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2013 Audi A5 problems

The most common problem on the 2013 Audi A5 is engine and cooling, typically around 71,000 miles. It has 2.9 times the complaints of a typical A5 model year.

Typical year2.9x the typical complaints
Year score
27/100
Owner complaints
35
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
1,3822 warranty
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
23-26mpg

The worst 2013 Audi A5 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Engine
    15
  • Electrical
    9
  • Steering
    8
  • Fuel system
    3
  • Brakes
    2

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Engine
    15
  • Electrical
    9
  • Steering
    8
  • Fuel system
    3
  • Brakes
    2
  • Transmission
    2
  • Visibility
    2
  • Airbags
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls 3

Engine and engine cooling: cooling systemReported April 11, 2018 · 342,867 vehicles affected
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: wiringReported October 5, 2017 · 216,913 vehicles affected
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 systemReported January 3, 2017 · 342,867 vehicles affected
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

See all 3 recalls for the 2013 Audi A5

Technical service bulletins for the 2013 Audi A5 1,382

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 1,382 bulletins for the 2013 Audi A5

2013 Audi A5 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cylAWD20-2229-3223-26
2.0L 4‑cylFWD243126

What 2013 Audi A5 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 28, 2026 · Electrical · SC

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.

Filed Jul 28, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · 157,653 miles · SC

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Jul 6, 2024 · Electrical, Transmission · NV

I was having an issue with my 2013 Audi A5 starting. A call to roadside assistance was able to jump my battery and the car would start and run. However, the same issue kept happening. The EPC warning light would come on and it took a few weeks to get scheduled with a mechanic. I purchased a mobile jump starter myself because I never knew when the car would or wouldn't start. After taking the car to Audi, they found the "transmission coolant valve failing internally causing coolant to migrate up connector - this is causing a short which is draining the battery. If not fixed it will continue to deplete the batter. Recommend replacing valve and and connector". [2023 Audi Inspection Report.pdf] This was verified by another mechanic who did the work and shared the faulty, corroded transmission pump connector and leaking valve. [photo: 2023 Corroded connector Transmission Coolant Valve.jpg; 2023 Transmission Coolant Valuve and connector.jpg] I won't speculate about the potential outcomes of such a failure, but I was told by my mechanic before I brought it in that I should no longer jump the car, because if what Audi found was correct, I could at minimum cause a full failure of the car's electrical system or a fire could start and recommended that I tow the car in for repair, which is what I did. An internet search shows this isn't a unique or isolated issue. Audi owners over the past 7+ years have been experiencing the same issue with the transmission coolant seeping into electrical components, causing shorts and electrical problems like mine. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] This pump and its proximity to electrical components is a dangerous risk to drivers not aware that what appears as a simple dead battery, could in fact be one jump start away from disaster. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 4, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · NJ

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

Filed Apr 19, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · TX

I have experienced several failures and 3 recalls with my vehicle since I purchased it brand new. I have paid out thousands of dollars over the years for repairs that I feel were faulty being that I am on the only owner of the vehicle. I have approximately a little under 75k miles on my vehicle although I purchased in 2012 (2013 vehicle) only to take it to dealerships and pay for this and that but most recently my major complaint is my car has stopped on me 4 times and I paid originally for what the dealership stated was the problem only to take it back 3 times and now they state the FUEL PUMP is the problem and there is no recalls. Audi is known to have recalls on FUEL PUMPs but at this time do not reflect on my vehicle. However, my car has not been in an accident, I am the only owner, the mileage is under 100k and there is no explanation as to why the fuel pump needs replacing. Please look into this. Thank you.

Filed Apr 5, 2023 · Engine · NY

Water pump leaking

Filed Jun 14, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · 83,000 miles · MN

The contact's cousin owns a 2013 Audi A5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle began to overheat. The warning message "Pull Over and Check Coolant" was displayed. The contact veered to the side of the road and upon checking the coolant reservoir, the contact noticed that the coolant was leaking. The contact added coolant and was able to continue driving. However, the failure reoccurred increasingly. The contact stated that the coolant would leak onto the ground while refilling the coolant reservoir. The contact stated that the vehicle was no longer drivable. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V229000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. However, as the contact's friend was picking up the vehicle on his behalf, he noticed that there was no coolant in the vehicle. The dealer then added coolant however, the failure recurred while driving. The dealer was notified and advised the contact that the failure was not associated with the recall. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where the coolant pump sensor was replaced; however, the failure recurred a month later. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the dealer had already marked the recall as completed. Additionally, the contact stated that the interior lights of the vehicle would fail to operate intermittently. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

Filed Aug 9, 2021 · Steering · CO

About 3 weeks ago I noticed the beginning of a steering problem. I first noticed that the wheel seemed to require more than normal force to turn, especially in about the 10 and 2 o’clock position. It would behave pretty normally most of the time, but then, unpredictably, this would happen. Now it seems to be pretty constant. The steering wheel now requires much more force than usual, but only when in certain positions. Otherwise, everything appears normal. A couple of days ago I needed to try an evasive maneuver, which required sudden, hard steering. However, the response of the car was not what I expected under similar conditions with other Audi’s I own. This is an obvious safety concern. There appears to be a repair bulletin by Audi, but only Audis that are still under warranty will be fixed for free by Audi. I strongly believe this is a serious safety issue that deserves a safety recall of all affected Audi’s, and repair at Audi expense.

Filed Apr 23, 2021 · Steering · 61,800 miles · MA

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.

Filed Jul 8, 2020 · Brakes · 18,937 miles · CA

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.

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Questions about the 2013 Audi A5

Is the 2013 Audi A5 reliable?

Owners have filed 35 complaints about the 2013 Audi A5, 2.9 times a typical A5 model year.

What is the 2013 Audi A5 year score?

The 2013 Audi A5 scores 27 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Audi A5: 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 A5?

Engine and cooling, with 15 complaints, typically around 71,000 miles. Next is electrical (9).

How many recalls does the 2013 Audi A5 have?

3 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling and electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 2013 Audi A5 get?

Official estimates for the 2013 Audi A5 range from 23 to 26 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, AWD) gets 20-22 city and 29-32 highway.

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