1999 Audi A4 Problems

MY AUDI, ALONG WITH THOUSANDS OF OTHERS HAVE HAD THEIR ABS CONTROL UNIT MALFUNCTION BECAUSE OF DESIGN. THIS MALFUNCTION CAUSES THE ABS TO NOT WORK ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLE. VOLKSWAGEN, THE COMPANY THAT PRODUCES AUDIS AND VWS ACTUALLY RECALLED THIS EXACT PART ON THEIR VW VEHICLES, BUT FOR SOME REASON REFUSES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOR THEIR AUDI CUSTOMERS. THE COST TO REPLACE THIS CONTROL UNIT IS $1,400 - $1,700, AND AS SUCH I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE WITHOUT ITS ABS FUNCTIONING. BELOW IS A DESCRIPTION OF THE RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PART, BUT ON THE VW JETTA: "2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS NHTSA RECALL ID NUMBER: 02V031000 RECALL DATE: JAN 31, 2002 COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED: 55000 SUMMARY: ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, SHORT CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). CONSEQUENCE: THIS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 8, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987. NOTES: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC," PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND HELP VW TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION TO THIS IMPORTANT MATTER! *TR

I BOUGHT AN AUDI A4 1999 1.8T FWD. THE NEXT DAY I BOUGHT IT THE ABS ORANGE LIGHT CAME ON & BRAKE LIGHT FLASHING NON-STOP WITH THREE BEEPS WHEN I START THE CAR ITS BEEN LIKE THAT FOR MORE THAN A WEEK. YESTERDAY I TOOK THE CAR TO THE CLOSEST AUDI DEALER AND THEY QUOTE ME 1,200 THAT'S A LOT SINCE THIS PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS UNIT IS POOR MANUFACTURE PROBLEM. *TR

THE CAR IS EXPERIENCING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, USUALLY, BUT NOT ALWAYS, AFTER HEAVY ACCELERATION. OVER 10 OCCURRENCES. CANNOT REMEDY BY PULLING BACK THE ACCELERATOR. CAR MUST BE TURNED OFF AND THE ENGINE MUST RECORD 0 RPM TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *TR

THE EVENTS THAT LED TO THE FAILURE OF THE CAR IS WHEN IT STARTED TO THROW SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST AND WE FOUND OUT ABOUT THE FAILURE WHEN WE TOOK IT THE MECHANIC WHO TOLD US THE ENGINE WAS NO GOOD. SO FAR IM LOOKING FOR A NEW ENGINE. *TR

MY BRAKE LIGHT STARTED BEEPING AND FLASHING ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING. THE BEEPING AND FLASHING CONTINUED THROUGH THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE AUDI WON'T RELEASE THEIR SERVICE CODES. I CALLED THE DEALER AND ASKED WHAT WAS GOING ON. THE MECHANIC ASKED ME "WERE YOU DRIVING YOUR CAR IN THE RAIN?" I HAD QUITE A FEW SARCASTIC RESPONSES TO THE STUPID QUESTION BUT I JUST SAID, YEAH. I ASSUME A CAR IS ENGINEERED TO BE DRIVEN IN ALL CLIMATES INCLUDING, RAIN. A PRODUCT SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO PERFORM ITS INTENDED USE. NOT THE A4. WHO NEEDS AN ALL WHEEL DRIVE CAR IF THEY DON'T PLAN ON DRIVING IT THROUGH RAIN AND SNOW? THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT MY ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT WOULD COST ME $1500. HE TOLD ME THAT MY ABS AND ALL WHEEL DRIVE WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY UNTIL I FIX IT. I LIVE IN COLORADO AND I FREQUENTLY DRIVE THROUGH THE SNOW. I DRIVE THROUGH THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS IN ICY AND DANGEROUS CONDITIONS. LUCKILY, IT WAS SUMMER TIME WHEN MY MODULE WENT OUT. I TAKE MY LITTLE SISTERS, LITTLE BROTHERS, AND NEPHEWS SNOWBOARDING. I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED OR I COULD HAVE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED SOMEONE ELSE BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT I THOUGHT HAD ABS, BUT DIDN'T. THERE IS A SLIM MARGIN FOR ERROR WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING ON SNOWY CURVES THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS. I COULD BE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CLIFF BY THE TIME I REALIZE MY ABS WASN'T WORKING. OR I COULD SLIDE OVER A GROUP OF PEDESTRIANS. EVEN IF AUDI DOESN'T WANT TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS, THEY SHOULD AT LEAST NOTIFY THEIR OWNERS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT DRIVERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF. I WENT ONLINE AND I WAS NOT SURPRISED TO SEE THAT THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. AUDI DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING EXCEPT OFFER TO REPAIR THE BROKEN MODULE FOR FULL PRICE. *TR

JANUARY 17, 2007, 8 DEGREES - DRY ROAD CONDITIONS I ACCELERATED UP A STEEP HILL ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN AT THE TOP OF THE HILL I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE'S RPMS RACED TO 7,000. I POPPED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND PUNCHED THE GAS PEDAL AND THE CAR REDUCED SPEED AND RPMS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT - IT HAPPENED LAST WINTER WITH WET ROAD CONDITIONS BUT VERY VERY COLD. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER LAST YEAR AND THEY CLAIM THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. I HAD THE ACCELERATOR CABLE REPLACED. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE AUDI A-6 AND THE DEALER CLAIMS MY CAR DOES NOT QUALIFY. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.8L, V6 5-VALVE ENGINES, AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, WHILE DRIVING DURING EXTREMELY LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURES THE THROTTLE MAY FREEZE IN AN OPEN POSITION DUE TO ICE ACCUMULATING IN THE THROTTLE BODY. IF THIS OCCURS, THE VEHICLE MAY FAIL TO REDUCE SPEED WHEN THE DRIVER LIFTS HIS/HER FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL. THIS LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE TO MAKE AUDI REALIZE THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND APPLIES TO THE A-4 NOT JUST THE A-6. *NM *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE TIE ROD. THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V248000 (STEERING;LINKAGES;ROD:RELAY;CONNECTING); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

I HAVE BEEN NOTICING RATTLE ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDES WHEEL AREA. I TOOK THE CAR TO MCGRATH AUDI IN GLENVIEW IL FOR INSPECTION, AND HAD SINCE RECIEVED RECALL NOTICE RELATING TO TIE ROD PROBLEMS. DECEMBER 2004 DEALER FOUND NO NEED FOR REPLACEMENT. I THEN NOTIFIED THEM ABOUT THE RECALL, THEY SAID THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ONE ,AND THAT THEY FOUND NO NEED TO REPLACE THE TIE RODS AND THAT I COULD DO SO AT MY EXPENSE WHEN I INSISTED. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TIE RODS (BOTH SIDES) SINCE THIS RECALL AND AM REQUESTING MANUFACTUR REIMBURSEMENT.*AK

THE CAR IS EXPERIENCING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, USUALLY, BUT NOT ALWAYS, AFTER HEAVY ACCELERATION. OVER 10 OCCURRENCES. CANNOT REMEDY BY PULLING BACK THE ACCELERATOR. CAR MUST BE TURNED OFF AND THE ENGINE MUST RECORD 0 RPM TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *TR

BOSCH ABS CONTROL UNIT HAS FAILED CAUSING A FLASHING ABS INDICATOR AND A SOLID BRAKE LIGHT. CAUSE IS ELECTRONIC. MANY DOCUMENTED CASES FOUND ON LINE. ABS WILL NOT ENGAGE. AUDI WILL NOT RECALL, BUT VW HAS RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 308,000.

THE DRIVER SEAT CURTAIN SIDE AIRBAG WENT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON SATURDAY OF THANKSGIVING WEEKEND 11/25/06. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 AUDI A4 QUATRO. THE CONTACT BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE DEALER. AS HE DROVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE LOT, HE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. HE INFORMED THE SALES ASSOCIATE THAT THERE WAS RUST UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING THE BRAKE PADS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD GIVE HIM ANOTHER VEHICLE FOR AN ADDITIONAL $3,000. THE OTHER VEHICLE HAD A CRACKED WINDSHIELD AND NEEDED A NEW FUEL PUMP; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT DID NOT WANT THE OTHER VEHICLE. HE KEPT THE AUDI AND TOOK IT TO AN AUDI DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE RESULTS INDICATED THAT THE BEARINGS WERE RUSTED AND THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT AND NEW BRAKE PADS. IN ADDITION, THE RIMS WERE BENT. THE AUDI DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN SOLD IN THAT CONDITION AND WITH THOSE DEFECTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,926 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,927. UPDATED 03/17/09. *LJ THE UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE WORN. UPDATED 03/18/09. *JB

AUDI REFUSES TO PAY FOR FIXING A SERIOUS SAFETY RELATED SERVICE ACTION (SERVICE ACTION JE - FAILURE OF CONTROL ARMS), UNLESS THE CUSTOMER PROVIDES DETAILED MAINTENANCE RECORDS FROM AN AUTHORIZED DEALER OR PROFESSIONAL LICENSED REPAIR FACILITY. THIS WILL RESULT IN PEOPLE NOT FIXING THIS SERIOUS ISSUE, ENDANGERING NOT ONLY THEMSELVES, BUT ALSO OTHER INDIVIDUALS. I BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM CHECKED, AND MY CAR HAS THE PROBLEM - BUT THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR THE FIX, SINCE I PERFORM MAINTENANCE ON THE CAR MYSELF. NOTE: CRACKING OF CONTROL ARMS IS NOT RELATED TO LACK OF GENERAL MAINTENANCE. *NM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTING INTO MANUAL MODE FROM AUTOMATIC. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ADJUST THE SHIFTER TO NORMAL BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE SHIFTER BLIND AND THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 126,963.

THE TIMING CHAIN ON MY 1999 AUDI A-4 1.8 TURBO WITH 76,000 MILES BROKE AS I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY FREEWAY DURING RUSH HOUR, LEAVING ME A A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. FORTUNATELY, MY CAR WAS NOT HIT BY OTHER CARS. AS A RESULT, HOWEVER, THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION AS WELL AS THE TIMING CHAIN WERE ALL TRASHED. THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE TIMING CHAIN AT 90,000 MILES, BUT AUDI OF NORTH AMERICA TOLD ME THAT THEY NOIW RECOMMEND REPLACEMENT AT 70,000 OR 75,000. THEY DID NOT RECOMMEND IT TO ME OR TO THE DEALER WHERE MY CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED (FOLLOWING ALL THE MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDATIONS) AND THE LOCAL AUDI DEALER SAID THAT SINCE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED THEY WOULD DO NOTHING.*AK

TREAD SEPARATION. I WAS DRIVING WESTBOUND ON I-580, APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, WHEN THE TREAD ON MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE SEPARATED AND THE TIRE BLEW. I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF OTHER AWARE DRIVERS ON THE HIGHWAY WHO ALLOWED ME TO CHANGE LANES AT A REDUCED SPEED. THE TIRE TREAD DAMAGED THE RIGHT FRONT AREA OF MY CAR, CAUSING APPROXIMATELY $4,000 IN DAMAGES, OF WHICH APPROXIMATELY $3,000 WAS COVERED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE IS SAFETY, NOT MONEY. I COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED AS A RESULT OF THE TIRE FAILURE. THE TIRE HAD A BIG O TIRES BRAND LABEL BUT IT WAS MANUFACTURED BY COOPER. BEFORE THE INCIDENT, THERE WAS NO ABNORMAL USAGE OR WEAR ON THE TIRE, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ACCELERATED WEAR AT THE PLACE WHERE THE TREAD SEPARATION INITIATED, WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE SEPARATION. COOPER MIGHT BE THE ONLY TIRE MANUFACTURER THAT DOES NOT USE A BELT WEDGE. THEIR HISTORY OF TREAD SEPARATIONS AND TIRE FAILURES, AND TOTAL DISREGARD FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR AMERICAN CUSTOMERS SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT TO REMOVE THEIR PRIVILEGE OF DOING BUSINESS IN THE U.S. *TR

MY CAR WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP ON 4/4/2007 FOR WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS A STEERING PROBLEM. I FOUND OUT HOWEVER, THAT ON ONE OF MY FRONT TIRES THE TREAD HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED ON 50% OF THE TIRE! IT WAS THE CONTINENTAL 205/60R15 TOURING CONTACT. I HAD THEM REPLACE IT WITH A CONTIPRO CONTACT OF THE SAME SIZE. THREE WEEKS LATER, MY OTHER FRONT TIRE SEPARATED ON AT LEAST 40% OF THE TIRE, WITH A HUGE BULGE. THE TIRES ARE LESS THAN A YEAR OLD, WITH LESS THAN 8,000 MILES ON THEM! BOTH OF THE FAILING TIRES CAUSED SEVERE STEERING PROBLEMS, AND BOTH HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE INCIDENTS CAME UPON VERY RAPIDLY, AND WAS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON.*AK

THIS IS NOT ABOUT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT BUT RATHER SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE EXTERIOR MIRRORS HAVE BEEN LOSING THEIR REFLECTIVITY. I WAS TOLD BY SOMEONE THAT IT'S THE SILVER ON THE BACKSIDE OF THE MIRROR THAT IS FLAKING OFF AND THAT IT HAPPENS WHEN THE TEMPERATURE CHANGES FAIRLY QUICKLY. I ASKED MY LOCAL AUDI DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS AND THEY SAID IT WAS VERY UNCOMMON AND WOULD BE ABOUT $75 TO REPLACE THE MIRROR. AS I DRIVE AROUND AND AS I WALK PAST OTHER AUDIS AND VOLKSWAGENS I NOTICE THAT THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING ON THEIR MIRRORS AS HAPPENED TO BOTH OF MINE. I ASKED A MECHANIC AT ANOTHER SHOP IN RUTLAND ABOUT IT AND HE SAID HE SEES IT ALL THE TIME. IF IT'S THE NATURE OF THE REFLECTIVE MATERIAL AND IT'S REASONABLE TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN THEN FINE. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH, HOWEVER, THAT IT'S A PROBLEM PLAGUING MANY OF THESE TYPES OF CARS AND A PROBLEM THAT AUDI, OR AT LEAST MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, WILL NOT ADMIT IS A COMMON FAILURE WITH THESE MIRRORS. *NM

PROBLEM: WHEN TEMPERATURE FALLS BELOW 38 F, RECIRCULATION BUTTON NEVER WORKS. BEING IN BOSTON THAT COVERS MOST OF THE WINTER. THE ONLY WAY NOT TO BREATHE THE FUMES IS TO TURN THE VENTILATION OFF COMPLETELY. THIS THEN SHUTS THE HEAT AS WELL. MY NEW COMMUTE TAKES ME DAILY THROUGH THE CALAHAN TUNNEL. IF OUTSIDE IS 13 F, AND I AM STUCK IN TRAFFIC IN THE TUNNEL FOR AN HOUR, THESE ARE MY OPTIONS: KEEP THE HEAT RUNNING UNTIL POISONED BY GAS FUMES (GARAGE ANALOGY), OR SHUT OFF HEAT UNTIL FROSTBITTEN AT 13 F. CAN THIS BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY VIOLATION? ATTEMPTED RESOLUTION: AUDI OF AMERICA'S RESPONSE WAS THAT A/C HAS TO BE TURNED ON FOR RECIRCULATION BUTTON TO BE OPERATIONAL. SINCE A/C DOES NOT WORK BELOW 38 F (THEY CITED SOME FEDERAL REGULATION) SO THE RECIRCULATION BUTTON DOES NOT AS WELL. THE DEVICE WORKS AS DESIGNED, ACCORDING TO AUDI. MY DEALER, TOM WALTON OF PARK PORSCHE AUDI, TOLD ME CONFIDENTIALLY THAT THEY HAVE CUSTOMERS WHO DID NOT WANT TO PURCHASE AUDI A4 UNTIL THESE PROBLEMS WERE SOLVED. I FILED A REPORT WITH AUDIO OF AMERICA TWICE. THERE WAS NO FOLLOW UP EITHER TIME. MEANWHILE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED ME THAT THEY INQUIRED ABOUT THIS BEFORE AND WERE TOLD THAT DEVICE OPERATES AS DESIGNED. THE SAME YEAR I RENTED EXACTLY THE SAME VEHICLE IN GERMANY AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A DIFFERENT A/C ASSEMBLY INSTALLED, AND THAT RECIRCULATION BUTTON WORKED WELL IN TEMPERATURES BELOW 20 F. IN U.S., THE SAME A/C ASSEMBLY BECAME AVAILABLE WITH THE 2000 MODEL YEAR, WHERE THIS PROBLEM IS NOT PRESENT. I ASKED THE DEALER IF I COULD PAY TO HAVE THAT A/C ASSEMBLY INSTALLED BUT WAS TOLD THAT THAT WAS NOT POSSIBLE. WHEN SURFING ON THE WEB, I DISCOVERED A SIMILAR PROBLEM REPORTED BY ANOTHER OWNER WITH THE SAME VEHICLE, BUT ONLY THIS TIME THE 1997 MODEL YEAR. SO IT APPEARS THAT FOR SURE 1997-1999 MODEL YEAR A4'S HAVE A FAULTY A/C ASSEMBLY. READ MICHEAL OF LA JOLLA, CA REPORT: HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/AUDI.HTM. *AK

1999 AUDI Q4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE REPAIR OF ABS LIGHT/BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE NOTICED A SOLID ORANGE ABS LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD AND A RED LIGHT THAT WAS BLINKING INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. HOWEVER, WHILE DRIVING, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS HAD ILLUMINATED AGAIN AFTER PAYING OVER $2,000 IN REPAIRS. ANOTHER DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE ABS MODULE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE HAD LOST POWER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER IT WAS DUE TO A BAD FUEL PUMP. (THE CONSUMER WROTE IN ON BEHALF OF HIS FATHER)*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED INACCURATE READINGS WITH THE FUEL TANK CAPACITY LEVEL, WHICH WAS LESS THAN HALF. UNEXPECTEDLY, THE "LOW FUEL LEVEL" WARNING SOUNDED IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

AS I WAS OPENING THE HOOD OF THE CAR TO FILL UP THE WINDOW WASHER, THE HOOD DID NOT STAY UP AS USUAL. IT STARTED TO CLOSE AND IT HIT MY HEAD ON THE WAY DOWN. I AM WONDERING IF THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME INCIDENT. LUCKILY, I SUFFERED ONLY MINOR DAMAGE TO MY HEAD, HOWEVER I HAVE ON GOING HEADACHES AS A RESULT. *TR

THE FRONT BUMPER FELL OFF THE CAR AND THERE WAS NO COLLISION, WHEN I ASKED THE AUDI DEALER TO FIX THE BROKE BUMPER AND WITHIN 6 MOS IT FELL OFF AGAIN, AGAIN WITH NO COLLISION INVOLVED. *TR

THE CAR IS EXPERIENCING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, USUALLY, BUT NOT ALWAYS, AFTER HEAVY ACCELERATION. OVER 10 OCCURRENCES. CANNOT REMEDY BY PULLING BACK THE ACCELERATOR. CAR MUST BE TURNED OFF AND THE ENGINE MUST RECORD 0 RPM TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *TR

RIGHT REAR AXLE BEARING IS FAILING. LOUD GROAN HEARD AT SPEEDS EXCEEDING 30 MPH. DEALER CLAIMS TIRE NOISE IS THE PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO FIX IT. TWO NON-AUDI SOURCES SUPPORT AXLE BEARING FAILURE (AUTO MECHANIC AND MECHANICAL ENGINEER).

MY AUDI, ALONG WITH THOUSANDS OF OTHERS HAVE HAD THEIR ABS CONTROL UNIT MALFUNCTION BECAUSE OF DESIGN. THIS MALFUNCTION CAUSES THE ABS TO NOT WORK ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLE. VOLKSWAGEN, THE COMPANY THAT PRODUCES AUDIS AND VWS ACTUALLY RECALLED THIS EXACT PART ON THEIR VW VEHICLES, BUT FOR SOME REASON REFUSES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOR THEIR AUDI CUSTOMERS. THE COST TO REPLACE THIS CONTROL UNIT IS $1,400 - $1,700, AND AS SUCH I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE WITHOUT ITS ABS FUNCTIONING. BELOW IS A DESCRIPTION OF THE RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PART, BUT ON THE VW JETTA: "2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS NHTSA RECALL ID NUMBER: 02V031000 RECALL DATE: JAN 31, 2002 COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED: 55000 SUMMARY: ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, SHORT CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). CONSEQUENCE: THIS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 8, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987. NOTES: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC," PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND HELP VW TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION TO THIS IMPORTANT MATTER! *TR

MY BRAKE LIGHT STARTED BEEPING AND FLASHING ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING. THE BEEPING AND FLASHING CONTINUED THROUGH THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE AUDI WON'T RELEASE THEIR SERVICE CODES. I CALLED THE DEALER AND ASKED WHAT WAS GOING ON. THE MECHANIC ASKED ME "WERE YOU DRIVING YOUR CAR IN THE RAIN?" I HAD QUITE A FEW SARCASTIC RESPONSES TO THE STUPID QUESTION BUT I JUST SAID, YEAH. I ASSUME A CAR IS ENGINEERED TO BE DRIVEN IN ALL CLIMATES INCLUDING, RAIN. A PRODUCT SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO PERFORM ITS INTENDED USE. NOT THE A4. WHO NEEDS AN ALL WHEEL DRIVE CAR IF THEY DON'T PLAN ON DRIVING IT THROUGH RAIN AND SNOW? THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT MY ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT WOULD COST ME $1500. HE TOLD ME THAT MY ABS AND ALL WHEEL DRIVE WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY UNTIL I FIX IT. I LIVE IN COLORADO AND I FREQUENTLY DRIVE THROUGH THE SNOW. I DRIVE THROUGH THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS IN ICY AND DANGEROUS CONDITIONS. LUCKILY, IT WAS SUMMER TIME WHEN MY MODULE WENT OUT. I TAKE MY LITTLE SISTERS, LITTLE BROTHERS, AND NEPHEWS SNOWBOARDING. I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED OR I COULD HAVE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED SOMEONE ELSE BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT I THOUGHT HAD ABS, BUT DIDN'T. THERE IS A SLIM MARGIN FOR ERROR WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING ON SNOWY CURVES THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS. I COULD BE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CLIFF BY THE TIME I REALIZE MY ABS WASN'T WORKING. OR I COULD SLIDE OVER A GROUP OF PEDESTRIANS. EVEN IF AUDI DOESN'T WANT TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS, THEY SHOULD AT LEAST NOTIFY THEIR OWNERS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT DRIVERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF. I WENT ONLINE AND I WAS NOT SURPRISED TO SEE THAT THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. AUDI DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING EXCEPT OFFER TO REPAIR THE BROKEN MODULE FOR FULL PRICE. *TR

VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKED TO THE DEALER FOR FAILED DOOR LOCKS ON THREE OCCASIONS. *YD

WIRES BREAKING CAUSED AIR CONDITIONER FAILURE. BREAKS PULL TO RIGHT WHEN WET/MOIST. DOOR ASSEMBLED WRONG (CAUSED WIND NOISE) HAD TO TAKE IN 4 TIMES TO REPAIR.HOOD/ OIL PUMP BROKE EMPTYING OIL ON DRIVEWAY. FRONT SUSPENSION SQUEAKS AND ABS COMES ON WHEN BACKING UP WHILE BREAKING WITH WHEELS TURNED. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AND UPON DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP, EXPERIENCED COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL AND EMERGENCY LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

TURN SIGNALS AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS HAVE BECOME INOPERABLE. DEALER IS REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. *AK

WIRES BREAKING CAUSED AIR CONDITIONER FAILURE. BREAKS PULL TO RIGHT WHEN WET/MOIST. DOOR ASSEMBLED WRONG (CAUSED WIND NOISE) HAD TO TAKE IN 4 TIMES TO REPAIR.HOOD/ OIL PUMP BROKE EMPTYING OIL ON DRIVEWAY. FRONT SUSPENSION SQUEAKS AND ABS COMES ON WHEN BACKING UP WHILE BREAKING WITH WHEELS TURNED. *AK