Audi S5 problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 16 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.6/10 — 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.
Buying a used 2013 Audi S5? Check these first
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.
What to inspect on this specific car
- powertrain — 10 owner reports · tends to show around 81,000 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- steering — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 35,833 mi · ~$700 to fix
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is powertrain (~$2,500) — 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 →Ask anything about your 2013 Audi S5
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.
Top trouble spots 2 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
I was turning into a parking lot and the steering locked up in the middle of the turn and a message came up "steering defective. Do not drive". The dealer picked up the car and after researching informed me the power steering module had failed and needs to be replaced. They…
After ~106,000 miles, an error code 'transmission malfunction. You can keep driving', with error code p179d00 (per dealer). Car has hestitation at low RPM or while stopped (as at a light or heavy traffic) and occasionally jerks forward, despite brakes being firmly applied.
After the car sits over night, and is driven w/o bring warmed up it slips going into 1st and 2nd gear, rough downshift or slight bump when coming to a stop, and a rough idle and noise coming from the transmission when in park. Car has 87k.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Audi s5. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at various speeds, an abnormal odor was inside the vehicle. The contact's wife drove the vehicle to the residence. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed fuel leaking in the engine…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2013 Audi S5 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.6 out of 10 based on 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Audi S5 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 S5?
On the NHTSA data, the 2013 Audi S5 does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 Audi S5?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 10 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 81,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 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.
Is the 2013 Audi S5 a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 16 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 81,000 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.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Audi S5?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 10 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 81,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 81,000 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Audi S5 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 S5?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 16 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, 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.