RoadVitals

2007 Audi S4 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
13
Latest Jan 26, 2023
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
9
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2007 Audi S4, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Airbags838.1%
  • Driver assistance29.5%
  • Electrical29.5%
  • Engine29.5%
  • Powertrain (other)29.5%
  • Seat belts29.5%
  • Steering14.8%
  • Brakes14.8%
  • Other / unspecified14.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

My airbags were never replaced by Audi. I took my vehicle in for an oil change and to fix the recall I received in the mail (airbags) and was told they had none in stock. Why is this telling me I have no recalls when I still do? The only way that my vehicle has no recalls is if Audi said they fixed it and that’s not true. Nobody has fixed it nor have they notified me that they’re back in stock! The Audi dealership I have dealt with since owning this s4 is the one in fife Washington. Now my airbag warning light is on and I do not feel safe but I have no choice. I have to go to work or be homeless and loose everything. That’s not a choice I can make. Thank you

NHTSA ID 11503739 · filed Jan 26, 2023

DO TO A RECALL, I HAD MY 2007 AUDI S4 CABRIOLET FRONT TWO AIRBAGS REPLACED. AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY AFTER REPLACEMENT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD I WILL NEED TO PAY FOR A NEW SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ORDERED DIRECT FROM GERMANY FOR $1172.00 USD. (NOT INCLUDING INSTALL FEE) PLEASE ADVISE.

NHTSA ID 11271708 · filed Oct 28, 2019
All 8 reports naming airbags

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, EPC LIGHT, AND STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD. THE ENGINE GOES INTO WHAT COULD BE DESCRIBED AS SAFE MODE. REGARDLESS OF HOW FAR DOWN YOU PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE WILL BE SLOW TO ACCELERATE AND AT SPEEDS AT OR ABOVE 75 MPH MAY NOT ACCELERATE OR EVEN MAINTAIN HIGHWAY SPEED. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT AUDI DEALERSHIPS. AUDI SENT ONE TECHNICAL FIELD MANAGER TO INSPECT MY VEHICLE. I HAVE COMPLETED NUMEROUS REPAIRS AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE DEALERSHIPS. NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE SOLVED THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID 10750270 · filed Aug 21, 2015

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 AUDI S4. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WITHIN TWO SECONDS. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 40 MPH. APPROXIMATELY TWO DAYS LATER, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FROM 50 TO 70 MPH WITHIN FOUR SECONDS. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE RPM'S CONTINUED TO INCREASE. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE ACCELERATION FAILURE WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT GEARS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CLUTCH BURNED OUT AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE CLUTCH REPLACED BEFORE THE FAILURE COULD BE INVESTIGATED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 840 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 725. UPDATED 02-25-08 *BF UPDATED *JB

NHTSA ID 10190478 · filed May 11, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TIRE SEPARATION FROM CASING AND MAKER NOT COMMUNICATING RE: STATED WARRANTY/.

NHTSA ID 11349067 · filed Aug 13, 2020

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, EPC LIGHT, AND STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD. THE ENGINE GOES INTO WHAT COULD BE DESCRIBED AS SAFE MODE. REGARDLESS OF HOW FAR DOWN YOU PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE WILL BE SLOW TO ACCELERATE AND AT SPEEDS AT OR ABOVE 75 MPH MAY NOT ACCELERATE OR EVEN MAINTAIN HIGHWAY SPEED. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT AUDI DEALERSHIPS. AUDI SENT ONE TECHNICAL FIELD MANAGER TO INSPECT MY VEHICLE. I HAVE COMPLETED NUMEROUS REPAIRS AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE DEALERSHIPS. NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE SOLVED THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID 10750270 · filed Aug 21, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

AUDI HAS USED A TIMING CHAIN IN THE 4.2L V8 ENGINE. BECAUSE TIMING CHAINS ARE TYPICALLY VERY RELIABLE, THE CHAIN HAS BEEN PLACED AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINE NEAR THE FIREWALL. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE TIMING TENSIONERS ARE MADE OF PLASTIC AND PRONE TO BREAKAGE. THIS CAN RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE.

NHTSA ID 11374788 · filed Nov 15, 2020

WHILE DRIVING TO NEW YORK CITY FROM NORTH CAROLINA ON INTERSTATE 95, I ENCOUNTERED HEAVY TRAFFIC AROUND SILVER SPRING, MD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING IN SLOW-MOVING TRAFFIC, THE CLUTCH PEDAL FAILED TO RETURN FROM ITS ENGAGED POSITION AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. WITH THE ENGINE OFF, I MANUALLY PULLED AND RETURNED THE CLUTCH PEDAL BACK TO ITS RELEASED POSITION. I THEN PROCEEDED TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND PRESSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL. AGAIN, THE CLUTCH PEDAL REMAINED STUCK IN THE ENGAGED POSITION. MOMENTS LATER SMOKE BECAME TO APPEAR FROM UNDER THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HOOD. A POLICE OFFICER WHO HAPPENED TO BE NEARBY HELPED PUSH THE CAR TO THE LEFT SHOULDER OF THE INTERSTATE AND LEFT, WHILE SMOKE KEPT ESCAPING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED BY THE POLICE OFFICER. SHORTLY AFTER THE DEPARTURE OF THE POLICE OFFICER, FLAMES APPEARED ALONGSIDE THE SMOKE FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HOOD AND THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FILL UP WITH DENSE SMOKE. WHILE FRANTICALLY REMOVING MY DOG, SUITCASES AND OTHER PERSONAL BELONGINGS FROM THE VEHICLE, A MOTORIST STOPPED TO ASSIST ME AND WITH THE USE OF HIS OWN FIRE EXTINGUISHER PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE DAMAGED VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A NEARBY AUDI DEALERSHIP AND SUBSEQUENTLY TAKEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION TO BE EVALUATED BY AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND BY AUDI OF AMERICA. A RENTAL CAR HAD TO BE USED TO COMPLETE THE TRAVEL. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER HAS SINCE DECLARED THE DAMAGED VEHICLE A "TOTAL LOSS". THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION HAD NOT MISSED ANY MANUFACTURE-RECOMMENDED SERVICE AT AUTHORIZED AUDI DEALERSHIPS. THE LAST SUCH SERVICE WAS CONDUCTED THE WEEK PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10606837 · filed Jun 29, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, EPC LIGHT, AND STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD. THE ENGINE GOES INTO WHAT COULD BE DESCRIBED AS SAFE MODE. REGARDLESS OF HOW FAR DOWN YOU PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE WILL BE SLOW TO ACCELERATE AND AT SPEEDS AT OR ABOVE 75 MPH MAY NOT ACCELERATE OR EVEN MAINTAIN HIGHWAY SPEED. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT AUDI DEALERSHIPS. AUDI SENT ONE TECHNICAL FIELD MANAGER TO INSPECT MY VEHICLE. I HAVE COMPLETED NUMEROUS REPAIRS AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE DEALERSHIPS. NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE SOLVED THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID 10750270 · filed Aug 21, 2015

WHILE DRIVING TO NEW YORK CITY FROM NORTH CAROLINA ON INTERSTATE 95, I ENCOUNTERED HEAVY TRAFFIC AROUND SILVER SPRING, MD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING IN SLOW-MOVING TRAFFIC, THE CLUTCH PEDAL FAILED TO RETURN FROM ITS ENGAGED POSITION AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. WITH THE ENGINE OFF, I MANUALLY PULLED AND RETURNED THE CLUTCH PEDAL BACK TO ITS RELEASED POSITION. I THEN PROCEEDED TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND PRESSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL. AGAIN, THE CLUTCH PEDAL REMAINED STUCK IN THE ENGAGED POSITION. MOMENTS LATER SMOKE BECAME TO APPEAR FROM UNDER THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HOOD. A POLICE OFFICER WHO HAPPENED TO BE NEARBY HELPED PUSH THE CAR TO THE LEFT SHOULDER OF THE INTERSTATE AND LEFT, WHILE SMOKE KEPT ESCAPING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED BY THE POLICE OFFICER. SHORTLY AFTER THE DEPARTURE OF THE POLICE OFFICER, FLAMES APPEARED ALONGSIDE THE SMOKE FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HOOD AND THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FILL UP WITH DENSE SMOKE. WHILE FRANTICALLY REMOVING MY DOG, SUITCASES AND OTHER PERSONAL BELONGINGS FROM THE VEHICLE, A MOTORIST STOPPED TO ASSIST ME AND WITH THE USE OF HIS OWN FIRE EXTINGUISHER PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE DAMAGED VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A NEARBY AUDI DEALERSHIP AND SUBSEQUENTLY TAKEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION TO BE EVALUATED BY AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND BY AUDI OF AMERICA. A RENTAL CAR HAD TO BE USED TO COMPLETE THE TRAVEL. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER HAS SINCE DECLARED THE DAMAGED VEHICLE A "TOTAL LOSS". THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION HAD NOT MISSED ANY MANUFACTURE-RECOMMENDED SERVICE AT AUTHORIZED AUDI DEALERSHIPS. THE LAST SUCH SERVICE WAS CONDUCTED THE WEEK PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10606837 · filed Jun 29, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DO TO A RECALL, I HAD MY 2007 AUDI S4 CABRIOLET FRONT TWO AIRBAGS REPLACED. AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY AFTER REPLACEMENT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD I WILL NEED TO PAY FOR A NEW SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ORDERED DIRECT FROM GERMANY FOR $1172.00 USD. (NOT INCLUDING INSTALL FEE) PLEASE ADVISE.

NHTSA ID 11271708 · filed Oct 28, 2019

MY 2007 AUDI RS-4 QUATTRO SEDAN HAD A BRAKE MALFUNCTION OF SOME SORT THAT CAUSED THE FRONT WHEELS TO LOCK EVEN WHILE THE ESP SYSTEM WAS ACTIVE AND ABS WAS IN PROPER WORKING ORDER AND THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED NO WARNINGS ON THE INFO DISPLAY. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL WHILE WE WERE DOING 40MPH BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T TURN IN THE CURVE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL WE WERE DESCENDING, A FEW TIMES THAT DAY THE CAR HAD A VIBRATION GO THROUGH IT ALMOST AS THOUGH A TIRE WAS BAD OR A BRAKE WAS DRAGGING, WITH A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL TO ACCOMPANY IT. BUT STILL NO LIGHTS OR WARNING DISPLAYS CAME ON, ON OUR WAY TO DINNER MY FRIEND AND I WERE DESCENDING THE HILL NEAR TO THE RESTAURANT WE WERE GONG TO AND THE BRAKES DIDN'T SEEM TO GRAB AT FIRST THEN SEEM TO HAVE LOCKED UP.. WE CRASHED DOING A FULL 40MPH. THE ANGLE WE HIT THE RAIL AT AND THE ANGLE OF THE RAIL ITSELF DEFLECTED US SLIGHTLY CAUSING THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR OF THE CAR TO ALSO HIT IT. THEN AS THE REAR HIT THE RAIL IT BOUNCED THE REAR OUT TO THE LEFT CAUSING US TO HIT THE RAIL WITH THE RIGHT FRONT AGAIN THEN DEFLECTED US OFF OF THE SMALL CLIFF ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHERE THE CAR WAS LAYING ON ITS DRIVER'S SIDE IN THE DITCH AND HAD RUN DOWN 3 SMALLER TREES, ALL THIS ENERGY AND DAMAGE, YET NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED NOT EVEN THE HEAD CURTAINS, AS A RESULT I SUFFERED HEAD INJURIES A FRACTURED T3 VERTEBRAE ALOT OF MUSCLE STRAINS AND A SPRAIN PLUS NERVE DAMAGE THAT DISABLED ME FROM FEELING MY LOWER EXTREMITIES AND FEET FOR A FEW DAYS, MY FRIEND WHOM WAS DRIVING SUFFERED A CONTUSION ON HIS BRAIN THAT BLED FOR A WHILE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED HIM TO BECOME PARAPLEGIC. HE STRUCK HIS HEAD ON THE B-PILLAR AND STEERING WHEEL, EVEN THOUGH WE BOTH WORE OUR SEAT BELTS, WHICH MY BELT HAD TO BE CUT OFF AS IT WOULDN'T UNLATCH. I HAVE LOOKED ON A FEW AUDI FORUMS AND HAVE SEEN COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER RS4 OWNERS. I HOPE THIS CAN BE ADDRESSED, THANKS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10220525 · filed Mar 10, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING TO NEW YORK CITY FROM NORTH CAROLINA ON INTERSTATE 95, I ENCOUNTERED HEAVY TRAFFIC AROUND SILVER SPRING, MD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING IN SLOW-MOVING TRAFFIC, THE CLUTCH PEDAL FAILED TO RETURN FROM ITS ENGAGED POSITION AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. WITH THE ENGINE OFF, I MANUALLY PULLED AND RETURNED THE CLUTCH PEDAL BACK TO ITS RELEASED POSITION. I THEN PROCEEDED TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND PRESSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL. AGAIN, THE CLUTCH PEDAL REMAINED STUCK IN THE ENGAGED POSITION. MOMENTS LATER SMOKE BECAME TO APPEAR FROM UNDER THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HOOD. A POLICE OFFICER WHO HAPPENED TO BE NEARBY HELPED PUSH THE CAR TO THE LEFT SHOULDER OF THE INTERSTATE AND LEFT, WHILE SMOKE KEPT ESCAPING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED BY THE POLICE OFFICER. SHORTLY AFTER THE DEPARTURE OF THE POLICE OFFICER, FLAMES APPEARED ALONGSIDE THE SMOKE FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HOOD AND THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FILL UP WITH DENSE SMOKE. WHILE FRANTICALLY REMOVING MY DOG, SUITCASES AND OTHER PERSONAL BELONGINGS FROM THE VEHICLE, A MOTORIST STOPPED TO ASSIST ME AND WITH THE USE OF HIS OWN FIRE EXTINGUISHER PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE DAMAGED VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A NEARBY AUDI DEALERSHIP AND SUBSEQUENTLY TAKEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION TO BE EVALUATED BY AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND BY AUDI OF AMERICA. A RENTAL CAR HAD TO BE USED TO COMPLETE THE TRAVEL. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER HAS SINCE DECLARED THE DAMAGED VEHICLE A "TOTAL LOSS". THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION HAD NOT MISSED ANY MANUFACTURE-RECOMMENDED SERVICE AT AUTHORIZED AUDI DEALERSHIPS. THE LAST SUCH SERVICE WAS CONDUCTED THE WEEK PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10606837 · filed Jun 29, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

MY 2007 AUDI RS-4 QUATTRO SEDAN HAD A BRAKE MALFUNCTION OF SOME SORT THAT CAUSED THE FRONT WHEELS TO LOCK EVEN WHILE THE ESP SYSTEM WAS ACTIVE AND ABS WAS IN PROPER WORKING ORDER AND THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED NO WARNINGS ON THE INFO DISPLAY. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL WHILE WE WERE DOING 40MPH BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T TURN IN THE CURVE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL WE WERE DESCENDING, A FEW TIMES THAT DAY THE CAR HAD A VIBRATION GO THROUGH IT ALMOST AS THOUGH A TIRE WAS BAD OR A BRAKE WAS DRAGGING, WITH A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL TO ACCOMPANY IT. BUT STILL NO LIGHTS OR WARNING DISPLAYS CAME ON, ON OUR WAY TO DINNER MY FRIEND AND I WERE DESCENDING THE HILL NEAR TO THE RESTAURANT WE WERE GONG TO AND THE BRAKES DIDN'T SEEM TO GRAB AT FIRST THEN SEEM TO HAVE LOCKED UP.. WE CRASHED DOING A FULL 40MPH. THE ANGLE WE HIT THE RAIL AT AND THE ANGLE OF THE RAIL ITSELF DEFLECTED US SLIGHTLY CAUSING THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR OF THE CAR TO ALSO HIT IT. THEN AS THE REAR HIT THE RAIL IT BOUNCED THE REAR OUT TO THE LEFT CAUSING US TO HIT THE RAIL WITH THE RIGHT FRONT AGAIN THEN DEFLECTED US OFF OF THE SMALL CLIFF ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHERE THE CAR WAS LAYING ON ITS DRIVER'S SIDE IN THE DITCH AND HAD RUN DOWN 3 SMALLER TREES, ALL THIS ENERGY AND DAMAGE, YET NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED NOT EVEN THE HEAD CURTAINS, AS A RESULT I SUFFERED HEAD INJURIES A FRACTURED T3 VERTEBRAE ALOT OF MUSCLE STRAINS AND A SPRAIN PLUS NERVE DAMAGE THAT DISABLED ME FROM FEELING MY LOWER EXTREMITIES AND FEET FOR A FEW DAYS, MY FRIEND WHOM WAS DRIVING SUFFERED A CONTUSION ON HIS BRAIN THAT BLED FOR A WHILE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED HIM TO BECOME PARAPLEGIC. HE STRUCK HIS HEAD ON THE B-PILLAR AND STEERING WHEEL, EVEN THOUGH WE BOTH WORE OUR SEAT BELTS, WHICH MY BELT HAD TO BE CUT OFF AS IT WOULDN'T UNLATCH. I HAVE LOOKED ON A FEW AUDI FORUMS AND HAVE SEEN COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER RS4 OWNERS. I HOPE THIS CAN BE ADDRESSED, THANKS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10220525 · filed Mar 10, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING TO NEW YORK CITY FROM NORTH CAROLINA ON INTERSTATE 95, I ENCOUNTERED HEAVY TRAFFIC AROUND SILVER SPRING, MD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING IN SLOW-MOVING TRAFFIC, THE CLUTCH PEDAL FAILED TO RETURN FROM ITS ENGAGED POSITION AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. WITH THE ENGINE OFF, I MANUALLY PULLED AND RETURNED THE CLUTCH PEDAL BACK TO ITS RELEASED POSITION. I THEN PROCEEDED TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND PRESSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL. AGAIN, THE CLUTCH PEDAL REMAINED STUCK IN THE ENGAGED POSITION. MOMENTS LATER SMOKE BECAME TO APPEAR FROM UNDER THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HOOD. A POLICE OFFICER WHO HAPPENED TO BE NEARBY HELPED PUSH THE CAR TO THE LEFT SHOULDER OF THE INTERSTATE AND LEFT, WHILE SMOKE KEPT ESCAPING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED BY THE POLICE OFFICER. SHORTLY AFTER THE DEPARTURE OF THE POLICE OFFICER, FLAMES APPEARED ALONGSIDE THE SMOKE FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HOOD AND THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FILL UP WITH DENSE SMOKE. WHILE FRANTICALLY REMOVING MY DOG, SUITCASES AND OTHER PERSONAL BELONGINGS FROM THE VEHICLE, A MOTORIST STOPPED TO ASSIST ME AND WITH THE USE OF HIS OWN FIRE EXTINGUISHER PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE DAMAGED VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A NEARBY AUDI DEALERSHIP AND SUBSEQUENTLY TAKEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION TO BE EVALUATED BY AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND BY AUDI OF AMERICA. A RENTAL CAR HAD TO BE USED TO COMPLETE THE TRAVEL. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER HAS SINCE DECLARED THE DAMAGED VEHICLE A "TOTAL LOSS". THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION HAD NOT MISSED ANY MANUFACTURE-RECOMMENDED SERVICE AT AUTHORIZED AUDI DEALERSHIPS. THE LAST SUCH SERVICE WAS CONDUCTED THE WEEK PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10606837 · filed Jun 29, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .