VehicleVerdict

2013 Audi A5 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 43 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.9 times the median A5 year — the 2013 model ranks #3 of 18 A5 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 14 reports (33% of the total).

43

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2013 compare to other A5 years?

A5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted102 complaints2008: 8 complaints2009: 17 complaints2010: 37 complaints2011: 27 complaints2012: 25 complaints2013: 43 complaints2014: 38 complaints2015: 11 complaints2016: 9 complaints2017: 0 complaints2018: 46 complaints2019: 18 complaints2020: 102 complaints2021: 8 complaints2022: 7 complaints2023: 11 complaints2024: 13 complaints2025: 8 complaints
A5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all A5 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Audi A5 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1433%
Steering819%
Electrical System716%
Other37%
Fuel System37%
Visibility & Wipers25%
Brakes25%
Transmission25%
Airbags12%
Tires & Wheels12%

Does the 2013 Audi A5 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V229000EngineApril 11, 2018 · 342,867 units

Defect

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.

17V622000Electrical SystemOctober 5, 2017 · 216,913 units

Defect

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.

17V002000EngineJanuary 3, 2017 · 342,867 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“NHTSA RECALL 17V-002 COOLING PUMP OVERHEATING. ON FRIDAY MAY 26, 2017 ON ARE ABOUT 0645 I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE BASE POLICE STATING THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT. I HAD BEEN AT WORK SINCE 0600 THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS OF ANY PROBLEMS WHILE DRIVING TO WORK NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 26, 2017 · fire

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 20, 2015 · crash

“I HAVE JUST BECOME AWARE, ON MY OWN ACCORD, THAT THE USED 2013 AUDI A5 I PURCHASED HAS A SAFETY RECALL ISSUED OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR. I NEED TO BE ADVISED ON WHAT COURSE OF ACTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN FROM THIS POINT. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 10, 2017

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · December 24, 2019

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 31, 2023

2013 Audi A5 — common questions

Is the 2013 Audi A5 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 43 complaints put the 2013 model at #3 of 18 A5 years. It is one of the A5 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2013 A5 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (14 complaints), steering (8 complaints), electrical system (7 complaints).

Does the 2013 Audi A5 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Audi A5. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Audi A5 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the A5 years to avoid are 2020, 2018, 2013, 2014, 2010. The cleanest record among A5 years belongs to 2017.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.