ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
2013 Audi A5
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 35 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Audi A5, most frequently naming the engine, steering and electrical categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1,366 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2013 | 1 | 1 |
| Mar 2013 | 1 | 2 |
| Apr 2013 | 1 | 3 |
| Jan 2015 | 1 | 4 |
| Apr 2015 | 1 | 5 |
| Aug 2015 | 1 | 6 |
| Sep 2015 | 1 | 7 |
| Aug 2016 | 1 | 8 |
| Mar 2017 | 1 | 9 |
| Apr 2017 | 1 | 10 |
| May 2017 | 1 | 11 |
| Dec 2017 | 1 | 12 |
| Apr 2018 | 1 | 13 |
| Jul 2018 | 2 | 15 |
| Aug 2018 | 1 | 16 |
| Sep 2018 | 1 | 17 |
| Oct 2018 | 2 | 19 |
| Dec 2018 | 1 | 20 |
| May 2019 | 2 | 22 |
| Jun 2019 | 1 | 23 |
| Dec 2019 | 1 | 24 |
| May 2020 | 1 | 25 |
| Jul 2020 | 1 | 26 |
| Apr 2021 | 1 | 27 |
| Aug 2021 | 1 | 28 |
| Jun 2022 | 1 | 29 |
| Apr 2023 | 2 | 31 |
| Aug 2023 | 1 | 32 |
| Jul 2024 | 1 | 33 |
| Jul 2026 | 2 | 35 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine1534.9%
- Steering818.6%
- Electrical818.6%
- Fuel system37.0%
- Visibility24.7%
- Powertrain (other)24.7%
- Brakes24.7%
- Interior & seats12.3%
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
3 campaigns cover this model year
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.govELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
Turned AC on blew out cool air all of sudden the air went out hot air blowing, smelt burning and saw smoke on passenger side (not a lot,but enough to raise concerns) turned AC shut climate off, turned car off tried it again no air just heat blowing. brother in law put it on machine , gave a sensor code, replaced sensor put a can of air in, still blowing out hot air. and if ran too long it will smoke and burning scent.
- NHTSA ID
- 11753312
- Incident
- Jun 30, 2026
The contact owns a 2013 Audi A5. The contact stated that after activating the AC system, there was hot air and a burning odor coming from the passenger’s side vents. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V002000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact called an independent mechanic and referenced the recall campaign. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 157,653.
- NHTSA ID
- 11753204
- Incident
- Jun 30, 2026
- Mileage
- 157,653 mi
I was having an issue with my 2013 Audi A5 starting. A call to roadside assistance was able to jump my battery and the car would start and run. However, the same issue kept happening. The EPC warning light would come on and it took a few weeks to get scheduled with a mechanic. I purchased a mobile jump starter myself because I never knew when the car would or wouldn't start. After taking the car to Audi, they found the "transmission coolant valve failing internally causing coolant to migrate up connector - this is causing a short which is draining the battery. If not fixed it will continue to deplete the batter. Recommend replacing valve and and connector". [2023 Audi Inspection Report.pdf] This was verified by another mechanic who did the work and shared the faulty, corroded transmission pump connector and leaking valve. [photo: 2023 Corroded connector Transmission Coolant Valve.jpg; 2023 Transmission Coolant Valuve and connector.jpg] I won't speculate about the potential outcomes of such a failure, but I was told by my mechanic before I brought it in that I should no longer jump the car, because if what Audi found was correct, I could at minimum cause a full failure of the car's electrical system or a fire could start and recommended that I tow the car in for repair, which is what I did. An internet search shows this isn't a unique or isolated issue. Audi owners over the past 7+ years have been experiencing the same issue with the transmission coolant seeping into electrical components, causing shorts and electrical problems like mine. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] This pump and its proximity to electrical components is a dangerous risk to drivers not aware that what appears as a simple dead battery, could in fact be one jump start away from disaster. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11599581
- Incident
- Oct 1, 2023
Couple years ago my engine failed, it was recalled and company refused to pay for it. I payed for it and afterwards my radio modul failed, camera failed, the check engine light is on since I bought the car and recently my car stopped on the highway fast lane without warning. It was no shoulder and I stopped on the highway. I was lucky I didn’t get rear ended n killed
- NHTSA ID
- 11536603
- Incident
- Jul 31, 2023
I have experienced several failures and 3 recalls with my vehicle since I purchased it brand new. I have paid out thousands of dollars over the years for repairs that I feel were faulty being that I am on the only owner of the vehicle. I have approximately a little under 75k miles on my vehicle although I purchased in 2012 (2013 vehicle) only to take it to dealerships and pay for this and that but most recently my major complaint is my car has stopped on me 4 times and I paid originally for what the dealership stated was the problem only to take it back 3 times and now they state the FUEL PUMP is the problem and there is no recalls. Audi is known to have recalls on FUEL PUMPs but at this time do not reflect on my vehicle. However, my car has not been in an accident, I am the only owner, the mileage is under 100k and there is no explanation as to why the fuel pump needs replacing. Please look into this. Thank you.
- NHTSA ID
- 11517813
- Incident
- Dec 21, 2022
Water pump leaking
- NHTSA ID
- 11515613
- Incident
- Apr 5, 2023
The contact's cousin owns a 2013 Audi A5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle began to overheat. The warning message "Pull Over and Check Coolant" was displayed. The contact veered to the side of the road and upon checking the coolant reservoir, the contact noticed that the coolant was leaking. The contact added coolant and was able to continue driving. However, the failure reoccurred increasingly. The contact stated that the coolant would leak onto the ground while refilling the coolant reservoir. The contact stated that the vehicle was no longer drivable. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V229000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. However, as the contact's friend was picking up the vehicle on his behalf, he noticed that there was no coolant in the vehicle. The dealer then added coolant however, the failure recurred while driving. The dealer was notified and advised the contact that the failure was not associated with the recall. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where the coolant pump sensor was replaced; however, the failure recurred a month later. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the dealer had already marked the recall as completed. Additionally, the contact stated that the interior lights of the vehicle would fail to operate intermittently. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11469169
- Incident
- Jul 14, 2021
- Mileage
- 83,000 mi
About 3 weeks ago I noticed the beginning of a steering problem. I first noticed that the wheel seemed to require more than normal force to turn, especially in about the 10 and 2 o’clock position. It would behave pretty normally most of the time, but then, unpredictably, this would happen. Now it seems to be pretty constant. The steering wheel now requires much more force than usual, but only when in certain positions. Otherwise, everything appears normal. A couple of days ago I needed to try an evasive maneuver, which required sudden, hard steering. However, the response of the car was not what I expected under similar conditions with other Audi’s I own. This is an obvious safety concern. There appears to be a repair bulletin by Audi, but only Audis that are still under warranty will be fixed for free by Audi. I strongly believe this is a serious safety issue that deserves a safety recall of all affected Audi’s, and repair at Audi expense.
- NHTSA ID
- 11428294
- Incident
- Jul 20, 2021
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
This bulletin provides a statement regarding the bottleneck of supply for VW approved oil types VW 504.00 and VW 507.00.
ENGINE
This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
STRUCTURE:BODY
This bulletin provides information when there is a film/visible rings on the clear glass cover of the headlight when the dipped beam is switched on.
POWER TRAIN
This bulleitn procides informaiton when tehre is a transmission warning mssage in the instrument cluster; P074100 is stored in the TCM.
POWER TRAIN
This bulletin provides informaiton when the transmission warning message appears in the cluster; P074100 stored in the TCM.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This bulletin provides informationwhen noises/vibration are detected from front of vehicle in dynamic mode.
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
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.