NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
9 reportsClear category filter108,000 miles · Mar 14, 2019
Electrical SystemSteering
PURCHASE A AUDI A4 2013 IN FEBRUARY OF 2019. STEERING WHEEL IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH AUDI ELECTRIC POWER STEERING RACK AND NEEDING IT TO BE REPLACED. ITS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE TURNING TAKES STRENGTH AND A HANDFUL OF EFFORT. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE TO THE POINT WHERE I DONT WANT TO RISK MY LIFE DRIVING THE CAR. AF…
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PURCHASE A AUDI A4 2013 IN FEBRUARY OF 2019. STEERING WHEEL IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH AUDI ELECTRIC POWER STEERING RACK AND NEEDING IT TO BE REPLACED. ITS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE TURNING TAKES STRENGTH AND A HANDFUL OF EFFORT. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE TO THE POINT WHERE I DONT WANT TO RISK MY LIFE DRIVING THE CAR. AFTER RESEARCHING THE "ELECTRIC POWER STEERING RACK" ISSUE MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE IT. SEARCHING YOUTUBE, AND GOOGLE MULTIPLE OWNERS HAVE THE ISSUE AND AS A RESULT SOME DONT DRIVE OR HAVE TO SPEND AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY TO GET IT FIXED. IT IS AN ISSUE FOR MULTIPLE MODELS THE STIFFNESS OF THE STEERING WHEEL IS SEVERE. NEARLY CRASHED MULTIPLE TIMES DUE TO THE STIFFNESS AND HAD TO REVERT BACK TO MY OLDER CAR. I WANT TO SEE WHETHER THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE "ELECTRIC POWER STEERING RACK" AND WOULD LIKE TO GET A RECALL OR SOMETHING SINCE THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE. GOT IT CHECKED BY DEALER AND THEY ALSO SAID THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE BUT, THERE IS NO RECALL AS OF NOW.
NHTSA ODI #11186907
Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2018
Electrical System
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN APRIL, ANOTHER LETTER IN JUNE, AND A 3RD LETTER IN SEPTEMBER. THIS IS THE AFTER RUN COOLANT PUMP RECALL 19N4. NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE AFTER MANY MONTHS, AND AUDI RECOMMENDS THAT CAR BE PARKED OUTSIDE, NOT IN GARAGE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AS WE LIVE IN MASSACHUSETTS AND WINTER IS COMING SOON.
NHTSA ODI #11131950
88,000 miles · Aug 1, 2018
Air BagsElectrical SystemUnknown Or Other
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
NHTSA ODI #11115164
62,000 miles · Jul 26, 2018
Electrical SystemSteering
ELECTRIC COOLING PUMP DEFECT THAT BLED ONTO THE POWER STEERING RACK RENDERING THE CAR INOPERABLE - LIGHT CAME ON AND SAID DO NOT DRIVE DEFECTIVE STEERING. $3770 TO REPLACE BOTH THE RACK AND PINION AND THE COOLING SYSTEM. THIS WAS DONE IN MAY. NO REFUND HAS COME THROUGH AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. RECALL SAYS REMEDY NOT AVAILABLE Y…
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ELECTRIC COOLING PUMP DEFECT THAT BLED ONTO THE POWER STEERING RACK RENDERING THE CAR INOPERABLE - LIGHT CAME ON AND SAID DO NOT DRIVE DEFECTIVE STEERING. $3770 TO REPLACE BOTH THE RACK AND PINION AND THE COOLING SYSTEM. THIS WAS DONE IN MAY. NO REFUND HAS COME THROUGH AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. RECALL SAYS REMEDY NOT AVAILABLE YET - I NEED THE MONEY NOW.
NHTSA ODI #11113851
Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2018
Electrical System
I HAVE HAD AN EPC AND COOLANT SENSOR ISSUE FOR THE PAST MONTH, BUT IT TOOK AUDI 1 MONTH TO FINALLY INFORM ME OF THE RECALL NOTICE. THEY ISSUED THE RECALL MAY 15, 2018 BUT I RECEIVED THE LETTER JUNE 15, 2018. IN ADDITION, AUDI DOES NOT HAVE A SOLUTION TO REPAIR THE DAMAGED PARTS.
NHTSA ODI #11102021
14,000 miles · Jul 13, 2016
Electrical System
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.
NHTSA ODI #10884552
15,000 miles · Sep 16, 2014
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
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
NHTSA ODI #10633800
2,000 miles · Apr 22, 2013
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control
SUDDEN ACCELARATION WAS OBSERVED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING AUDI A4. HOWEVER, NO ACCIDENTS OCCURED DUE TO THIS. AUDI SHOULD TAKE A LOOK INTO POSSIBLE ELCTROMECHANICAL PROBLEMS IN 2013 AUDI. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10509028
6,000 miles · Jan 25, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering
AFTER 3500 MILES THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A "NOTCHY" SENSATION IN THE STEERING FEEL THAT VARIED IN INTENSITY AND WOULD OCCUR AT RANDOM TIMES. THIS NOTCHY SENSATION WOULD OCCUR ANY SPEED ABOVE 20MPH, AS IF SWITCHED ON. WHEN SYMPTOMS WOULD OCCUR THERE WOULD BE A HEAVY, NOTCHY FEELING ON EITHER SIDE OF STRAIGHT STEER THAT WOULD TAKE…
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AFTER 3500 MILES THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A "NOTCHY" SENSATION IN THE STEERING FEEL THAT VARIED IN INTENSITY AND WOULD OCCUR AT RANDOM TIMES. THIS NOTCHY SENSATION WOULD OCCUR ANY SPEED ABOVE 20MPH, AS IF SWITCHED ON. WHEN SYMPTOMS WOULD OCCUR THERE WOULD BE A HEAVY, NOTCHY FEELING ON EITHER SIDE OF STRAIGHT STEER THAT WOULD TAKE A LOT OF FORCE TO OVERCOME AND THEN ONCE FEELING LIKE THE WHEEL IS OVER THE NOTCH, IT WOULD OVER CORRECT MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN A LANE. THE STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE PLACED IN THOSE NOTCH POSITIONS, AS IF TRYING TO DRIVE USING A CLICK WHEEL. THE NOTCHINESS IS ALSO FELT THROUGHOUT ALL WHEEL TRAVEL, NOT JUST ON CENTER, STRAIGHT WHEEL. THIS MAKES STAYING ON A GIVEN PATH DIFFICULT AND UNSAFE. AT RANDOM TIMES STEERING FELT SO HEAVY THAT IT FELT LIKE THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING IN MANEUVERS. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE STEERING RACK BUT THE VERY NEXT DAY THE NOTCHY STEERING SYMPTOMS REAPPEARED RANDOMLY. THERE IS NO SET OF CONDITIONS TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND ON OR TURNING THE WHEEL LOCK TO LOCK ALLEVIATES THE SYMPTOMS. THE SYMPTOMS HAVE SLOWLY INCREASED IN FREQUENCY SINCE THE REPLACEMENT AND OCCUR AT RANDOM TIMES, ESPECIALLY DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING. THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR AUDI HAS INTRODUCED ELECTROMECHANICAL STEERING INTO THEIR CARS IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS IS POTENTIALLY A NEW DESIGN FLAW THAT HAS GOTTEN THROUGH TESTING OR A NEW PRODUCTION DEFECT AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED QUICKLY. MANY OTHER 2013 AUDI (VARYING MODELS) OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10494775
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 ↗