How many recalls does the 2013 Audi A5 have?

NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2013 Audi A5 model year. Whether one car had the recall work done depends on that car, so check its VIN with NHTSA.

2008: 5 owner complaints, Not judged

Our take: the data says look elsewhere. Owners filed 3.3 times the complaints of a typical year of this model.

Year verdict

Pass, meaning Skip

3.3× a typical year

Skip this year if you can.

Confidence: Medium

A typical year has only about 8 complaints, so a few can swing the comparison.

NHTSA did not answer for 18 years, so this may change.

Past 100,000 miles

Not judged

No complaints in its first 12 years give a mileage past 100,000 miles. Many owners never write the miles, so that is not a clean bill of health.

How the dial was counted

Year verdict: Typical year: 8 complaints, the median of 8 nearby years. Each counted over its first 8 years from January 2012; this one had 27.

Same car, better year: 2014 or 2015 A5 (both Worthy)

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Odometer check

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WhipWorthy sticker

2013 Audi A5

Complaints38From owners
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Recalls3On file
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NHTSA did not answer just now, so we cannot show crash ratings. Try again in a minute. You can also check it on their site.
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MPG23 to 26Combined, EPA
Loading fuel economy

Complaints are unverified owner reports, not adjusted for how many were sold.

Compare this car Every A5 year

Car report

Park this car in My Garage and see its recalls at a glance.Car Hunt Pass or Pro

Value signals

We do not price cars.

These help you judge whether this one is worth its price.

Costly problem zones ahead at your miles come with a Car Hunt Pass or Pro. See plans
Fuel: $3,050 to $3,450 a year.The EPA’s estimate for 15,000 miles a year, 55% in town, at its fuel prices. Each version
Loading the EPA's yearly fuel cost
Have the VIN? Check it is this car, and see its open recalls at NHTSA.
VIN
On the dash at the base of the windshield, or on the driver’s door sticker.

What about the price? Check the asking price on two listing sites. Buying from a dealer? Run its offer through the offer X ray.

Education, not financial or mechanical advice. Have any used car checked by a mechanic you trust before you buy.

The full record

Tap to open

What owners complain about

38 complaints; the part named most is the engine

Unverified reports, not adjusted for sales. One complaint can name several parts, so shares add up past 100%. Filed Jan 29, 2013 to Jul 28, 2026. 50% name a part that is usually costly to fix.

Owners reported 3 crashes, 2 fires and 3 injuries in these complaints.

Engine17 · 45%Usually costly to fix
Electrical9 · 24%
Steering8 · 21%

What one owner wrote about the engine

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…

Filed Jul 28, 2026NHTSA complaint 117532041 of 16 owner quotes

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7 more parts, and 16 owner quotes

Every part owners name for the 2013 Audi A5, with their own words about what went wrong. Usually costly to fix among them: Transmission and drivetrain.

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SourceOwner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Audi A5. NHTSA, checked Nov 1, 2026.

Seller kit

Questions for the seller, test drive checks and price points

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Walk up to the seller ready

Questions to ask the seller of a 2013 Audi A5, built from this year's owner complaints and recalls. What to feel, hear and look at on the test drive, with boxes to tick at the car. Honest points to raise on price, from the records and never from guesses. Copy the questions to your phone in one tap.

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Write your offer

A ready to send offer for the seller, by text or email

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Send the seller a fair offer

Type the asking price and your own offer for the 2013 Audi A5, tick what you found, and get a polite message ready to text or email. Its reasons come from this year's owner complaints, recalls and crash ratings, and never from made up repair prices.

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When problems show up

Too few complaints give a mileage

Too few complaints mention a mileage to show a pattern. 7 complaints of 38 gave one, and a part needs at least 15.

SourceMileage from owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Audi A5. NHTSA, checked Nov 1, 2026.

Will it outlast the loan?

The month of your loan each problem zone lands in

Not enough owner complaints for the 2013 Audi A5 mention a mileage to lay against a loan. Have a mechanic look it over all the same.

Recalls

3 recalls on file

Not every car needs every fix. Run the VIN at NHTSA to see which are still open. Repairs are usually free at a dealer for the brand; ask before any work.

Engine
Apr 11, 2018 · Recall 18V229000
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.
What can happen
A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix
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.
Electrical
Oct 5, 2017 · Recall 17V622000
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.
What can happen
The melted wires can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix
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.
Engine
Jan 3, 2017 · Recall 17V002000
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.
What can happen
If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix
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.

SourceRecalls listed by NHTSA for the 2013 Audi A5. NHTSA, checked Nov 1, 2026.

Crash ratings

NHTSA did not answer

NHTSA's stars out of five, for each version it tested. Front crash stars only compare cars of about the same size and weight.

NHTSA did not answer just now, so we cannot show crash ratings for this car. Try again in a minute. You can also check it on their site.

Fuel economy

23 to 26 mpg combined, across 6 versions

The EPA's estimates for each engine and transmission, and its own yearly fuel cost. Yours depends on how you drive and the shape the car is in.

Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
A5 Cabriolet · Front wheel drive · Premium gas
City
24 mpg
Highway
31 mpg
Combined
26 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$3,050
This one on fueleconomy.gov
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI
A5 Cabriolet quattro · All wheel drive · Premium gas
City
20 mpg
Highway
30 mpg
Combined
24 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$3,300
This one on fueleconomy.gov
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI; FFV
A5 Cabriolet quattro · FFV · All wheel drive · Premium or E85
City
20 mpg
Highway
29 mpg
Combined
23 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$3,450
This one on fueleconomy.gov
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI
A5 quattro · All wheel drive · Premium gas
City
20 mpg
Highway
30 mpg
Combined
24 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$3,300
This one on fueleconomy.gov

Show 2 more versions

Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI; FFV
A5 quattro · FFV · All wheel drive · Premium or E85
City
20 mpg
Highway
29 mpg
Combined
23 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$3,450
This one on fueleconomy.gov
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI
A5 quattro · All wheel drive · Premium gas
City
22 mpg
Highway
32 mpg

SourceEPA fuel economy data, fueleconomy.gov. EPA, checked Oct 31, 2026.

True cost to own

The loan, fuel, insurance and upkeep, a month and over 5 years

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What it really costs to own

What the 2013 Audi A5 costs a month and over 5 years: the loan and its interest, fuel worked out from the EPA's figures for the version you pick, and your own insurance, registration and upkeep. A cost a mile, a link that reopens your numbers, and the breakdown copied to your phone in one tap.

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Every year of the A5

4 Worthy, 0 Maybe, 2 Pass, of 16 years on file, 2 with no answer

Owner complaints for each model year, this one outlined. Tap a year to open it. The newest 2 are not judged yet. Bars are totals, so older years stand taller; the verdict compares every year at the same age.

Best and worst years of the A5

NHTSA did not answer for 22 years, so the chart may be missing some.

SourceNHTSA owner complaints and recalls for the A5. NHTSA, checked Nov 1, 2026.

Before you buy this one

5 checks, with a close look at the engine

Built from this year's numbers. Whatever the data says, the car in front of you is the one that counts.

Run the VIN at NHTSA to confirm every recall was fixed.
This year has 3 recalls on file. Recall repairs are usually free at a dealer for the brand. Ask the dealer to confirm before any work is done. Look up a VIN at NHTSA.
Ask the seller for the service records.
Look closely for any work on the engine. It is the part owners complain about most for this year.
Have a mechanic you trust inspect it before you pay.
Ask them to look hard at the engine. It is usually costly to fix.
Look at a vehicle history report.
It can show reported crashes, flood or salvage titles, and mileage that does not add up.
On the test drive, pay attention to the engine.
Start it cold if you can. Listen for knocking or ticking, and watch for warning lights and smoke.

Going to see it? Take the checklist52 checks with the bad signs to look for, saved on your phone.

Check this exact car

The verdict is about the model year. These checks are about the one in front of you. Most are free or a few dollars.

VIN for these checks

Copy it, then paste it into each check. Nothing is sent until you open one.

Official checks on this VIN

Open recallsFree
NHTSA
Safety recalls on this VIN that are not fixed yet, from the last 15 years.
A recall already fixed does not show.
Check recalls at NHTSAnhtsa.gov (opens in a new tab)
Theft and total lossFree
NICB VINCheck
Whether an insurer reported it stolen and not found, or wrote it off as a total loss.
Only insurer records. Five checks a day.
Open NICB VINChecknicb.org (opens in a new tab)
Title brandsA few dollars
NMVTIS, the federal title system
Salvage, flood, junk and rebuilt brands from any state, and the last miles on the title.
No repairs, service or recalls. Sold by approved sellers listed on the site.
See the approved sellersvehiclehistory.bja.ojp.gov (opens in a new tab)
Title statusVaries by state
The state motor vehicle office
Whether the title is branded in that state and, where the state offers it, whether a lender still has a lien.
It will not name the owner. Each state asks its own way, and some only by mail. Ask to see the seller’s title too.
Find your state’s officeusa.gov (opens in a new tab)

What a paid report adds

A history report such as Carfax or AutoCheck pulls in more of the car’s past than these checks can:

Crashes and damage reported by police, insurers or shops, even when it was fixed.
Service visits that shops reported, with the miles each time.
How many owners, for how long, and the states it was registered in.
Whether it was a rental, fleet or lease car, when that was reported.

It only knows what was reported to it. A clean report is not proof of a clean car. Ask the seller first: many dealers hand one over for free.

Red flags in a history

Salvage title
Usually an insurer called it a total loss. In most states it cannot be driven on the road until it is rebuilt and inspected.
Rebuilt title
A salvage car that was fixed and passed a state check. It can be fine, but it is worth less, can be harder to insure, and needs a careful inspection.
Flood damage
Water can ruin wiring and sensors months later. Be wary of a flood brand that vanished after a move to another state.
Lemon or maker buyback
The maker bought it back over a defect it could not fix. Ask what the defect was and how it was fixed.
Odometer rollback
A mileage reading lower than an earlier one, or a title marked not actual miles.
Many owners, fast
Three owners in two years can mean a problem each one passed along.
Gaps in the records
Years with no service or registration. Ask why: it may have sat, been off the road, or been rebuilt.

Title words and rules differ by state. Not legal advice.

Before you pay

Pre purchase inspection
Have a mechanic you choose, not the seller, put it on a lift and look it over before you pay.
Insurance quote
Get a quote on this exact car before you sign. Ask your own insurer and one or two others.

Model year	Owner complaints	Verdict
2008	5	Not judged
2009	11	Worthy
2010	34	Not judged
2012	22	Not judged
2013	38	Pass
2014	29	Worthy
2015	9	Worthy
2016	7	Not judged
2017	2	Not judged
2018	9	Not judged
2019	12	Not judged
2020	60	Pass
2021	8	Worthy
2022	No answer	Not judged
2025	No answer	Not judged
2026	1	Not judged

The verdict on the 2013 Audi A5

Value signals

What owners complain about

Seller kit

Write your offer

When problems show up

Will it outlast the loan?

Recalls

Engine

What can happen

The fix

Electrical

What can happen

The fix

Engine

What can happen

The fix

Crash ratings

Fuel economy

Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo

Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI

Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI; FFV

Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI

Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI; FFV

Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI

True cost to own

Every year of the A5

Before you buy this one

Check this exact car

Official checks on this VIN

What a paid report adds

Before you pay

Pre purchase inspection

Insurance quote

Engine

What can happen

The fix

Electrical

What can happen

The fix

Engine

What can happen

The fix

Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo

Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI

Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI; FFV

Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI

Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI; FFV

Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI