AUDI Complaints

I was recently made aware of a nationwide safety recall for all Audi A3’s 2016 to present. I received a mailer with safety concern and warning for this recall. Audi has not been able to identify the root cause and believe it is more than just the initial air bags/PODS system in the vehicle. This has been in place for some time after I researched the site checking for updates to repair. I am very concerned for my safety along with my families safety when driving my car. My car is the primary vehicle. I use my car for work daily and do not feel comfortable. I am not 100% sure on initial date Audi identified this problem, but it appears earlier this year and it was the second recall for the same issue. They have no fix at this time. I did run my VIN to determine mine being affected and it is. The campaign number on site for this is: NHTSA’s campaign number: 19V474

For technician report, go to: https://getpe.co/4ZT0j2 While driving on a major central NJ highway, slowing to exit, the vehicle shuddered and stalled in lane. The engine EPC light came on and a message to put the car in park to start the engine followed. This made it impossible to move the car off the road. It was necessary to stand behind the vehicle and wave traffic around. A passerby was able to get the car started and moved it off the exit and to a service road shoulder. The car shuddered and died again. Traffic was heavy and the situation was quite dangerous. The car was taken to the dealer. The turbocharger impeller shaft and fins were damage. Please see above link. Also, please see Audi Technical Bulletin 2044640. This is not a unique event.

I am filing a complaint concerning my recent experience with the Audi service department located in San Rafael, California. On May 24, 2021 I brought my 2019 Audi A4 in for service due to an error message stating, "Front parking aid: malfunction! Obstacles cannot be detected". I purchased the car in December 2019 from the dealership in Burlingame, California. It was previously used as a loaner car, and to my knowledge the car was in original condition with no prior bodywork done on the vehicle. When my car was inspected by the dealership in San Rafael, they discovered the error message was the result of a faulty left center front parking aid where pinched wires were found from a previous bumper repair/ removal. I was told that this work required immediate attention, wasn't covered under warranty, and the total cost of repair was $784.29. I explained to the service advisor, Gene Frank, that the car had never been in a collision since I owned it, and Gene stated that this is a common problem with Audi cars and if he filed a claim with the company, it would be rejected. Gene argued that my car may have been hit in the front by another car on the street, and when I asked why the front of the car doesn't show damage, he explained it was due to the plastic coating on the outside of the surface. Based on the pictures taken by the service inspector and the reasoning for this damage, I argue that this damage was due to a faulty wire. The car is garage kept, has low mileage, has never been in a collision, and has never had body work performed on it. For all these reasons, I dispute the cause of this wire damage. I want Audi to take responsibility for this repair, recall this type of wiring, and refund me the total amount paid for repair.

Issue appears to be similar to existing recall 97CB exterior side marker lights to which my year, make, and model is included, but by specific vehicle /VIN is not. Warning lamps are present. In a situation where the parking lights are switched on and the vehicle is locked, the side marker lights do not illuminate, which is contrary to the requirements of the standard (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.") . This could reduce vehicle visibility, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property.

Was driving on state highway and all of a sudden the warning light came on that the steering wheel has malfunctioned. I could not rotate the steering wheel easily, but fortunately was able to pull over without any accident. This could have been a fatal failure had it happened on a highway or a slope.

The contact owned a 2021 Audi A4. The contact stated that while driving at a low rate of speed through a parking lot, the vehicle independently accelerated and the brake pedal locked. The vehicle accelerated up a hill as the contact was unable to depress the brake pedal; he collided with an electric pole which caused the vehicle to stop. Due to the shock and abruptness of the failure, the contact was uncertain if any warning lights illuminated the instrument panel. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact and no other bystanders were injured as a result of the failure. The police and fire department arrived at the scene and a police report was filed. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed from the scene to an independent body shop. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had been destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Driving on extended highway - a few hours - and complete engine failure at an exit. Unsafe as the engine died in the middle of the road. Took multiple attempts to move the vehicle. Blocked traffic and had to have police assist with the physical pushing of the vehicle to a safe place. Already expended $700 plus on towing to an Audi dealer. Turbo failure which I have now learned is very common on this vehicle. Likely failure point is a oil screen, which Audi has known about for probably a decade. Incredible that such a safety issue has not been resolved. Estimate for the repair is $11,000. Vehicle has been perfectly maintained and only 72,000 miles - mostly highway. This is clearly a safety issue that Audi has failed to proactively address. I understand that the oil screen has been redesigned - whether it solves the problem is an open question.

Driving home from church, heard a rattle, like a stick was stuck underneath. Then felt loss of power. No warning/engine check light, but car stalled while I was turning left off a highway. When car stalled I had no warning, and no steering or brakes. Husband was able to assist with getting care off road and out of oncoming traffic. We were worried about being able to avoid pedestrians at the corner as we had NO control and they did not seem to be aware of the emergency. Looked online and saw lots of similar stories. Exactly like what happened to us. Mechanic says turbo chargers failed. One is sheered off and one is rubbed/failing. Audi quoted us $14,000 to repair. Car is at 80,700 miles which seems to be 700 miles out of warrantee. All service work has been done by Audi and recorded. Audi is unwilling to help with this issue. This has to be the most scary incident driving I have ever had. It was shocking that there was no warning. And I lost both steering and braking assist while crossing a travel lane and making a turn. It appears that Audi is aware that they have filter/check valve issues for the turbo charger oil supply. They have since upgraded these parts but have failed to replace the faulty parts when cars like ours go in for service. They have also failed to warn people of this potential hazard. We have called Audi Corporate and they say there is nothing they can do to help.

The Passenger Side Turbo failed. Yes it’s available for inspection. I was driving and I felt a pop, like a backfire from under the hood. The car lost power instantly and was any under power anymore on the road. It could have been a lot worse if I was on a busy highway but luckily was on a street with do one behind me. It was confirmed it was the turbo failure and the turbo has been inspected. No warning lamps or any prior symptoms before hand. Once it happened it started throwing warning lights for pretty much everything. Limited slip diff, air bags, EPC, TPMS, check engine light and traction control warning lights all went off one after the other.

Flooding due to improper cleaning of ac valve blockage. I took the car to the dealership due to water leakage in the floorboards. They said they fixed the issue but after within a few weeks the water leakage kept pouring now due to that the water leakage has exceeded its point to which it has now put it self into the electronica areas of the car. Now the car will no longer run and it shows multiple issues with the check engine light constantly on consistent water leakage now there’s mold and water leakage in the electronica area and it’s preventing me from using my car my car is no longer able to drive and I feel it’s due to the consistency of them not being able to control the water leak damage the car has caused