CAR FAILS TO START VIA THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. YOU HAVE TO WIGGLE THE KEY TO GET THE IGNITION TO START. BATTERY IN KEY FOB IS OK AS IT OPENS AND LOCKS THE CAR WITH NO ISSUE. SEEMS TO BE A SOFTWARE, OR LOOSE CONNECTION ISSUE.
2013 Audi A4 Allroad
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all A4 Allroad years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
72 reports with mileage · 14 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
86 reportsAUDI 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. IT CONSTANTLY FEELS LIKE IT IS BEING BUFFETED IN A HEAVY WIND.. WHEN I TURN TO CORRECT, THE CAR OVERSHOOTS AND I HAVE TO TURN BACK AGAIN TO CENTER IT. SOFTWARE UPGRADE D…
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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. IT CONSTANTLY FEELS LIKE IT IS BEING BUFFETED IN A HEAVY WIND.. WHEN I TURN TO CORRECT, THE CAR OVERSHOOTS AND I HAVE TO TURN BACK AGAIN TO CENTER IT. SOFTWARE UPGRADE DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS DANGEROUS, AS THE CAR DRIFTS FROM SIDE TO SIDE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL HELD STEADY. DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL FOR AUDI CARS. NOT TRUE, AS I DROVE A 2017 A4 WITH NO STEERING ISSUES AT ALL. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTROMECHANICAL STEERING.
LIKE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ ON THIS WEBSITE, MY AUDI HAS A SIGNIFICANT "NOTCHY" FEELING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH HAS GROWN CONSIDERABLY WORSE IN THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS. IT STARTED RIGHT WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW. IT IS LIKE THE WHEEL IS FIGHTING AGAINST MY EFFORTS TO STEER IT, ESPECIALLY TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS…
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LIKE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ ON THIS WEBSITE, MY AUDI HAS A SIGNIFICANT "NOTCHY" FEELING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH HAS GROWN CONSIDERABLY WORSE IN THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS. IT STARTED RIGHT WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW. IT IS LIKE THE WHEEL IS FIGHTING AGAINST MY EFFORTS TO STEER IT, ESPECIALLY TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ABOUT A YEAR FOR THE SAME COMPLAINT AND WAS BETTER FOR A WHILE, BUT MUCH WORSE NOW
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO CENTER AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT SPUN INTO A CIRCLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE GUARDRAIL AND SIDESWIPED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO CENTER AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT SPUN INTO A CIRCLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE GUARDRAIL AND SIDESWIPED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
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. WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NO…
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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. WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD FRACTURED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW WHETHER THE FAILURE OCCURRED BEFORE OR AFTER THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION WAITING TO TURN LEFT ACROSS TRAFFIC, LET OFF BRAKE TO ACCELERATE WHILE TURNING WHEN THE ENGINE HESITATED. PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AT THIS MOMENT RESULTED IN MINIMAL CAR MOVEMENT PLACING MY CAR IN THE PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL MORE AND THE CAR FINALLY OVER ACCELERATED RESU…
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WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION WAITING TO TURN LEFT ACROSS TRAFFIC, LET OFF BRAKE TO ACCELERATE WHILE TURNING WHEN THE ENGINE HESITATED. PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AT THIS MOMENT RESULTED IN MINIMAL CAR MOVEMENT PLACING MY CAR IN THE PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL MORE AND THE CAR FINALLY OVER ACCELERATED RESULTING IN SOME LOSS OF CONTROL IN THE TURN. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I HAVE NOTICED ENGINE HESITATION FROM A STOP. THE SAME HESITATION HAS OCCURRED AT FOUR WAY STOPS AND STOP LIGHTS. THE ENGINE HESITATION OCCURS MORE OFTEN AT LOWER FUEL TANK LEVELS AND COLDER AMBIENT CONDITIONS. THE ENGINE HESITATION FEELS LIKE EITHER AN AIR POCKET IN THE FUEL LINE OR DRIVE TRANSMISSION ISSUE. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY AUDI DEALER TO INVESTIGATE ON 12/5/2014. THE AUDI DEALER STATED THAT THIS ISSUE IS RELATED TO TURBO LAG AND/OR CVT REV UP. I HAVE OWNED OTHER VEHICLES WITH A TURBO ENGINE AND CVT TRANSMISSION WITH NO HESITATION ISSUES. A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IS A LIKELY OUTCOME WITH THIS INCONSISTENT ENGINE HESITATION. I HAVE ALSO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH AUDI USA. *TR
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
I WAS LOADING MY DOGS INTO THE CAR. THE KEYS WERE SITTING ON DASH BECAUSE MY HANDS WERE FULL. I HAD AN 8 MONTH OLD IN THE CAR IN HER CAR SEAT. AS I CLOSED THE LAST DOOR, THE CAR LOCKED WITH THE KEYS AND THE BABY INSIDE IT. I WAS IN A FAIRLY REMOTE PLACE BUT WAS ABLE TO GET THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO GET THE CAR OPEN AND GET THE BA…
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I WAS LOADING MY DOGS INTO THE CAR. THE KEYS WERE SITTING ON DASH BECAUSE MY HANDS WERE FULL. I HAD AN 8 MONTH OLD IN THE CAR IN HER CAR SEAT. AS I CLOSED THE LAST DOOR, THE CAR LOCKED WITH THE KEYS AND THE BABY INSIDE IT. I WAS IN A FAIRLY REMOTE PLACE BUT WAS ABLE TO GET THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO GET THE CAR OPEN AND GET THE BABY OUT BEFORE SOMETHING TRAGIC OCCURRED. IT HAPPENED TO ME ONCE BEFORE WHEN I WAS LOADING MY CAR AND THE WIND BLEW THE LAST DOOR SHUT. BOTH TIMES THE CAR LOCKED IMMEDIATELY. THE AUDI DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THIS KEY IS SUPPOSED TO LOCK THE CAR AFTER A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME, 20 OR 30 SECONDS. AFTER RESEARCHING THEY FOUND THEY COULD DISABLE THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING SYSTEM WHICH THEY DID FOR ME. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY HOT DAY WITH A CHILD LOCKED IN THE CAR, PEOPLE NEED TO BE AWARE OF THIS SYSTEM AND THAT THEY CAN LOCK A CHILD OR A NON ABLE BODIED PERSON OR ANIMAL IN A CAR. *TR
AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, STEERING FEEDBACK IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE AT HIGHWAY SPEED, IT CONSTANTLY REQUIRES UNNATURAL ADJUSTMENTS TO MAINTAIN THE VEHICLES POSITION IN INTERSTATE LANE. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT PULL TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER INSTEAD THE STEERING IS LOOSE AND UNPREDICTABLE A FEW IN…
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AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, STEERING FEEDBACK IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE AT HIGHWAY SPEED, IT CONSTANTLY REQUIRES UNNATURAL ADJUSTMENTS TO MAINTAIN THE VEHICLES POSITION IN INTERSTATE LANE. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT PULL TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER INSTEAD THE STEERING IS LOOSE AND UNPREDICTABLE A FEW INCHES ON EITHER SIDE FROM THE 12 O'CLOCK POSITION, NEUTRAL POSITION. THIS HAS CAUSED VERY OFTEN UNINTENTIONAL LANE DEPARTURES AND ALMOST ACCIDENTS. *TR
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. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO HAVE THE STEERING WHEEL BETWEEN THE 2 POSITIONS. I COMPLAINED TO AUDI AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED TH…
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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. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO HAVE THE STEERING WHEEL BETWEEN THE 2 POSITIONS. I COMPLAINED TO AUDI AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND SAID THEY HAD A POWER STEERING UPDATE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE UPDATE WAS APPLIED IN DEC 2013. AFTER THE UPDATE THE NOTCHY FEELING STARTED OCCURRING AROUND TOWN (35-55MPH). IT CAN MAKE STAYING IN THE LANE DIFFICULT. SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS FIGHTING AGAINST YOU A LITTLE. ALSO THE CAR DOES NOT GO STRAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY. IT REQUIRES CONSTANT, SMALL ADJUSTMENTS TO KEEP THE CAR GOING STRAIGHT. DRIVING CAN BE VERY DISCONCERTING. I AM WORKING WITH AUDI TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM BUT THEY HAVE NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE IS A LARGER PROBLEM. SO FAR THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIX IT. *TR
Official recalls
418V229000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System
Apr 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.
17V622000 · Electrical System:wiring
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.
17V002000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System
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.
14V667000 · Air Bags
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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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