2013 Audi Q5: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 89 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (35% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · 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 89 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“There is considerable rust to the point that the subframe has been structurally compromised. I also contacted Audi USA regarding this issue, but they advised that they could not provide any assistance and closed my case. I was instructed to have the vehicle inspected and see what the dealer could do. I have videos and photos documenting the compromised subframe which many Audi Q5 owners have been complaining about.... There are holes approximately the size of a tennis ball.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2026
“Took vehicle in for state safety inspection. Found heavy rust on subframe nearly all the way through. Was told if it gets any worse it will not pass inspection next time. Apparently there are plastic rock shields on subframe that trap water causing it to rust. Took it to dealer and they want to charge close to $4000 to replace. This seems like an engineering defect. The vehicle is kept in a garage and doesn't have any other rust on it.”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2025
“When at highway speed, the vehicle veered hard to the left without any driver input, causing the car to cross several lanes of traffic and hit a concrete divider at ~65mph. The driver fractured her back, and one of three children in the car experienced injury. The vehicle was declared a total loss by insurance. The driver (my wife) indicated that a similar incident happened at low speed in a parking lot, but it resolved after shut down and restart of the engine. It is my understanding that the vehicle is currently either at or on the way to a Copart lot.”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“The vehicle oil level low light comes on every 600 miles (excessive oil consumption). I purchased the vehicle in July 2021, and in 2 weeks I had an oil-level light. I called Audi regarding the condition, they talked with the dealership regarding the issue and came back in 2 weeks and stated that the recall was up to 2011. I would like Audi to pay to repair my vehicle, because is a known problem which should have been resolved. Oil Change on 1/12/24; had to put oil in on 2/20/24”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2024
“Car started running hot, had mechanic do pressure/ leak test and he couldn't find a leak. Took it to Audi and they said the coolant pump and thermostat housing were leaking coolant. I've researched and it looks like these cars have know coolant pump issues.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2023
“The contact owns a 2013 Audi Q5. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing an abnormal oil consumption. The low oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that she had been adding a quart of oil to the vehicle every 200 miles driven. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2023
“Car was telling me to add 1 qt of oil about every 1500-2000 miles, even after a recent oil change. So I took it to the place I purchased the car from and they replaced the timing chain gasket thing. About a week later the same issue came back. So I took it to Audi to have the same thing replaced. And about a month later the issue came back. Took it back to Audi and they said now the Engine speed sensor seal is leaking oil. I've did some research and I've found that there is a manufacturing engine defect that causes this reoccurring issue and most Q5 owners have stopped spending money on repairs and just tops off the oil when asked.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2023
“The coolant system on this car was repaired by Santa Monica Audi in jan 2020. Less than three years later he the coolant is leaking again with dangerously low level of coolant in the engine. This is a real safety hazard and could lead to a fire or engine overheating This is compounded by Audi Santa Monica charging $310 to simply perform a visual inspection which confirmed the water pump and thermostat needs replacing. Even though it's related to the earlier coolant pump recall, the burden is on the consumer to pay and the elevated Safety risk remains.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2023
“My audi uses 1 quart of oil every 300 miles. The dealership wants to charge to find the problem. Audi should fix the problem at no charge. I bought the vehicle in February 2023. Was told there were no issues with the car.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2023
“Driving and warning light came on "steering defective do not drive." Power steering and use of wheel went out, and wheel would not turn or move in the middle of driving down the street.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2022
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Q5 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 Q5 reliable?
NHTSA has 89 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2013 Audi Q5. The most complained-about area is engine (35% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2013 Audi Q5 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 56,500 miles or less.
Does the 2013 Audi Q5 have open recalls?
5 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.