Research · Compact Cars

2013 Audi A4Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 111 owner complaints for the 2013 Audi A4. Most complaints involve steering (57) and engine (20). The EPA rates it 23–26 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
23–26mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
111
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$3,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2013 Audi A4 as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

111 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2012 – Sep 2026
  1. Steering57
  2. Engine20
  3. Electrical system11
  4. Power train9
  5. Air bags6
  6. Fuel/propulsion system4
  7. Suspension3
  8. Engine and engine cooling3
  9. Vehicle speed control3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each A4 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199692
199799
1998258
1999190
200096
2001130
2002189
2003215
2004189
2005219
2006298
2008191
2009144
201064
201142
201245
2013111
201476
201544
201626
201784
20198
2020158
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

57 reports2 crashes
“August of 2021. It was raining out and I drove through a puddle and my electric steering shut down. This has been a known defect for at least 10 years with Audi and NHTSA has done NOTHING about it.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 6, 2021SteeringODI 11442785

Engine

20 reports1 fire
“The contact owned a 2013 Audi A4 Allroad. The contact stated that while parked and occupied in the vehicle, after starting the vehicle, her friend heard a puff noise coming from under the vehicle. No warning light illuminated however, after starting the vehicle, the electronic power control illuminated. In addition, the contact's friend lifted the hood of the vehicle, and he noticed smoke and flames coming from the engine. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. The fire was extinguished by the contact and her friend. A fire department arrived at the scene however the fire was already extinguished upon their arrival. The fire report was unknown. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to Accu-Tech Auto Body. The vehicle engine was destroyed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by her insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 12, 2025EngineFire reportedODI 11680186

Electrical system

11 reports1 fire
“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. Had car towed to Audi dealership and they reported it to Audi USA. They came back and told me that because of the mileage and year of the vehicle that they wouldn't cover it.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 25, 2026Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11726906
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S8) · Manual 6-spd · Automatic (S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
A4
Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
243126$3,000342
A4 quattro
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI · All-Wheel Drive
223226$3,000343
A4 quattro
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI · All-Wheel Drive
203024$3,200374
A4 quattro
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI; FFV · All-Wheel Drive
202923$3,350379
  • A4
    Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    24 city · 31 hwy · $3,000/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • A4 quattro
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI
    22 city · 32 hwy · $3,000/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • A4 quattro
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI
    20 city · 30 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • A4 quattro
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI; FFV
    20 city · 29 hwy · $3,350/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Audi A4 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.9%
Overall
5 / 5
Audi A4 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 7045Vehicle 7044
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2013 A4 questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Audi A4 have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 11, 2026.

What are the most common 2013 Audi A4 problems?

Owners filed 111 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (57), engine (20), electrical system (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Audi A4 get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Audi A4 at 23–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2013 Audi A4?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2013 Audi A4 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026