Audi A4 problems
109 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Steering: 57 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 13,890–70,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 6 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Bought my 2013 Audi a4 used I notice a notchy feel while driving just after I bought it, but thought this was normal. As time went on it became more uncomfortable and felt unsafe driving at highway speeds(or slow speeds) when your steering wheel would move to the left & right…
I purchased this vehicle on 10/16/2022 and the very next day took it back and informed them that it was leaking oil. It was repaired and from that point on it was telling me to add a quart of oil once every week. Was diagnosed by the Audi dealership of the pistons needing to be…
While stopped at an intersection waiting to turn left across traffic, let off brake to accelerate while turning when the engine hesitated. Pressing the gas pedal at this moment resulted in minimal car movement placing my car in the path of oncoming traffic. I pressed the gas…
August of 2021. It was raining out and I drove through a puddle and my electric steering shut down. This has been a known defect for at least 10 years with Audi and NHTSA has done NOTHING about it.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2013 Audi A4 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 109 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Audi A4 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2013 Audi A4?
The 2013 Audi A4 is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Steering: 57 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 13,890–70,000 mi; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Audi A4?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 57 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 50,791 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 50,791 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Audi A4 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Audi A4?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 109 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.