kids in car). Would not restart. Diagnosis by Audi dealer was that the Gateway control module got wet and needed to be replaced. This is Recall 90S9 from 2021 that was “repaired” in March 2022 by covering the module with a plastic bag. This proved an insufficient repair backed up by a class action lawsuit filed in January 2022 titled Gioffe, et al. v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., et al. (Case No. 1:22-cv-00193). I reached out to Audi USA to request a Goodwill repair which was my only available recourse given that the recall had been completed and closed. After 5 days the Regional Manager denied my request even after I emphasized the safety risk associated with this catastrophic failure as well as the recall in 2021 and class action suit filed in 2022. I paid $1485.33 to re-repair the recall. Driving home from repair my vehicle alerted me to the following messages: Vehicle starting system: malfunction! Please contact Service, and Audi pre-sense: currently limited. See owner’s manual. An OBD scan alerted 7 more codes: 1. Steering Assistance ID 44 (Terminal 30 Open circuit), 2. Central Electrics ID 09 (Garage door opener transmitter no communication), 3. Gateway ID 19 Control module for emergency call module and communication unit no communication, 4. Ethernet Notrufmodul keine Kommunikation, 5. Ethernet databus branch 1 No communication, 6. Multimedia ID SF Function restriction due to communication interruption, 7. Driver Assistance ID A5 Dynamic calibration Function limitation due to limit value exceedance.I reached out to the dealership that performed the service and was told that those are “ghost codes” and nothing to do with the work performed.

Filed Aug 4, 2025 · Driver assistance, Electrical · KS

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 were not working. The dealer could not get me an appointment for 4 weeks so I took it to a mechanic who specializes in European cars. The diagnostics indicated a loss of power to the instrument cluster/panel. I was told there was an active recall for this issue, but my VIN was not included. As this is a safety issue that sounds very familiar to the current recall for other Audi models, I contacted Audi and after inspection they diagnosed it as a failing instrument cluster. Since it's not in the current recall, I'm having to replace it. I've had computer issues in the past which the current Audi dealership has checked and told me there was nothing wrong, but after speaking to the Audi service tech many of the recalled issues were solved by a software update. The loss of the instrument panel is a major safety issue and Audi refuses to resolve the issue.

Filed Apr 15, 2022 · Body, Electrical · 20,000 miles · TX

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. The contact lost power steering functionality however, the brakes was functional and she was able to safely stop the vehicle. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle but the vehicle would not restart. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer who diagnosed and determined that water had entered the vehicle and short circuited the gateway control module. The failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V947000 (Electrical System, Structure). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

Filed Dec 1, 2021 · Electrical · NJ

The failed component is the gateway module that sits underneath the rear seats below the cup holders. In my case approximately 5 oz of water seeped out of my briefcase via a leaky water bottle and it shut down the gateway module and rendered the car inoperable.. losing all power and engine on the highway at approximately 60 mph. Fortunately I was successful in navigating the car to the side of the road by coasting and other than the fear was not harmed. Car was towes to Audi service where they confirmed that the gateway module failed.. they did not notice any water on the module and replaced it next day ..I was surprised that they had 5 in stock.. just googling Audi Q5 gateway module I noticed many similar incidents like mine I am worried that a family unknowingly with children in the back could have a similar incident and create serious risk. This needs to be communicated immediately to all Audi owners that are impacted and a recall needs to be initiated once a solution is developed and tested.

Filed Jan 6, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 600 miles · CA

Q5 has a very serious defect, that is, there is a gateway module located under the rear seat cushion/cup holder. All of the communications to all the controllers go through this little box. If water spills, it collects around the gateway and corrodes it, which will shut down the car. This shutdown occurred while I was driving my family. Lost all power, engine, electrical, everything. Barely coasted out of the roadway. This is a design flaw to locate this sensitive module underneath rear cup holders and will lead to dangerous situations for people in the car.