NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 4 recalls and 33 owner complaints for the 2013 Audi A5.
Owners of the 2013 Audi A5 most frequently point to engine and steering problems in roughly equal numbers. On the engine side, reports describe unexpected stalling, overheating accompanied by coolant loss, and starting failures, some owners describe the car not starting reliably and keeping a portable jump starter on hand as a workaround. A recurring electrical complaint involves battery drain combined with the EPC warning light illuminating, sometimes tied to multiple secondary failures like camera and radio module faults. Steering complaints center on electric power steering that intermittently requires significantly more effort to turn, particularly around the 10 and 2 o'clock wheel positions, with some owners reporting the stiffness progressing from occasional to constant over time.
33
Total Complaints
2
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
2
With Injuries
By System
Recalls 1 and 3 describe the same auxiliary heater wiring defect filed in two jurisdictions. Recalls 2 and 4 describe the same coolant pump defect filed in two jurisdictions. So there are effectively 2 unique defects across 4 filings. Per grouping rules, I treat each as a single issue. Total recall count to state is 4, but I describe 2 distinct problems.
Word count target: 3–8 recalls = 190–280 words.
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The 2013 Audi A5 has 4 recalls, the most serious being corroded electrical connectors in the auxiliary heater that can cause wiring to overheat, melt, and start a fire inside the vehicle.
The second recall concerns the electric coolant pump, which applies to vehicles equipped with the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. Debris from inside the cooling system can block the pump, causing it to overheat and creating a fire risk under the hood. In both cases, the fire risk develops from components that operate continuously while the car is running, so neither issue is limited to unusual driving conditions.
Hmm, let me check word count. That's quite short. I need 190-280 words. Let me expand with concrete real-world detail.
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The 2013 Audi A5 has 4 recalls, the most serious being corroded electrical connectors in the auxiliary heater that can cause the heater wiring to overheat, melt, and start a fire.
The
At a glance
What can fail
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
The electric coolant pump can become blocked by debris, causing overheating, or can short-circuit from moisture inside the pump.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the electric coolant pump at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Electrical contacts in the auxiliary heater connector can corrode, causing the heater to fail. Corroded contacts may cause wires to overheat and melt, creating a fire risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the auxiliary heater and update vehicle software as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Corrosion in the electrical connector for the auxiliary heater can cause heater wires to overheat or melt.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the auxiliary heater and update software as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electric coolant pump can become blocked by debris in the cooling system, causing the pump to overheat.
What the fix does
Software will be updated to shut off power to the coolant pump if it becomes blocked with debris.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
