2013 Audi RS 5 recalls & problems

Recent owner complaints

• Sep 12, 2025Power train
  While driving through the middle of a busy intersection, my 2013 Audi RS5 suddenly lost all power and was unable to engage any gears. The car came to a stop in active cross-traffic with vehicles approaching from multiple directions. I could not restart or move the car under its own power and had to push it to safety with the help of a passerby. Component that failed: Transmission / Power Train – specifically the DL501 S-Tronic Mechatronic Unit (Transmission Control Module). The part is still available for inspection at the dealership. Safety risk: This failure caused a complete loss of propulsion in active traffic, putting both myself and other drivers at risk of a collision. Dealer…
• Jan 20, 2025Power train
  Vehicle: 2013 Audi RS5 Recall Reference: 37P1 / 37K8 (Transmission Control Module Software Update) After Audi performed the TCM software update for recall 37P1/37K8, my vehicle began displaying “Transmission Overheating – Please Drive Conservatively” warnings during normal driving, especially in stop-and-go traffic. This problem never occurred before the recall update. The warning now happens intermittently, raising concerns about: •Loss of drivability and safety risk if the transmission overheats while driving. •Premature failure of the transmission or mechatronic unit due to repeated overheating. •A direct link to the recall software update, since the issue began only after it…
• May 1, 2022Power train
  My 2013 Audi rs5 has a well known transmission issue. There was a class action lawsuit that justs settled for earlier years of the S4 & S5 models. My tranmission error has occurred several times when reversing, especially reversing up an incline or stop start reverses. The gear changes have become very jerky, both upshifts and downshifts, especially noticable at low speeds. The mechatronic unit on this audi model is a known issue and the audi forums are littered with examples of these mech units going bad. A replacement mech unit is costing me $4500 total and I have seen similar costs to others in the audi online forums like audizine
• Jul 7, 2020 · 32,000 milesPower train
  I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I GOT A "TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION YOU CAN CONTINUE DRIVING" MESSAGE ON MY DISPLAY. I SCANNED THE CAR WHEN I GOT HOME AND GOT THESE ERROR MESSAGE: (DRIVE POSITION SENSOR ELECTRICAL ERROR) ' DTC P0700 (TRANSMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION) ' DTC P1758 (TERMINAL 15 VOLTAGE SUPPLY OPEN CIRCUIT) ' DTC P060A (INTERNAL CONTROL MODULE MONITORING PROCESSOR PERFORMANCE) I DID SOME RESEARCH AND UNDERSTAND THERE IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE DSG TRANSMISSION, SPECIFICALLY WITH THE DRIVE POSITION SENSOR WHICH IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO HAVE DONE.
• Oct 11, 2017 · 50,200 milesPower train
  THE MECHATRONIC UNIT ON MY VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS DRIVING AND A WARNING POPPED UP ON MY DASHBOARD SAYING "TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION, YOU MAY CONTINUE DRIVING". I WAS QUOTED $5000 FOR THE . THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE NOT ONLY WITH MY MODEL, BUT ACROSS ALL AUDI MODELS WITH THE DSG TRANSMISSION. AUDI CUSTOMERS SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO PAY FOR AUDI PUTTING FAULTY EQUIPMENT IN THEIR VEHICLES.
• Oct 11, 2017 · 46,000 milesSteering
  THERE IS A WIDELY-KNOWN ISSUE IN 2013+ AUDI ELECTROMECHANICAL POWER STEERING THAT CREATES A SENSATION OF A "NOTCH" AT 12:00 ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS NOTCH FORCES YOU TO MANUALLY KEEP THE CAR IN THE LANE BY STEERING "BACK AND FORTH IN THE NOTCH". WHEN YOU TURN "BEYOND THE NOTCH" THERE IS A STICKING POINT. THE FASTER THE CAR IS MOVING, THE MORE PRONOUNCED THESE FEELINGS BECOME. I HAD HOPED THAT MY ISSUE WAS RELATED TO THE TIRES. UNFORTUNATELY, WAITING TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES HAS TAKEN ME OUT OF WARRANTY. AFTER JUST INSTALLING NEW CONTINENTAL DWS 06, THE PROBLEM IS AS BAD, OR WORSE, THAN IT HAS EVER BEEN. THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS! RESEARCHING ONLINE, MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM.…
• Nov 22, 2013 · 10,000 milesService brakes
  THE RS5 HAD A VERY BED PROBLEM WITH THE BREAKS. WHEN I WAS USING THE BREAKS THE CAR WAS SHACKING, ESPECIALLY WHEN I USED THE BREAK AT THE SPEED OF 75/80 MPH. THE CAR WAS UNSAFE AND TO STOP COMPLETELY THE CAR I HAD TO GO OUT OF THE STREET. ON NOVEMBER 2013 I LEFT THE RS A5 AT THE DEALER IN GREENSBORO. ON THE AFTERNOON I WAS CONTACTED BY AN ADVISOR OF THE AUDI SERVICE IN GREENSBORO. THIS ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT MY CAR NEEDED NEW PADS AND NEW ROTOR AND THAT THESE PARTS SUPPOSES TO COME FROM GERMANY AND THE WAIT TO HAVE THIS PARTS WAS 2 WEEKS. THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT DURING THESE 2 WEEKS I COULD DRIVE MY CAR. WHEN I TOLD HIM THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THE BREAKS WAS VERY BED ESPECIALLY AT 80…

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.