CarBrief

NHTSA lists 111 owner complaints for the 2013 Audi A4, and steering is the biggest group[1][2]. Four recalls apply, and three of them involve a fire risk[3][4][5].

111owner complaints[1]
4recalls[6]
23–26MPG combined (EPA)[7]
5★NHTSA overall rating[8]

Most reported problems

These are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA. One complaint can name more than one component, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Component group Complaints Crashes Fires Injuries
Steering[2] 57 2 0 1
Engine[9] 22 0 2 0
Electrical system[10] 11 0 1 0
Power train[11] 9 0 0 0
Air bags[12] 6 5 0 5

Steering. Median mileage at failure is 52,000 for the steering group[2]. In the sample of 12 steering complaints we read, owners describe steering that feels notchy, loose or irregular and is hard to keep in a straight line, often at highway speed[2]. One says a steering rack was replaced and the problem went away, though that owner worries it may return[2].

Engine. The engine group has 2 fires and a median failure mileage of 80,500[9]. In a sample of 12 engine complaints we read, 6 involve coolant or water pump trouble or recall notices, including owners waiting for parts[9].

Electrical. The median mileage at failure is 15,000[10]. In a sample of 10 electrical complaints we read, 5 concern the coolant pump recall or cooling related faults[10].

Power train. In a sample of 9 power train complaints we read, 4 describe a delayed or jerky start from a stop, and 3 describe transmission warnings, jerking or slipping[11].

Air bags. Only 6 complaints name air bags, but 5 mention a crash and 5 an injury[12]. See the air bag recall below.

Across the whole file[1], 5 complaints mention a crash, 3 a fire and 6 an injury. No deaths are reported[1].

Recalls

NHTSA lists four recalls for this car, newest first.

Fuel economy

The EPA lists four versions of the 2.0L turbo engine, three on premium and one on premium or E85[7][14][15][16]. EPA's yearly fuel cost estimate uses current fuel prices, not the price when the car was new.

Version City / Highway / Combined MPG Yearly fuel cost
A4 quattro, Manual 6-spd, all-wheel drive[7] 22 / 32 / 26 $3,150
A4, Automatic (AV-S8), front-wheel drive[14] 24 / 31 / 26 $3,150
A4 quattro, Automatic (S8), all-wheel drive[15] 20 / 30 / 24 $3,400
A4 quattro, Automatic (S8), Premium or E85[16] 20 / 29 / 23 $3,550

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door all-wheel drive version 5 stars overall, with 5 stars in frontal, side and rollover tests, and a rollover risk of 9.9%[8]. The 4-door front-wheel drive version gets the same ratings and the same rollover risk[17].

Engine and size

The 2.0L 4-cylinder is rated 211 hp[18]. The sizes below are Canadian-market specifications, so US cars can differ slightly.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
4-door sedan, FWD[19] 185 in 72 in 56 in 111 in 3,505 lb
4-door sedan, quattro[20] 185 in 72 in 56 in 111 in 3,616 lb
Allroad, quattro[21] 186 in 72 in 58 in 111 in 3,891 lb

How 2013 compares with other years

1996: 89 complaints, 4 recalls19961997: 98 complaints, 6 recalls1998: 258 complaints, 4 recalls1999: 190 complaints, 4 recalls19992000: 96 complaints, 2 recalls2001: 131 complaints, 1 recalls2002: 181 complaints, 1 recalls20022003: 210 complaints, 3 recalls2004: 189 complaints, 2 recalls2005: 219 complaints, 3 recalls20052006: 298 complaints, 4 recalls2007: 219 complaints, 5 recalls2008: 191 complaints, 6 recalls20082009: 144 complaints, 6 recalls2010: 64 complaints, 0 recalls2011: 43 complaints, 0 recalls20112012: 45 complaints, 0 recalls2013: 111 complaints, 4 recalls11120132014: 78 complaints, 4 recalls20142015: 44 complaints, 4 recalls2016: 26 complaints, 3 recalls2017: 87 complaints, 6 recalls20172018: 54 complaints, 4 recalls2019: 13 complaints, 1 recalls2020: 158 complaints, 3 recalls20202021: 13 complaints, 4 recalls2022: 7 complaints, 3 recalls2023: 11 complaints, 1 recalls20232024: 6 complaints, 0 recalls2025: 1 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each A4 model year. The 2013 is highlighted[6].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
1996894
1997986
19982584
19991904
2000962
20011311
20021811
20032103
20041892
20052193
20062984
20072195
20081916
20091446
2010640
2011430
2012450
20131114
2014784
2015444
2016263
2017876
2018544
2019131
20201583
2021134
202273
2023111
202460
202510

The 2013 A4 has 111 complaints and 4 recalls on file[6]. The 2012 model has 45 complaints and no recalls, and the 2014 model has 78 complaints and 4 recalls[6]. From 2010 to 2025, only 2020 has more complaints, with 158[6]. The 2017 model has more recalls, with 6[6]. Some older years have more complaints, such as 1998 with 258 and 2006 with 298[6]. These counts come from the same NHTSA file and are not adjusted for sales.

Should you buy a used 2013 Audi A4?

The safety ratings are strong, with 5 stars overall[8][17]. The complaint file leans toward steering, with 57 of 111 complaints[1][2]. Ask for the car's steering history and test drive it at highway speed. Use the VIN to confirm that the coolant pump, heater and air bag recalls were done, since three of them carry a fire risk[3][4][5]. Complaints are unverified and the samples we read are small, so treat them as things to check rather than a verdict.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Audi A4?
Steering has the most complaints, 57 of 111 on file with NHTSA[1][2]. Engine follows with 22[9].
Does the 2013 Audi A4 have recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists four, for the coolant pump (18V229 and 17V002), auxiliary heater wiring (17V622) and air bag software (14V667)[3][4][5][13].
How many miles per gallon does the 2013 Audi A4 get?
The EPA combined rating is 26 MPG for the front-wheel drive automatic and the manual quattro, 24 MPG for one quattro automatic and 23 MPG for the quattro automatic on premium or E85[7][14][15][16].
What safety rating does the 2013 Audi A4 have?
NHTSA rates it 5 stars overall in both the all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive tests[8][17].
Is 2013 a good year for the Audi A4?
2013 has 111 complaints and 4 recalls, more complaints than 2012 (45) or 2014 (78). Counts are not adjusted for sales and are not a reliability score[6].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 111 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Audi A4 (5 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 6 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 57 complaints name the steering component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 18V229, filed April 11, 2018: Engine And Engine Cooling › Cooling System. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 17V622, filed October 5, 2017: Electrical System › Wiring. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 17V002, filed January 3, 2017: Engine And Engine Cooling › Cooling System. NHTSA recall database
  6. Owner complaints and recalls for every Audi A4 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  7. EPA rating for A4 quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 32 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  8. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 22 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 11 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 15,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 9 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 6 complaints name the air bags component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 14V667, filed October 24, 2014: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  14. EPA rating for A4, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AV-S8), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 31 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for A4 quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 30 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for A4 quattro, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium or E85, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  18. EPA Test Car List, 2013 Audi A4 with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 211 hp. www.epa.gov
  19. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A4 4DR SEDAN 2.0 TFSI FWD: length 185 in, width 72 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,505 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A4 4DR SEDAN 2.0 TFSI QUATTRO/PREMIUM/PREMIUM: length 185 in, width 72 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,616 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, A4 ALLROAD 2.0 TFSI QUATTRO/PREMIUM/PREMIUM P: length 186 in, width 72 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,891 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.