2013 Audi S5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
64/100
#6 most-complained of 15 S5 years
The 2013 Audi S5 has a Complaint Index of 64, ranking 6th worst among 15 model years, with a Caution verdict. Transmission & Powertrain issues dominate at 63% of complaints, with median failure mileage of 79,000 overall.
- Complaints
- 16
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 26 hwy
Top 2013 Audi S5 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain10 (63%)
- Engine3 (19%)
- Steering3 (19%)
- Fuel System2 (13%)
- Brakes1 (6%)
- Other1 (6%)
What owners report
- Electric power steering locks up mid-turn with a "steering defective, do not drive" warning, sometimes requiring dealer replacement of the power steering module.
- Owners describe a resistance or "notch" feeling at the 12 o'clock steering position at highway speed, making it hard to keep the car straight.
- The DSG transmission enters limp mode with gearbox malfunction warnings, often tied to a failed mechatronic unit.
- Sudden power loss and jerky movements on the freeway occur along with a check engine light and gearbox malfunction message.
- Drivers report the car bogging or hesitating at low RPM or while stopped, sometimes jerking forward even with brakes applied.
- Fuel odor and visible fuel leaking in the engine compartment were reported while driving at various speeds.
2013 Audi S5 recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2013 Audi S5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 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 S5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Audi S5 reliable compared to other S5 years?
- NHTSA data gives the 2013 S5 a Complaint Index of 64, ranking 6th worst of 15 model years tracked, with a Caution verdict. It's worse than 2014 (index 29, Good) but better than 2018, 2020, and 2025, which carry Avoid verdicts.
- What is the most common problem on the 2013 Audi S5?
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints make up 63% of all reported issues, with a median failure mileage of 83,500 miles, mostly involving the DSG mechatronic unit and limp-mode failures.
- Does the 2013 Audi S5 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2013 Audi S5.
- Are there steering problems on the 2013 Audi S5?
- Yes, Steering complaints account for 19% of reports, with owners describing power steering lockups and a notchy feel at highway speed; the median mileage for these complaints is 9,000 miles.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Audi S5?
- The EPA rates the 2013 Audi S5 at 21 mpg combined (18 city / 26 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,800.