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The 2013 Audi Q5 has 1 critical safety recall on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 92 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
The 2013 Audi Q5 has 92 NHTSA owner complaints and 5 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 25 complaints, typically surfacing around 86,406 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 Q5 | 99 | 4 |
| 2011 Q5 | 141 | 5 |
| 2012 Q5 | 4 | 6 |
| 2013 Q5 (this page) | 92 | 5 |
| 2014 Q5 | 105 | 5 |
| 2015 Q5 | 97 | 6 |
| 2016 Q5 | 77 | 5 |
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
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.
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2013 Audi Q5 SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
⚠ The one to take seriously: steering is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 45,575 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Run the VIN from the listing — 5 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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.
Upon reaching approximately 75,000 miles, I began noticing a louder than normal noise when starting the engine. The noise continued, and around 80,000 miles, I began receiving a check engine light for cam position limit. I did a lot of research and diagnostics to find that the…
41 days after purchasing well cared for, used q5, began experiencing rough ride over highway stretch, with intermittent epc light and constant check engine light. Engine also revved at stand still and vibrated. Unknowing of current class action lawsuit involving the timing…
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…
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
The melted wires can increase the risk of a fire.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.4 out of 10 based on 92 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Audi Q5 has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
The 2013 Audi Q5 is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.4/10 — around the segment average; 5 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 25 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 86,406 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
It scores 6.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 92 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 86,406 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 25 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 86,406 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 86,406 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
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.
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 92 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, 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.