Audi S4 Complaints

589 consumer complaints on file.

#10165685August 16, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THE BRAKES BOOST/VACUUM ASSIST LINE CHECK VALVE CRACKS APART INTO TWO PIECES. THIS CAUSES THE TOTAL LOSS OF THE POWER ASSISTED BRAKE SYSTEM IN THE CAR AND SUBSEQUENTLY MAKES IT VERY HARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NO WARNING ABOUT THE PENDING LOSS OF BRAKES. ONE SECOND YOU HAVE BRAKES THE NEXT IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE TRYING TO PUSH A BRICK THRU THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE TRYING TO GET IT TO STOP. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160313June 21, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
PLEASE REFER TO ODI NUMBER 10159801 1. SLOW COOLANT LEAK AND ENGINE OIL CONTAMINATION 2. LOW OIL LIGHT AS WELL AS LOW COOLANT INDICATOR LIGHT, THIS CAUSES WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE WITH ENGINE TO THE EXTENT THAT CAN DAMAGE MAJOR COMPONENTS WITHIN THE ENGINE. 3. AUDI DEALER HAS DIAGNOSE AND RUN TEST TO DETERMINE THIS PROBLEM BUT HAVE NOT FOUND FAULT. THE SYMPTOMS STILL PERSISTS BUT ARE NOT ACKNOWLEDGE AS A PROBLEM THE AUDI OF AMERICA. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159801June 14, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKAGE INTO ENGINE OIL. THIS IS CAUSING ACCELERATED WEAR OF COMPONENTS LUBRICATED BY THE ENGINE OIL. UNLESS CORRECTED, THIS CONTAMINATION WILL LEAD TO FAILURE OF THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND TESTED BY AN AUDI SERVICE CENTER WITH NO CAUSE IDENTIFIED OR SOLUTION PROPOSED. AUDI OF AMERICA IS NOT TAKING ANY ACTION TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159859June 14, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKAGE INTO ENGINE OIL. THIS IS CAUSING ACCELERATED WEAR OF COMPONENTS LUBRICATED BY THE ENGINE OIL. UNLESS CORRECTED, THIS CONTAMINATION WILL LEAD TO FAILURE OF THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND TESTED BY AN AUDI SERVICE CENTER WITH NO CAUSE OR SOLUTION IDENTIFIED. AUDI OF AMERICA IS NOT TAKING ANY ACTION TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158841June 2, 2006
AIR BAGS
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO WORK IN LONG ISLAND CITY, NEW YORK AND WHEN I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO TURN GREEN. THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WITH A BEEP/CHIME TO LET ME KNOW IT WAS ON AND ABOUT 2 SECONDS LATER MY DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED FROM THE SIDE OF THE SEAT. THERE WAS NO COLLISION INVOLVED. I HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT TO CUTS ON MY ARM AND SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED HOME AND HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE THEN. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE CAR HAS NOT RETURNED ANY OF MY CALLS, THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY SAID IT IS A DEFECT SO THEY DO NOT COVER THE REPAIR. SINCE THEN I HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT BY A PRIVATE LICENSED MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT DUE TO THE DESIGN. THE AIRBAG HARNESS RUNS IN THE SEAT AND THROUGH WEAR OF GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE THE HARNESS WORE AWAY AND SHORTED IT' S SELF OUT AND CAUSED IT TO DEPLOY. WITH NO WARNING THIS HAPPENED AND NOW AS A STUDENT AND FULL TIME EMPLOYEE (MY SCHOOL IS 17 MILES AND MY JOB IS 45 MILES AWAY) I REALLY NEED THIS FIXED ASAP. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10148597January 25, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
1) CAR IS 2001 AUDI S4 AVANT. CAR WAS RUNNING FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES, AND WAS IDLING AT TOP OF DRIVEWAY FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES WITH PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED WHILE OTHER CAR IN FRONT WAS BEING MOVED. UPON RELEASE OF PARKING BRAKE REGULAR BRAKES FAILED, RESULTING IN CAR ROLLING DOWNHILL, ABOUT 30 FEET, FROM A STANDING START AND COLLIDING WITH A PARKED CAR. BRAKE PEDAL SHOWED NO RESISTANCE OTHER THAN MILD SPRING PUSH-BACK, AND WAS PUSHED DOWN TO FLOOR. A BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUMPED WITH NO RESULT. SAME BRAKE CONDITIONS WERE REPEATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER COLLISION AND OVER A CONTINUING PERIOD OF MINUTES WITH IDENTICAL RESULTS, DURING WHICH TIME I EXITED AND RETURNED TO CAR ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. FINALLY, AFTER APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT BRAKES RESUMED FULL AND NORMAL FUNCTIONING. CAR WAS IDLING THROUGHOUT THIS TIME PERIOD WITHOUT INTERRUPTION. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY . 3) REPORTED TO DEALER MOHEGAN LAKE MOTORS) ON 1/16 AND TO AUDI AMERICA ON SAME OR NEXT DAY. CAR TOWED TO DEALER ON 1/17. AUDI AMERICA REPORTED LATER THAT THEY HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF ANY SIMILAR OCCURRENCES OR ISSUES CONCERNING BRAKES - ALSO BEGAN INQUIRY ON WHY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY , BUT I DID NOT PURSUE THIS DURING OUR DISCUSSIONS SINCE THERE WERE NO INJURIES. DEALER REPORTED ON 1/24 THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND HAD NO ANSWER FOR THE BRAKE FAILURE, AND WERE TAKING NO CORRECTIVE ACTIONS. AUDI AMERICA REPORTED ON 1/25 THEY WERE TAKING NO FURTHER ACTION AND MAKING NO FURTHER INQUIRIES. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145179December 14, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CAM COVER OIL LEAKS DISCOVERED AFTER 50,000 MILE SERVICE AT APPROX 48,500 MILES 11/7/05. AUDI TSB 05-03, NOV. 2, 2005 COVERING 2000-2006 MODELS A4, CABRIOLET, TT, A6, S4, ALLROAD, A8, S8, AND RS6 WITH ENGINES 1.8T, 2.8 V6, 2.7 V6T, AND 4.2 V8 STATES THAT IF A CUSTOMER COMPLAINS AND THE AREA IS WET WITH FLUID RESIDUE OR DROPLETS THAT ARE NOT COMING OFF, TO CLEAN THE OIL STAINED AREA AND TELL THE CUSTOMER THAT IT COULD BE THE RESULT OF SPILLAGE WHEN TOPPING OFF OR NORMAL GASKET "SWEATING" AND IS NOT INDICATION OF A MALFUNCTION. IF FOUND AND NO CUSTOMER COMPLAINT, NO ACTION IS TO BE TAKEN. IF FOUND AND ONLY IF A CUSTOMER COMPLAINS, THEN REPLACE GASKETS AND LEAK TEST THE ENGINE. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE POLICY OF HIDING BY LACK OF DISCLOSURE, THE LEAK AND UNFAIRLY SHIFTING THE COST OF A MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN DEFECT TO THE CUSTOMER. AUDI NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND FORCED TO COVER THESE LEAKS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME AND NOTIFY OWNERS TO BRING THEIR CARS IN FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142341November 9, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DRIVE BY WIRE (DBW) THROTTLE BODY SYSTEM FAILURE. ECU THROWS EPC CODE AND ENGINE POWER IS COMPROMISED. CAR MAY BE UNABLE TO EXCEED 40 MPH AND CAR MAY BUCK UNCONTROLLABLY. RESTARTING CAR MAY CLEAR CONDITION FOR A SHORT TIME. TRAFFIC NEGOTIATION WAS QUITE DANGEROUS, AS DBW SYSTEM MAY ERROR AT ANY TIME. DBW THROTTLE BODY SEEMS TO BE AN ANSWER TO A PROBLEM THAT DOES NOT EXIST. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10137450September 23, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT: THERE WAS A CAM ADJUSTER FROM WHERE THE OIL LEAK WAS COMING FROM. NOTICED THIS ON AUGUST 8, 2003. THEN, ON JULY 24, 2004 TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR AN OIL CHANGE A ND THEY CONFIRMED THERE WAS ANOTHER OIL LEAK. THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IN NOVEMBER 2005, AND THE CONSUMER MADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE GASKETS TO BE REPLACED A MONTH BEFORE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT. IN ORDER TO GET TO THE GASKETS THE CAM SHAFTS HAD TO BE REMOVED. THE GASKETS WERE REPLACED,, AND CAM SHAFT REINSTALLED, THEN GAVE IT A TUNE UP. ALSO, PUT IN TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF SPARK PLUGS; ONE SET WAS PLATINUM AND CONVENTIONAL. A WEEK LATER, IT WAS READY FOR PICK UP. THE EXHAUST SOUNDED DIFFERENT WHEN VEHICLE PICKED UP. ON JANUARY 31, 2005 TOOK VEHICLE TO ANOTHER MECHANIC BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE WAS ON. AT THAT POINT MECHANIC DETERMINED O2 SENSORS CAUSED THE LIGHT TO COME ON, AND THE EXHAUST SOUNDED DIFFERENTLY. THEN, THREE MONTHS LATER, THE EXHAUST CAM SHAFT THAT BROKE IT BENT VALVES IN CYLINDER HEAD AND CAUSED IT TO CRACK. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136798September 16, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
I OWN A MODEL YEAR 2000 AUDI S4. THE CAR HAS APPROX. 80K MILES AND THE ABS CONTROL UNIT HAS RECENTLY STARTED MALFUNCTIONING. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF FAILURES OF ABS UNITS ON AUDI A4 & S4S. THESE FAILURES OCCUR AS EARLY AS 30K MILES. UPON CONTACTING AN AUDI DEALERSHIP IN MY LOCAL AREA, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY SEE THESE FAILURES AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. WITH THIS KIND OF FAILURE RATE & AT SUCH EARLY MILEAGE, I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART. I'M AWARE OF OTHER AUDI OWNERS ALSO HAVING FILED COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PART. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST A RECALL OF THE AFFECTED AUDI MODELS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10134069August 24, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS WARNING LIGHT ON DASH, ACCOMPANIED WITH A FLASHING BRAKE WARNING AND THREE BEEPS. THIS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY. BASED ON SOME INVCESTIGATIONG, THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE ABS CONTROLLER MODULES ON VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI VEHICLES. WHEN THE MODULE FAILS, IT RENDERS THE ABS SYSTEM INOPERATIVE AND CAN LEAD TO REAR WHEEL LOCKUP IN EMERGENCY STOPPING MANOUVERS OR IN SLIPPERY ROAD CONDITIONS. I HAVE REMOVED THE MODULE AND HAD IT REPAIRED. THIS SERVICE AT AN AUDI DEALER WOULD COST IN EXCESS OF $1000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10132327August 11, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE REQUIRING ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY. THERE ARE NUMEROUS FAILURES OF THE ABS CONTROL MODULE IN 2000 AUDI S4'S PRIMARILY, ALONG WITH SIMILAR MAKES. THIS POSES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. FAILURES ARE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE DESIGN OF THE CONTROL UNIT PORTION OF THE ABS MODULE. THE FOLLOWING LINK INDICATES HOW MANY FAILURES ARE OCCURRING: HTTP://WWW.USEDPARTSLIVE.COM/LIVE/2/YEAR/AUDI/MODEL/ABS_CONTROL_MODULE/ THERE IS A MASS MARKET FOR THIS ITEM PRIMARILY BECAUSE IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE FOR OWNERS TO REPLACE AT THE DEALER. RECENTLY, DEALERS HAVE BEEN REPLACING THE CONTROL UNIT SEPARATELY FOR ~600-700, BUT THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT THE NEW UNIT IS NOT ALSO DEFECTIVE AND PRONE TO FAILURE. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS BECOMES THE CAUSE OF MORE POTENTIALLY FATAL ACCIDENTS.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126483June 24, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
WHILE DRIVING ALONG CA-35 (SKYLINE BOULEVARD) AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2005 DURING LIGHT TO MODERATE BRAKING AROUND A CURVE, BOTH THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ON MY 2000 AUDI S4 CAME ON, ALONG WITH 3 WARNING TONES. SIMULTANEOUSLY, A SUDDEN CHANGE IN BRAKE FEEL WAS DETECTED ALONG WITH A "THUNK" NOISE FROM THE FRONT REGION OF THE VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING WEEK, I HAD THE CAR INSPECTED BY TWO INDEPENDENT SERVICE AND REPAIR ORGANIZATIONS, BOTH OF WHICH CONFIRMED AN INTERMITTENT ELECTRONIC FAILURE IN THE VEHICLE'S ABS CONTROL MODULE (A $1000+ PART). SINCE THEN, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES 3-4 OF THESE INTERMITTENT FAILURES DURING THE COURSE OF A DRIVING DAY. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT BRAKING, IT'S ANNOYING BUT SOMEWHAT INCONSEQUENTIAL. HOWEVER, WHEN THE PROBLEM HAPPENS DURING BRAKING, THERE IS DEFINITELY A MARKED CHANGE IN BRAKING BEHAVIOR AS THE ABS CONTROLLER GOES OFFLINE. UNDER EMERGENCY BRAKING SITUATIONS, I IMAGINE SUCH A FAILURE COULD BE A SUBSTANTIAL SAFETY AND RISK ISSUE. SOMEWHAT TAKEN ABACK BY THE TOTAL ESTIMATED REPAIR COSTS OF $1600+, I DECIDED TO DO SOME INVESTIGATION INTO THE PROBLEM AT SITES SUCH AS THIS (NHTSA ODI), AUDIWORLD.COM AND THE WEB AT LARGE. WHAT I FOUND IS A CONSISTENT PATTERN OF THIS SORT OF FAILURE ACROSS A WIDE SWATH OF AUDI MODELS DURING 1999 TO 2000. FURTHER, I HAVE ALSO LEARNED THAT THE ORIGINAL PART INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE WAS REV. A AND REPLACEMENT PARTS BEING INSTALLED ARE REV. E. CONVEYING THIS INFORMATION TO AUDI'S CLIENT SERVICES THROUGH TWO WRITTEN LETTERS RESULTED IN NO ACTION ON THEIR PART BEYOND A CONFIRMATION OF "YOUR VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, YOU MUST BEAR THE COST OF THIS REPAIR." THAT'D BE FINE WERE THIS A WEAR OR MAINTENANCE ITEM OR DUE TO MY OWN NEGLIGENCE; HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THE EVIDENCE STRONG THAT THIS IS A DESIGN AND/OR QUALITY CONTROL PROBLEM ON A CRITICAL VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10124613June 8, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DT: 2001, AUDI S4 WAS DAMAGED UPON DELIVERY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TO FIX THE PROBLEM, WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED HEADLAMPS WERE SPRAYED WITH PAINT. UPON DELIVERING THE HEADLAMPS THEY WERE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, THEY WERE POINTING DOWN, AND CONSUMER COULDN'T SEE TWO FEET IN FRONT OF HIM. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK AGAIN, AND THE HEADLAMPS WERE INSTALLED WRONG AGAIN. WHEN CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER, WAS TOLD THE HEADLAMPS WERE DEFECTIVE, AND THEY WOULD NEVER WORK CORRECTLY. CONSUMER DID HAVE A CRASH IN THE WINTER OF 2001, AND THERE WAS STILL POTENTIAL OF A CRASH. CONSUMER STATESDTHAT HE STILL COULDN'T SEE AT NIGHT. CONSUMER HAD NUMEROUS VISITS FOR THIS AND OTHER COMPLAINTS. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10124618June 8, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
DT: INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS DAMAGED UPON DELIVERY OF VEHICLE, WAS REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP, CONSUMER COMPLAINED NUMEROUS TIMES ABOUT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, NOT ABLE TO VIEW INSTRUMENT PANEL PROPERLY. WHEN REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ALREADY HAD SIGNS OF WEAR AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10124616June 8, 2005
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DT: SEAT BELT DOES NOT INSERT PROPERLY INTO DRIVER'S SIDE BUCKLE. CONSUMER COMPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES. THE SEAT BELT HAS RELEASED WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10124372June 6, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
ABS COMPUTER MODULE FAILURE. ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON WHLE THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND BEEPING. TOOK IT OT THE DEALER AND THE ABS PUMP WITH CONTROLLER WAS/IS BAD. THE PART WITH LABOR IS $1600.00. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, THIS PART GOES BAD ALOT AND IS A MAJOR SAFTY ISSUE. IF YOU BRAKE HARD THE REAR WHEELS WILL LOCK UP AND THE CAR COULD SPIN OUT OF CONTROL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10122438May 30, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
ABS FAILURE ON 2000 S4 WITH ONLY 60,000 MILES. THE ABS FAILURE LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING. I HAD THIS PROBLEM CHECKED OUT WITH A CERTIFIED AUDI MECHANIC. HE STATES THE ACTUAL PUMP IS NOT THE PROBLEM, BUT THE CIRCUITRY THAT CONTROLS THE PUMP IS DEFECTIVE, AND ALSO STATES THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON IN MY MODEL VEHICLE. ABS FAILURES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS DANGEROUS AS A BROKEN SEAT BELT, AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT THE COST OF THE MANUFACTURER (AUDI)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10120303May 9, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE
MANY AUDI AND VW MODELS MANUFACTURED STARTING IN THE LATER '90S AND CONTINUING TO PRESENT, USE THE BOSCH 5.3 ABS CONTROLLER, WHICH IS PRONE TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, OSTENSIBLY DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN. THIS MODULE CONTROLS MULTIPLE BRAKE-RELATED FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE ABS WHICH IS IMPORTANT FOR WINTER DRIVING, BUT THE MOST CRITICAL FUNCTION OF THIS MODULE IS PROBABLY THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE FORCE DISTRIBUTION, OR EBD. THESE VEHICLES ARE DESIGNED SUCH THAT IF THE EBD IS INOPERATIVE, THE PROPORTION OF HYDRAULIC FORCE APPLIED TO THE REAR BRAKES DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING IS AS GREAT AS IT IS DURING MODERATE BRAKING EFFORT WHEN THERE IS MINIMAL TRANSFER OF VEHICLE WEIGHT TO THE FRONT WHEELS. THE EBD IS SUPPOSED TO ADJUST THE FRONT/REAR BRAKING DISTRIBUTION DYNAMICALLY ACCORDING TO THE MEASURE OF THE DECELERATION, SO THAT THE REAR WHEELS WILL NOT LOCK UP DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING. IF THIS MODULE SHOULD FAIL DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING ON DRY PAVEMENT, THE REAR WHEELS COULD LOCK UP AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHICH COULD EASILY INCLUDE FATALITIES. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR OWNERS, COSTING ROUGHLY $2000, AND MANY OWNERS HAVE PROBABLY PUT OFF THE REPAIR INDEFINITELY. EVIDENCE WHICH CAN BE FOUND THROUGH A SIMPLE WEB SEARCH, SUGGESTS THAT THE PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD, AND THAT IF IT HAS NOT ALREADY LED TO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS, IT IS ONLY A QUESTION OF TIME. THIS PROBLEM IS GENUINE, AND VW/AUDI SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10116550April 7, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
POSTED COMMENT EARLIER ABOUT BATTERY ACID LEAKING ONTO CLUTCH LINE AND BRAKE LINE CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO BOTH LINES... SPOKE WITH AUDI AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENGINE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE REMOVED FOR THE BRAKE LINE TO BE FIXED... THE MOST LIKELY CULPRIT OF THIS LEAK IS DUE AN OVERCHARGED BATTERY DUE TO A JUMP OR MANUAL RE-CHARGE (NOTE: ACCORDING TO AUDI, NEVER REPLACE THE S4 BATTERY WITH ANYTHING OTHER THAN WITH AN AUDI BATTERY... OF COURSE THEY WOULD SAY THIS, BUT HE WAS PRETTY CONVINCING... 2ND NOTE: I DO HAVE AN AUDI BATTERY IN MY S4, AND I'M STILL HAVING THE ISSUE... AUDI MAY HELP PAY FOR THIS B/C OF THAT FACT, BUT THEY HAVEN'T COMMITTED TO IT UNTIL FURTHER INVESTIGATION). THE TOTAL, ACCORDING TO OVER-THE-PHONE DIAGNOSING, WAS GOING TO BE B/N 1 AND 2 THOUSAND BUCKS AT THE DEALER.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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