2018 AUDI A5 Complaints

In connection to my previous filing : NHTSA tracking # 11641542, please see the below, thank you. On June 24, 2022, I checked my 2018 Audi A5 into Audi Cherry Hill’s service department to diagnose and repair an issue with the front right tire. The dealership indicated that service would take approximately two days. However, upon returning for an update, I was shocked to learn that my car had been towed—without my knowledge, consent, or any lawful justification. Suspicious Connection to ECU Failure & Audi’s Potential Non-Compliance with NHTSA Audi Cherry Hill’s owner, Amanda DeMateo, attempted to justify the tow by stating that my ECU replacement two years earlier had been performed at Wynnewood Audi (Sept 2019) not Cherry Hill. This raises serious concerns about a second ECU failure, which Audi may have sought to conceal. If Audi Company failed to report an initial ECU failure to the NHTSA in 2019, a second failure would highlight this noncompliance. Audi Cherry Hill's actions appear to be linked to an attempt to obscure a recurring issue with the vehicle's Electronic Control Unit (ECU). Audi Cherry Hill’s owner, Amanda DeMateo, attempted to justify the unauthorized towing by stating that my previous ECU replacement had not been conducted at her dealership, implying an effort to avoid responsibility. This raises suspicion that my tire malfunction was a consequence of another ECU failure, possibly affecting the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) through an electrical malfunction. Given these violations and Audi Cherry Hill’s failure to act in accordance with consumer protection laws, I request a thorough investigation and appropriate enforcement action. I urge you, please to investigate Audi’s failure to report ECU failures to the NHTSA and whether my issue was part of a larger defect pattern. Thank you

I am writing to formally bring to your attention a potential violation of federal vehicle safety reporting requirements by Audi regarding an Electronic Control Unit (ECU)/Comfort Control Module failure in my 2018 Audi A5. As the original owner of this vehicle, I experienced a critical ECU failure approximately 2yrs after purchase (Sept 2017), which I believe qualifies as a major safety defect under 49 CFR 573.6-577.7. According to federal regulations, manufacturers are required to report such safety defects to the NHTSA within five (5) days of discovery. Furthermore, a root cause analysis should have been conducted & its findings reported w/in sixty (60) days. However, I have strong reason to believe that Audi failed to meet these reporting obligations, as I have never been provided with any findings from the investigation, nor have I seen any publicly available reporting on this defect. Key Concerns: • Unexplained ECU Failure: My vehicle’s ECU/Comfort Control Module failed inexplicably despite being only 2yrs old at the time. • Failure to Report to NHTSA: I haven't found record of Audi disclosing this issue to the NHTSA, despite clear requirement to do so. • Root Cause Analysis Not Provided: Audi informed me that analysis was conducted in Germany, but I was repeatedly told that the results were “not yet available.” This raises concerns that the findings may have revealed a broader defect affecting multiple vehicles of the same model/yr. • Potential Safety Risk: If this is not an isolated case, other Audi A5 owners may unknowingly be at risk of ECU failures, which could lead to critical vehicle malfunctions, including loss of control, electrical failures, or immobilization while driving. Given the seriousness of this issue, I urge the NHTSA to investigate Audi’s compliance with 49 CFR 573.6-577.7 & determine if this defect affects a broader range of vehicles. If Audi has indeed failed to report this defect properly, appropriate action be taken for consumer safety

I was driving along the express way when I heard a loud explosion, I look up to see my sunroof exploded and there was glass all over the kids and I. The explosion was so loud I lost control of the car and almost veered off the road. It was terrifying. It happened last year in the winter then happened this year as well. The temperature outside was about 30degrees, and I was driving about 70mph. There were no other cars in front of me at the time. My daughter and I had scratches from the glass on our back

My complaint is that Audi USA refuses to cover my damages and repair cost for the failed AC Evaporator that is covered under their warranty extension # AWA-21-01. Audi has a known issue for A/C Evaporator. The vehicle AC issue was immediately diagnosed by an independent mechanic who only diagnosed the issue and recharged the system until the Audi dealership had availability to inspect and perform the repair. Jim Ellis Audi was told of the issue and how using a sniffer tool the leak was found inside the cabin. Jim Ellis Audi said they would have to run their own diagnostic and if they found the leak that Audi would cover it. They did not find the leak and did not use the sniffer tool and claimed they detected the wrong refrigerant and would recharge it with the correct refrigerant. I had no recourse at this point only knowing my issue was not fixed. I was told that if it happen again to bring it back and they will credit the repair and perform further diagnostics. I felt ignored and opted for a different Audi dealership (Audi Marietta) Almost 6 week later the refrigerant has leaked again and I took the car to Audi Mariette with the same AC issue. The Audi Mariette dealership confirmed the Evaporator failure and performed the repair. I contacted Audi USA requesting a refund for the cost for Eurofed chargers ($298.26) and Jim Ellis Audi charges ($419.84)and was denied claiming the the failure was a result of the wrong refrigerant. I challenge Jim Eillis Audi at the time for the failure to properly diagnose the issue and only performing a band-aid repair of recharging and allowing refrigerant gas to leak into he cabin for a second time. When I asked what was the wrong refrigerant they detected, they could not tell me. I think Jim Ellis dealership is trying to cover their mistake and poor workmanship. Audi USA refuses to escalate my complaint. The fact remains that the evaporator initially failed all cost should be cover by Audi.

Previous recall 19V-547 and 74D9 impacting the passenger air bag turning off even when a passenger is in the vehicle was repaired improperly, and the problem is still happening.

Start stop system failure Warning displayed Check engine light Car hesitates IF the start stop happens to decide to function At times it won’t work at all

Driver's side rear coil spring was broken and both rear spring mounts were corroded. Vehicle did not pass Pennsylvania state inspection. I was not aware of these issue until the inspection - there were no obvious warning signs. Vehicle only has 30,236 miles on it. The vehicle has not been modified, does no towing, does not transport heavy loads, and does not traverse rough terrain or go off-roading. It has never been in an accident. It is parked in a heated garage and is serviced annually. Audi service tech noted they are frequently seeing premature coil spring issues in this model and year of vehicle, but there are no warranty recalls or service bulletins. Both coil springs and both mounts were replaced by service tech at owner's cost.

I was traveling around 7 pm on highway and sunroof shattered unexpectedly. The car ahead ahead of me was two car lengths ahead of me and I’m unsure as to why it shattered, specifically in the center of glass.

Sunroof exploded while driving down the highway. There was no impact from foreign objects and glass breakage shows upward breaks. No injury sustained due to shade being closed.

I am experiencing an oil leak, the car has 49000 miles and Audi has issued a TSB, yet upon my outreach to Audi North they are aware of the issue of leaks developing yet have not offered either warranty extensions or a recall yet.