2003 AUDI A4 Electrical System Problems

Water pump failed inside lights sometimes work and signal lights aren’t accurate

Radio intermediate goes out hitting bumps speedometer stopped working the number ninth digit is not pulling up when I search vehicle information Replaced engine vehicle only had 20,000 miles

Left turn signal works fine. Right turn signal alternates between flashing left and right.

The coolant light came on after I replaced coil packs and I stopped to look wasn't leaking anywhere. Drove to work and it caught on fire due to overheating I guess not really sure. I was driving a car on fire down a highway and didn't even know it. I stopped to take a left turn into work and smoke stared billowing out and around the entire car. Other drivers couldn't see me or nothing I could have been in an accident. The fire department checked the car out sort of and it's in a mechanics shop now. Trying to figure it out. Oil light was on and that's it. AN then the coolant light would kick on and off. Nothing else after I changed the coil packs. And it was well after I did that.

INITIALLY DROVE CAR HOME FROM GROCERY STORE HIT A BUMP AND NOTICED A SPARK COMING FROM FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF CAR. PULLED OVER AND CHECKED FOR SPARK EVIDENT ONCE STOPPED THERE WAS NO SIGN OF SPARK OR ANYTHING. GOT CAR HOME AND PARKED ABOUT AN HOUR LATER MY CAR WAS ON FIRE, AFTER PUTTING THE FIRE OUT MY HUSBAND LIFTED THE HOOD AND TRIED TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE WHEN HE DISCOVERED THE BATTERY WAS MELTED TO THE HOOD AND IS WHERE THE FIRE INITIALLY CAUGHT. THE LOCATION OF THE BATTERY WE BELIEVE TO BE THE ISSUE AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE TO REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY. *TR

Mileage: 199,800

AFTER RETURNING HOME FROM A DRIVE THROUGH FAST FOOD PLACE LAST NIGHT MY DAUGHTER WAS PARKING IN OUR DRIVEWAY, SHE WAS IN REVERSE. THE CAR (A 2003 AUDI A4 CV CONVERTIBLE) BOUNCED AND MADE A SOUND THEN SHE STOPPED. I SAID TAKE THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION TO HER BLACK SMOKE STARTED TO RISE OUT OF THE TOP OF THE HOOD CRACK IN FRONT OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. I TOLD HER TO GET THE DOG IN OUR BACK SEAT AND HERSELF OUT I ASSUMED IT WAS ON FIRE BECAUSE THE DARK SMOKE. I GRABBED MY PURSE PIPED THE HOOD AND MY DAUGHTER CALLED 911 AS THE NEIGHBORS RAN INSIDE THERE HOME FOR A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. TWO MEN FROM ACROSS THE STREET ATTEMPTED TO PUT IT OUT AS I SPOKE TO THE 911 OPERATOR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND GOT THE FIRE OUT. MY CAR IS NOW JUNK. MY DAUGHTER WAS EMOTIONALLY STRAINED, HYSTERICAL THROUGHOUT THE INCIDENT. IT WAS TRAUMATIC FOR US BOTH. THE FIREFIGHTERS SAID IT WAS POSSIBLY CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, VARIOUS ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS OF THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,003.

Mileage: 200,003

HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT AND BLOWING THE BALLAST CAUSING HEADLIGHT NOT TO WORK AT ALL. REPLACED THIS EXPENSIVE PART MULTIPLE TIMES AND STILL BREAKS. NOT A CHEAP PART AND A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

Mileage: 133,000

FAILURE OF IGNITION COILS ON AUDI A4 1.8 TURBO ENGINE. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

CAR LEFT HEADLIGHT FAILURE (HID/XENON). FAULT NOT WITH BULB OR FUSE. *TR

Mileage: 98,000

FORGOT TO INSTALL C CLIP ON TEMP SENSOR ON RADIATOR HOSE WHICH POPPED OUT CAUSING MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE AND BLOWN HEAD GASKET WHICH WAS DENIED FOR MANY MONTHS. IN OCT. 08 THEY FORGOT TO TIGHTEN BRACKET WHICH CAUSED WIRES TO SMOKE AND FIRE.AUG 08-TRIMMED SERPENTINE BELT RATHER THAN REPLACED AND CAR STOPPED RUNNING IN MIDDLE OF INTERSTATE. SEPT 09 REPLACED OIL PAN BUT FORGOT TO PUT PLUG BACK OCT 08 OIL RESIDUE ON DAMPER THEY THREW OUT AND DID NOT REPLACE. THEY FORGOT TO PUT BOLTS BACK ON SUB FRAME AND MIRACLE I WAS NOT KILLED. THIS CAUSED AXLE PROBLEMS. WHEN THEY REPLACED BOLTS THEY DID NOT HAVE BUSHINGS IN STOCK AND THEY RELEASED CAR WITHOUT THESE BUSHINGS WHICH IS A SAFETY VIOLATION. WHEN BUSHINGS CAME IN THEY REFUSED TO WORK ON OUR VEHICLE AND WE HAD TO GO TO DIFFERENT MECHANIC. THEY TOLD US WE NEEDED TIMING BELT WHEN THE HEADGASKET WAS BLOWN. NOW THERE IS NEW RECALL FOR COIL PACKS AND THEY REFUSE TO WORK ON OUR CAR. THE NEW GM IS LISTENING TO THE SERVICE MGR. WHO IS NOT TELLING THE COMPLETE STORY NOR IS THE NEW GM REVIEWING THE FACTS. OUR LIVES ARE IN DANGER WITH THIS VEHICLE AND SINCE WE STILL OWE $15K WE CANNOT TRADE IT IN. STARTED JUNE 2008 AND CONTINUES UNTIL TODAY. COIL PACKS WHICH WERE JUST RECALLED ARE CAUSING CAR NOT TO RUN AND WE ARE STUCK *CW

Mileage: 91,904

PURCHASED VEHICLE APRIL 2009 (CARFAX WAS CLEAN) REPLACED IGNITION COIL 2X BY SEPTEMBER 2009 REPLACED CLUTCH, RACK AND PINION, AND COMPUTER MODULE IN OCT 2009 CURRENTLY CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS MALFUNCTIONING I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE IN A CONSISTENT OPERATING CONDITION FOR MORE THAN 2 WEEKS AT A TIME. I HAVE SPENT ALMOST $5,000 IN CAR REPAIRS TO DATE. *TR

Mileage: 74,886

1. NORMAL DRIVING IN SUBURBAN CONDITIONS - APPROXIMATE SPEED BETWEEN 20MI/HR - 30MI/HR 2. SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND SUBSEQUENTLY ENGINE RUNS ROUGH 3. IGNITION COILS REPLACED BY AUDI DEALER. *TR

Mileage: 96,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AUDI A4. THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER IN THE FOOT WELLS ON BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN HE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT HAYWIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WAS FLOODED DUE TO CLOGGING OF THE INTAKE PLENUM DRAIN GROMMET. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE IT CLEANED IN ORDER TO PREVENT FUTURE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR HIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,342. UPDATED 8/7/09 *CN UPDATED 08/11/09.*JB

Mileage: 31,342

I OWN A 2003 AUDI A4 1.8 . I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE WHILE ADJUSTING MY CAR TO THE SPACE, THE ENGINE CUT OFF AND WHEN I TURNED THE KEY TO RESTART THE ENGINE NOTHING HAPPENED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER ONLY TO BE TOLD IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. WHEN I WAS TOLD THIS I IMMEDIATELY WENT ONLINE TO RESEARCH WHAT COULD CAUSE THIS ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP. I CALLED THE NUMBER GIVEN FOR THE RECALL ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NOT ONE ON THE RECALL LIST. I THEN WENT ON LINE TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ONLY TO FIND THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL WITH FUEL PUMP COMPLAINTS AND WAS GIVEN THE SAME REASON. THE CAR COULD HAVE CUT OFF IN TRAFFIC OR WHILE I WAS DRIVING IF I DID NOT PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE, CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD OR CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE THIS IS UNFAIR TO SELL DEFECTIVE PARTS, HAVE A RECALL AND REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM EXISTS IN OTHER MODELS OTHER THAN WHAT THEY HAVE LISTED. THAT REPAIR COSTS ME $768.00, I SHOULD AND SO SHOULD THE OTHER COMPLAINANTS BE REIMBURSED FOR THIS DEFECT BY AUDI., WHY DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE OR BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BEFORE THESE MANUFACTURERS ACKNOWLEDGE DEFECTS. SAME PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION COILS, I REPAIRED THE FIRST IGNITION COIL, THEN THE SECOND ONE WENT BAD, IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT I CHANGE ALL, PULLED UP THIS INFO ON CONSUMER AFFAIRS, AGAIN THERE WAS A DEFECT WITH THIS PART. CONSUMERS ARE BEING RIPPED OFF AND NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE. *TR

Mileage: 90,053

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

Mileage: 102,000

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

Mileage: 55,000

IGNITION COILS HAVE GONE OUT 2 TIMES ALREADY. FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED ON MAY 29,2007, SECOND HAPPENED IN AUGUST OF 2007. *TR

2003 AUDI A4 WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP. CONSUMER STATES THAT MANUFACTURER TOLD HER THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BECAUSE HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. SHE STATED HER VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITHIN THE DESIGNATED TIME. *KB THE CONSUMER HAD OTHER MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SUCH AS: FAULTY IGNITION COILS, TRANSMISSION AND A RADIATOR REPLACEMENT. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE VEHICLE NOT STARTING, THE VALVE AND CAM SEALS WERE LEAKING OIL. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD AN OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOORS AT TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED A LOOSE CONNECTION. *JB

ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS MY 2003 A4 (1.8T) STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY AS I ACCELERATED FROM A COMPLETE STOP. EVERY TIME IT HAPPENED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE CAR LOST MOST ALL OF ITS POWER AND WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER, AND WOULDN'T GET ABOVE 15 MPH. AND EVERY TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, HAVING TO COAX THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND OUT OF HARM'S WAY. THE CAR WAS TOWED EACH TIME TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT AN IGNITION COIL (OR TWO) HAD BLOWN. ALL 4 COIL PACKS HAD TO BE REPLACED WITHIN A YEAR AT A COST OF OVER $900. AUDI KNOWS THEY PRODUCED CARS WITH FAULTY IGNITION COILS IN A4 CARS EQUIPPED WITH 1.8 LITER ENGINES IN THE 2001, 2002, AND EARLY PRODUCTION 2003 MODEL YEARS. IN FEBRUARY 2003 THEY ANNOUNCED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THESE COILS FREE OF CHARGE TO THE VEHICLE OWNERS. ALTHOUGH MY CAR IS AN EARLY PRODUCTION 2003 MODEL, AUDI USA TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WAS PRODUCED VERY SOON AFTER THE RANGE OF CARS COVERED IN THE REPLACEMENT. MEANING THAT I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF ALL REPAIRS. I DO NOT BELIEVE AUDI IS CERTAIN THEIR REPLACEMENT ACTION COVERED ALL DEFECTIVE COILS, ESPECIALLY AS MY CAR WAS PRODUCED IN THE SAME TIME FRAME AS THOSE THAT WERE PART OF THE REPLACEMENT. FAULTY IGNITION COILS EXIST IN A FAR GREATER NUMBER OF CARS THAN WHAT AUDI RECOGNIZES AND COVERS IN THEIR 2003 REPLACEMENT ACTION. *TR

Mileage: 69,061

AUDI A4 6-CYL 3.0L AVANT 2003 MODEL YEAR. COIL PACK #2 FAILED ON SEP 28TH 2007. AUDI HAS HAD A RECALL FOR THE 2003 A4 4-CYL 1.8L ENGINES BUT NOT FOR THE 3.0L ENGINES. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 37K MILES ON THE ODOMETER. IT'S LIKELY THAT THERE WILL BE MORE CP FAILURES, UNTIL I HAVE ALL OF THEM REPLACED. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL FOR THE 3.0L ENGINE AS WELL. *TR

Mileage: 37,000

WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE LOST POWER, WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT AND HAD IT TOWED TO MECHANIC. IGNITION COIL IN CYLINDER #2 FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.

Mileage: 56,600

I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 03 AUDI A4T QUATTRO IN JUNE OF 03. THE DEALER IS GREAT AND THANK GOD THEY VALUE THEIR CUSTOMERS BECAUSE MY CAR HAS GIVEN THEM ALOT PRACTICE ON EVERYTHING. I THINK GERMANY SENT US A DUD! SINCE BUYING THE CAR I HAVE NEEDED VARIOUS ITEMS REPLACED: A NEW COMPUTER, (REPLACED BY THE DEALER), A NEW FUEL SYSTEM WAS NEEDED BECAUSE MY CAR STALLED IN THE LEFT LANE OF A HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE (LATER RECALLED BY AUDI BUT AFTER I NEEDED TO BE TOWED AND HAVE THE CPMPONENT FIXED ALONG WITH OTHER ITEMS SUPPOSEDLY ATTACHED TO THE SYTEM), AND MOST RECENTLY 2 SEPARATE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE NOT YET BEEN FIXED BUT HAVE OCCURRED WITHIN 1100 MILES OF EACH OTHER. FIRST DIAGNOSIS OF THE NOISE AND SHIMMY WHILE DRIVING WAS TIRE BALANCE AND LATER RACK AND PIN STEERING AND AFTER ALL THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE SHIMMY AT 65MPH + IS ALONG WITH THE WHINNING IN THE CAR THE FIRST 10 MILES FO EACH DAY (AFTER IT IS WARMED UP OR EVEN IF IT IS A WARM DAY). AND WHAT SUPPOSEDLY WAS FIRST THOUGHT TO BE A COIL IS NOW A MYSTERY. THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR OVER 2 DAYS AND ARE STILL UNSURE AS TO WHAT IS GOING ON. THANK GOD I BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY!

Mileage: 52,125

I PURCHASED THIS CAR ON 1/24/07 WITH 22,422 MILES ON IT. SIX DAYS LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS FLASHING, IT WAS SHAKING UNBELIEVABLE, WOULD NOT RUN PROPERLY, GO OVER 20 MPH. I RETURNED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM, THEY REPLACED A COIL PACK. WITHIN A SHORT TIME, ON FEBRUARY 14, 2007, THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME BACK ON. AT THAT POINT I BROUGHT IT TO THE NEAREST AUDI DEALER. IT NEEDED A TURBO BYPASS VALVE REPLACED. FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2007 THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON AGAIN. I BROUGHT IT TO THE AUDI DEALER ONCE AGAIN. THEY RESET THE ENGINE CODES AND SAY IT HAS HAD A RANDOM MISFIRE. TODAY, MARCH 11, 2007 THE ENGINE LIGHT IS FLASHING AGAIN, AND WILL NOT DRIVE OVER 20 MPH. I AM HAVING IT TOWED TO THE DEALER IN THE MORNING, TODAY IS SUNDAY AND THEY ARE NOT OPEN FOR BUSINESS. I DRIVE ABOUT 1,000 MILES A WEEK AND I NEED MY CAR OPERATIONAL. I WORRY EACH TIME I DRIVE THIS CAR, I HAVE TO RETURN IT TO THE DEALER ALMOST WEEKLY. IT HAS LOW MILES. CARFAX STATES THIS AUTOMOBILE HAS A CLEAN HISTORY AND IS UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY UNTIL 6/07. THE BOOKLET OBTAINED WITH THE PURCHASE OF THIS CAR STATES THE 4 YR/50,000 MI WARRANTY BECAME EFFECTIVE 6/03 WHICH WOULD LEAVE THE REMAINDER OF THE FULLY TRANSFERABLE FACTORY WARRANTY VALID UNTIL 6/07. THE AUDI DEALERSHIP WILL NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY, SAYING THAT IT EXPIRED 1/31/07. THE CAR NOW HAS 29,XXX MILES ON IT AND I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH IT. THE SUNROOF MOTOR ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AS I AM TOLD BY THE DEALER, WHO THEN TOLD ME THE MOTOR IS $501. *JB

Mileage: 22,000

THE CAR (AN AUDI A4) STARTED SHAKING AND COULD NOT BE DRIVEN OVER 40 MILES PER HOUR. IT HAD TO BE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND BE TOWED TO A DEALER TO REPLACE 2 SPARK PLUG IGNITION COILS. 4 SPARK PLUG IGNITION COILS HAVE FAILED DURING THE PAST YEAR. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE IS LISTED BELOW. *JB

Mileage: 52,400

AUDI A4 2003, THE CLUTCH FAILED AT 30,000 MILES, BUT AUDI REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNTIL IT WAS COMPLETELY UNDRIVABLE. I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET BECAUSE IT WAS CATEGORIZED AS WEAR AND TEAR, THUS NOT COVERED BY AUDI'S LEAST. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THE FUEL PUMP ALSO FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE JACK BROKE WHILE CHANGING A FLAT TIRE AND I WAS TOLD THAT THIS HAD HAPPENED TO OTHER AUDI OWNERS, BUT STILL HAD TO PAY THE DAMAGE TO THE PLASTIC SIDING OUT OF POCKET. *JB

Mileage: 30,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON A CITY STREET, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE PASSENGER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE FACTORY STEREO WIRING WAS ENTANGLED WITH THE AIRBAG WIRING WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.

Mileage: 70,000

ON NOVEMBER 14TH MY A4 1.8 STALLED, WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, A COIL WAS REPLACED...WHEN I DROVE THE CAR HOME IT WOULD THUMP AND JERK UP AROUND 60 MPH. I RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT IT COULD AGAIN BE ANOTHER COIL BUT WERE NOT PERMITTED TO REPLACE ALL THE COILS THE DAY BEFORE BECAUSE MANUFACTURER WOULDN'T PAY FOR ANYTHING MORE THAN THE FAULTY COIL...EVEN THOUGH THEY FIGURED MORE MIGHT FAIL...WELL, IT TURNS OUT IT WAS THE "THROTTLE" - THEY RESET IT AND I PICKED UP THE CAR AND STARTED DRIVING HOME WHEN IT THUMPED AND JERKED AGAIN...TURNED AROUND AND RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER...THIS ALL HAPPENED ON THE 15TH...IT IS NOW THE 18TH AND AFTER WORKING WITH THEIR ENGINEERS, THEY FEAR THEY MAY NOW NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION...I AM JUST GLAD THAT I HAVE A LOANER CAR AND THAT I HAVE 5K MORE MILES ON MY WARRANTY...I THINK I AM GOING TO BY THE EXTENDED SINCE THIS IS 3 HUGE PROBLEMS IN 5 WEEKS TIME! *JB

Mileage: 44,000

ON OCTOBER 11TH MY FUEL FILTER AND PUMP WERE REPLACED AND A ROAD TEST WAS COMPLETED...ON NOVEMBER 14TH (5 WEEKS LATER) MY A4 BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE MIL CAME ON. I PULLED VEHICLE TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER INFORMED ME THAT INGNITION COIL FAILED AND HAD STARTED TO AFFECT THE SPARK PLUGS AND WAS ONLY RUNNING ON 3 CYLINDERS AS A RESULT. THEY REPLACED THE COIL AND COMPLETED A ROAD TEST - HOWEVER THEY HAD COMPLETED A ROAD TEST 5 WEEKS AGO TOO - SO I AM FEELING LEST CONFIDENT WHEN I DRIVE...FEARFUL OF DRIVING IN LESS FAMILIAR LOCATIONS OR IN ANY LANE EXCEPT THE SLOW LANE IN CASE I NEED TO PULL OVER. *NM

Mileage: 44,000

DT: THE CONTACT STATES WHILE DRIVING AT 10-15 MPH THE ENGINE BEGAN TO STALL, FOLLOWED BY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THERE HAD BEEN NO PRIOR INCIDENTS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 20 MPH. THERE WAS THE DISTINCT ODOR OF SOMETHING BURNING COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BUT NO SMOKE. HE PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. HE COULD NOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS A FAULTY IGNITION COIL IN CYLINDER THREE. THIS WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE SAME SYMPTOMS LATER RETURNED AT A SPEED OF 55 MPH. THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF POWER AND HE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL IN CYLINDER ONE. HE OFFERED NO EXPLANATION OF THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. UPDATED 01/19/06. *JB

Mileage: 32,000

IN 1/04, DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS ONE EVENING, MY '03 1.8T A4 BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY AS I BEGAN ACCELERATED FROM A STOP SIGN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF POWER AND COULDN'T ACCELERATE WELL. THE DEALER STATED THAT I BLEW AN IGNITION COIL. NOT 2 MONTHS LATER, IN EARLY 3/04, THE SAME EXACT SITUATION OCCURED AND I HAD TO HAVE ANOTHER IGNITION COIL REPLACED. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THE MFR HAD A PRODUCT RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM, HOWEVER MY VEHICLE'S COMPONENTS ARE NOT COVERED BY THOSE UNDER RECALL. I WAS TOLD I HAVE THE "NEWER" VERSIONS OF THE IGITION COILS ALREADY IN MY CAR. WHILE THEY MIGHT BE NEWER, THEY SURE HAVEN'T SOLVED THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM! TWO BLOWN IGITION COILS IN LESS THAN 2 MONTHS AND I CAN'T GET THE MFR TO REPLACE THE OTHER 2 COILS THAT I'M CERTAIN WILL GO OUT AT SOME POINT SOON TOO.

Mileage: 17,000

MY 2003 AUDI A4 FAILED TO START ON DECEMBER 24TH, 2002 AND MAY 2ND, 2003. BOTH TIMES I WAS LEFT STRANDED. THE FIRST TIME THEY REPLACED THE STEERING LOCK, IGNITION CYLINDER, AND STEERING COLUMN. AFTER THE PROBLEM OCCURED A SECOND TIME, THEY REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED AT 5,000 AND 11,000 MILES AND SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A NEW CAR. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT HAS LEFT ME STRANDED 2 TIMES.*AK

Mileage: 11,000

MY 2003 AUDI A4 FAILED TO START ON DECEMBER 24TH, 2002 AND MAY 2ND, 2003. BOTH TIMES I WAS LEFT STRANDED. THE FIRST TIME THEY REPLACED THE STEERING LOCK, IGNITION CYLINDER, AND STEERING COLUMN. AFTER THE PROBLEM OCCURED A SECOND TIME, THEY REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED AT 5,000 AND 11,000 MILES AND SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A NEW CAR. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT HAS LEFT ME STRANDED 2 TIMES.*AK

Mileage: 11,000