Audi Allroad - Subframe is severely corroded noted at annual service/inspection. Audi Allroad, a vehicle marketed as a more rugged version of a standard sedan or other wagons, has severe corrosion in subframe, with a large rusted hole, unable to pass safety inspection until replaced. The car has been housed in a dry garage, has been well maintained with annual service completed at dealership since purchased, same owner, just over 40,000 miles. This problem has been the cause of a lawsuit in the Audi brand Q5 model, see reports in web search that the Allroad may also be known for this. The dealership does not state any warranty coverage for this major defect. Car was purchased to provide reliable transportation in all conditions.
The worst 2013 Audi A4 Allroad problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
Recalls 4
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 18V229000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 17V622000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 17V002000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Audi A4 and S4 vehicles manufactured February 16, 2012, to October 21, 2014, and 2013-2015 Audi Allroad vehicles manufactured March 12, 2012, to October 21, 2014. Due to an improper algorithm in the air bag control module, if a crash necessitates deployment of the side air bags, a second impact to the front of the vehicle may not command the front air bags to also deploy.
- Risk
- If the front air bags do not deploy in the event of a secondary impact to the front of the vehicle, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and Audi dealers will update the air bag control unit software, free of charge. The recall began on November 14, 2014. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑822‑2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69K5.
Recall number 14V667000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2013 Audi A4 Allroad 893
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This bulletin provides information about professional noise analysis with the VAS 611 015 PICO-NVH tool
- This bulletin provides information when the anti-theft alarm activates for no reason, or when the...
- This TSB is a label placement guide as required by CARB for remanufactured parts.
- This service information TSB describes a cosmetic issue after using a car wash.
- This TSB provides damage assessment guidelines for textile seat covers.
- Removed expiration date, Updated part numbers in parts and claiming sections, General circular updates
- This bulletin provides informatin when the engine does not run smoothly at idling speeds.
- This bulletin provides information regarding the GFF test plan required for A/C compressr replaements...
- This bulletin provides information regarding various comlaints related to Apple CarPlay with Apple iOS...
- This TSB provides information when the exterior rubber trim is spotted.
What 2013 Audi A4 Allroad owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The rear carrier frame has rusted through. There are trim pieces that are attached to the frame , they trap and hold moisture and salt like a cup under the frame, not visible during a regular inspection. My car only has 95k has been garage kept and taken through car washes in the winter with undercarriage wash (to no avail). After some investigation it seems that Volkwagon /Audi corp. has known about this issue since 2009 , but has kept it internally and not made owners aware of this. It would have been so simple to just remove these trim pieces and I wouldn’t have this hole in my car frame, which has basically made it unsafe as this frame holds my suspension and rear differential. There has been a class action lawsuit filed in The NJ District Court by an owner but it is only for Q5 and S5 thus far. In looking for a frame it seems that A4 shares this same frame. One of the guys in service told me, Audi knows about this, they stopped using the trim because of it and they might help you out. The bill from Audi to repair my car is $7417.00 they offered to give me $500 off( gee thanks) My car hasn’t been driven much the last three winters ( RV travel) and had someone notified me my car would have been in the 12 year unlimited mileage corrosion warranty period, now it is just outside of that. There is an article that I read about the Lawsuit and it says that it’s not so much the rust issue as it is the fact that they’ve been handling it internally for over a decade to avoid a recall. I’m really bummed out, I love this car that looks amazing but basically has cancer. No warning lamps, I’ve been told not to drive it by the dealer (Audi Stratham) because it’s a Safety issue. My son found it when the trim piece fell off ( because the bolt rusted out of the frame, resulting in a hole the size of my fist) No other symptoms, this rust didn’t just start it’s been brewing for years . I had an independent shop tell me that it’s a known problem and to take it to the dealer.
The contact owned a 2013 Audi A4 Allroad. The contact stated that while parked and occupied in the vehicle, after starting the vehicle, her friend heard a puff noise coming from under the vehicle. No warning light illuminated however, after starting the vehicle, the electronic power control illuminated. In addition, the contact's friend lifted the hood of the vehicle, and he noticed smoke and flames coming from the engine. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. The fire was extinguished by the contact and her friend. A fire department arrived at the scene however the fire was already extinguished upon their arrival. The fire report was unknown. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to Accu-Tech Auto Body. The vehicle engine was destroyed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by her insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.
Excessive abnormal corrosion of rear subframe.
Audi installed plastic covers over sections of the subframe on allroad, Q5 models, and other models. These covers held in water and salt causing severe rusting and corrosion of the rear subframe. Subframes of these models are seriously structurally compromised and also hidden from view due to these plastic covers. It’s seems Audi is repairing some under their 12 year rust/corrosion/penetration warranty, but the response varies based on dealership (some people are being told this warranty only applies to body panels, others are told that they are ineligible due to not regularly servicing their vehicles at the dealer). Many others are past the warranty timeline. This issue requires immediate attention and a full recall. Thanks [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
While driving on highway, vehicle's RPM would go up, but vehicle would not accelerate with the increased acceleration. Strong smell of burnt clutch fluid. And some smoke was coming from engine bay. Driving vehicle home, transmission slipped in every gear. Vehicle struggled to get up to speed and RPM would rise and fall with the press/depress of the accelerator pedal. Vehicle has 80k miles, never abused and has all recalls completed.
Engine at 39,600 miles. Had an oil change performed at 37,000 miles. Car threw rod into engine block resulting in total engine failure. Remedy is a new engine valued roughly at $4,000 and labor valued at $4,000 before taxes. Cause of failure has been unable to be determined by audi but there was sufficient oil. Vehicle was traveling straight at 65 MPH on the freeway at time of incident.
The steering wheels present temporary problems since the car was new, showing noises (like a pressure valve air leaking), and change in resistance to steering the vehicle. I've asked the dealer to check it sometimes, but they could not reproduce the problem. Last sunday, july 21, 2019, after stopping the car, the steering wheel lost all power, stop working, and send a message not to drive the vehicle. I tow it to a dealer which recommend change the steering rack and made alignment ($2900). The car is in the dealer right now. Reading this site, I realize it may be a more generic problem, with serious safety implication, on this particular model of audi. I have to sya that otherwise it is an excellent car.
Engine light came on. Car stopped running--was unable to start it. Audi dealership service identified it timing tensioner failure at just 70000 miles. Repair cost estimated at $3100. Recent class action settlement identifies this as a consistent problem with audi/vw but does not include my VIN. However, this is identical issue as other audi under recall
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 audi a4. While the vehicle was parked, the steering wheel seized and was difficult to turn. In addition, "do not drive the vehicle, steering wheel failure" appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was unable to be driven. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact called audi west houston (located at 15865 katy fwy, houston, tx 77094, (855) 627-2941) and informed them of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 52,000.
Compare the 2013 Audi A4 Allroad
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Questions about the 2013 Audi A4 Allroad
Is the 2013 Audi A4 Allroad reliable?
Owners have filed 87 complaints about the 2013 Audi A4 Allroad, 5.8 times a typical A4 Allroad model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2013 Audi A4 Allroad year score?
The 2013 Audi A4 Allroad scores 10 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Audi A4 Allroad: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Audi A4 Allroad?
Steering, with 47 complaints, typically around 42,000 miles. Next is engine (15).
How many recalls does the 2013 Audi A4 Allroad have?
4 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling, electrical system and air bags.
What year does the Audi A4 Allroad have bad steering?
The Audi A4 Allroad model years with the most steering complaints are 2013 (47 complaints) and 2014 (15 complaints).
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