2013 Audi Q5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
27/100
#12 most-complained of 16 Q5 years
The 2013 Audi Q5 has 89 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 27, and ranks 12th worst out of 16 model years, earning a "Good" verdict relative to other Q5 years. Engine issues (39% of complaints) and 5 recalls are the main concerns.
- Complaints
- 89
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 4
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 20 city / 27.5 hwy
Top 2013 Audi Q5 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
What owners report
- Engine bay fires reported with smoke and flames appearing under the hood while driving or shortly after parking, in some cases fully engulfing the vehicle.
- An auxiliary water pump caught fire while the vehicle was parked, producing smoke and small flames from under the hood.
- Steering feels imprecise with a notchiness that makes it hard to keep the vehicle traveling straight at highway speeds, even after dealer inspection found no fault.
- Sudden unexpected steering pull to one side at highway speed, causing loss of control and a crash into a barrier.
- Keyless entry system locked a child inside the vehicle even though the keys were also inside the car.
- A loud noise from the sunroof occurred repeatedly while driving and closing the roof, which the dealer could not reproduce.
2013 Audi Q5 recalls
5 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 17V298000May 3, 2017Fuel System240,487 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Audi Q5 and 2013-2017 Audi Q7 vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump flange if cracks are present. Flanges that do not have cracks will have a protective film applied. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20Z8. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 16V-660.
2013 Audi Q5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 27.5 MPG
- Combined
- 22.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,550
- 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 Q5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Audi Q5 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2013 Q5 has a complaint index of 27 and ranks 12th worst out of 16 Q5 model years, giving it a "Good" verdict compared to other years of the same model.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Audi Q5?
- Engine problems make up 39% of complaints (35 of 89), followed by steering issues at 20% and electrical system issues at 11%. Four of the engine and electrical complaints involved fires.
- Does the 2013 Audi Q5 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2013 Audi Q5, covering the engine coolant pump, an auxiliary heater electrical connector, a fuel pump flange that may crack, and a sunroof drainage issue affecting side airbag inflators.
- How does the 2013 Q5 compare to other Q5 years?
- The 2013 Q5's complaint index of 27 is lower than the 2012 (80), 2011 (73), and 2018 (100) model years, which are rated "Avoid" or "Caution," making 2013 one of the better Q5 years.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Audi Q5?
- EPA rates the 2013 Q5 at 22.5 mpg combined (20 mpg city, 27.5 mpg highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550.