2013 Audi A5: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
35 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
50,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 22 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 35 complaints (34.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 8 | 22.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 5.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 5.7% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 5.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 5.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 12 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Steering | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
Engine: 12; Electrical System: 8; Steering: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Power Train: 2; Service Brakes: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 13 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2013: 3; 2015: 4; 2016: 1; 2017: 4; 2018: 8; 2019: 4; 2020: 2; 2021: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 3; 2024: 1; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10495093 · 2013-01-29 (January 29, 2013)
AT 1500 MILES I DEVELOPED A NOTCHY FEELING IN MY STEERING WHEEL AT THE 12 O'CLOCK POSITION. THIS NOTCHY FEEL CREATES A NEED FOR CONSTANT CORRECTION JUST TO KEEP THE VEHICLE TRAVELING IN A STRAIGHT PATH. I BELIEVE THIS IS THE RESULT OF THE NEW ELECTROMECHANICAL STEERING THAT AUDI IMPLEMENTED IN 2013 MODELS. THIS PROBLEM IS IMPACTING MANY DRIVERS ACROSS ALL MODEL LINES AND I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I WILL ALSO NOTE THAT THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE THAT IS NOT PREVALENT EACH DAY, HOWEVER MY ABILITY TO KEE…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10495093 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10503984 · 2013-03-21 (March 21, 2013)
WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE BECOMES A "DEAD" SPOT IN THE STEERING INPUT. STEERING WHEEL CAN BE MOVED 2-3 INCHES RIGHT TO LEFT WITH NO EFFECT ON THE STEERING OF THE CAR ITSELF. THESE INCIDENTS ARE UNPREDICTABLE IN WHEN THEY OCCUR AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCED FROM SPEEDS AROUND 30 MPH TO OVER 70 MILES PER HOUR. IN CONTACTING MY DEALER THEY SAID AUDI USA IS AWARED OF PROBLEM. IT HAS OCCURED ON A5,A4, AND ALLROAD MODELS FOR SURE. PRESENTLY DEALERS ARE ONLY MAKING A LIST OF COMPLAINTS AND SAYING AUDI IS "WORKING" ON THE PROBLEM. AUDI USA…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10503984 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10508550 · 2013-04-17 (April 17, 2013)
THIS IS MY SECOND CONTACT WITH YOU. FIRST GAVE ME REFERENCE #10503984. THERE ARE "DEAD" SPOTS IN THE MAGNETIC POWER STEERING. THIS "FEELING" HAS OCCURRED FROM 25MPH ON UP PAST INTERSTATE SPEEDS (70). THE PROBLEM INITIALLY OCCURRED FROM THE 11 TO 1 O'CLOCK POSITIONS WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL CAN BE MOVED RIGHT TO LEFT WITH NO RESPONSE TO THE CAR. PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED AND NOW OCCURS AT OTHER POINTS IN THE STEERING MOTION. CONTACT WITH AUDI USA CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS ONLY PRODUCED RESPONSE FROM AUDI OF "WORK WITH YOUR DEALER". AUDI DOES NOT REC…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,220 miles reported. Look up ODI 10508550 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10671813 · 2015-01-12 (January 12, 2015)
I WAS SENT A RECALL NOTICE FOR DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS. I LIVE ON NANTUCKET ISLAND AND THERE ARE NOT AUDI DEALERSHIPS HERE. I HAVE TO PUT MY CAR ON A FERRY IN ORDER TO GET THE AIRBAG PROBLEM CORRECTED. THE COST WAS 160 DOLLARS AND AUDI SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT AS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO HAVE THE CAR SERVICED WITH OUT GETTING TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10671813 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10712579 · 2015-04-24 (April 24, 2015)
VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO STEER AT ALL SPEEDS--PROBLEM CAN BE INTERMITTENT OR PERSISTENT--MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO ANTICIPATE ABILITY TO NAVIGATE A TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL RESISTS EFFORT TO TURN AND DOES NOT CORRECT OUT OF A TURN UNLESS MANUALLY PULLED BACK. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10712579 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10749765 · 2015-08-19 (August 19, 2015)
WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THERE ARE SPOTS THAT SEEM TO STICK AROUND THE 11 AND 1 O CLOCK MARKS. THIS PROBLEM COMES AND GOES, INDEPENDENT OF SPEED. NOW THE CAR SEEMS TO HAVE TROUBLE CORRECTING OUT OF A TURN AND MUST BE MANUALLY TURNED BACK TO CENTER. THE PROBLEMS SEEM TO BE GETTING WORSE.
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10749765 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10766449 · 2015-09-21 (September 21, 2015)
WHILE APPROACHING A TURN I SLOWED DOWN , ANOTHER CAR CAME AROUND THE RIGHT SIDE. MY CAR WASN'T RESOONDING I WASN'T ABLE TO BEAR RIGHT AROUND CURVE AND WENT ACROSS ROAD AND UP HILL. APPROACHING HILL FELT LIKE I DIDN'T HAVE POWER STEERING, I TOOK 2 HANDS AND GRABBED THE STEERING WHEEL AND FORCED MYSELF TO GO DOWN , BRAKES SEEMED USELESS.. CAR WENT DOWN HILL. I PUT FOOT ON MY BRAKE BECAUSE I WAS IN HEAD ON TRAFFIC ON A SMALL BACK ROAD. I THEN PUT CAR IN REVERSES, IT JERKED BACK TO STRAIGHTEN CAR UP, AND STRAIGHTEN UP CAR- DROVE UP TO LIGHT SHAKEN …
Owner-reported narrative. 26,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10766449 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10898498 · 2016-08-25 (August 25, 2016)
THE SUN VISOR ON MY A5 HAS VERY LITTLE SPRING TENSION THAT ALLOWS IT TO FREELY MOVE BACK AND FORTH. I NEED TO HAVE IT CLIPPED WHEN ACCELERATING OTHERWISE IT WILL HIT ME IN THE FACE OR HOLD IT WHILE MAKING LEFT TURNS (WHEN POSITIONED BY THE DRIVER'S WINDOW ' THERE IS NO CLIP THERE) TO PREVENT IT FROM STRIKING ME IN THE SIDE OF MY HEAD. THIS PRESENTS A DISTRACTION AND POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE. THE SUN VISOR CLIP'S DURABILITY IS ALSO QUESTIONABLE SINCE IT HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST 2 TIMES. I HAVE MADE REPEATED VISITS TO THE DEALER …
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10898498 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
17V002000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
Reported: 2017-01-03 (January 3, 2017)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system, resulting in the pump overheating.
Consequence: If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19M1.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V622000 · Electrical System:Wiring
Reported: 2017-10-05 (October 5, 2017)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad and Q5 vehicles. Contact corrosion within the electrical connector for the auxiliary heater may cause the heater wires to overheat or melt.
Consequence: The melted wires can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary heater and, as necessary, update the software, free of charge. The Recall began November 27, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 80C5 and 80C6.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V229000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
Reported: 2018-04-11 (April 11, 2018)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.
Consequence: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.
NHTSA campaign record ↗