2003 AUDI A4 Complaints

THE ADHESIVE WHICH HOLDS IN THE REAR WINDOW ON MY 2003 AUDI A4 3.0 CONVERTIBLE CAME UNGLUED, RESULTING IN THE WINDOW GRADUALLY FALLING AWAY FROM THE ROOF. I HAD TO DUCT TAPE IT IN AS I DIDN'T WANT IT POPPING OUT COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING, AND TO PREVENT RAIN / MOISTURE FROM GETTING IN. THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS DRIVING HAZARD SHOULD IT DISLODGE WHILE OPERATING. FYI, THE CAR HAD BEEN BABIED SINCE DAY ONE; GARAGE KEPT AND HAND WASHED. AUDI OF AMERICA DID FINALLY AGREE TO PAY FOR A NEW TOP (ABOUT 6K RETAIL) BUT COULD NOT TELL ME IF THE NEW TOP HAD DIFFERENT ADHESIVE (I DON'T WANT A REPEAT OF THIS CIRCUMSTANCE A FEWS YRS DOWN THE LINE). I RESEARCHED THIS, AND THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS W/ THIS PROBLEM. MOST CARS WERE 03'S AT ABOUT 40-50K MILES. IN MY OPINION, AUDI NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE WAS A DEFECT W/ THE ADHESIVE AND OFFER REPLACEMENT AT N/C. IF YOU HAVE AN A4 OR S4 CONVERTIBLE, MONITOR WHERE THE GLASS FITS IN THE TOP. LISTEN FOR A "FLAPPING" NOISE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE MAIN MECHANIC SAID IN ADDITION THE ADHESIVE COMING UNDONE, THERE ALSO APPEARED TO BE SHRINKAGE OF THE TOP. I DO NOT KNOW, FROM AN ENGINEERING STANDPOINT, IF THE SHRINKAGE WAS THE MAIN PROBLEM (I.E, THE "PULLING AWAY" FROM THE TOP) OR IF IT WAS A COMBINATION OF BOTH PROBLEMS THAT CULMINATED IN THE END RESULT. REGARDLESS, AUDI NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS BEFORE THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM W/ THE WINDOW FLYING OUT AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. *TR

HELLO A RECALL NOTICE CAME IN FOR MY 03' AUDI A4 FOR ETC SENSOR.(70K MILES) TOOK THE CAR INTO DEALER GOT IT FIXED. A WEEK LATER OR SO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR WAS DEAD IN ITS TRACKS. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER AND TWO MECHANICS SHOPS, ITS THE TRANSMISSION. DEALER PRICE ON TRANSMISSION WAS 7,558.00 TOTAL. OWE MY GOODNESS...... CAR IS WORTH ABOUT THAT. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO LOCATE A USED OR A REBUILD TRANSMISSION BUT THEIR IS NOT MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE IN PRICE BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION IS SO HARD TO FIX AND PARTS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE THAT NO ONE WANTS TO DEAL WITH THE CAR AT ALL. NOT TO MENTION THE DIFFICULTY THAT REQUIRES TO REPLACE THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION FOR MY VEHICLE MODEL. SPECIAL TOOLS AND PROGRAMMING. CALLED NEARBY STATES WITH NO LUCK FINDING A REBUILD TRANSMISSION. ALSO AUDI DOES NOT MAKE THEM ANYMORE, MAKING THEM EVEN HARDER TO FIND. I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET FOR THE PAST 3 WEEKS TRYING TO FIND SOME INFORMATION ON THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE AND THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND I CAME ACROSS THE SAME STORY FROM MANY AUDI A4 OWNERS. THIS IS NOT A DRIVER PROBLEM BUT A DESIGN FLAW. TRANSMISSION IS NOT FIXED BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD 7.5K FOR A NEW ONE THAT WILL GIVE OUT IN ABOUT 50K AGAIN. THIS IS NOT RIGHT AND SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS. WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE TREMENDOUSLY IN THE MIDDLE OF TURNING ONTO A RAMP TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY I COULD OF CAUSE AN ACCIDENT EASILY. THROUGH OUT BLOGS AND WEBSITE ADVICE, THEIR ARE COUNTLESS NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO GIVE OUT RIGHT ABOUT 50-85K MILES. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP. *TR

MY AUDI A 4 CONVERTIBLE HEADLIGHT LENSES DETERIORATED SO BADLY THAT IT SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED MY NIGHT DRIVING. PLASTIC BECAME CLOUDY (NOT CONDENSATION) AND GRAY, ADVERSELY AFFECTING THE HEADLIGHT EFFECTIVENESS. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 AUDI A4 3.0 CABRIOLET WITH 38,000 MILES ON IT. THE GEAR DISPLAY BEGAN TO BLINK FREQUENTLY AND THE MANUAL SHIFTING FUNCTIONALITY WOULD NOT WORK. ADDITIONALLY, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE WHILE IN REVERSE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $2,400. AFTER RESEARCHING, I HAVE SEEN MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND FEEL THIS MAY BE DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, GIVEN LOW RELATIVE MILES ON THE VEHICLE. *TR

ON 8/1/07 I PURCHASED A 2003 AUDI A4 WITH A 1.8T ENGINE FROM A LOCAL USED CAR DEALERSHIP. IN MAY, 2008, THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, WE HAD A QUALIFIED MECHANIC CHECK THE VEHICLE THOROUGHLY AND NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. 2 DAYS LATER, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INOPERABLE SINCE THAT TIME. I HAVE CONTACTED AUDI IN REGARD TO THIS SINCE IT IS DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT CAUSES SLUDGE IN THE OIL PAN TO RECIRCULATE THROUGH THE ENGINE, WHICH IS WHAT LED TO THE ENGINE FAILURE. THE OIL RETURN PORTS WERE NOT MADE LARGE ENOUGH TO RECIRCULATE THE OIL PROPERLY. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT SINCE I PURCHASED IT AS A USED VEHICLE, "AS IS", THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY WILL DO TO ASSIST ME IN THIS SITUATION. I WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WHATSOEVER PRIOR TO THE ENGINE FAILURE AND REPLACING THE ENGINE WILL COST IN EXCESS OF $5000. THEY HAVE NEVER ISSUED A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THEY OFF AN "EXTENDED WARRANTY", BUT TO QUALIFY THE VEHICLE OWNER MUST PROVE THAT ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMED BY AUDI CERTIFIED MECHANICS. AS A 2ND OWNER, I HAVE NO PRIOR RECORDS FROM 8/1/07 AND PREVIOUS. THE "EXTENDED WARRANTY" COVERS 200-2004 A4 MODELS WITH THE 1.8T ENGINES, SO OBVIOUSLY THEY ARE AWARE OF THE DEFECT, BUT THEY HAVE NEVER RECALLED THEM. DO I HAVE ANY OTHER RECOURSE OTHER THAN TO FILE SUIT AGAINST THEM? *TR

BOUGHT A 2003 AUDI A4 CABRIOLET IN 2005. 6 MONTHS LATER, REAR WINDOW IN 2003 AUDI A4 DETACHED FROM CONVERTIBLE TOP CAUSING REAR LEATHER SEAT TO ROT AND TEAR DUE TO RAIN WATER LEAKING THROUGH THE DETACHED WINDOW. TRIED TO HAVE THE WINDOW REATTACHED BY AN AUDI DEALERSHIP REFERRED DETAILING COMPANY, ADHESIVE DID NOT HOLD AND I WAS TOLD THE CAR WOULD NEED A NEW ROOF. THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM, DON ROSEN AUDI OF CONSHOHOKEN, PA NOR AUDI WILL TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DETACHED WINDOW OR PROVIDE PAYMENT FOR REPAIRS. *TR

2003 AUDI A4. 1.8 L TURBO. WHILE IN TRAFFIC FUEL PUMP FAILED AND CAR STALLED. AUDI HAS ISSUED PREVIOUSLY A RECALL FOR FUEL PUMPS IN 2003 A4S. HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD PRODUCTION DATE ON MY CAR IS OUTSIDE OF DATE RANGE OF RECALL. DATE RANGE SHOULD BE EXPANDED. RECALL INFORMATION IS PROVIDED BELOW. RECALL DATE: AUG 28, 2007 MODEL AFFECTED: 2003 AUDI A4 SUMMARY: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.8L TURBO, 2.8L V6, OR 3.0L ENGINES, A CHANGE IN THE ELECTRICAL MOTOR COMPONENTS IN THE FUEL PUMP CAN LEAD TO AN INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP AND, ULTIMATELY, STOPPAGE OF FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO STALL. CONSEQUENCE: IF FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE IS INTERRUPTED, THE VEHICLE COULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND THUS PRESENT A POTENTIAL RISK OF CRASH. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 28, 20007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-222-8987 OR AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834. THIS RECALL IS A SUPPLEMENT TO A PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN (PLEASE SEE 06V017). *TR

ENGINE BOX FLOODS AFTER DRIVING THROUGH LONG DISTANCES IN HEAVY RAIN. RESULTS IN CAR THAT WILL NOT RUN AT ALL (NEEDED TO BE TOWED) DIAGNOSIS IS THAT THE ENGINE BOX FLOODS FROM INSUFFICIENT DRAINAGE FROM THE COWL WHICH THEN SHORTS OUT THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE AND TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (BASICALLY THE CAR'S COMPUTER CENTER) THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED (BOTH AFTER DRIVING THROUGH DIFFICULT RAIN STORMS) THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS IN OCTOBER OF 2005, AND IT TOOK NEARLY 6 WEEKS TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR. REPAIR WAS DONE BY AUTHORIZED AUDI DEALER THAT ORIGINALLY SOLD ME THE CAR. THE FINAL BILL WAS NEARLY $5000. THEY INSISTED IT WAS A FLUKE AND HAD ME MAKE AN INSURANCE CLAIM TO COVER THE REPAIRS AS FLOOD DAMAGE. I MADE A FORMAL COMPLAINT TO AUDI AT THAT TIME SINCE IT IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW. (SOMEONE THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED TO ME THAT THEY HAD WITNESSED THIS BEFORE, EACH TIME TELLING THE CUSTOMER TO GO THROUGH THEIR INSURANCE TO COVER THE COST). HERE I AM LESS THAN 3 YEARS LATER AND THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED THIS WEEKEND. I DROVE THROUGH AN INTENSE RAINSTORM AND I HAVE A FLOODED ENGINE BOX. THE BILL IS ONCE AGAIN GOING TO EXCEED $4000, NOT TO MENTION THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT I WILL NEED TO RENT A CAR (AGAIN) TO CONDUCT MY BUSINESS. I SELL REAL ESTATE AND DEPEND ON MY VEHICLE. ONCE AGAIN I PHONED AUDI CUSTOMER CARE AND LODGED ANOTHER FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THIS ISSUE AND THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS DESIGN FLAW. I AM CURRENTLY SEEKING LEGAL COUNCIL IN ORDER TO RECOUP THESE COSTS. I HAVE BOTH COMPLAINTS WHICH ARE EXACTLY THE SAME FILED WITH AUDI. I DO NOT HAVE THE FIRST SET OF PARTS, BUT I CAN CERTAINLY KEEP THE ONES THAT HAVE RECENTLY FAILED. AT THIS POINT I DO NOT HAVE A CAR, I AM WAITING TO SEE IF MY INSURANCE COMPANY WILL AGAIN PAY FOR THIS CLAIM. I TRULY BELIEVE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT AUDI NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE FLAW. *TR

WITH 33,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE: THE STANDARD ALLOY WHEELS CORRODE TO THE WHEEL HUB OVER A PERIOD OF 4 MONTHS. IF THE WHEEL IS NEEDED TO BE REMOVED E.G. FLAT TIRE OR CHANGE FROM WINTER WHEELS, IT WILL NOT COME OFF WITH NORMAL TOOLS AND CONDITIONS. THE CAR MUST BE ELEVATED ON A LIFT AND THE WHEEL POUNDED WITH EXTREME BRUTE FORCE TO REMOVE IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE TO ME. I FIND IT EXTREMELY UNSAFE THAT A FLAT TIRE CAN'T BE REPLACED WITHOUT HAVING A TOW TRUCK TAKE THE CAR TO A SHOP--JUST TO REMOVE THE WHEEL. THE AUDI TECHNICIAN SAYS THAT IF I USE BRAKE ANTI-SEIZE PRODUCT ON THE WHEEL/HUB JUNCTION IT MAY PREVENT IT. [MY QUESTION IS "WHY DIDN'T THEY APPLY THIS IF THEY ALREADY KNEW IT WAS NEEDED]. *TR

1.THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE: AUDI A4S HAVE AN INTAKE PLENUM DRAIN GROMMET LOCATED NEAR THE BATTERY; THIS FUNNEL IS KNOWN TO BECOME CLOG DUE TO DEBRIS AND GRIME. THE DRAIN GROMMET ON MY VEHICLE BECAME CLOGGED SOME TIME AGO AND I DID NOT BECOME AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM UNTIL THE FUNNEL STOPPED WORKING AND ALLOWED WATER TO DRAIN INSIDE MY CAR. THIS CAUSED MY COMFORT MODULE TO FAIL - MY POWER WINDOWS, POWER LOCKS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, KEYLESS REMOTE ENTRY, ALARM, TRUNK, BATTERY AND GAS TANK LID CEASED TO FUNCTION. 2.THE FAILURE, HOW OFTEN IT OCCURS, ITS CONSEQUENCES; AND, AUDI OF AMERICA KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS PRETTY COMMON IN THE 2003 AUDI A4'S. IF YOU DO A SEARCH ABOUT IT ONLINE, MANY CONSUMERS ARE AFFECTED BY THIS CLOGGED DRAIN GROMMET. UPON DOING MORE RESEARCH, I WAS SHOCKED TO LEARN THAT THE 2002 AUDI A4 MODELS HAD EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT HAD ITS VEHICLES RECALLED. 3.WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE; I.E, PARTS REPAIRED OR REPLACED (AND IF OLD PART IS AVAILABLE) I BROUGHT MY 2003 AUDI A4 TO THE DEALERSHIP (AUDI OF HAWAII) TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, WHICH COST ME $1400. THE TECHNICIANS REPLACED THE PLENUM GROMMET DRAIN, COMFORT MODULE, BATTERY, AND HAD TO CLEAN THE BOTTOM INTERIOR OF MY CAR WHICH WAS SATURATED WITH WATER, MOLD, AND MILDEW. I ALSO WROTE A LETTER TO AUDI OF AMERICA AND AUDI OF HAWAII TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM TO OTHER 2003 AUDI A4 OWNERS SINCE IT WAS ADDRESSED FOR THE 2002 AUDI A4 VEHICLES. THEIR REPLY WAS THAT SINCE IT HAD NOT BEEN 'FEDERALLY MANDATED' THEY WILL NOT HAVE A RECALL FOR THE 2003 AUDI A4. *TR