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.
2013 Audi Q5 steering problems
severe 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 19 steering complaints filed for the 2013 Audi Q5, 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
Of the 9 model years of Audi Q5 we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 19.
Steering accounts for 21% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 6 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2013 Q5's electromechanical steering exhibits widespread notchiness at center position making highway driving difficult, and some owners have experienced sudden power steering loss or seizure. Coolant leaks from engine valves wicking into control modules have also caused multiple system failures including loss of steering function.
Owners describe two main steering failure patterns. The first is a persistent notch or friction feel at the steering wheel's 12 o'clock position that makes straight-line driving difficult, particularly at highway speeds. The steering drifts left without driver input and requires constant correction. Several owners report the wheel jerks uncontrolled to center; one incident at 65 mph caused the car to cross lanes and strike a concrete divider, fracturing the driver's back and injuring a child. Restarting the engine temporarily resets these issues, but they recur randomly. Multiple owners cite Audi's 2013 introduction of an electromechanical steering system as the root cause.
The second pattern is sudden power steering loss or complete wheel seizure, accompanied by "Steering Defective—Do Not Drive" warnings. These failures happen without warning at various speeds and mileages (23,000 to 127,000 miles). Dealers have diagnosed faulty steering rack modules, power steering modules, and steering sensors requiring replacement, though some repairs went uncompleted due to parts delays or expired warranty coverage.
A third issue involves coolant leaks from engine valves wicking into the control module, triggering cascading system failures including power steering and brake malfunction. A service technician confirmed this as a known Audi issue. While Audi issued recall 80B9 for A8 models, the Q5 was excluded despite having the identical failure mode.
Same Audi Q5 steering reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Electromechanical steering notchiness and loss of control
Owners report a persistent notch or friction feel at the 12 o'clock steering wheel position that makes it difficult or impossible to maintain straight-line driving. The steering wheel drifts left suddenly without driver input, requiring constant correction. Some owners report the wheel jerks to center uncontrolled. Turning the engine off and back on temporarily resets the issue. Multiple owners cite Audi's 2013 installation of a new electromechanical steering system as the source.
When: Occurs at highway speeds and various speeds 30–70 mph; also noted during city driving and lane changes; intermittent and random but frequent
Symptoms owners cite: Notchiness or friction in steering wheel at center position; Vehicle drifts left without driver input; Difficulty maintaining straight-line direction; Uncontrolled jerking of wheel to center; Imprecise steering feel; Steering softens then stiffens during same maneuver
Repairs/costs cited: Software update attempted but did not resolve notchiness; dealership acknowledged problem and stated Audi has no permanent fix available
Power steering loss and steering wheel seizure
Steering wheel becomes extremely difficult to maneuver, seizes completely, or loses power steering function entirely. A 'Steering Defective—Do Not Drive' warning message appears. Owners report the failure occurs suddenly without warning. Restarting the vehicle temporarily restores function in some cases.
When: At highway speeds, during low-speed maneuvers (20 mph exiting freeway, approaching stop sign), and while driving city streets; mileage range 23,000 to 127,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel seized or extremely difficult to move; Complete loss of power steering ability; 'Steering Defective—Do Not Drive' warning light; Steering system malfunction warning indicator; Vehicle veering hard to the left at highway speed (65 mph) without driver input
Repairs/costs cited: Steering rack module, power steering module, steering sensor, and steering shaft replacement required; water damage to circuit noted in one case; repairs not completed in reported cases due to parts delays or warranty expiration
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer refused coverage on one vehicle citing expired warranty (79,000 miles)
Coolant leak into electrical harness causing cascading system failures
A coolant valve in the back of the engine slowly leaks coolant over time, wicking into the engine electrical harness and control module. This causes short circuits triggering multiple system failure warnings (hybrid system, power steering, transmission) and can result in sudden stalling. One owner experienced brake malfunction and uncontrolled stalling on a steep driveway. Service technician confirmed this is a known issue that Audi redesigned.
When: Progressive over time until failure occurs; reported incident at low mileage period
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light and warning messages for hybrid system failure, power steering failure, transmission failure flashing in red; Brake skipping or malfunction; Sudden stalling without warning; Multiple system failures displayed simultaneously; Vehicle unable to drive
Repairs/costs cited: Coolant valve replacement and harness repair required
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Audi recall code 80B9 issued for A8 models covering 'coolant leaking through coolant wire connection causing coolant migration into engine control module' but Q5 not covered under this recall despite identical issue; service technician stated 'this is a known issue' and confirmed Audi redesigned the component; manufacturer offered 25% discount on repair
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
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…
Had steering trouble with your 2013 Audi Q5?
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 steering problem on the 2013 Audi Q5?
It's a meaningful issue. 19 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 5,100 and 79,000 miles, with the median around 55,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 5,100; a quarter make it past 79,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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/Q5.
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.