This bulletin provides informaiton when the transmission warning message appears in the cluster; P074100 stored in the TCM.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Audi A4 powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2013 Audi A4 have filed 8 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 50,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 A4 | 4 |
| 2010 A4 | 8 |
| 2011 A4 | 4 |
| 2013 A4 (this page) | 8 |
| 2014 A4 | 5 |
| 2015 A4 | 6 |
| 2017 A4 | 4 |
When does it fail?
Of the 8 powertrain complaints filed for the 2013 Audi A4, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulleitn procides informaiton when tehre is a transmission warning mssage in the instrument cluster; P074100 is stored in the TCM.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The high-voltage batteries in electric vehicles are subject to various ageing effects which could lead to the energy content (energy density) being reduced. This reduction in the energy content, which is due to factors. Revised header. Added Model years
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides additoinal information to assist in determining the energy content of lithium-ion high-voltage batteries.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin offers information about the basic information needed for technical requests for gaerbox complaints.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Audi a4. While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to Audi valencia (23923 creekside rd, valencia, ca 91355, (661) 735-1778) where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to a transmission shop and was repaired. The manufacturer was not made…
While driving on highway, vehicle's RPM would go up, but vehicle would not accelerate with the increased acceleration. Strong smell of burnt clutch fluid. And some smoke was coming from engine bay. Driving vehicle home, transmission slipped in every gear. Vehicle struggled to get up to speed and RPM would rise and fall with the press/depress of the accelerator pedal. Vehicle has 80k miles, never…
My driveway is on a slight down-slope. When parked there with my Audi a4 2.0t's front end facing down with my foot on the brake, I put my Audi in reverse, move my foot from brake to the gas pedal and attempt to back up the down-slope, but my Audi aggressively rolls forward as I continue trying to accelerate to back up. I can roll forward 3' to 6' before reverse gear kicks in and when it does the…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2013 Audi A4?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2013 Audi A4?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 8 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 36,675 and 82,000 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 36,675; a quarter make it past 82,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Audi/A4.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.