YearToAvoid

2013 Audi A5 Cabriolet Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

No verdict

Complaint Index

73/100

#4 most-complained of 12 A5 Cabriolet years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2013 Audi A5 Cabriolet has a complaint index of 73, ranking 4th worst out of 12 model years. NHTSA lists 3 complaints, 1 recall, and 1 crash, with the top problem area being the Engine.

Complaints
3
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
24
20 city / 30 hwy

Top 2013 Audi A5 Cabriolet problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine2 (67%)
  2. Airbags1 (33%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the airbag failed to deploy in a head-on collision, resulting in injury and a totaled vehicle at 58,000 miles.
  • Multiple owners describe delays getting the after-run coolant pump recall completed despite receiving notices as early as June 2018.
  • One owner noted the dealer could not say when the recalled coolant pump part would become available, months after the initial recall notice.
  • Owners describe the coolant pump defect as a fire risk significant enough that Audi recommended parking the car outside as a precaution.
2013 Audi A5 Cabriolet complaints: complaints filed per month1Apr 2017Sep 2018Feb 2019
3 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2017 to Feb 2019; peak Apr 2017 (1).

2013 Audi A5 Cabriolet recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 18V229000Apr 11, 2018Engine342,867 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:cooling system

    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.

2013 Audi A5 Cabriolet fuel economy and fuel cost

City
20 MPG
Highway
30 MPG
Combined
24 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,300
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2013 compared with other A5 Cabriolet years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201020112012201320142015201620172018202020212022
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Avoid9114224.5
2012Avoid8214224.5
2013No verdict733124
2014No verdict451124.5
2015No verdict551124

All Audi A5 Cabriolet years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Audi A5 Cabriolet reliable?
NHTSA data shows a complaint index of 73 for the 2013 A5 Cabriolet, ranking 4th worst among the 12 model years with data. That places it in the more problematic half of the model's history, though well below the 2010 model year's index of 100.
What is the top problem area for the 2013 Audi A5 Cabriolet?
NHTSA complaint data lists Engine as the top problem area, accounting for 67% of complaints filed for the 2013 model.
Does the 2013 Audi A5 Cabriolet have a recall?
Yes. Recall 18V229000 covers the after-run coolant pump on 2013-2017 A5 Cabriolet models. Audi replaces the pumps free of charge; this recall is not a do-not-drive order.
How does the 2013 A5 Cabriolet compare to other years?
Its complaint index of 73 is lower than 2010 (100), 2012 (91), and 2011 (82), but higher than 2014 (45), 2015 (55), and 2017 (64).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.