Makes›Audi›A4›2013

2013 Audi A4

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2013 models.

Audi A4
Pictured: Audi A4 B9 sedans (FL) 1X7A2441. Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Compact Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan 2.0 Tfsi FWD, 4dr Sedan 2.0 Tfsi Quattro/Premium/Premium, Allroad 2.0 Tfsi Quattro/Premium/Premium P
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Horsepower
211 hp
Transmission
automatic, manual
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline, FFV
MPG (best)
26 combined · 24 city / 32 hwy
Length
185–185.8 in
Curb weight
3,505–3,891 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • Modest powerUp to 211 hp, versus about 275 hp for similar 2013 models.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 20 similar 2013 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2013 Audi A4 is a compact car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 185 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,505 lb (4dr Sedan 2.0 Tfsi FWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 26 MPG combined (24 city / 32 highway), 0% better than the 2013 compact car average of 25.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,150 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 90 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the steering.

What changed for 2013

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2012 A4 — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2012; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2012 A4 →

Trims, performance & features

Engine211 hp2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissionautomatic · manual
DriveAWD/4WD

Trims

quattro Premium Plusquattro PremiumPremium

Built in: Neckarsulm, Germany · Ingolstadt, Germany

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2013 A4 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan 2.0 Tfsi FWD185 in72 in56.3 in110.6 in61 / 60.6 in3,505 lb55/45
4dr Sedan 2.0 Tfsi Quattro/Premium/Premium185 in72 in56.3 in110.6 in61 / 60.6 in3,616 lb55/45
Allroad 2.0 Tfsi Quattro/Premium/Premium P185.8 in72.4 in57.9 in110.6 in62.2 / 61.8 in3,891 lb53/47

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
A4 quattro2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive22 / 32 / 260%$3,150343
A42.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AV-S8)Front-Wheel Drive24 / 31 / 260%$3,150342
A4 quattro2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive20 / 30 / 24-7%$3,400374
A4 quattro FFV2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive20 / 29 / 23-11%$3,550379
7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
7/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $3,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
25.9 MPG2013 Compact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2013 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2013 Audi A4.

Similar 2013 compact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2013 Audi A4 (this car)26 MPGNot rated4
2013 BMW 3 Series28 MPGNot rated0
2013 Lexus IS24 MPGNot rated4
2013 Audi A628 MPGNot rated6
2013 Lexus GS31 MPGNot rated3
2013 Audi A526 MPGNot rated3
2013 Lexus ES40 MPGNot rated1

Recalls (4)

Engine And Engine Cooling › Cooling System · Apr 11, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V229000 · 342,867 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A blocked pump or a short-circuited pump can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix
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 · Oct 5, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V622000 · 216,913 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
The melted wires can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix
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 · Jan 3, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V002000 · 342,867 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
If the coolant pump overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix
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.
Air Bags · Oct 24, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V667000 · 101,938 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Fix
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2013 Audi A4 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

90Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
5Involved a crash
3Involved a fire
6Injuries reported
61,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Steering42
Engine19
Electrical System8
Power Train8
Unknown Or Other8
Air Bags6
Fuel/Propulsion System4
Engine And Engine Cooling3
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
19/10: 119/11: 319/12: 220/02: 220/03: 220/05: 120/07: 120/10: 121/02: 121/07: 221/09: 121/10: 121/12: 122/07: 122/12: 123/02: 124/06: 124/09: 125/02: 125/03: 125/08: 126/03: 126/07: 126/09: 119/1020/0220/0721/0721/1223/0225/0226/03max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2013 Audi A4 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Steering — 42 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  3. Engine — 19 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Electrical System — 8 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 61,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2013 Audi A4. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other A4 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2025 A429187.4 inNot rated01
2024 A430187.4 inNot rated06
2023 A428187.4 inNot rated111
2022 A429187.4 inNot rated37
2021 A428187.4 inNot rated413
2020 A430187.4 inNot rated3158
2019 A430186.2 inNot rated113
2018 A431186.2 inNot rated454
2017 A431186.2 inNot rated687
2016 A427185 inNot rated326
2015 A426185.8 inNot rated443
2014 A426185.8 inNot rated470

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →