2013 Audi Q5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2013 Audi Q5 has a complaint index of 35, ranking 12th out of 18 model years and earning a Good verdict. It has 89 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 4 reported fires, with Engine issues being the top problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 35/100
- #12 of 18 Q5 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 89
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 20 city / 27.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2013 Audi Q5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine35 (39%)
- Steering18 (20%)
- Electrical System10 (11%)
- Structure & Body9 (10%)
- Other8 (9%)
- Brakes6 (7%)
- Fuel System6 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (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 driving or parked, with smoke and flames appearing under the hood before the vehicle became a total loss.
- Auxiliary water pump caught fire under the hood while the vehicle was parked, producing visible smoke and small flames.
- Steering feels imprecise with a notchiness at highway speeds, making it hard to keep the vehicle traveling straight.
- Sudden unintended veering at highway speed with no driver input, causing loss of control and a crash into a barrier.
- Keyless entry system locked a child inside the vehicle with the keys still inside.
- A loud noise from the sunroof occurred repeatedly while driving, which the dealer could not duplicate.
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 owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 Q5 has a complaint index of 35, ranking 12th out of 18 model years and earning a Good verdict relative to other Q5 years.
- What problems does the 2013 Audi Q5 have?
- NHTSA lists 89 complaints for the 2013 Q5, led by Engine issues (35 complaints, 39% share) including 4 reported fires, followed by Steering (18 complaints) and Electrical System (10 complaints, 3 fires).
- Does the 2013 Audi Q5 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2013 Q5, covering the engine coolant pump, auxiliary heater electrical connector, fuel pump flange, and airbag inflator corrosion from sunroof drainage.
- What year Audi Q5 should I avoid?
- Among Q5 years, 2011, 2012, 2018, 2023, and 2025 carry Avoid verdicts based on higher complaint indexes, while the 2013 model year rates Good with a complaint index of 35.
- How many fires were reported for the 2013 Audi Q5?
- NHTSA lists 4 fire reports for the 2013 Q5, mostly tied to Engine and Electrical System complaints.