2013 Audi Q5: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
89 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
56,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 62 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 33 of 89 complaints (37.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 18 | 20.2% |
| Braking behavior | 9 | 10.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 5.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 4.5% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 4.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.2% |
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 | 33 |
| Steering | 18 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Structure:Body | 7 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
Engine: 33; Steering: 18; Electrical System: 9; Structure:Body: 7; Unknown Or Other: 7; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Power Train: 6; Service Brakes: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 17 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 17; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (17). 27 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 | 13 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2013: 13; 2014: 3; 2015: 5; 2016: 5; 2017: 8; 2018: 10; 2019: 12; 2020: 9; 2021: 3; 2022: 9; 2023: 2; 2024: 6; 2025: 2; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 18 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 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 10491142 · 2013-01-03 (January 3, 2013)
2013 AUDI HYBRID. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE PEDAL MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, HE FREQUENTLY HIT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AS WELL.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10491142 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10495057 · 2013-01-29 (January 29, 2013)
STEERING IS VERY IMPRECISE AND HAS A NOTCHINESS EFFECT. WHEN I'M GOING DOWN A HIGHWAY STRAIGHT, I HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME KEEPING IT STRAIGHT. IT FEELS UNSAFE WHEN I'M GOING ON A CURVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SINCE THE STEERING WHEEL MAY SHIFT. CONFIRMED BY DEALERSHIP NOTHING IS WRONG WITH STEERING AND ALIGNMENT, BUT STEERING OF THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO HAVE ISSUES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 5,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10495057 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10500833 · 2013-02-28 (February 28, 2013)
THERE IS A NOTCHINESS FEELING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS ESPECIALLY SEEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND MAKES THE CAR HARD TO KEEP STRAIGHT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10500833 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10501365 · 2013-03-05 (March 5, 2013)
WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT, THERE APPEARS TO BE A NOTICEABLE NOTCH IN THE STEERING. THE WHEEL WILL HAVE A TENDENCY TO WANT TO STRAY FROM THIS NOTCH AS IF ROLLING OFF A BUMP. IT IS NOT ALWAYS AS NOTICEABLE. AT IT'S WORST IT FEELS AWKWARD TO KEEP THE VEHICLE TRAVELING STRAIGHT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10501365 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10501368 · 2013-03-05 (March 5, 2013)
STEERING HAS A NOTCHINES TO IT. DIFFICULT TO KEEP VEHICLE STRAIGHT. FEELS LIKE A GEAR WOULD WHEN MISSING A TOOTH. IT IS INTERMITTENT AND DOES NOT SEEM SPEED DEPENDANT.OTHERS HAVE REPORTED DEFECTIVE STEERING RACKS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 5,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10501368 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10503217 · 2013-03-15 (March 15, 2013)
ON A FREQUENT BASIS WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON STRAIGHT, NON-CROWNED PAVEMENT THE VEHICLE WILL DRIFT TO THE LEFT SUDDENLY WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE MUST BE CONTINUALLY CORRECTED THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAINTAIN A LANE. AT TIME A "NOTCH" FEEL APPEARS AT THE 12 O'CLOCK POSITION ON THE WHEEL THAT MAKES IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT DIRECTION WITHOUT CONSTANTLY ADJUSTING THE WHEEL FROM RIGHT TO LEFT. ON TWO OCCURRENCES THE WHEEL JERKED TO CENTER UNCONTROLLED. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BAC…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,420 miles reported. Look up ODI 10503217 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10503726 · 2013-03-20 (March 20, 2013)
WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS BETWEEN 30-70MPH, REGARDLESS OF ROAD CONDITIONS, ANY ATTEMPTS TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN A STRAIGHT PATH IS MET WITH A SEVER NOTCH AT THE 12'OCLOCK STEERING POSITION MAKING IT DIFFICULT IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN SAID STRAIGHT PATH...REPORTING THIS TO THE DEALER HAS RESULTED IN THEIR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE PROBLEM, TAKING MY INFORMATION AND STATING THEY WILL CONTACT ME AS SOON AS AUDI HAS A PERMANENT FIX (AND IF I DO NOT HEAR BACK FROM THEM WITHIN 30 DAYS TO REACH BACK OUT TO THEM). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10503726 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10508456 · 2013-04-16 (April 16, 2013)
WE HAVE KEY LESS ENTRY CAR. MY WIFE PUT MY SON IN CAR SEAT, PUT HER PURSE WITH KEYS AND CLOSED THE BACK DOOR AND WHEN SHE TRIED TO ENTER FROM FRONT DOOR THE CAR WAS LOCK, MY SON GOT LOCKED INSIDE THE CAR, EVEN WHEN THE KEY WERE INSIDE. CALLED THE AUDI CUSTOMER CARE, THEY SAID WHEN THE KEYS ARE INSIDE THE CAR IT, NOT SUPPOSE TO HAPPEN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10508456 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
17V001000 · Air Bags:Side/Window | Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Reported: 2017-01-03 (January 3, 2017)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Audi Q5 vehicles. The sunroof drainage system may allow water to soak into the foam surrounding the side head air bag inflator canister resulting in the corrosion of the canister. If this happens, the corrosion can weaken the canister and the inflator could fracture without air bag deployment, propelling fragments into the passenger compartment, striking and causing serious injury to vehicle occupants.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator and either coat it or replace it, as necessary, after removing the surrounding foam, free of charge. The recall is expected to began March 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69P1.
NHTSA campaign record ↗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 ↗17V298000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2017-05-03 (May 3, 2017)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Audi Q5 and 2013-2017 Audi Q7 vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump flange if cracks are present. Flanges that do not have cracks will have a protective film applied. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20Z8. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 16V-660.
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 ↗