The 2013 A5 2.0T uses the EA888 Gen 2 engine, notorious for catastrophic oil consumption and piston ring failure that can destroy the motor if ignored. Otherwise a solid platform with typical German electrical quirks and some transmission cooling issues.
Excessive Oil Consumption / Piston Ring Failure (EA888 Gen 2)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Burning 1+ quart of oil every 1,000 miles, Blue smoke from exhaust on cold starts or acceleration, Carbon buildup on intake valves causing rough idle and misfires, Eventually leads to scored cylinders and complete engine failure if run low on oil
Fix: Audi extended warranty covered this until 2015 but most are expired now. Proper fix requires engine-out teardown, new pistons and rings (updated design), valve cleaning, and honing cylinders. 20-30 labor hours depending on ancillary damage. Many owners run catch cans and just top off oil religiously until catastrophic failure, then opt for used/reman long block.
Estimated cost: $6,000-12,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Leaks
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Pink or red fluid dripping under vehicle near front of engine, Transmission fluid level drops, causes delayed shifts or slipping, Coolant mixing with trans fluid creates milky appearance in reservoir
Fix: The cooler is integrated into the radiator end tank and develops cracks. Requires replacement of entire radiator assembly plus fresh ATF and filter. Some techs flush system multiple times if coolant contaminated the trans. 4-6 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000
Ignition Coil / Spark Plug Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Check engine light with misfire codes P0300-P0304, Rough idle and hesitation under load, Poor fuel economy and lack of power
Fix: Direct injection engines run coils hard. OEM coils are expensive but aftermarket options fail quickly. Best practice: replace all four coils and plugs together. 1.5 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $600-900
Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Rough idle, especially when cold, Hesitation or stumbling during acceleration, Reduced fuel economy and power, Misfires that move between cylinders
Fix: Direct injection = no fuel washing valves. Requires walnut blasting the intake ports with manifold removed. Should be done preventively every 60k-80k miles. 4-5 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $600-1,000
PCV Valve / Pressure Control Valve Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Rough idle and whistling noise from engine bay, Increased oil consumption (contributes to ring issues), Check engine light with boost leak or misfire codes, Oil in intake tract or intercooler
Fix: The PCV system is integrated into the valve cover on this engine. Some techs replace just the valve, but proper fix is entire valve cover assembly. Exacerbates the oil consumption problem if ignored. 2-3 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $400-800
Water Pump / Thermostat Housing Leaks
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant weeping from front of engine, Coolant level drops slowly over time, Overheating if leak becomes severe, Sweet smell from engine bay
Fix: Electric water pump and plastic thermostat housing both fail. Smart to replace both together with updated parts while you're in there. Timing belt should be inspected if not recently done. 4-5 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $1,000-1,600
Sunroof Drain Tube Clogs / Water Leaks
Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: Water pooling in footwells after rain or car wash, Wet carpet on driver or passenger side, Musty smell in cabin, Water stains on headliner near A-pillars
Fix: Drain tubes run down A-pillars and clog with debris. Requires blowing them out with compressed air or flexible wire. Check all four drains (two front, two rear). Sometimes tubes separate at joints requiring interior trim removal. 1-2 labor hours for cleaning, more if tubes need reattachment.
Estimated cost: $150-400
Owner tips
Check oil level every single fill-up — this engine will consume oil even when 'healthy'
Walnut blast intake valves every 60k miles as preventive maintenance
Use quality full synthetic 5W-40 oil and change every 5,000 miles max
Consider oil catch can to reduce carbon and extend engine life
Get pre-purchase inspection focused on oil consumption test and compression check
Buy only if oil consumption has been documented as acceptable and engine internals were replaced under warranty — otherwise you're gambling on a $10k engine rebuild.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: Battery located under trunk floor; AGM required for Start-Stop system
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Every control module on the 2008-2016 Audi A5 — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
⚠️ Memory seats only. Calibration of seat position sensors may be needed.
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM · 18V229000
2018-04-11
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: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · 17V622000
2017-10-05
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: 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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM · 17V002000
2017-01-03
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: 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.
Performance
Horsepower
211hp
Torque
258lb-ft
0–60 mph
6.0sec
Quarter mile
14.5sec
Top speed
130mph
Capability & size
Curb weight
3,858lb
Wiper blades
Coupe body style, no rear wiper. First generation A5 coupe.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2013 Audi A5 2.0L Turbo I4 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.