2013 Audi A5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2013 Audi A5 has a complaint index of 88, the third-worst of 18 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Engine problems (43% of complaints, including fires) and steering dead-spots dominate owner reports, backed by three recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 88/100
- #3 of 18 A5 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 35
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 20 city / 30 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2013 Audi A5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine15 (43%)
- Electrical System9 (26%)
- Steering8 (23%)
- Fuel System3 (9%)
- Other3 (9%)
- Brakes2 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (6%)
- Airbags1 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine compartment fires reported while the vehicle was parked, later linked to a coolant pump recall.
- Steering wheel develops a notchy feel or dead spot where several inches of turning produce no response from the front wheels.
- Dead-spot steering issue reported at highway speeds as well as around 30 mph, described as unpredictable.
- A parked, non-running vehicle reportedly rolled and struck a fence, with owners suspecting a transmission failure.
- Sunroof glass cracked and shattered while driving at low speed on a freeway exit ramp.
- Sun visor lacks spring tension and swings freely, striking the driver during turns or acceleration.
2013 Audi A5 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- NHTSA 17V622000Oct 5, 2017Electrical System216,913 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
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.
- NHTSA 17V002000Jan 3, 2017Engine342,867 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system
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.
2013 Audi A5 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Audi A5 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 A5 ranks third-worst among 18 model years with a complaint index of 88, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other A5 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Audi A5?
- Engine issues make up 43% of complaints, including two reported fires, followed by electrical system complaints (26%) and steering complaints (23%), some describing dead spots in the steering feel.
- Does the 2013 Audi A5 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists three recalls for the 2013 A5, covering engine/coolant pump issues (two campaigns) and an electrical system auxiliary heater connector problem; none are do-not-drive recalls.
- At what mileage do engine problems appear on the 2013 A5?
- The median mileage at failure for engine complaints is 70,500 miles, according to NHTSA data.
- Which Audi A5 years are better than 2013?
- Years like 2015 and 2016 rank as Best with complaint indexes of 18 and 12, and 2019, 2021, and 2023 rank Good, all well below the 2013 model's index of 88.