2004 Audi A6 Problems

RE: SAFETY RECALL 20L8/JY; 08V157000: FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE MODIFICATION; VIN: (XX); 2004 AUDI A6 3.0L QUATTRO AT5 ATTACHED DOCS: 1. 20L8/JY RECALL NOTICE. 2. 7.14.2008 & 11.18.18 AUDI N. SCOTTSDALE, AZ DEALER INVOICES 3. AUDI A6 GAS TANK DIAGRAM. AUDI CORP EMAIL RESPONSE: "AT THIS TIME WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THAT THE 20L8 REPAIR WAS SPECIFIC TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP IS INDICATING THIS CURRENT RECOMMENDED REPAIR IS SPECIFIC TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE." "SINCE WE ARE SHOWING THE 20L8 COMPLETED IN JULY OF 2008 AND THE ORIGINAL 20L8 REPAIR IS SPECIFIC TO DRIVER'S SIDE ROLLOVER NIPPLE VALVES, ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS CURRENT REPAIR IS UNRELATED TO THE RECALL." "CURRENTLY PER THE NHTSA WEBSITE, THE 20L8 IS NOT SHOWING AS AN OPEN RECALL, SO I WOULD BE UNABLE TO SPEAK TO HOW THEY WOULD REACT TO INFORMATION REGARDING A CLOSED RECALL." 'WE HAVE NO EVIDENCE SUPPORTING AN INCORRECT REPAIR BEING PERFORMED IN JULY OF 2008, SO AT THIS TIME WE WOULD BE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TOWARDS THIS REPAIR." CURRENT EMISSIONS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (NOV 18, 2018) IS DIAGNOSED BY THE AUDI DEALER AS A GAS TANK LEAK. ALSO, THERE IS A STRONG ODOR COMING FROM GAS TANK. DEALER QUOTED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TANK (SEE ATTACHED #2). THERE ARE SEVERAL ROLLOVER VALVES ON EACH SIDE OF THE GAS TANK ON THE TOP SIDE (SEE ATTACHED #3 GAS TANK DIAGRAM). RECALL (SEE ATTACHED #1) DOES NOT ADDRESS "DRIVERS SIDE OR PASSENGER SIDE" OF GAS TANK. DEALER CLAIMED THAT BACK IN 2008 THAT THEY DID NOT EVEN LOWER THE GAS TANK FOR THE REPAIR. IN SUMMARY: MY VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS A GAS TANK LEAK ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK COMING FROM THE ONE OR MORE ROLLOVER VALVE NIPPLES ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK. THE SAFETY RECALL ADDRESSES REPAIRING AND REINFORCING THESE LEAKING ROLLOVER VALVE NIPPLES SO A REPAIR REQUEST SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE RECALL. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

WHEN ENGINE IS COLD, USUALLY BELOW 0 DEGREES FUEL SPRAYS FROM INJECTORS. THIS COULD IGNITE ON EXHAUST MANIFOLDS CAUSING CAR FIRE.

- ABS Module has intermittent failures, available for inspection - Anti-lock brakes will not work - Yes, the problem reoccurs and the module loses power and then errors out - Others - VCDS - ABS lights come on and BRAKE light stays illuminated

WITH THE ELEC STABILITY CONTROL BEING INTERMITTENT THIS IS BEING CAUSED BY THE ABS MODULE GOING BAD/INTERMITTENT THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE CHANGES. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS WITH MY 2002 RAM 1500 (4X4) AS WELL. THIS COULD BE A PROBLEM IN ALL CARS AND TRUCKS. THE COST THE FIX FOR AN AUDI IS AROUND $2500.00 AND MY RAM WAS $1300.00. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 AUDI A6. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V198000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

REPLACED CYLINDER BANK 1 RIGHT SIDE! *TR

- ABS Module has intermittent failures, available for inspection - Anti-lock brakes will not work - Yes, the problem reoccurs and the module loses power and then errors out - Others - VCDS - ABS lights come on and BRAKE light stays illuminated

WITH THE ELEC STABILITY CONTROL BEING INTERMITTENT THIS IS BEING CAUSED BY THE ABS MODULE GOING BAD/INTERMITTENT THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE CHANGES. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS WITH MY 2002 RAM 1500 (4X4) AS WELL. THIS COULD BE A PROBLEM IN ALL CARS AND TRUCKS. THE COST THE FIX FOR AN AUDI IS AROUND $2500.00 AND MY RAM WAS $1300.00. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A6 AVANT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD BEEN ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD NOT WORRY ABOUT THE LIGHT. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO MISS A DEER AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT BEGAN TO ROCK BACK AND FORTH AND THE BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE. THE CONTACT HIT GUARDRAILS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. THE VEHICLE THEN TIPPED ON ITS SIDE AND WENT INTO A RAVINE. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AND THE WHEELS WERE STILL SPINNING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE COLLAR BONE, RIBS, A CONCUSSION, AND LOST TEETH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 190,000. UPDATED 04/08/11

MY AUDI DEALER INFORMED ME OF A FAILURE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $931.99, I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE NEW AND IT IS ACCIDENT FEE. THIS IS FAILURE OF A MAJOR SAFETY ITEM AND SHOULD BE LOOKED AT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A6. WHILE DRIVING ON A GRAVEL ROAD, THE GRAVEL WAS LODGED INTO THE RIMS. THE CONTACT WASHED THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE GRAVEL REMAINED IN THE RIMS. THE DEALER STATED THAT POWER WASHING THE RIMS WOULD REMOVE THE GRAVEL OR MANUALLY WASH THEM BY HAND. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS WILL NOT OCCUR IF THE CONTACT IS DRIVING ON A PAVED ROAD. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 30,000.

DURING THE FIRST 18 MONTHS, I HAVE EXPERIENCED 4 FLAT TIRES ON MY AUDI A6 2.7T S LINE. ONE ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AND 3 ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. I HAVE DRIVEN FOR OVER 25 YEARS AND HAVE ONLY EXPERIENCED ABOUT 3 FLAT TIRES IN THAT ENTIRE PERIOD BEFORE THE PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE. THE FLAT TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH THREE DIFFERENT BRANDS. REGARDLESS OF THE TIRE MANUFACTURER, THERE CONTINUES TO BE FLATS. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. *JB

DURING THE FIRST 18 MONTHS, I HAVE EXPERIENCED 4 FLAT TIRES ON MY AUDI A6 2.7T S LINE. ONE ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AND 3 ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. I HAVE DRIVEN FOR OVER 25 YEARS AND HAVE ONLY EXPERIENCED ABOUT 3 FLAT TIRES IN THAT ENTIRE PERIOD BEFORE THE PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE. THE FLAT TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH THREE DIFFERENT BRANDS. REGARDLESS OF THE TIRE MANUFACTURER, THERE CONTINUES TO BE FLATS. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. *JB

CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED 4 TIRE BLOW OUTS WITHT EH CONTINENTAL TIRE EQUIPMENT.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE TIRE DEALER REPLACED THE CONSUMER'S FOUR CONTINENTAL TIRES WITH WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE MODEL TIRE WHICH HAD BLOWNOUT. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE FOURTH BLOWOUT OF ON OF THE CONTINENTAL TIRES IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. *NM

AFTERMARKET RADIO: PIONEER ELECTRONICS AVH-4100 NEX BACKUP CAMERA FAILS AND DISTRACTS DRIVER SIGNIFICANTLY. I HAVE ATTACHED A SCAN OF THE COMPLAINT TO PIONEER ELECTRONICS. THE RADIO LIKELY HAS SOFTWARE DEFECT THAT CAUSES VERY DISTRACTING FAILURES WHEN OPERATING THE BACK-UP CAMERA. PIONEER ADVERTISES THAT THIS BACKUP CAMERA WORKS AS ADVERTISED - IT IS ACTUALLY NOW A DISTRACTION AND HAZARD. AS WELL, OPERATING GOOGLE "ANDROID AUTO" CAUSES MORE SIGNIFICANT DRIVING DISTRACTIONS WHEN USING THE BACKUP CAMERA FUNCTION OF THE AVH-4100. COMPLAINTS TO PIONEER ELECTRONICS HAVE BEEN FRUITLESS. THEY SEEM TO BE ARROGANT AND CLAIM: "ALL OF OUR PRODUCTS ARE THOROUGHLY TESTED." I WOULD LIKE PIONEER ELECTRONICS TO FIX THE SOFTWARE ISSUE AND CREATE A NEW RELEASE THAT ALLOWS THE BACKUP CAMERA TO WORK WITHOUT A DISTRACTION AND SAFTY-HAZARD.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE IN THE ELECTRIC HARNESS UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED A BURNING ODOR AND THEN THE POWER FAILED TO MOVE THE SEAT. UPON FURTHER REVIEW, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE CARPET UNDER THE SEAT WAS SINGED AND HAD MELTED SOME PLASTIC UNDER THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CONTACT'S PERSONAL MECHANIC WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE POSED A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V133000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER TO INQUIRE OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER BOTH ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 94,648 UPDATED 6/1/12 *CN THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS THE SHORTING OF THE SEAT HARNESS WIRING UNDER THE PASSENGER CARPETING FROM MOVEMENT AND THERE WAS A BEND/ KINK IN THE HARNESS WHEN ASSEMBLED AND THERE WAS SUB DAMAGE TO ADJACENT WIRE HARNESS. UPDATED 06/22/12

I FILED A COMPLAINT ABOUT MY 2004 AUDI A6 IN DEC OF 2009. I REPORTED THAT MY BACK PASSENGER SEAT HAD ALMOST CAUGHT FIRE, AND WAS BURNT. BOTH MY SEAT CUSHION AND UPPER BACK CUSHION WERE BURNED. AT THE TIME I HAD NOT CONTACTED AUDI, YET FILED A COMPLAINT, BECAUSE I FELT AND STILL DO THAT THIS WAS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. SINCE MY LAST COMPLAINT I DID CONTACT BOTH MY DEALERSHIP (ROTH AUDI IN ERIE, PA) AND AUDI HEADQUARTERS AKA: AUDI CUSTOMER RELATIONS. THEY WERE VERY WILLING TO WORK WITH ME, SEEMED EXTREMELY CONCERNED AND SAID NOT TO WORRY BECAUSE I STILL HAD A WARRANTY LEFT ON MY CAR. WELL AFTER THE CAR RETURNED HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP THEY ONLY FIXED HALF OF THE PROBLEM! THE DEALERSHIP SAID AUDI TOLD THEM TO REPLACE THE BOTTOM CUSHION ONLY. THE DEALERSHIP PAINTED OVER THE TOP CUSHION AND I FOUND THIS OUT AFTER I BEGAN WIPING MY SEAT, BECAUSE I THOUGHT I HAD SMUDGE MARKS ON IT... NOPE PAINT WAS COMING OFF AND COULD SEE THE BURNED SEAT UNDERNEATH THE PAINT. I CALLED AUDI BACK, AND THEY HAD ME TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER TO BE ASSESSED AGAIN. AFTER 6 DAYS OR SO THE PERSON I HAD BEEN DEALING WITH FROM AUDI CUSTOMER RELATIONS CALLED TO SAY WE CANT REPLACE THAT PART OF THE SEAT BECAUSE THEY FOUND NO DEFECT IN THE HEATING ELEMENT. SO IN ESSENCE, THEY ONLY DID HALF OF THEIR JOB SINCE THE SEAT BURNED FROM ONE INCIDENT! I HAVE SINCE CONTACTED THE FTC, AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL RE: THIS ISSUE. I WILL NOT STOP THERE IF I DO NOT GET THIS RESOLVED. THE ENTIRE SEAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. CONSIDERING VW RECALLED MANY OF THEIR CARS FOR THE SAME REASON, AND AUDI IS OWNED BY VW I WOULD THINK THEY WOULD BE A BIT MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS. I HAVE VIEWED MANY FORUMS, AND FOUND THERE WERE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE WITH REGARDS TO THE HEATED SEATING EITHER CATCHING ON FIRE OF BURNING THE SEAT. I'D LIKE TO KNOW IF NHTSA IS HONESTLY LOOKING INTO THIS? THANK YOU. *TR

I HAD PURCHASED A 2004 AUDI A6 QUATTRO WITH 55,900 MILES ON IT FROM A NISSAN DEALER IN NJ ON 1/16/09. I HAD THE CAR FOR 9 DAYS AND I WAS DRIVING ON THE MASSACHUSETTS TURNPIKE WHEN I BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING ODD IN THE CAR. I PULLED OFF AT THE NEXT REST AREA. I WENT TO THE BACK SEAT TO GET A JACKET. I PICKED UP THE JACKET AND THE SMELL GOT STRONGER. I PICKED UP A SMALL TRAVEL PILLOW OFF THE SEAT AND THE BOTTOM OF THE PILLOW WAS BURNED AND THE SEAT HAD A HOLE BURNT IN IT. THE CAR WAS EXAMINED BY AN AUDI DEALER WHO SAID THE SWITCH HAD SHORTED OUT AND THE HEATING ELEMENT BURNT THE SEAT. THERE IS A FUSE IN THIS CIRCUIT BUT IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO WORK. AUDI WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT THIS. I GUESS THEY THINK SEATS BURNING UP ARE OK. I WAS JUST LUCKY NO ONE WAS IN THE SEAT AT THE TIME. THE SEAT IS NOT EVEN SUPPOSED TO ACTIVATE THE HEATERS UNLESS SOMEONE IS IN THE SEAT. THE SWITCH ON THE HEATER WAS ALSO ONLY SET TO THE LOWEST SETTING. THE SEAT BURNT ALL THE WAY THROUGH ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO ACTUAL FIRE INVOLVED. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE SEAT AND THE PILLOW IF THIS WOULD BE HELPFUL. THE OLD SEAT IS AVAILABLE AS I AM LOOKING FOR A NEW NON HEATED SEAT. THIS WAS THE REAR BENCH SEAT BOTTOM THAT BURNT. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE MECHANICAL VERTICAL ADJUSTER DOES NOT FUNCTION IS LAMP POINT TO ABOUT 10 FEET TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. DIVER SIDE ADJUSTER APPEAR TO FUNCTION OK. ONLINE BLOGS CONFER MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH AUDI HEADLIGHT ADJUSTERS AS COMMON, RECURRENT, AND COSTLY TO FIX. DRIVING WITH POORLY AIMED LIGHTS IS OBVIOUSLY SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

A NUMBER OF CARS THAT HAVE RED TURN SIGNALS (VERSUS ORANGE) DO NOT BLINK THE ENTIRE LIGHT WHEN TURNING. THUS, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND THE TURN SIGNAL IS ON, IT IS MORE DIFFICULT TO SEE. IF THE COLOR OF THE BRAKE LIGHT AND THE TURN SIGNAL IS THE SAME, THE ENTIRE LIGHT SHOULD BLINK, NOT JUST A SMALL PORTION. *JB

I HAVE A 2004 AUDI A6 2.7T S-LINE SEDAN WITH 56,000 MILES ON IT. FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS IT HAS HAD A SEVERE SHUDDERING IN THE STEERING COLUMN AS I ACCELERATE MID-THROTTLE, AS WHEN I ACCELERATE ONTO AN ON-RAMP. I HAVE TRIED TO HAVE MY LOCAL AUDI DEALER ADDRESS THIS (IT IS A CERTIFIED VEHICLE) BUT THEY SO FAR HAVE NOT COME ACROSS WITH RESOLUTION. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED THE AUDI OF AMERICA CUSTOMER SUPPORT FOLKS SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY SAY THAT THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM LIKE THIS WITH THIS CAR, BUT THEY ALSO SAY THAT IF I USE A SPECIFIC MAKE OF MICHELIN TIRE, IT MIGHT ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM! I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR-IT DOESN'T ALWAYS DO THIS, BUT WHEN IT DOES THE STEERING WHEEL "SHUDDERS", LIKE IT VIBRATES/WOBBLES AND THE WHOLE CAR VIBRATES. IT STARTED AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES AND SEEMS TO HAVE WORSENED OVER TIME. IS THERE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE? PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN! *TR

I HAVE A 2004 AUDI A6 2.7T S-LINE SEDAN WITH 56,000 MILES ON IT. FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS IT HAS HAD A SEVERE SHUDDERING IN THE STEERING COLUMN AS I ACCELERATE MID-THROTTLE, AS WHEN I ACCELERATE ONTO AN ON-RAMP. I HAVE TRIED TO HAVE MY LOCAL AUDI DEALER ADDRESS THIS (IT IS A CERTIFIED VEHICLE) BUT THEY SO FAR HAVE NOT COME ACROSS WITH RESOLUTION. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED THE AUDI OF AMERICA CUSTOMER SUPPORT FOLKS SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY SAY THAT THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM LIKE THIS WITH THIS CAR, BUT THEY ALSO SAY THAT IF I USE A SPECIFIC MAKE OF MICHELIN TIRE, IT MIGHT ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM! I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR-IT DOESN'T ALWAYS DO THIS, BUT WHEN IT DOES THE STEERING WHEEL "SHUDDERS", LIKE IT VIBRATES/WOBBLES AND THE WHOLE CAR VIBRATES. IT STARTED AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES AND SEEMS TO HAVE WORSENED OVER TIME. IS THERE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE? PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN! *TR

I HAVE A 2004 AUDI A6 QUATTRO 3.0 L. THIS WEEKEND MY GROWN SON WAS SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT AND HAD HIS SUIT IN A GARMENT BAG NEXT TO HIM. THE HEATED SEATS WERE BOTH ON IN THE BACK. THEY SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND IT TURNED OUT IT WAS THE HEATED SEAT. IT BURNED THE GARMENT BAG RIGHT INTO HIS SUIT AND RUINED THE SUIT JACKET AS WELL. MY SEAT LOOKS LIKE IT WAS READY TO CATCH ON FIRE. I HAVE 44,000 MILES ON THIS CAR. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED AUDI YET, AND MY FEAR IS THAT WHEN I DO THEY WILL MAKE ME PAY FOR THIS. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD AND NOW I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE REST OF THE SEATS AS WELL. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF A PERSON WOULD HAVE BEEN SITTING THERE! *TR

DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE HAD A DESIGN FLAW ON THE SERVICE BRAKES. HE SUSPECTED THAT HEAT AND WEIGHT BALANCE ON THE BRAKES WAS CALCULATED INCORRECTLY. THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS BECAME DISCOLORED AND OVERHEATED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR BRAKES DUE TO DISCOLORATION. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A HEAVY NOISE. UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB

WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT EFFECTIVELY CLEAR THE SNOW; THE SNOW IS PUSHED INTO THE AIR INTAKE; THE MELTED SNOW FORMS ICE/SNOW GLOBS ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS REDUCING VISIBILITY TO VERY HAZARDOUS LEVELS. THIS BUILDUP HAS TO BE MANUALLY REMOVED WITH A SCRAPER. THIS WIPER BLADE ASSEMBLY IS USED ON ALL NEWER AUDI'S ( 2002 FORWARD) AND SOME VOLKSWAGENS. WE PURCHASED THE 2004 ALLROAD AND A 2005 VW TOUREG THIS SPRING UNDER DEALER CERTIFIED USED CAR PROGRAMS. BOTH HAVE THE SAME WIPER ASSEMBLY. AUDI INFORMS ME THERE IS NO WINTER BLADE; ONLY OPTION: PURCHASE OLD STYLE WIPER ARMS AND INSTALL WINTER WIPER BLADES. PRICE:$157/ ARM --NOT INCLUDING INSTALLATION. THERE SHOULD BE A PROPERLY ENGINEERED WINTER BLADE. I LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE WE HAVE 6 MONTHS OF WINTER WITH AN AVERAGE SNOWFALL OF 60-90 INCHES/ YEAR. THESE WIPERS ARE UNACCEPTABLE. TODAY, I HAD TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONCE BETWEEN MY WORK AND THE ENTRANCE TO RT 87 ( 1/2 HR TIME WISE DUE TO SNOW/ TRAFFIC) AND 3 MORE TIMES FROM MY ENTRANCE ON RT 87 ( EXIT 6) TO EXIT 13--SO EVERY TWO EXITS. THANK GOODNESS THE SNOW EASED, BECAUSE MY EXIT FOR HOME IS EXIT 18. I AM A NURSE, FORMER ARMY MAJOR, FORMER ICU HEAD NURSE AND CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AS A CONSULTANT IN THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY. I KNOW A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN I SEE ONE. I HAVE NEVER HAD A MORE HAZARDOUS DRIVE. THE PARTS FELLOW ( JASON) AT LANGAN AUDI EAST INFORMED ME THAT HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THIS MORNING WHILE DELIVERING AN A4 WITH THE SAME WIPER ASSEMBLY. HE TELLS ME THAT THEY HAVE HAD THIS COMPLAINT BEFORE. BRUCE SHELLNUT AT AUDI CUSTOMER SERVICE CHECKED A COLORADO DEALER AND THEY ADVISE THE OLD STYLE ARMS/WINTER BLADES BE INSTALLED IF THE CUSTOMER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE WINTER FUNCTION OF THE OEM BLADE. BRUCE EXPLAINED THAT IF THERE WERE AN ISSUE WITH SAFETY, THAT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAYTRAFFIC INSTITUTE WOULD HAVE ISSUED A RECALL. I ASSURED HIM I WOULD WRITE YOU. AUDI CUSTOMER SERVICE COMPLAINT: 703666665. *TR