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2013 Audi A4 Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2013 Audi A4 has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Notchy electric power steering feel.” Audi follows the VW Group Longlife service rhythm: oil and minor service every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first, using oil that meets VW 502 00 / 504 00 (or 508 00 for newer 0W-20 engines) — generic synthetic does not qualify. S tronic dual-clutch gearboxes need fluid service every 40,000 miles despite 'lifetime fill' claims. Fully electric models (e-tron, e-tron GT) skip oil service entirely but keep brake-fluid, cabin-filter, and coolant-circuit intervals.

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2013 Audi A4.

Reported to NHTSA

Notchy electric power steering feel

STEERING

22 NHTSA complaints · 2013-01 → 2018-02

“AT ANY SPEED, MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL THROUGH CENTER PRESENTS A "NOTCHY" FEEL, WHERE RESISTANCE IS FELT AND THEN THE WHEEL JUMPS TO ANOTHER POSITION. THESE "NOTCHES" ARE FELT THROUGH ABOUT 10-20 DEGREES OFF CENTER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10495251
“THE STEERING DEVELOPED AN INTERMITTENT NOTCHY FEEL DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING WITHIN THE FIRST 1600 MILES. THE STEERING WHEEL FEELS A BIT LIKE THE VOLUME KNOB ON THE RADIO AND "CLICKS" FROM ONE POSITION TO THE NEXT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10573003
“AUDI A4 2013. THE CAR WILL NOT STAY CENTERED IN THE LANE ON THE HIGHWAY. IT WANDERS OFF CENTER WITHOUT ANY CHANGE IN THE ROAD OR POSITION OF THE STEERING WHEEL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10872590

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel tank leak and gasoline odor

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

5 NHTSA complaints · 2017-07 → 2020-05

“MY CAR STARTED TO SMELL LIKE GAS INSIDE, AND IT WAS A VERY STRONG ODOR. I WENT TO AN AUOZONE TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC, IN THE SYSTEM IT HAD SAID IT WAS A VERY SMALL GAS LEAK AND THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN OKAY TO DRIVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11283102
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11288494
“MY CAR DEVELOPED A FUEL TANK LEAK SPONTANEOUSLY. I NOTICED THAT AFTER FILLING MY TANK AND ONLY DRIVING 100MILES BACK AND FORTH FROM WORK OVER 2-3 DAYS THE I HAD TO REFUEL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11011564

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission hesitation and jerking on acceleration

POWER TRAIN

7 NHTSA complaints · 2014-09 → 2019-10

“I JUST BOUGHT AN 2013 AUDI A4 ON 4/6/17, I DROVE IT FOR A WEEK AND THE CAR STARTED TO GIVE ME TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION WARNING, THE CAR JERKS AND CLUNKS WHEN GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND OR EVEN WHEN COMING TO A STOP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10971778
“THE CAR DOESN'T ENGAGE IMMEDIATE PROPULSION WHEN STARTING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. IT HESITATES, THEN JERKS, AND FINALLY DRIVES. IT IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11084289
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10639236

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear subframe corrosion under plastic trim covers

SUSPENSION

3 NHTSA complaints · 2025-02 → 2026-07

“Excessive abnormal corrosion of rear subframe”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11651333
“Audi installed plastic covers over sections of the subframe on allroad, Q5 models, and other models. These covers held in water and salt causing severe rusting and corrosion of the rear subframe”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11643895
“The rear carrier frame has rusted through. There are trim pieces that are attached to the frame , they trap and hold moisture and salt like a cup under the frame, not visible during a regular inspection”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11752972

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electric power steering lockup or failure

STEERING

31 NHTSA complaints · 2017-08 → 2023-02

“MY 2013 AUDI A4 QUATTRO HAS 52,346 MILES. THIS WEEK, WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, I EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT RESTRICTION IN THE STEERING WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL TO CHANGE LANES AND MAKE TURNS RIGHT AND LEFT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11084524
“ELECTRIC POWER STEERING RANDOMLY BECOMES INOPERABLE LEADING TO HARD STEERING OR WHEELS NOT RETURNING TO CENTER. FEEL CAN BE NOTCHY WHERE STEERING ASSIST IS INCONSISTENT AS A FUNCTION OF STEERING WHEEL POSITION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11174925
“WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT ROAD SPEED (30MPH) STEERING LOCKED UP, NO WARNING. IT WAS AS IF POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11096432

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

After-run coolant pump fire and cooling failure

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

17 NHTSA complaints · 2016-10 → 2026-03

“The contact owned a 2013 Audi A4. The contact stated that his grandson was driving at an undisclosed speed when he heard a loud unidentified sound coming from the engine compartment”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11596572
“After run collant pump caught fire and damaged the engine wiring harness. I reported it to progressive insurance and they came and inspected it at a body shop. They concluded it was due to an open recall on the vehicle so insurance refuses to cover it”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11726906
“YOU KNOW OF THE ISSUE I AM WRITING ABOUT, AS I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM AUDI IN JUNE 2018 TELLING ME ABOUT RECALL 19N4, THE AFTER RUN COOLANT PUMP. THE LETTER SAID TO PARK OUTSIDE, NOT IN A GARAGE, UNTIL FIXED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11180956

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Timing chain failure and excessive oil consumption

ENGINE

10 NHTSA complaints · 2014-12 → 2022-12

“ENGINE AT 39,600 MILES. HAD AN OIL CHANGE PERFORMED AT 37,000 MILES. CAR THREW ROD INTO ENGINE BLOCK RESULTING IN TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11253286
“I have a 2013 Audi A4 2.0. I was driving home at night close to my home and the car started puttering and wouldn’t go and I found out that the timing chain had “jumped” and caused sudden engine failure”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11476041
“THE CAR HAS BEEN BURNING THROUGH OIL. IT HAS BEEN REQUESTING A QUART OF OIL BE ADDED JUST ABOUT EVERY 500-700 MILES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11319206

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag non-deployment in frontal crash

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2015-04 → 2021-07

“TAKATA RECALL - REARENDED A STOPPED TRUCK AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. CAR IS TOTALED. AIRBAGS DIDN'T GO OFF DESPITE MASSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11016424
“REAR ENDED A TRUCK AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON A HIGHWAY AND AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11014681
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WAS ERRATIC AND NO LONGER CENTERED. THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL PRIOR TO THE FAILURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10705548

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Longlife Service)

Every 10,000 mi

Replace oil and filter every 10,000 miles or 12 months with VW 502 00 / 504 00 / 508 00 spec oil. S and RS models driven hard: many owners shorten to 5,000-7,500 miles. Wrong-spec oil is the leading cause of TFSI timing-chain tensioner and PCV problems.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate every 10,000 miles with the oil service. quattro models: keep all four tires within 4/32" of each other — mismatched wear stresses the center differential.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and wear sensors every 10,000 miles. Audi uses electronic pad-wear sensors on most models — replace the sensor with the pads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 24,000 mi

Replace DOT 4 brake fluid every 2 years regardless of mileage — Audi's published schedule is time-based because the fluid absorbs moisture.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

S tronic Dual-Clutch Fluid

Every 40,000 mi

S tronic (DSG) gearboxes on A3/S3/RS 3, Q3, TT, and many A5/Q5 models: replace fluid and filter every 40,000 miles with the VW Group-spec fluid for your gearbox code. Skipping this service is the most common cause of mechatronic failure.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$470–$640

Shop

~$330–$450

DIY

Pro only

VW/Audi DSG service needs a fluid-fill procedure at a specific temperature — shop equipment territory.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

quattro Coupling Fluid (Transverse Models)

Every 40,000 mi

A3/S3/RS 3, Q3, and TT use a Haldex-style rear coupling: replace its fluid roughly every 40,000 miles (some model years specify sooner — check your manual). Longitudinal quattro (A5-A8, Q5, Q8) has no coupling service; see differential fluid instead.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$220–$290

Shop

~$155–$205

DIY

~$40–$90

VW/Audi/Volvo AWD coupling — specific fluid required. Filter usually swapped at the same time.

Spark Plugs

Every 40,000 mi

TFSI turbo engines: new plugs every 40,000 miles. RS models with the 2.5 TFSI five-cylinder: consider 30,000 miles under track or hard street use.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 40,000 mi

Replace every 40,000 miles; inspect at 20,000 on turbocharged engines — a clogged filter shows up as sluggish boost response first.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Timing Chain (EA888 — Inspect Tensioner)

On condition / lifetime

2.0 TFSI (EA888) engines before roughly 2013 had timing-chain tensioner failures — have the tensioner revision checked by 80,000 miles on earlier cars. Later engines carry the updated design with no scheduled service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Differential Fluid (Longitudinal quattro)

Every 60,000 mi

Q5, Q8, and A5-A8 quattro: independent Audi specialists recommend front/rear differential fluid service around 60,000 miles even where Audi lists it as lifetime fill.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Dust & Pollen Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 20,000 miles or 2 years. Audi specifies an activated-carbon filter on most models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

G12evo / G13 Coolant

On condition / lifetime

Audi coolant is labeled lifetime fill. Independent VW/Audi specialists recommend a refresh around 5 years or 100,000 miles to protect the water pump and thermostat housing — and only with the correct pink/lilac VW Group coolant.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

13 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

5

complaints mentioning a crash

3

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2013 Audi A4 reflects Audi's published service intervals and the Audi Service Interval Display system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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