2013 Audi S5 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (9) · Steering (3) · Fuel/Propulsion System (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Audi S5 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (886)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2083409_1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin states that technicians are required to report to the manufacturer when a vehicle has flooded, and specify the height to which the vehicle has been flooded.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-25 · TSB_2052680_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information for reporting safety related information to the manufacturer.
Steering 2026-09-22 · TSB_2074846_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information about vibrations and rotational steering vibrations.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · TSB_2030471_9 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when the license plate mounting bracket threded inserts are stripped.
Structure:body 2026-09-08 · TSB_2068999_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this tsb describes a corrosion issue due to outside influence and the prohibition of warranty in these cases.
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-26 · TSB_2074436_3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information when the horn sound quality is poor.
Showing the 6 most recent of 886 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-06-16 · Unknown Or Other“nhtsa safety complaint draftvehicle information:year/make/model: 2013 audi s5 premium plus coupevin: [xxx]: power train / transmission (7-speed dual-clutch s-tronic / dsg)description of safety defect:i am writing to report a severe, recurring safety defect regarding the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission in my 2013 audi s5. the vehicle is experiencin…”
2025-03-03 · Power Train“i had a very pricey service performed on my vehicle and during that service they said there was a service bulletin or recall that required a software upgrade for the transmission (audi of el paso, tx). once that occurred, my transmission would shift very hard especially going from 1st to 2nd gear or downshifting from 2nd to 1st gear. my service ad…”
2023-04-11 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i smelled a super strong gas smell from my car leaking somewhere in the engine hidden by other parts, it smells so bad it’s hard to be in the car it’s a fire hazard. due to the fuel the car hardly starts due to the fuel not getting to the engine …”
2023-02-02 · Power Train“mechatronic unit failed incident : random jerking when driving had to pull the car over car lost power "gear box malfunction" code on my dashboard. after replacing the mechatornic unit had to pay 5127 dollars out of pocket to get fixed…”
2021-06-03 · Power Train“while driving, got a notification on the dash board "transmission malfunction, limited functionality" and a "tpms malfunction" notification. car seemed like it was skipping 1st and 2nd gear after i continued driving.…”
2020-11-06 · Power Train · 79,000 mi“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.…”
2020-08-24 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 56,618 mi“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 compartment. green audi (3881 wabash ave, springfield, il 62711) was conta…”
2020-08-18 · Power Train · 65,000 mi“my car went into limp mode where the transmission doesn't engage and come to find out it was the mechatronic unit in the transmission and a very well known problem. the car wouldn't move when i was on a busy road. it said continue to drive but i couldn't. it happened at 65k miles. i had it rebuilt for over $2000 and the car is very well maintained.…”
2019-07-27 · Power Train · 88,000 mi“my vehicle as well as many audis with the mechatronic system are having an issue that present a error, " mechatronic failure tpms gearbox malfunction). it often either not drivable, even when in traffic or drives at a snail's pace when attempting to exit traffic. audi corporate said a recall is only done when the nhtsa feel that's it a issue that c…”
2019-04-24 · Power Train · 89,000 mi“vehicle is throwing transmission fault codes, shifting as if the trans is in limp mode, when stopped and then going, the trans bogs, as well as between shifts. doesn't go into manual mode either for the dsg trans my car has. a shop said the metatronic unit needs replacement.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.