NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
9 reportsClear category filter82,000 miles · Oct 5, 2019
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, VEHICLE'S RPM WOULD GO UP, BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WITH THE INCREASED ACCELERATION. STRONG SMELL OF BURNT CLUTCH FLUID. AND SOME SMOKE WAS COMING FROM ENGINE BAY. DRIVING VEHICLE HOME, TRANSMISSION SLIPPED IN EVERY GEAR. VEHICLE STRUGGLED TO GET UP TO SPEED AND RPM WOULD RISE AND FALL WITH THE …
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WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, VEHICLE'S RPM WOULD GO UP, BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WITH THE INCREASED ACCELERATION. STRONG SMELL OF BURNT CLUTCH FLUID. AND SOME SMOKE WAS COMING FROM ENGINE BAY. DRIVING VEHICLE HOME, TRANSMISSION SLIPPED IN EVERY GEAR. VEHICLE STRUGGLED TO GET UP TO SPEED AND RPM WOULD RISE AND FALL WITH THE PRESS/DEPRESS OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. VEHICLE HAS 80K MILES, NEVER ABUSED AND HAS ALL RECALLS COMPLETED.
NHTSA ODI #11266502
50,000 miles · Jun 12, 2019
Power Train
WHEN THE VEHICLE AS AT A STOP OR MOVING FORWARD VERY SLOWLY AND THE GAS PEDAL (ACCELERATOR) IS DEPRESSED THE TRANSMISSION (WHICH IS IN DRIVE) DOES NOT ENGAGE - THE ENGINE WILL SIMPLY REV AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THE TRANSMISSION WILL ULTIMATELY ENGAGE WITH A RATHER SEVERE JOLT. THIS PRESENTS A S…
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WHEN THE VEHICLE AS AT A STOP OR MOVING FORWARD VERY SLOWLY AND THE GAS PEDAL (ACCELERATOR) IS DEPRESSED THE TRANSMISSION (WHICH IS IN DRIVE) DOES NOT ENGAGE - THE ENGINE WILL SIMPLY REV AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THE TRANSMISSION WILL ULTIMATELY ENGAGE WITH A RATHER SEVERE JOLT. THIS PRESENTS A SUBSTANTIAL SAFETY ISSUE, AS THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE UPON COMMAND. ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION THIS HAS PUT ME IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IN ONE INSTANCE, A CAR WAS STALLED AHEAD OF ME ON A VERY BUSY FREEWAY. I STOPPED MY CAR ABOUT 15 FEET BEHIND THE STALLED VEHICLE. IT WAS IMPERATIVE THAT I BE ABLE TO TURN INTO THE ADJOINING LANE AND BE ABLE TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY WHILE DOING SO, AS TRAFFIC IN THAT LANE WAS BUSY AND MOVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. WHEN I DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR THE CONDITION I DESCRIBED OCCURRED AND I WAS FRANKLY LUCKY TO AVOID A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE ON-BOARD COMPUTER DOES NOT INDICATE ANY MALFUNCTION, AND THE DEALER ASSURES ME THAT THIS IS A NORMAL OPERATING FEATURE OF THIS AUTO.
NHTSA ODI #11219494
60,000 miles · Apr 4, 2019
EnginePower Train
EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED, ROUGH IDLING, LOSS OF POWER, CAR WILL NOT TURN ON. 2017 IT DID THE SAME THING, FOUND ELECTRICAL FAULT NEAR GAS TANK (COULD HAVE BLOWN UP). AUDI FIX AT GOODWILL. COMPRESSION OF ENGINE WAS NEVER CHECKED. 2019 SAME THINGS HAPPENING, ENGINE LOST COMPRESSION IN 2 CYLINDERS. ALL SERVICES DONE AT AUDI. TOLD NEW E…
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EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED, ROUGH IDLING, LOSS OF POWER, CAR WILL NOT TURN ON. 2017 IT DID THE SAME THING, FOUND ELECTRICAL FAULT NEAR GAS TANK (COULD HAVE BLOWN UP). AUDI FIX AT GOODWILL. COMPRESSION OF ENGINE WAS NEVER CHECKED. 2019 SAME THINGS HAPPENING, ENGINE LOST COMPRESSION IN 2 CYLINDERS. ALL SERVICES DONE AT AUDI. TOLD NEW ENGINE $10K-13K AND THEY WILL NOT HELP COVER COSTS. ONLY 60'000 MILES DONE ON THE CAR AND NO OVERHEATING ISSUES EVER.
NHTSA ODI #11193795
43,029 miles · Oct 12, 2018
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUDI VALENCIA (23923 CREEKSIDE RD, VALENCIA, CA 91355, (661) 735-1778) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUDI VALENCIA (23923 CREEKSIDE RD, VALENCIA, CA 91355, (661) 735-1778) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,029.
NHTSA ODI #11140029
35,000 miles · May 3, 2018
Power TrainService Brakes
WHEN I BACK OUT FROM MY GARAGE THE VEHICLE FAILS TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN THE SHIFTER IS MOVED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. I HAVE TO APPLY AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR TO GET THE CAR TO MOVE FORWARD. WHEN THE FRONT WHEELS ENGAGE, THE EXCESSIVE FORCE FROM INCREASING THE POWER CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LAUNCH FORWARD MANY…
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WHEN I BACK OUT FROM MY GARAGE THE VEHICLE FAILS TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN THE SHIFTER IS MOVED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. I HAVE TO APPLY AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR TO GET THE CAR TO MOVE FORWARD. WHEN THE FRONT WHEELS ENGAGE, THE EXCESSIVE FORCE FROM INCREASING THE POWER CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LAUNCH FORWARD MANY TIMES ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE WITH THE FRONT TIRES SQUEALING. IT APPEARS THE FRONT BRAKES ARE ENGAGED AND SUDDENLY DISENGAGES AND THEN SUDDENLY LAUNCHES FORWARD. THERE HAS BEEN NO ASSISTANCE FROM THE DEALERSHIP TO ASSIST WITH THE PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE ALMOST ALWAYS HAPPENS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS SETTING OVERNIGHT IN MY GARAGE AND BACKING DOWN A SLIGHT SLOPE TONTO THE PUBLIC STREET.. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THE PAST 3 PLUS YEARS OF OWNERSHIP.
NHTSA ODI #11091493
85,000 miles · Apr 10, 2018
Power Train
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. SOMETIMES THE GAS RESPONDS, AND OTHER TIMES DOESN'T. THE AUDI DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY'VE GOTTEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT, BUT THAT IT'S "N…
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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. SOMETIMES THE GAS RESPONDS, AND OTHER TIMES DOESN'T. THE AUDI DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY'VE GOTTEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT, BUT THAT IT'S "NORMAL" FOR THE FWD MODELS OF THE CAR. MY WIFE WON'T DRIVE IT ANYMORE BECAUSE SHE THINKS IT'S TOTALLY UNSAFE AND UNPREDICTABLE. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED A FEW WEEKS AGO AND THOUGHT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS JUST OCCURRING BECAUSE THE CAR NEEDED NEW TIRES.
NHTSA ODI #11084289
36,675 miles · Apr 11, 2017
Power Train
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. THE CAR ONLY HAS 36,000 MILES. I BELIEVE AUDI NEEDS TO STEP UP AND MAKE THIS A MANDATORY RECALL BECAUSE THERE IS ENTIRE…
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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. THE CAR ONLY HAS 36,000 MILES. I BELIEVE AUDI NEEDS TO STEP UP AND MAKE THIS A MANDATORY RECALL BECAUSE THERE IS ENTIRELY TO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE MECHATRONIC UNITS ON SUCH LOW MILEAGE AUDI'S. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON MY OLD 2006 AUDI A4 AND GOT IT FIXED FOR A FEW THOUSAND, NOW I HAVE TO DO THE SAME WITH MY 2013 AUDI A4. I FEEL THIS IS NOT FAIR AND THE COMPANY IS STEALING MONEY TO REPAIR A PART THEY KNOW IS GOING TO FAIL. PLEASE HELP ME AND HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. THANKS.
NHTSA ODI #10971778
80,500 miles · Oct 12, 2016
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A4. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT VIBRATED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT VALVE FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK INTO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 AUDI A4. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT VIBRATED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT VALVE FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,500.
NHTSA ODI #10915572
10,200 miles · Sep 26, 2014
Power Train
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 AS I CONTINUE TRYING TO ACCELERATE TO BACK UP. I CAN RO…
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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 AS I CONTINUE TRYING TO ACCELERATE TO BACK UP. I CAN ROLL FORWARD 3' TO 6' BEFORE REVERSE GEAR KICKS IN AND WHEN IT DOES THE LAUNCHES BACKWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED OUT DRIVEWAY INTO THE PATH PEDESTRIANS WHO I'VE NEARLY HIT AND GOES ON INTO STREET TRAFFIC WHERE I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT. ALSO, WHEN PARKED ON THE STREET THE BACK BRAKES LOCK AND WILL NOT RELEASE WITHOUT MORE GAS THEN THEY SUDDENLY RELEASE WITH A NOISE LAUNCHING THE AUDI FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE AUDI DEAL HAS CONFIRMED THESE CONDITIONS AND SAYS THEY ARE NORMAL. I DISAGREE AND HAVE FOUND IT DANGEROUS AND SCARY AS I'M BEHIND THE WHEEL BUT NOT IN CONTROL OF MY AUDI. IT'S ANALOGOUS TO TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT BUT THE CAR GOES RIGHT FOR SIX FEET THEN SUDDENLY VEERS RIGHT. I NEED THIS SITUATION CORRECTED AS I CAN NOT USE THE AUDI FULLY AND SAFELY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10639236
Official recalls
4Apr 11, 2018
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can either become blocked with debris from the cooling system causing it to overheat or can short-circuit from moisture within the pump.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pumps, free of charge. The recall began September 14, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number's for this recall is 19N3/19N4. Note: This recall is in additional to the coolant pump software update applied as a remedy under recall 17V002.
Oct 5, 2017
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad and Q5 vehicles. Contact corrosion within the electrical connector for the auxiliary heater may cause the heater wires to overheat or melt.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The melted wires can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary heater and, as necessary, update the software, free of charge. The Recall began November 27, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 80C5 and 80C6.
Jan 3, 2017
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an electric coolant pump that can be blocked with debris from the cooling system, resulting in the pump overheating.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 20, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19M1.
Oct 24, 2014
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Audi A4 and S4 vehicles manufactured February 16, 2012, to October 21, 2014, and 2013-2015 Audi Allroad vehicles manufactured March 12, 2012, to October 21, 2014. Due to an improper algorithm in the air bag control module, if a crash necessitates deployment of the side air bags, a second impact to the front of the vehicle may not command the front air bags to also deploy.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the front air bags do not deploy in the event of a secondary impact to the front of the vehicle, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and Audi dealers will update the air bag control unit software, free of charge. The recall began on November 14, 2014. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69K5.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗