2013 Audi RS 5

While driving through the middle of a busy intersection, my 2013 Audi RS5 suddenly lost all power and was unable to engage any gears. The car came to a stop in active cross-traffic with vehicles approaching from multiple directions. I could not restart or move the car under its own power and had to push it to safety with the help of a passerby. Component that failed: Transmission / Power Train – specifically the DL501 S-Tronic Mechatronic Unit (Transmission Control Module). The part is still available for inspection at the dealership. Safety risk: This failure caused a complete loss of propulsion in active traffic, putting both myself and other drivers at risk of a collision. Dealer confirmation: The issue has been inspected and confirmed by an Audi dealership (Audi North Houston). The diagnostic code was P060A00 – “Internal Control Module Processor Performance.” Manufacturer documentation: Audi has previously issued Technical Service Bulletins 35-13-15 and 37-13-17, which identify this same defect as an internal circuit board failure and delamination in the DL501 mechatronic unit. Manufacturer response: Audi of America declined goodwill assistance despite acknowledging a previous case and documentation of this known failure mode. Warning or prior symptoms: A “Gearbox Malfunction – You may continue driving” warning briefly appeared moments before the car lost all power. After stopping, the vehicle could not be restarted or driven, leaving it immobilized in the intersection. Availability for inspection: The failed components and diagnostic report remain available through the Audi dealership that inspected the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11698821

Incident

Sep 12, 2025

Vehicle: 2013 Audi RS5 Recall Reference: 37P1 / 37K8 (Transmission Control Module Software Update) After Audi performed the TCM software update for recall 37P1/37K8, my vehicle began displaying “Transmission Overheating – Please Drive Conservatively” warnings during normal driving, especially in stop-and-go traffic. This problem never occurred before the recall update. The warning now happens intermittently, raising concerns about: •Loss of drivability and safety risk if the transmission overheats while driving. •Premature failure of the transmission or mechatronic unit due to repeated overheating. •A direct link to the recall software update, since the issue began only after it was installed. I am concerned that the recall fix created new drivability and safety problems. Audi has not provided a remedy.

NHTSA ID

11689729

Incident

Jan 20, 2025

My 2013 Audi rs5 has a well known transmission issue. There was a class action lawsuit that justs settled for earlier years of the S4 & S5 models. My tranmission error has occurred several times when reversing, especially reversing up an incline or stop start reverses. The gear changes have become very jerky, both upshifts and downshifts, especially noticable at low speeds. The mechatronic unit on this audi model is a known issue and the audi forums are littered with examples of these mech units going bad. A replacement mech unit is costing me $4500 total and I have seen similar costs to others in the audi online forums like audizine

NHTSA ID

11485761

Incident

May 1, 2022

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I GOT A "TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION YOU CAN CONTINUE DRIVING" MESSAGE ON MY DISPLAY. I SCANNED THE CAR WHEN I GOT HOME AND GOT THESE ERROR MESSAGE: (DRIVE POSITION SENSOR ELECTRICAL ERROR) ' DTC P0700 (TRANSMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION) ' DTC P1758 (TERMINAL 15 VOLTAGE SUPPLY OPEN CIRCUIT) ' DTC P060A (INTERNAL CONTROL MODULE MONITORING PROCESSOR PERFORMANCE) I DID SOME RESEARCH AND UNDERSTAND THERE IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE DSG TRANSMISSION, SPECIFICALLY WITH THE DRIVE POSITION SENSOR WHICH IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO HAVE DONE.

NHTSA ID

11339626

Incident

Jul 7, 2020

Mileage

32,000 mi

THE MECHATRONIC UNIT ON MY VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS DRIVING AND A WARNING POPPED UP ON MY DASHBOARD SAYING "TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION, YOU MAY CONTINUE DRIVING". I WAS QUOTED $5000 FOR THE . THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE NOT ONLY WITH MY MODEL, BUT ACROSS ALL AUDI MODELS WITH THE DSG TRANSMISSION. AUDI CUSTOMERS SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO PAY FOR AUDI PUTTING FAULTY EQUIPMENT IN THEIR VEHICLES.

NHTSA ID

11034016

Incident

Oct 11, 2017

Mileage

50,200 mi

THERE IS A WIDELY-KNOWN ISSUE IN 2013+ AUDI ELECTROMECHANICAL POWER STEERING THAT CREATES A SENSATION OF A "NOTCH" AT 12:00 ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS NOTCH FORCES YOU TO MANUALLY KEEP THE CAR IN THE LANE BY STEERING "BACK AND FORTH IN THE NOTCH". WHEN YOU TURN "BEYOND THE NOTCH" THERE IS A STICKING POINT. THE FASTER THE CAR IS MOVING, THE MORE PRONOUNCED THESE FEELINGS BECOME. I HAD HOPED THAT MY ISSUE WAS RELATED TO THE TIRES. UNFORTUNATELY, WAITING TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES HAS TAKEN ME OUT OF WARRANTY. AFTER JUST INSTALLING NEW CONTINENTAL DWS 06, THE PROBLEM IS AS BAD, OR WORSE, THAN IT HAS EVER BEEN. THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS! RESEARCHING ONLINE, MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM. HERE IS A LINK TO AN INTERNET FORUM WHERE SOME INFORMATION HAS BEEN CONSOLIDATED: HTTPS://WWW.AUDIWORLD.COM/FORUMS/A6-C7-PLATFORM-DISCUSSION-194/AUDI-ELECTRIC-STEERING-ISSUE-REPORTS-CONSOLIDATED-2844976

NHTSA ID

11032945

Incident

Oct 11, 2017

Mileage

46,000 mi

THE RS5 HAD A VERY BED PROBLEM WITH THE BREAKS. WHEN I WAS USING THE BREAKS THE CAR WAS SHACKING, ESPECIALLY WHEN I USED THE BREAK AT THE SPEED OF 75/80 MPH. THE CAR WAS UNSAFE AND TO STOP COMPLETELY THE CAR I HAD TO GO OUT OF THE STREET. ON NOVEMBER 2013 I LEFT THE RS A5 AT THE DEALER IN GREENSBORO. ON THE AFTERNOON I WAS CONTACTED BY AN ADVISOR OF THE AUDI SERVICE IN GREENSBORO. THIS ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT MY CAR NEEDED NEW PADS AND NEW ROTOR AND THAT THESE PARTS SUPPOSES TO COME FROM GERMANY AND THE WAIT TO HAVE THIS PARTS WAS 2 WEEKS. THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT DURING THESE 2 WEEKS I COULD DRIVE MY CAR. WHEN I TOLD HIM THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THE BREAKS WAS VERY BED ESPECIALLY AT 80 MPH HE ANSWERS ME BACK THAT THE SPEED LIMIT IS 65 MPH. WHEN I WENT TO PICK MY CAR UP FROM THE DEALER IN GREENSBORO AND WHEN I TOLD THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT DRIVING OVER THE SPEED LIMIT WAS MY PROBLEM AND THAT THE CAR IS SUPPOSED TO HANDLED HIGHER SPEED THAN 80 MPH HE WAS VERY UNPOLITE AND HE TROUGH THE DOCUMENT OF MY CAR ON THE DESK. WHEN I TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD TO BE POLITE WITH CUSTOMERS HE TOLD ME '*** YOU'. MY REACTION WASN'T REALLY POLITE AND HE TOLD ME AGAIN '*** YOU' AND HE WAS INTIMIDATING ME. ONLY THE INTERVENTION OF THE MANAGER OF THE SERVICE AT THE LOCATION STOPPED HIM. AFTER THIS ISSUE FLOW AUDI OF GREENSBORO (NC) CHANGED THE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS, 2 WEEKS WAITING. IN FEBRUARY 2014, AFTER ONLY 2000 MILES, THE CAR HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AND THE SERVICE MANAGER AT AUDI TOLD ME THAT THE BACK ROTORS AND PADS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. AFTER THE SECOND REPLACEMENT, ON MARCH 2013, THE PROBLEM WASN'T SOLVED AND I WENT AGAIN TO THE AUDI DEALER SERVICE, I ALSO WROTE SEVERAL TIME TO THE AUDI CUSTOMER SERVICE. AT THE END OF MARCH THE MANAGER OF THE AUDI SERVICE IN GREENSBORO TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR WAS NORMAL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10610641

Incident

Nov 22, 2013

Mileage

10,000 mi

This bulletin provides a statement regarding the bottleneck of supply for VW approved oil types VW 504.00 and VW 507.00.

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.

This bulletin provides informaiton when the transmission warning message appears in the cluster; P074100 stored in the TCM.

This bulletin provides informationwhen noises/vibration are detected from front of vehicle in dynamic mode.

This bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the instrument cluster.

This bulletin provides informaiton when the engine is not running smoothly, misfiring.