1999 AUDI A4 Recalls, Complaints & Safety

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.

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

1 injured

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

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

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

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

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

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT SMOKE HAD BEGUN TO COME FROM UNDERNEATH THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT. NO FLAMES WERE VISIBLE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE ENTIRE WIRING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 104000.

Fire

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.

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

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

ABS CONTROL MODULE LIGHT FLASHING AND BEEPING ONA 1 999 AUDI A4. ALTHOUGH I THOUGHT IT WAS ONLY A WARNING, ON DOWN HILL DRIVING THE BRAKES ARE EFFECTED AND SEEM TO LOCK UP AND MAKE A NOISE. THE FEEL OF THE PEDAL IS ALSO EFFECTED. *TR

ABS KICKS IN DURING LOW SPEED BRAKING FOR NO ABS-RELATED REASON. *TR

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.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 AUDI A4. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V131001 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT INSUFFICIENT VACUUM IS PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS. IN ADDITION, HE NOTICED THAT THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT HE WAS ONLY ENTITLED TO ONE REPAIR ACCORDING TO THE RECALL LAW. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

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

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.

THE ABS MODULE ON MY VEHICLE HAS FAILED. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE QUITE PREVALENT AMONGST AUDI AND VW VEHICLES. AN ABS FAILURE COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS. THIS MODULE SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE PROBLEM BEGINS WITH THREE BEEPS, A SOLID YELLOW ABS LIGHT AND A FLASHING RED BRAKE LIGHT. THE WARNING MAY COME ON MOMENTARILY WHILE I AM DRIVING AND GO AWAY, BUT IN MOST CASES WILL BECOME MORE PREVALENT AS TIME GOES ON. SOMETIMES THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT REMAIN ON. OCCASIONALLY THE ABS ACTIVATED (IN OTHER WORDS ABS BRAKING HAS ACTIVATED) WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. FROM RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, IT SEEMS TO BE COMMON WITH AUDI A4 AND VW PASSAT B5 MODELS. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WILL COME ON EACH TIME THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED. THE SUDDEN ABS ACTIVATION WILL OCCUR RARELY. THE CONSEQUENCES OF SUDDEN ABS ACTIVATION IS OBVIOUS; BRAKING WHEN NOT EXPECTING IT CAN CAUSE TRAGIC RESULTS. LOSING THE ABS FUNCTIONALITY WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN IT IS NEEDED CAN ALSO CAUSE TRAGIC RESULTS. I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE SHOP. A VAG WAS HOOKED UP AND THE FOLLOWING CODE APPEARED: "01203 - ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN ABS AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER" REPLACING THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN THE ABS AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE ONLY RESOLUTION FOR THIS ISSUE IS TO BUY A NEW ABS UNIT, BUY A USED ABS UNIT, OR HAVE THE CURRENT CONTROL MODULE REBUILT. AGAIN, SYSTEMATIC AND WIDESPREAD FAILURES OF THE ABS CONTROL MODULE ARE OCCURRING. NUMEROUS OWNERS HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS WITH REGARD TO THIS ISSUE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THE ISSUE AND CONSIDER RECALLING THE MODULE BEFORE IT TRAGIC RESULTS DO OCCUR. *TR

ABS MODULE FAILED AT ONLY 70K MILES. *TR

PREMATURE ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM) MODULE FAILURE. *TR

1999 AUDI A4 2.8. THIRD TIME THE CAR NEEDS TO REPLACE LEAKING CAM SEALS ON ENGINE. ALL CAM SEAL REPAIRS COMPLETED BY ORIGINAL DEALER REPAIR DEPT. FIRST REPAIR WAS ONLY AT 39,000 MILES AND 6 MONTHS OFF OF WARRANTY, IN NOVEMBER 2003. 2ND REPAIR WAS ONLY TWO YEARS AND 30,000 MILES LATER, AT 69,000 MILES, IN FEBRUARY 2005. 3RD REPAIR NOW NEEDED, ONLY AFTER 35,000 MILES LATER, AT 105,000 MILES. I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE A4 MODEL MANUFACTURED OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL YEARS, INCLUDING 1999, AND THAT THE CAM SEALS SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER THAN 35,000 MILES. AUDI CORPORATE REFUSED TO ASSIST WITH EXPENSES WITH THE 2ND REPAIR. I AM IN DISCUSSIONS WITH AUDI CORPORATE ABOUT THE EXPENSES FOR THE 3RD REPAIR. SINCE THIS IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE, AND AS I'VE READ, MANY OTHER 1999 A4S, I ENCOURAGE THE NHTSA TO RESEARCH THIS CAM SEAL ENGINE DEFECT, AND ISSUE A DEFECT RECALL. I HAD SUBMITTED THE SAME REQUEST SEVERAL YEARS AGO, WHEN THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED. THANK YOU. KAREN BLUMENFELD *TR

A4 TIMING BELT FAILURE IN 1998 QUATRO MODELS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 AUDI A4. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT ANY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN BUT DOES NOT STOP AS IT SHOULD. THE CONTACT HAS HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH BOTH FEET IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V131001 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 6/16/08 *CN

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

ABS MODULE FAILURE @ 108,000 MI. UNIT REBUILT AT APPROX COST OF $1,000. *TR

I OWN A 1999 AUDI A4 AND THE LCD IN THE GAUGE CLUSTER HAS FAULTED AND NO LONGER WORKS. IT PROVIDES IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO THE DRIVER AND WORKS ABOUT 80% WHEN ITS EXTREMELY COLD. ONCE THE CAR WARMS UP ALL THE INFORMATION IS NOT ABLE TO BE SEEN. *TR

AUDI A4 ABS CONTROLLER. *TR

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

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

ON 11/10/2006, DEALER RECOMMENDS REPLACE DRIVER & PASSENGER SIDE TIE-RODS (BOOTS TORN). DEALER/MANUFACTURER DENIED THAT THE RECALL AFFECTED MY CAR. PLEASE HELP. HERE ARE MORE DETAILS OF THE RECALL : AUTO RECALL DATE: 09/13/1999 VEHICLE COMPONENT: STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING ESTIMATED VEHICLES AFFECTED: 51900 1999 AUDI A4 DEFECT SUMMARY: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE RODS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ARE PROTECTED ON EACH SIDE BY A SEAL TO PREVENT MOISTURE AND DUST PARTICLES FROM ENTERING THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME TIE ROD SEALS MAY NOT SEAL PROPERLY. DEFECT CONSEQUENCE: IF MOISTURE AND/OR DUST PARTICLES ENTER THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM, THE SWIVEL BEARING COULD WEAR OVER TIME DIMINISHING THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS. NOTES: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC, UL/KW . *NM

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS TO MY WIFE. THE TEMPERATURE WAS UNDER 4 DEGREES AND EXTREMELY WINDY AND SNOWING. SHE WARMED THE CAR UP FOR 15 MINUTES BEFORE DRIVING IT. THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS A LITTLE BIT OFF COLD. THE HEAT WAS ON AND WORKING FINE. THE CAR DID NOT WANT TO GO, AND HESITATED DURING ACCELERATION. SHE DROVE A MILE TO THE INTERSTATE WITH NO ISSUES AND THE CAR WARMED UP. ONCE ON THE INTERSTATE, SHE DROVE ABOUT A HALF MILE ACCELERATING TO ABOUT 65. WHEN SHE TRIED TO PASS, AND BEGAN ACCELERATING THE THROTTLE FROZE. THE RPMS INCREASED QUICKLY AND SIGNIFICANTLY. SHE TRIED TO BRAKE, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT EFFECTIVE. SHE DOWNSHIFTED USING THE TIPTRONIC, THE CAR WENT FASTER. SHE PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL AND THE RPMS REVVED OUT. THE CAR APPROXIMATELY WAS GOING 90 MILES AN HOUR OR GREATER AT THE APEX OF MY SPEED. SHE GOT OFF THE INTERSTATE BY USING MY E-BRAKE, AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AT THE STOP LIGHT BECAUSE SHE FEARED IT WOULD NOT STAY STOPPED. SHE DROVE ABOUT A HALF MILE TO WORK USING THE E-BRAKE AND BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN, AND NEARLY HIT A TREE TRYING TO STOP. SHE TURNED THE CAR ON AGAIN AFTER SHE PARKED TO SEE IF THE THROTTLE WAS STILL STUCK, IT WAS. THREE HOURS LATER I ARRIVED, STARTED THE CAR, AND THE THROTTLE WAS NO LONGER STUCK. I CALLED THE DEALER THAT DAY, EXPLAINED THE ISSUE, AND THEY WOULDN'T TAKE THE CAR UNTIL 6 DAYS LATER. THEY TOLD US THAT IT WAS THE CAR MAT STUCK UNDER THE PEDALS, AND IT WAS NECESSARY TO KEEP THE APPOINTMENT. I TOOK THE CAR TO GET LOOKED AT ANYWAY, THEY INSPECTED TO FIND EGR VALVE CLOGGED CAUSING MOISTURE BUILDUP AND THROTTLE TO ICE OVER. THEY REPLACED THE EGR VALVE, AIR PUMP AND VACUUM HOSE AND CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY. THIS TOTALED $546.30. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE A6 THROTTLE BODY FOR THE SAME YEAR, ENGINE, TRANSMISSION AND THE EXACT SAME PART NUMBER! BUT AUDI CORPORATE TOLD US IT DID NOT APPLY BECAUSE WE HAVE THE A4 NOT THE A6 AND WAS NOT CONCERNED OR WILLING TO HELP. *JB

MY HUSBAND AND I OWN A 1999 AUDI A4. ON 01/19/07 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE I-15 FREEWAY AT 75 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT ME PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL. I BRAKED, AND THE CAR SLOWED A LITTLE, BUT I STILL FELT TENSION, LIKE IT WAS TRYING TO PUSH FORWARD. WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE EVEN THOUGH MY FEET WERE NOT TOUCHING ANY OF THE PEDALS. I TRIED PUTTING MY FOOT UNDER THE GAS PEDAL AND PULLING IT UP IN CASE IT HAD FROZEN IN A DEPRESSED POSITION, BUT IT WAS NOT FROZEN. THE PEDAL FREELY MOVED UP AND DOWN. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, THE ENGINE RACED TO 7500 RPM WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL (MY FEET WERE COMPLETELY OFF ALL PEDALS). I QUICKLY TURNED THE IGNITION OFF DRIFTED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO BE LOOKED AT A SHOP THAT SPECIALIZES IN AUDI/VW CARS. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY ARE AWARE THAT THERE ARE A HISTORY OF COMPLAINTS WITH AUDI CARS FOR UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THEY BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS IN THE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH CAN FREEZE IN COLD TEMPERATURES. ACCORDING THE MECHANIC, MOST REPORTED CASES INVOLVE COLD TEMPERATURES AND DRIVING LONG DISTANCES. I WAS DRIVING FOR ABOUT 40 MINUTES AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 5 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. HE STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EARLIER RECALL ON THE A6 MODEL THAT HAD THE SAME THROTTLE BODY AS OURS, BUT WHEN WE CALLED THE DEALER THEY TOLD US THAT OURS HAD NO RECALL. THEY WILL TAKE A LOOK AT IT THIS WEEK. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OUR VEHICLE. I HAVE COME ACROSS AN ENTRY ON A DISCUSSION BOARD WHERE SOMEONE REPORTED THE EXACT SAME INCIDENT WHILE DRIVING A 2007 A4. LUCKILY I WAS IN A RURAL AREA WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT ANY ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES. I AM AFRAID THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AND CAUSE A MORE SERIOUS, MAYBE FATAL ACCIDENT. NOTE: PURCHASE DATE WAS ESTIMATED. EXACT INFORMATION IS IN THE CAR AT THE SHOP. *NM

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 RECEIVED RECALL NUMBER 06E060000 TO REPLACE WIRING ON HER 1999 AUDI A4. THE VEHICLE HAS AN ODOMETER READING OD APPROXIMATELY 78,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUDI DEALER. THE DEALER REFUSED TO DO THE RECALL WORK STATING THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE FACTORY WIRING. THE CONTACT STATED SHE PREVIOUSLY ADDED AN AUTOMATIC STARTER TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE DEALER WOULD NOT DISCLOSED WHICH WIRE WAS NOT FACTORY WIRING.

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

1 injured

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL MADE A CLUNKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE ALSO WANDERED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, REQUIRING THE CONTACT TO MAINTAIN SOME EXERTION ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE TIE ROD HAD FAILED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #99V248000, WHICH PERTAINED TO THE STEERING LINKAGES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.