2013 Audi A5: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 38 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (33% of complaints); the 2015 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 2 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Apr 2018
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2013 Audi A5. The contact stated that after activating the AC system, there was hot air and a burning odor coming from the passenger's side vents. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V002000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact called an independent mechanic and referenced the recall campaign. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 157,653.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2026
“Turned AC on blew out cool air all of sudden the air went out hot air blowing, smelt burning and saw smoke on passenger side (not a lot,but enough to raise concerns) turned AC shut climate off, turned car off tried it again no air just heat blowing. brother in law put it on machine , gave a sensor code, replaced sensor put a can of air in, still blowing out hot air. and if ran too long it will smoke and burning scent.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2026
“Couple years ago my engine failed, it was recalled and company refused to pay for it. I payed for it and afterwards my radio modul failed, camera failed, the check engine light is on since I bought the car and recently my car stopped on the highway fast lane without warning. It was no shoulder and I stopped on the highway. I was lucky I didn't get rear ended n killed”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“There's 1000s of complaints online and audi group threads reporting and experiencing power steering loss of power or stiffness while driving, making it very difficult to steer car models include 2013 a4,a5, s5,a6, q5, sq5. Audi knows the problem but have not corrected or recall only the 2018 sq5 no other vehicles with electronic power steering. Dealers even are aware of issue. Audi says it could a steering sensor, but have not offered remedy. This is a safety issue and should be corrected immediately before loss of life due to accident.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2021
“Going down hill, accelerating, red light, apply brakes, hard, engine revs up trying to over power brakes, barely stops, but engine keeps on creeping car forward into traffic, move shifter to park and reverse twice, engine slows down but accelerates again when back in drive, light changes, drive away with no problems.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2020
“Tl* the contact stated that his son owns a 2013 audi a5. The contact stated while vehicle was parked and not running, it crashed into a fence without warning on private property. There were no fire, reported injuries or police report filed. The contact was concerned that there was a failure with the transmission. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted in regards to the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2020
“The sunroof exploded. I was driving and heard a loud noise. I look around because it sounded like a tire blowout. I continued to drive, and once I reached my destination, stopped and opened the door to exit the vehicle, I heard a loud pop like a gun shot. Immediately glass flew everywhere. I was located in the parking lot of picadilly restaurant when the explosion occurred.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2019
“There is an intermittant fault with the intake manifold change over flap, it's sticking. Replacement would be $1311.56 before tax. It appears to be working ok now, but it could fail in the near future.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2013 audi a5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18v229000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Audi tusla (4208 s memorial dr, tusla, ok) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy until 2019. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2013 audi a5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18v229000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that a second notice would be sent when the part became available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact A5 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Audi A5 reliable?
NHTSA has 38 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2013 Audi A5. The most complained-about area is engine (33% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2013 Audi A5 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 52,000 miles or less.
Does the 2013 Audi A5 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:wiring. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.