RoadVitals

2013 Audi A5 Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints 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.
8
Latest Jul 28, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
23%
of 35 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2013 Audi A5 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 8 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Electrical
Filed Jul 28, 2026

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
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 28, 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
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 6, 2024

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
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Apr 19, 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
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 29, 2019

LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. I WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR LOST POWER AND STARTED SHUDDERING, EPC WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND IT SEEMED LIKE IT MIGHT STALL. SINCE I WAS DRIVING I PUSHED IN THE CLUTCH AND COASTED TO A STOP. I SHUT IT OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND IT WORKED NORMALLY SO I DROVE HOME. I DROVE IT THE NEXT DAY AND HAD NO PROBLEMS. ON A FOLLOWING DAY IT DID THE SAME THING, LOSS OF POWER, SHAKING, NOT WORKING RIGHT. SOMETIMES IT SEEMED JUST FINE OTHER TIMES IT HAD PROBLEMS. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP TO HAVE DIAGNOSIS AND THEY DISCOVERED WATER IN THE ENGINE COMPUTER CONNECTOR AND TRACED IT TO A COOLING VALVE LEAK THAT ALLOWS WATER IN THE CONNECTOR AT THE VALVE TO ENTER THE 2 WIRE CONNECTOR AND APPARENTLY THE WATER WICKS UP THE CONTROL WIRE TO THE COMPUTER CONNECTOR AND SHORTS OUT CONNECTIONS TO COILS AND OTHER ENGINE ELECTRONICS. I SEARCHED THE WEB FOR INFORMATION AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT HAS AFFECTED 2010 - 2013 AUDI A8 AND THE CAR WAS RECALLED. SEE 16V619000. I'M WONDERING WHY MY 2013 A5 THAT HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WAS NOT RECALLED. I HAVE PICTURE OF THE ENGINE COMPUTER SHOWING WATER THAT WAS IN THE CONNECTOR AND PIN 35 IS GREEN. THE 2 WIRE CONNECTOR WAS REMOVED FROM THE VALVE AND HAS ISSUES, IT IS CONNECTED TO PIN 35 OF THE ECM

NHTSA ID
11210652
Incident
May 26, 2019
Mileage
80,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 30, 2018

2013 AUDI A5. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CORRODED ELECTRICAL HARNESS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS CORRODED DUE TO A LEAKING GASKET. *JS

NHTSA ID
11112689
Incident
May 1, 2018
Electrical
Filed Apr 17, 2018

MY A5 COUPE WAS AFFECTED RECALL 17V622. I BOOKED AN APPOINTMENT MONTHS AGO WITH SILVER SPRING AUDI. THAT APPOINTMENT WAS CANCELLED DUE TO THE DEALERSHIP NOT HAVING THE PARTS TO ADDRESS THE RECALL. I'VE CALLED MULTIPLE TIMES TO TRY TO RESCHEDULE BUT THE PARTS REMAIN UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALERSHIP, TODAY, TRIED TO DISCOURAGE ME FROM BEING ADDED TO A WAIT LIST FOR THE PART GIVEN THAT OVER 100 PEOPLE WERE ALREADY ON THE LIST. (THAT DISCOURAGEMENT MADE NO SENSE TO ME. IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE AFFECTED BY THE RECALL WHO USES THAT DEALERSHIP SHOULD BE ON THE WAITING LIST WITHOUT EVEN HAVING TO CALL IN.)

NHTSA ID
11088610
Incident
Apr 17, 2018
Electrical
Filed Dec 10, 2017

I HAVE JUST BECOME AWARE, ON MY OWN ACCORD, THAT THE USED 2013 AUDI A5 I PURCHASED HAS A SAFETY RECALL ISSUED OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR. I NEED TO BE ADVISED ON WHAT COURSE OF ACTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN FROM THIS POINT. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
11053773
Incident
Dec 10, 2017
Mileage
42,000 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .