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2013 Audi A4 Allroad

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
86
+1 complaint in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Apr 11, 2018
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
5
5 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 86 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Audi A4 Allroad, most frequently naming the steering, engine and electrical categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 893 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
18V229000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

Apr 11, 2018
342,867 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
The 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 19N3/19N4View on NHTSA.gov
17V622000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Oct 5, 2017
216,913 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: The melted wires can increase the risk of a fire.
The 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 80C5/80C6View on NHTSA.gov
17V002000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

Jan 3, 2017
342,867 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
The 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 19M1View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 86
Filed Jul 27, 2026

The rear carrier frame has rusted through. There are trim pieces that are attached to the frame , they trap and hold moisture and salt like a cup under the frame, not visible during a regular inspection. My car only has 95k has been garage kept and taken through car washes in the winter with undercarriage wash (to no avail). After some investigation it seems that Volkwagon /Audi corp. has known about this issue since 2009 , but has kept it internally and not made owners aware of this. It would have been so simple to just remove these trim pieces and I wouldn’t have this hole in my car frame, which has basically made it unsafe as this frame holds my suspension and rear differential. There has been a class action lawsuit filed in The NJ District Court by an owner but it is only for Q5 and S5 thus far. In looking for a frame it seems that A4 shares this same frame. One of the guys in service told me, Audi knows about this, they stopped using the trim because of it and they might help you out. The bill from Audi to repair my car is $7417.00 they offered to give me $500 off( gee thanks) My car hasn’t been driven much the last three winters ( RV travel) and had someone notified me my car would have been in the 12 year unlimited mileage corrosion warranty period, now it is just outside of that. There is an article that I read about the Lawsuit and it says that it’s not so much the rust issue as it is the fact that they’ve been handling it internally for over a decade to avoid a recall. I’m really bummed out, I love this car that looks amazing but basically has cancer. No warning lamps, I’ve been told not to drive it by the dealer (Audi Stratham) because it’s a Safety issue. My son found it when the trim piece fell off ( because the bolt rusted out of the frame, resulting in a hole the size of my fist) No other symptoms, this rust didn’t just start it’s been brewing for years . I had an independent shop tell me that it’s a known problem and to take it to the dealer.

NHTSA ID
11752972
Incident
Jul 15, 2026
Engine
Filed Aug 12, 2025
Fire reported

The contact owned a 2013 Audi A4 Allroad. The contact stated that while parked and occupied in the vehicle, after starting the vehicle, her friend heard a puff noise coming from under the vehicle. No warning light illuminated however, after starting the vehicle, the electronic power control illuminated. In addition, the contact's friend lifted the hood of the vehicle, and he noticed smoke and flames coming from the engine. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. The fire was extinguished by the contact and her friend. A fire department arrived at the scene however the fire was already extinguished upon their arrival. The fire report was unknown. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to Accu-Tech Auto Body. The vehicle engine was destroyed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by her insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11680186
Incident
Aug 11, 2025
Suspension
Filed Mar 28, 2025

Excessive abnormal corrosion of rear subframe.

NHTSA ID
11651333
Incident
Jan 3, 2025
Suspension
Filed Feb 20, 2025

Audi installed plastic covers over sections of the subframe on allroad, Q5 models, and other models. These covers held in water and salt causing severe rusting and corrosion of the rear subframe. Subframes of these models are seriously structurally compromised and also hidden from view due to these plastic covers. It’s seems Audi is repairing some under their 12 year rust/corrosion/penetration warranty, but the response varies based on dealership (some people are being told this warranty only applies to body panels, others are told that they are ineligible due to not regularly servicing their vehicles at the dealer). Many others are past the warranty timeline. This issue requires immediate attention and a full recall. Thanks [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11643895
Incident
Feb 20, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 5, 2019

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, VEHICLE'S RPM WOULD GO UP, BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WITH THE INCREASED ACCELERATION. STRONG SMELL OF BURNT CLUTCH FLUID. AND SOME SMOKE WAS COMING FROM ENGINE BAY. DRIVING VEHICLE HOME, TRANSMISSION SLIPPED IN EVERY GEAR. VEHICLE STRUGGLED TO GET UP TO SPEED AND RPM WOULD RISE AND FALL WITH THE PRESS/DEPRESS OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. VEHICLE HAS 80K MILES, NEVER ABUSED AND HAS ALL RECALLS COMPLETED.

NHTSA ID
11266502
Incident
Oct 5, 2019
Mileage
82,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 4, 2019

ENGINE AT 39,600 MILES. HAD AN OIL CHANGE PERFORMED AT 37,000 MILES. CAR THREW ROD INTO ENGINE BLOCK RESULTING IN TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. REMEDY IS A NEW ENGINE VALUED ROUGHLY AT $4,000 AND LABOR VALUED AT $4,000 BEFORE TAXES. CAUSE OF FAILURE HAS BEEN UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED BY AUDI BUT THERE WAS SUFFICIENT OIL. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING STRAIGHT AT 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY AT TIME OF INCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
11253286
Incident
Aug 19, 2019
Mileage
39,600 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 23, 2019

THE STEERING WHEELS PRESENT TEMPORARY PROBLEMS SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW, SHOWING NOISES (LIKE A PRESSURE VALVE AIR LEAKING), AND CHANGE IN RESISTANCE TO STEERING THE VEHICLE. I'VE ASKED THE DEALER TO CHECK IT SOMETIMES, BUT THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. LAST SUNDAY, JULY 21, 2019, AFTER STOPPING THE CAR, THE STEERING WHEEL LOST ALL POWER, STOP WORKING, AND SEND A MESSAGE NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I TOW IT TO A DEALER WHICH RECOMMEND CHANGE THE STEERING RACK AND MADE ALIGNMENT ($2900). THE CAR IS IN THE DEALER RIGHT NOW. READING THIS SITE, I REALIZE IT MAY BE A MORE GENERIC PROBLEM, WITH SERIOUS SAFETY IMPLICATION, ON THIS PARTICULAR MODEL OF AUDI. I HAVE TO SYA THAT OTHERWISE IT IS AN EXCELLENT CAR.

NHTSA ID
11234299
Incident
Jul 21, 2019
Mileage
35,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 16, 2019

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CAR STOPPED RUNNING--WAS UNABLE TO START IT. AUDI DEALERSHIP SERVICE IDENTIFIED IT TIMING TENSIONER FAILURE AT JUST 70000 MILES. REPAIR COST ESTIMATED AT $3100. RECENT CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT IDENTIFIES THIS AS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH AUDI/VW BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE MY VIN. HOWEVER, THIS IS IDENTICAL ISSUE AS OTHER AUDI UNDER RECALL

NHTSA ID
11232160
Incident
Jul 13, 2019
Mileage
70,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB_2070568_6

This bulletin provides information about professional noise analysis with the VAS 611 015 PICO-NVH tool

TSB_2070568_5

This bulletin provides information about professional noise analysis with the VAS 611 015 PICO-NVH tool

TSB_2070568_4

This bulletin provides information about professional noise analysis with the VAS 611 015 PICO-NVH tool

TSB_2056019_4

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides information when the anti-theft alarm activates for no reason, or when the anti-theft alarm does not activate.

TSB_2077320_2

This TSB is a label placement guide as required by CARB for remanufactured parts.

TSB_2031473_6

STRUCTURE:BODY

This service information TSB describes a cosmetic issue after using a car wash.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Audi A4 Allroad by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2025000—
2024400—
2023110—
2022010—
2021110—
2020301036.3
2019300—
2018930—
2017315053.0
2016143051.0
2015254051.0
2014464051.8
2013Viewing864049.8

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.