2013 Audi Q5 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2013 Audi Q5 most often report a steering system that feels notchy or imprecise, along with engine timing chain wear that can show up well before 100,000 miles. A smaller but consistent group describes gradually rising oil consumption, sunroof-related water or rattle problems, and occasional auxiliary coolant pump overheating or smoke.

1. 1
   Steering

   Notchy or seized power steering

   • 15 complaints (17%)
   • median 14,500 mi at 2.8 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • filed 2013–2019

   Owners describe a notchy, catchy, or imprecise feel in the steering wheel, often concentrated near the 12 o'clock position, sometimes with the vehicle drifting on its own at highway speed. Some complaints describe the power steering warning indicator illuminating and the wheel becoming very hard to turn or briefly seizing. Dealers have replaced steering racks, sensors, or shafts, and in several cases performed a software update that did not resolve the complaint. Reported across a wide mileage range, from under 10,000 miles up to over 100,000 miles, suggesting it is not strictly tied to vehicle age or wear.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test drive at highway speed on a straight road to feel for notchiness or drift, and ask the dealer whether the steering-related software update or any steering rack/sensor replacement was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving at various speeds between 30-70mph, regardless of road conditions, any attempts to drive the vehicle in a straight path is met with a sever notch at the 12'oclock steering position making it difficult if not impossible to maintain said straight path...reporting this to the dealer has resulted in their acknowledgement of the problem, taking my information and stating they will contact me as soon as Audi has a permanent fix (and if I do not hear back from them within 30 days to reach back out to them).”

   NHTSA complaint #10503726, filed 2013-03, 1,500 miles

   “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 driving loaner. Dealership tried to return car on 09/17/13, none of the issues were fixed. I returned car to dealership again. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10545446, filed 2013-09, 6,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Timing chain wear leading to engine damage

   • 12 complaints (13%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 6.3 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 2017–2024

   Owners describe rough running, revving or vibration at idle, check engine or EPC warning lights, and in some cases sudden loss of power or complete engine shutdown while driving. Dealers and independent mechanics diagnosed a stretched timing chain and worn tensioner, sometimes with additional damage requiring chain, guide rail, or valve replacement. Reported from roughly 45,000 to 135,000 miles, with several cases emerging between 50,000 and 90,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Listen for a rattling or ticking noise from the engine at startup, ask about any history of check engine lights tied to camshaft position codes, and ask whether the timing chain and tensioner have already been inspected or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At 74,000 miles, our vehicle quit running. The timing chain had slipped and needed to be replaces along with a timing chain tensioner, guide rails and 8 intake valves. Just prior to quitting, the motor was revving while at stop lights. Fortunately, no accident occurred. Our repair shop indicated this is a very common defect with the Audi Q5 2.0 motors and that safety of driving is at risk with this common defect.”

   NHTSA complaint #11015735, filed 2017-08, 74,173 miles

   “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 timing chain had stretched, causing the noise and check engine lights. I had the faulty timing chain replaced, luckily before any severe damage had occurred. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11289076, filed 2019-12, 75,000 miles
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Sunroof noise, water intrusion, or glass issues

   • 8 complaints (9%)
   • median 35,000 mi at 4.6 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2013–2022

   Owners describe a rattling panoramic sunroof that dealers were unable to quiet after repeated attempts, as well as separate reports of the sunroof shade material separating or glass cracking or shattering without impact. One complaint describes water pooling near the battery after the sunroof drainage became clogged with debris. Reported across a broad mileage range from about 1,500 to over 110,000 miles, with no clear link to a specific season in the sample.

   Recall 17V001000

   What to check: Check that the sunroof drains are clear of debris, operate the sunroof through a full cycle to listen for rattling, and ask whether the sunroof drainage recall has been performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We do not have a garage so our Audi is parked outside. It wasn't starting randomly so we took it to the dealer. The battery was sitting in a pool of water because the metal box the battery is in couldn't drain. That caused a circuit board to short circuit. They claim the issue was with the sunroof having debris like leaves clogging the drainage system.”

   NHTSA complaint #11302548, filed 2020-01, 35,000 miles

   “Panoramic sunroof glass panel shattered. Obviously, if the glass had fallen while I was driving, I (or any passengers) could have been cut and injured. I also could have been distracted and injured myself or someone else in a crash. Rockville Audi has not inspected it yet; although, they are scheduling the repair. The vehicle was inspected on July 1st at about 9:00pm by two Washington National Cathedral Police Officers (Sergeant Lozano and Officer Reyes or Navarro) shortly after it was discovered. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11423235, filed 2021-07
4. 4
   Engine

   Rising engine oil consumption

   • 10 complaints (11%)
   • median 100,004 mi at 7.1 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2019–2024

   Owners describe needing to add a quart of oil every few hundred miles well before the next scheduled oil change, sometimes accompanied by a low oil pressure or low oil level warning. Dealers have in some cases attributed this to internal engine wear and quoted significant repair costs, while advising continued top-offs as an interim measure. Reported mostly between roughly 60,000 and 125,000 miles, though one owner noted the condition starting around 30,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the oil level before a test drive and again after several hundred miles of driving, and ask for recent oil consumption or top-off history from the seller or service records.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Oil consumption- I literally just got an oil change less than 90 days ago and I need more oil. This is a used vehicle purchase for us and has happen twice since we have owned the vehicle- less than a year! Every so many miles I'm adding a quart of oil!”

   NHTSA complaint #11257129, filed 2019-09, 76,000 miles

   “My concern is that this car barely had 115,000 miles on it and I'm now dealing with a major oil consumption where I m at the dealership almost once a month. My concern, is that I'm on the open highway and the car tells me to immediately park the car because the oil is too low, right after getting it topped off weeks before. This was a hazard for me be alone on the road. I notice other complaints about this issue. Is there anything Audi is considering doing about it? …”

   NHTSA complaint #11373577, filed 2020-11, 118,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine

   Auxiliary coolant pump overheating or smoke

   • 14 complaints (16%)
   • median 70,290 mi at 5.7 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2024

   Owners describe smoke or, in a few cases, visible flames coming from under the hood while the vehicle was parked or being driven, which complaints link to the auxiliary coolant pump becoming blocked or overheating. One complaint describes a coolant leak on the highway in hot weather requiring the vehicle to be towed. Reported across roughly 50,000 to 90,000 miles, with one owner noting hot outdoor temperatures at the time of the incident.

   Recall 18V229000Recall 17V002000

   What to check: Ask whether the electric coolant pump recall has been completed, and check service records for any prior coolant system repairs or warnings about overheating.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The vehicle stopped at the highway at around 65mph due to coolant leak/water pump leak. Emergency stop to the side of the road was necessary as well as vehicle towing. Illuminator light to turn off engine was on. Weather conditions at 100+ fahrenheit had potential of dangerous situation if I would have had my little ones.”

   NHTSA complaint #10882444, filed 2016-07, 87,000 miles

   “Arrived at work. Within 10 minutes of arriving a coworker alerted my husband that his car was smoking. My husband went out to the car and there was smoke billowing from under the hood. He quickly opened the back door, grabbed his work issued laptop and by then it had burst into flames. This happened in march 1, 2017. We found online Audi was to release news to owners of a recall involving the coolant pump becoming blocked with debris and causing smoldering and possible fire. Well, there was definitely fire. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10958646, filed 2017-03, 80,000 miles

Buying note. A 2013 Q5 with documented timing chain, coolant pump recall, and steering system service history is a safer bet than one without, and a pre-purchase inspection should include an oil consumption check and a look at sunroof drainage and operation.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.