2013 Audi Q5 Problems & Owner Complaints

Engine 34 4 fire

“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. She went outside and black smoke and fire was coming from the hood. A lady had already called 911. While waiting, flames started coming from the bottom of the car. The police arrived and started trying to put the fire out, then firefighters arrived and put the fire out. After the fire was put out, the car kept trying to start itself so they had to locate the batte…”
NHTSA complaint #11429831, 2021 · fire

“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. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURIES. THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES, WHICH WERE EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INSURANCE LOT WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE…”
NHTSA complaint #11101630, 2017 · fire

“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 complaint #11036035, 2017 · fire

Steering 19 1 crash 2 injury

“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. The driver fractured her back, and one of three children in the car experienced injury. The vehicle was declared a total loss by insurance. The driver (my wife) indicated that a similar incident happened at low speed in a parking lot, but it resolved after shut down and restart of the engine. It is my understanding that the vehicle is currently either at or on the way to a Copart lot.”
NHTSA complaint #11641442, 2025 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“Driving and warning light came on “steering defective do not drive.” Power steering and use of wheel went out, and wheel would not turn or move in the middle of driving down the street.”
NHTSA complaint #11493317, 2022

“2013 AUDI Q5 PREMIUM PLUS. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL , IT ACTS WEIRD AND FEELS DIFFERENT THAN USUAL. IT FEELS SOFTER AND THEN STIFF DURING THE SAME MANEUVER WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AND TURNING ON A DIFFERENT CITY STREET , AT SPEEDS LOWER THAN 40 MPH . THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 86 K MILES.”
NHTSA complaint #11255793, 2019

Electrical System 11 3 fire

“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. She went outside and black smoke and fire was coming from the hood. A lady had already called 911. While waiting, flames started coming from the bottom of the car. The police arrived and started trying to put the fire out, then firefighters arrived and put the fire out. After the fire was put out, the car kept trying to start itself so they had to locate the batte…”
NHTSA complaint #11429831, 2021 · fire

“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. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURIES. THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES, WHICH WERE EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INSURANCE LOT WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE…”
NHTSA complaint #11101630, 2017 · fire

“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 complaint #11036035, 2017 · fire

Structure 8

“Took vehicle in for state safety inspection. Found heavy rust on subframe nearly all the way through. Was told if it gets any worse it will not pass inspection next time. Apparently there are plastic rock shields on subframe that trap water causing it to rust. Took it to dealer and they want to charge close to $4000 to replace. This seems like an engineering defect. The vehicle is kept in a garage and doesn’t have any other rust on it.”
NHTSA complaint #11677300, 2025

“The rear subframe has plastic "stone guards" to protect the frame from being damaged in off-road conditions. Where these stone guards are attached, the subframe has rotted/rusted large holes. Water and salt from winter seasons can get trapped behind these guards. A subframe on a vehicle at this age should NOT have complete holes rotted through. Let alone a vehicle brand such as Audi, known for quality. The rear subframe connects the rear suspension and AWD drivetrain to the unibody of the vehicle. This is a major safety concern. It has not been inspected by the manufacturer; my Audi dealer den…”
NHTSA complaint #11619831, 2024

“FRONT BUMPER PAINT PEALING OFF. HAD THE BUMPER REPLACED JUST OVER A YEAR AGO AND PAINT IS ALREADY PEALING OFF THE NEW BUMPER. AUDI REFUSES TO REPLACE BUMPER AGAIN BECAUSE IT'S PAST THE WARRANTY. CAN'T EVEN WASH THE CAR WITHOUT MORE PAINT PEALING OFF.”
NHTSA complaint #10894105, 2016

Unknown Or Other 8

“There is considerable rust to the point that the subframe has been structurally compromised. I also contacted Audi USA regarding this issue, but they advised that they could not provide any assistance and closed my case. I was instructed to have the vehicle inspected and see what the dealer could do. I have videos and photos documenting the compromised subframe which many Audi Q5 owners have been complaining about.... There are holes approximately the size of a tennis ball.”
NHTSA complaint #11739161, 2026

“Oil leak/ and tire suspension icon keeps coming on after i fixed it”
NHTSA complaint #11719378, 2026

“The sliding sunroof exploded out of nowhere with no impact while on the Interstate. The glass rained down on us as we were traveling around 65 mph.”
NHTSA complaint #11448642, 2022

Service Brakes 7

“CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO BRAKE THROTTLE OVERRIDE ON VARIOUS VEHICLES. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN REMOVING THE LEFT FOOT FROM THE BRAKE, THERE WAS A DELAY WHEN THE RIGHT FOOT WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR. THE DELAY CAUSES THE INABILITY TO MERGE QUICKLY INTO TRAFFIC.”
NHTSA complaint #11468312, 2022

“MY BRAKES HAVE LOST HYDRAULIC PRESSURE SEVERAL TIMES. THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR WHEN BRAKING TO A STOP. I SEEN A 2018 RECALL BUT MINE DOES SAME.”
NHTSA complaint #11206804, 2019

“- I WAS DRIVING HOME AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON SAYING HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE. - THEN AS I WAS ALMOST HOME, I WAS DRIVING DOWN A VERY STEEP DRIVEWAY, AND THE BREAKS STARTED SKIPPING (FOOT SLAMMED ON BREAKS AND CAR FINALLY STOPPED AFTER ABOUT 20 FEET). - THE ENGINE WARNING THEN READ "HYBRID SYSTEM, POWER STEERING, AND TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FAILURE" FLASHING IN RED (ALONG WITH OTHER SYSTEMS FAILURES) AND THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE. - SCARED FOR MY LIFE, I PUT CAR IN PARK AND HAD IT TOWED TO AUDI OF BELLEVUE - THEY SAID "A COOLANT VALVE IN THE BACK OF THE ENGINE SLOWLY LEAKED COOLANT…”
NHTSA complaint #10980297, 2017

Fuel/Propulsion System 6

“Oil leak/ and tire suspension icon keeps coming on after i fixed it”
NHTSA complaint #11719378, 2026

“The top of the fuel pump connected to the fuel tank shows hairline cracks and fuel is spraying out of the fuel pump into a well in the rear seat”
NHTSA complaint #11464638, 2022

“The recalls were not completed and the dealership is charging for recall work.”
NHTSA complaint #11473398, 2021

Power Train 6

“VEHICLE SUDDENLY WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FROM A STOP ON CITY STREET UNTIL IT REACHES 2500 RPM. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP SAID CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. I WAS TOKD WILL NEED NEW ENGINE.VEHICLE WAS PROPERLY MAINTAINED. ONLY 45000 MILES.”
NHTSA complaint #11365302, 2020

“INCIDENT DATE: 5/9/20 MILEAGE: 70,290 MILES SUMMARY: I REVERSED OUT OF PARKING SPACE, SHIFTED MY CAR INTO DRIVE, AND MY CAR ABRUPTLY HESITATED, DECELERATED, RESISTED, AND JERKED UPON ENGAGING THE GAS PEDAL; A SERIES OF MULTIPLE WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS SIMULTANEOUSLY FLASHED ON THE OBD SCREEN WHILE MY CAR WAS IN MOTION. THE CAR CONTINUED TO DECELERATE, JERK & HESITATE.MESSAGES REFERENCED HYBRID, MALFUNCTION, ELECTRONIC, INOPERABLE, LOSS OF ABILITY TO CONTROL STEERING, STEERING POWER, DANGER, HAZARD, ENGINE, STABILIZATION, DRIVING, POWER. I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP SIGN TO CROSS A…”
NHTSA complaint #11325394, 2020

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI Q5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE MESSAGE "DO NOT DRIVE" WAS DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RAY CATENA AUDI OF FREEHOLD (3561 U.S. 9, FREEHOLD, NJ 07728, (732) 810-8000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD WATER DAMAGE AND THE CIRCUIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE EXPENSES OF THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11099810, 2018

Exterior Lighting 2

“1. ADAPTIVE LIGHT NOT FUNCTIONING. WARNING LIGHT FLASHING FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. " ADAPTIVE LIGHT DEFECTIVE" SYMBOL FLASHING. 2. AC/HEATING FAN "SQUEALING" LOUDLY. BEGAN ABOUT A MONTH AGO.”
NHTSA complaint #11383444, 2020

“AT ISSUE IS THE REPLACEMENT OF A DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT ON THE 2013 AUDI Q5 WHICH FAILED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. MILEAGE AT THE TIME WAS UNDER 60K MILES. AUDI ENGINEERING IMBEDDED THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT INTO THE HEADLIGHT UNIT. WHEN THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT FAILS, THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT UNIT MUST BE REPLACED - SERVICE ESTIMATE OF $1,695.00. MY RESEARCH SHOWS DEALERSHIP SERVICE ESTIMATES FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF A DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT TO BE $85.00 OR LESS FOR OTHER VEHICLES. I FEEL AUDI'S ACTIONS WERE FISCALLY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY IRRESPONSIBLE AND I RESENT AUDI FORCING CUSTOMERS LIK…”
NHTSA complaint #11240982, 2019

Suspension 2

“I was doing maintenance on car. Had new tires and alignment done. The alignment tech found rotted out rear sub-frame underneath plastic covers. Said that it was unsafe to drive. Had it fixed there. Mechanic had another Q5 on rack, he said it had exact same problem. Tried to find used parts, ALL had rot through the frame. Found a part in Texas that was clean and bought it to replace. Asked Audi USA to reimburse me for the cost as they have a supposed 12 yr rust through warranty. They told me no because it only applies to body parts and that I didn't get it done at an audi dealer. The plastic co…”
NHTSA complaint #11622403, 2024

“The rear subframe has plastic "stone guards" to protect the frame from being damaged in off-road conditions. Where these stone guards are attached, the subframe has rotted/rusted large holes. Water and salt from winter seasons can get trapped behind these guards. A subframe on a vehicle at this age should NOT have complete holes rotted through. Let alone a vehicle brand such as Audi, known for quality. The rear subframe connects the rear suspension and AWD drivetrain to the unibody of the vehicle. This is a major safety concern. It has not been inspected by the manufacturer; my Audi dealer den…”
NHTSA complaint #11619831, 2024

Vehicle Speed Control 2

“The contact owns a 2013 Audi Q5. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH in a parking lot after depressing the brake pedal the vehicle began to accelerate independently. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to stop the vehicle by shifting into the park. The contact stated that he had experienced the failure multiple times. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage w…”
NHTSA complaint #11445909, 2021

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI Q5. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE RECURRED. WHILE IDLING AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,834.”
NHTSA complaint #10837491, 2016

Visibility 2

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI Q5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED AND THE GLASS SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING OR AN IMPACT OCCURRING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT CALLED AUDI BOISE AT 208-377-5400 (LOCATED AT 8400 FRANKLIN RD, BOISE, ID 83709) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 113,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11288647, 2019

“NOTCHINESS, FRICTION WHILE ROTATING STEERING WHEEL WITHIN FEW DEGREES FROM 12'O CLOCK POSITION EITHER SIDE. PROBLEM PERSISTED DESPITE THE SOFTWARE UPDATE. ANOTHER ISSUE WAS WHISTLING SOUND FROM SIDE MIRROR. AT TIMES PARTICULARLY WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED, IT GET SO PRONOUNCED AS IF A "FLY" IS BUZZING NEXT TO THE DRIVERS EAR. I COMPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP AND AUDI ON 09/14/2013. SINCE THEN I'M DRIVING LOANER. DEALERSHIP TRIED TO RETURN CAR ON 09/17/13, NONE OF THE ISSUES WERE FIXED. I RETURNED CAR TO DEALERSHIP AGAIN. I COMPLAINED AGAIN TO AUDI OF USA. NOW, I AM TOLD THAT SIDE MIRRORS ARE REPLA…”
NHTSA complaint #10545446, 2013

Air Bags 1

“I took my vehicle to Audi South Austin on 6/1/22 regarding my A/C and back up camera not working, continuous oil consumption issue, passenger air bag light turning on, and RPM higher than normal while idling. Christina Turner told me that the wait for my car to be service was 3-4 weeks. She quoted me a price of $275 for each diagnostic test. I mentioned a recall regarding the auxiliary heater and she told me that the recall had previously been completed. I asked her if there was a warranty and she mentioned that it was 12 months/ 12,000 miles and that my vehicle was over that time frame.…”
NHTSA complaint #11467537, 2020

Equipment 1

“2013 AUDI Q5. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE REAR SEAT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM MONITOR MOUNT CONFIGURATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE ASSUMED WHEN HE WAS HAVING THE VEHICLE BUILT, THE REAR SEAT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM DVD MONITORS WOULD BE MOUNTED IN THE BACK OF THE FRONT SEAT HEAD REST, LIKE THEY NORMALLY WERE IN OTHER VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIPPED FROM GERMANY, BACK TO THE US. HE DISCOVERED THE REAR SEAT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM DVD MONITORS WERE MOUNTED ON SOME STURDY BRACKETS THAT WERE PROTRUDING FROM THE BACK OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS APPROXIMATELY FOUR INCHES TO SIX IN…”
NHTSA complaint #10616508, 2014

Latches/Locks/Linkages 1

“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 INSIDE THE CAR IT, NOT SUPPOSE TO HAPPEN. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10508456, 2013

Seats 1

“THE HEAD RESTRAINTS PUSH BOTH THE DRIVE AND THE PASSENGERS HEADS FORWARD AND IT CAUSE NECK PAIN. I CANNOT ADJUST THE HEAD RESTRAINT AND IT IS HIGHLY UNCOMFORTABLE. STOP MAKING THE MANUFACTURERS PRODUCE THESE HEAD RESTRAINTS. LET THEM MAKE ADJUSTABLE ONES AGAIN.”
NHTSA complaint #10876179, 2016

Visibility/Wiper 1

“THIS IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM WHEN IT RAINS. THE INTERMITTENT SETTING ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS IS INEFFECTIVE AND I BELIEVE DANGEROUS AS VISIBILITY IS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPAIRED. DURING MODERATE RAINY PERIODS, THE INTERVAL, WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE SENSED BY DEVICES IN THE WINDSHIELD RESPONDS ERRATICALLY, WITH INTERVALS VARYING FROM OVER 30 SECONDS TO ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS AND THEN INTERVALS IN-BETWEEN. THIS IS PARTICULARLY CHALLENGING WHEN PASSING TRUCKS ON LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAYS WHERE THE PASSING TIME CAN BE EXTENDED BY TRAFFIC. REQUESTS FOR REPAIR OF THIS ERRATIC OPERATION HAVE BEEN MADE, BUT WI…”
NHTSA complaint #10604363, 2014

Wheels 1

“THE TIRE PRESSURE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAILED TO ALERT THAT THE LEFT REAR (DRIVER'S) SIDE TIRE DEVELOPED A SLOW LEAK. AS A RESULT, THE TIRE WAS DRIVEN WITH DANGEROUSLY LOW TIRE PRESSURE. THE TIRE WAS RUINED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE TPMS DID REGISTER A TIRE PRESSURE FAULT WHEN A NEW TIRE WAS MOUNTED.”
NHTSA complaint #10760569, 2015