2013 Audi Q5
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 0 |
| 2009 | 30 |
| 2010 | 99 |
| 2011 | 141 |
| 2012 | 168 |
| 2013 | 89 |
| 2014 | 104 |
| 2015 | 97 |
| 2016 | 76 |
| 2017 | 42 |
| 2018 | 195 |
| 2019 | 47 |
| 2020 | 22 |
| 2021 | 69 |
| 2022 | 21 |
| 2023 | 40 |
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2025 | 37 |
| 2026 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
37% of complaints: engine — 33 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 AUDI Q5. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SMOKE WAS SEEN UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DUE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180613
AUXILIARY WATER PUMP CAUGHT ON FIRE. CAR WAS PARKED. NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD. OPENED HOOD AND FOUND FLAMES (VERY SMALL). WAS ABLE TO PUT IT OUT WITHOUT VEHICLE DAMAGE. TOWED TO DEALER AND AM AWAITING RESULTS FROM AUDI
NHTSA ODI report, 20171024
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20170304
20% of complaints: steering — 18 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
When at highway speed, the vehicle veered hard to the left without any driver input, causing the car to cross several lanes of traffic and hit a concrete divider at ~65mph.
NHTSA ODI report, 20250207
10% of complaints: electrical system — 9 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
My daughter drove her car to Hobby Lobby in Opelika, AL. After being in the store for about 7 minutes they announced over the intercom for the owner of a black audi to come to the front. They told her that her car was on fire.
NHTSA ODI report, 20210820
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 AUDI Q5. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SMOKE WAS SEEN UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DUE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180613
AUXILIARY WATER PUMP CAUGHT ON FIRE. CAR WAS PARKED. NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD. OPENED HOOD AND FOUND FLAMES (VERY SMALL). WAS ABLE TO PUT IT OUT WITHOUT VEHICLE DAMAGE. TOWED TO DEALER AND AM AWAITING RESULTS FROM AUDI
NHTSA ODI report, 20171024
8% of complaints: structure — 7 distinct reports on file.
7% of complaints: power train — 6 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 17V002000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Audi Q5 vehicles.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator and either coat it or replace it, as necessary, after removing the surrounding foam, free of charge. The recall is expected to began March 2017.
Campaign 17V001000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Audi Q5 and 2013-2017 Audi Q7 vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump flange if cracks are present. Flanges that do not have cracks will have a protective film applied. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2017.
Campaign 17V298000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad and Q5 vehicles.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 17V622000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 18V229000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2013 Audi Q5 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine issues (33 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (18 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (9 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 17V002000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V001000 (air bags, visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V298000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V622000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V229000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
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WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2013 Audi Q5 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2013 Audi Q5 is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Audi Q5?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2013 Audi Q5 have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.