2013 Audi Q5
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2013 Audi Q5 has 107 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 105. The most common issue is engine problems (31% of all complaints), specifically: unexpected braking. i at once pulled off the road into a driveway and attempted to place the vehicle in park but was unable to shift out of drive. i eventually was able to stop the engine with the shifter still in drive. i contacted the dealership and roadside assistance. the vehicle was towed t. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 7 fire reports filed.
107
Total Complaints
5
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ENGINE
33 complaints- • UNEXPECTED BRAKING. I AT ONCE PULLED OFF THE ROAD INTO A DRIVEWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK BUT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF DRIVE. I EVENTUALLY WAS ABLE TO STOP THE ENGINE WITH THE SHIFTER STILL IN DRIVE. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED T
- • ARRIVED AT WORK. WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF ARRIVING A COWORKER ALERTED MY HUSBAND THAT HIS CAR WAS SMOKING. MY HUSBAND WENT OUT TO THE CAR AND THERE WAS SMOKE BILLOWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HE QUICKLY OPENED THE BACK DOOR, GRABBED HIS WORK ISSUED LAPTOP AND BY THEN IT HAD BURST INTO FLAMES. THIS HAPPENED
- • WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE 68 THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON FOLLOWED BY THE EPC LIGHT. THE CAR LOST SOME POWER AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SPUTTER. BY REDUCING THE CAR SPEED TO 40 MPH I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND PULL INTO A CAR REPAIR FACILITY IN HAGERSTOWN, MD. I HAS THE CAR TOWED BACK TO THE
“UNEXPECTED BRAKING. I AT ONCE PULLED OFF THE ROAD INTO A DRIVEWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK BUT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF DRIVE. I EVENTUALLY WAS ABLE TO STOP THE ENGINE WITH THE SHIFTER STILL IN DRIVE. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED T”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2013 Audi Q5
Based on 74 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 56K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
STEERING
BODY/STRUCTURE
ELECTRICAL
ENGINE
TRANSMISSION
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 (5)
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.
Charging Cost Calculator for 2013 Audi Q5
Live EIA pricesBased 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.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Audi Q5
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Audi Q5 Service Intervals
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
Corrosion coverage is unlimited miles for 12 years
These are the terms for a new Audi. If you're buying a used 2013 Q5, 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.
EV Incentives for 2013 Audi Q5
Updated 2026-07Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30
Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.
State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)
Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 107 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: UNEXPECTED BRAKING. I AT ONCE PULLED OFF THE ROAD INTO A DRIVEWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK BUT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF DRIVE. I EVENTUALLY WAS ABLE TO STOP THE ENGINE WITH THE SHIFTER STILL IN DRIVE. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐STEERING: STEERING IS VERY IMPRECISE AND HAS A NOTCHINESS EFFECT. WHEN I'M GOING DOWN A HIGHWAY STRAIGHT, I HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME KEEPING IT STRAIGHT. IT FEELS UNSAFE WHEN I'M GOING ON A CURVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SINCE THE STEERING WHEEL MAY SHIFT. CONFIRMED BY DEALERSHIP NOTHING IS WRONG WITH STEERING AND ALIG
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: THE SPEAKERS IN THE AUDIO SYSTEM RANDOMLY EMIT A VERY LOUD POP! THIS NOISE HAPPENS EVEN WITH THE VOLUME OF THE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM ALL THE WAY DOWN AND ALSO HAPPENS WHEN RADIO OR ANY AUDIO IS PLAYING. THE NOISE IS VERY STARTLING! *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BODY/STRUCTURE: WE HAVE KEY LESS ENTRY CAR. MY WIFE PUT MY SON IN CAR SEAT, PUT HER PURSE WITH KEYS AND CLOSED THE BACK DOOR AND WHEN SHE TRIED TO ENTER FROM FRONT DOOR THE CAR WAS LOCK, MY SON GOT LOCKED INSIDE THE CAR, EVEN WHEN THE KEY WERE INSIDE. CALLED THE AUDI CUSTOMER CARE, THEY SAID WHEN THE KEYS ARE INSID
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Audi dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Audi Q5 — Year Comparison
How does 2013 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 107
- Recalls
- 5
- Fire reports
- 7
- Crash reports
- 1
- Injury reports
- 2
- Segment avg
- 105
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2013 Audi Q5