Is the 2013 Audi A5 reliable?

The 2013 Audi A5 has 43 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.4x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Audi A5?

Top problems: ENGINE (14 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (8 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (7 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Audi A5?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM. Contact any Audi dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Audi A5?

The 2013 Audi A5 gets 26 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1846. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Audi A5?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Audi A5 is approximately $1,971/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Audi A5

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Audi A5 has 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.4x the segment average of 18. The most common issue is engine problems (33% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owned a 2013 audi a5. while parked at home, the vehicle caught fire. the fire department extinguished the flames. a police report was not filed. the vehicle was towed to a salvage yard where it was deemed destroyed. there were no injuries. a year later, the contact received notificat. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 3 crash reports 3 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

14 complaints

33%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 AUDI A5. WHILE PARKED AT HOME, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A YEAR LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICAT
• NHTSA RECALL 17V-002 COOLING PUMP OVERHEATING. ON FRIDAY MAY 26, 2017 ON ARE ABOUT 0645 I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE BASE POLICE STATING THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT. I HAD BEEN AT WORK SINCE 0600 THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS OF ANY PROBLEMS WHILE DRIVING TO WORK NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE ON
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V229000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 AUDI A5. WHILE PARKED AT HOME, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A YEAR LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICAT”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Audi A5

Based on 25 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 49K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 15K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

High-mileage issuemedian 70K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING05/10/2017

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.

Risk: The melted wires can increase the risk of a fire.

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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Audi A5

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,847

Per month

$154

Per mile

15.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,549/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Audi A5

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,971

Full coverage / month

$164

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+18%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1971

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Audi A5 Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

10K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

40K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

40K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

40K mi

Long-interval service (LongLife) uses fully-synthetic oil. Some engines have timing belts (check owner's manual).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Audi New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

12 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

Corrosion coverage is unlimited miles for 12 years

These are the terms for a new Audi. If you're buying a used 2013 A5, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Audi dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 43 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 AUDI A5. WHILE PARKED AT HOME, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A YEAR LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICAT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: AT 1500 MILES I DEVELOPED A NOTCHY FEELING IN MY STEERING WHEEL AT THE 12 O'CLOCK POSITION. THIS NOTCHY FEEL CREATES A NEED FOR CONSTANT CORRECTION JUST TO KEEP THE VEHICLE TRAVELING IN A STRAIGHT PATH. I BELIEVE THIS IS THE RESULT OF THE NEW ELECTROMECHANICAL STEERING THAT AUDI IMPLEMENTED IN 201
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: I JUST HAD MY FUEL DOOR ACTUATOR REPLACED ON MY 2013 AUDI A5 WITH LESS THAN 44,500 MILES ON IT IN SEPTEMBER 2018. I AM HAVING A VERY DIFFICULT TIME UNDERSTANDING WHY MY FUEL DOOR ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACE WITH SO LOW MILEAGE. THE CAR HAS A RANGE OF 455 MILES AFTER A FILL UP THE PART COST $405.85
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Audi dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)