Complain about a product or service

Audi

Marchell of Suffolk , VA June 26, 2009

I purchased a 2008 Audi A3 new. With approximately 3,000 miles on the vehicle the road noise started. I have been told that it is the tires that are installed on the A3 that create this extreme road noise. Then I was told that I drove the tires low and created this extreme road noise myself. Then I was told that the suspension system is extremely "tight" and is hard on tires. Then I was told I was the only one with this problem in any Audi. The solution was to turn up my radio or buy a different model, or buy tires every few thousand miles. Then I was told that Audi installed a cheap suspension in this vehicle and no matter what tire I installed I would get the same extremely loud road roar, as this suspension would scallop any tire.

I have been trying to deal with this problem months after this vehicle was purchased. DO NOT PURCHASE A A3 unless you want a piece of junk. I have learned the hard way. I have been at the dealership dozen of times and talked with the comsumer care department of Audi. No solution.

Randell of yonkers, NY June 16, 2009

We purchased an Audi A4 in April of 2009, with a trade-in of our old car. Riverside Audi has not paid off the old loan and has NOT been responsive to our repeated phone calls over the past three months. They also have NOT transferred the title over to us. We are currently taking legal action. Based on our research we are not the only victims of this type of crime. Do not do business with Riverside Audi.

Cindy of Smithtown, NY June 2, 2009

4/27 - End of lease inspector shows up at 8:15 - car dirty, he deems scratches 5/2 - Letter to Audi financial stating that after wash, wax & compound car is fine 5/2 - Purchase VW Jetta 5/3 - Call "lease end services" to inquire about another inspecion and told that in lieu of it would be ok to bring the car to VW and get a letter (on their letterhead) stating that car is in good condition - do that (now they say that I never should have been given that info) 5/15 - Turn car in at Audi with letter - all is fine 5/17 - Get call from Tanya telling me that letter must be faxed to her NOT turned in with the car 5/18 - Fax copy of letter 5/21 - Get call from Tanya stating that letter is not enough, need reciept for "repairs" - that would be compound. Said I wanted to speak to a mgr - told that "Hilary" would call within 24-48 hrs. No call....... Said that they would take 30% off bill. I siad that was unacceptable 5/22 - Called customer care - spoke with Heather Kline (very nice) who said to wait and hear from mgr...... no call 5/29 - New Jetta overheats and has to be towed to dealer - get home another bill in the mail from Audi financial.... Closed for weekend... 6/1 - Call, ask for mgr., on hold 20 mins., get Erin Young who says that they will take 50% off bill - final offer! Ask to speak with "Hilary" (refuses to give me her last name) and that she will call within 24-48 hrs., BUT this is the "final offer" and if it is not paid in 10 days it is "off the table". Waiting for the mysterious Hilary to call...Advise, do not lease thru Audi Financial Services, customer care does not mean a thing! Expected to pay 386.48 within 10 days OR 792.96 after that date. Is it ok to charge tax on what is deemed "excess wear and tear"?

Chris of Syracuse, NY May 19, 2009

I bought a 2002 A4 with 58k in jan 06. Since the first day I picked it up I have been running full mobil 1 synthetic and replacing it every 6000 miles. I was driving on a weekend vacation less than a year later and my oil light came on. I checked the oil and it was full. The next day I got an oil change just in case. I didnt know the oil change history from the previous owner. Well the oil light wuoldnt go away so I took it to the dealer. They said I have sludge and needed a new oil pick up tube. Which I paid for. Not knowing the history of these problems.

About 7 months later I was flipping through some paper work that came with the car. The letter with recall on this problem fell out. I contacted Audi America and they said if I could provide documentation that they would repay me. Valvoline instant oil change was able to mail me all of my receipts. Audi sent me a check. Problem solved and I considered myself lucky...so I thought.

Now 2 years and less than 25k later I find myself without a car for 2 weeks while they are repairing the same problem yet again. The dealer says that it is still covered, however is this going to be a routine repair? Am I eventually going to get stuck replacing the engine? I planned on driving this car for a long time. I currently have 97,000 miles on it. I love the car but cant stand the unreliability with this motor!

Ed of Bluffton, SC April 15, 2009

I have an Audi A4 Cabriolet (Convertible) and the glass window on the top suddendly came loose from the fabric. I looked at it and saw that it was manufactured using glue. I contacted my local Audi dealer in Charleston, SC and was told that although this is a common problem, there is no fix. The only thing they can do is replace the whole top. Surely they would have a service bulletin on this, but NO!

When it rains, water gets in. And during normal driving, the back of the window and fabric flaps in the wind.

Matthew of Corinth, TX April 13, 2009

In June 2006 I bought a 03Audi A4 with 60,000 miles on it. I have taken my car to be serviced at Audi. n February of 2007 I had a low coolant light. I took the car in for service and asked for it to be checked. I was told that a Coolant Elbow had worn out and would be needing replacement for 735. Two weeks after having this replaced, I had my car die on highway immediately after the check engine light beamed on. I took the car back and due to extreme heat, my head gasket blew, destroying my engine in the process. I had no warning light and my temp gauge never once even fluctuated. I was quoted 6,500 for a replacement engine from Boardwalk. I signed off on the repairs.

Two weeks later I went to check on the work and was told the Turbo needed replacement for 800. Five weeks after this I received the call that my car was repaired. I retrieved my car and found the leather of my passenger seat completely ruined. The next day my check engine light came on. I returned the car. I was informed the 2 coils had blown. After many lengthy phone conversations in which the dealer blamed me for all the problems, and constantly talked down to me I was finally able to get the car repaired at no cost.

Two months later the other two coils went out. I found this is a common problem in the 03 A4 and there was a recall. Audi USA informed me that my VIN number was not involved in the recall. Another trip to the dealer at a cost of 350. Six months later my clutch went out 600. I have taken this to a local mechanic recommended by a friend. The mechanic has found many missing bolts connecting the engine to the car, and found the fly wheel not connected back to the engine properly. This caused the fly wheel to warp 800. Audi has denied any responsibility, and refused to help in any of the repair costs caused by their neglect in installing the new engine in my car.

After all the towing, car rentals, repair cost, time wasted dealing with the car I have spent over 10,000 in less than a year. This does not even include the interest on the loans I have had to take to cover the repair costs.

Kelly of Houston, TX April 9, 2009

I purchased an Audi Q7 (over 50,000) in August 2007. Since that day I have brought it back several times with loud squealing brakes. They were resurfaced twice and then when I brought it in for the 15K mile service and asked them to please fix the brakes They told me I needed all new front and rear brakes at the cost of almost 2,000 because the brakes are no longer covered under the warranty and they are worn thin. Audi changed the warranty on brakes to 12K miles but I was never informed of this. They told me brakes wear differently. I am a stay at home mom that drives back and forth to the school.

I went back and forth with several in the service department. The service department told me they talked to Audi and would discount the price 50% even knowing I have had brake issues and from what I learned so have many other people who have purchased an Audi Q7. I called Audi customer service and all they did was call the dealership. I asked to speak to another person in Audi and the customer service person said you can but it won't make a difference and neither she nor the dealership will give me a number for anyone in management at Audi. I have left several messages for the General Manager and he will not return my phone calls.

There are several bad reviews concerning the Audi brake issues on Edmunds reviews and consumer reviews and no one at Audi seems to care. These cars are very expensive I have complained about my brakes since I bought the car. And with all the cars I have owned I have never had to replace the brakes. Its not just a design issue but a safety issue. I have not replaced the brakes yet but I did ask Audi to still try to solve the squealing issue. They said I would need to replace the brakes to maybe solve the problem and of course now the 12K mile warranty on the brakes has expired. It is very frustrating and horrible customer service especially since Audi is obviously aware of the problem.

I have not replaced the brakes yet but if Audi honors a 50% discount it will cost me 1000 and its a new car.

Cherie of Chicago, IL March 9, 2009

I purchased a certified pre-owned 2007 Audi Q7 in February 2008 for the past year have experienced very loud squeals from my brakes I have had them check by the Dealership and they state that my brakes are fine its just the brakes Audi uses on their cars.

I spoke to Audi USA as well and they have given me the same excuse as the dealership and state that nothing can be done because there is nothing wrong with my brakes. I have a problem that when trying to sell me the vehicle no one mentioned that Audi brakes tend to squeak and squeal at very loud pitches. This is unacceptable for a luxury vehicle that cost 50,000. It is also unfair to the consumer to just be stuck with this problem. Audi should be forced to advise customers prior to their purchase not after the purchase the has taken place. In addition, my coolant keeps leaking out but they can't seem to find a leak.

The economic damage that has resulted is that I am stuck paying for a luxury vehicle that is aggravating and annoying to drive beacause of the high pitched noises coming from the brakes, not to mentioned some days it gives me a headache.

Joyce of Yorktown, NY March 1, 2009

I bought a demo A4 Audi in June 07 with 7,000 miles on it. Since I first had the card it burned a lot of oil. This is my third Audi I have owned and thought it was strange that about every 1,000 miles I had to add a quart of oil. First the Audi serviceman said 2,000 miles was normal. I began to keep record and this last time I went 1,673 miles and went through 3 quarts of oil which averages out to 557 miles per quart. I complained to the service department and they ordered an oil consumption test and found it burned 7/10 of a quart of oil for 1,000 miles which now they say is acceptable standards by Audi.

I own a Quaker State oil change and three of our technicians have said they never seen a car burn this much oil and claims there is a problem with the engine. Audi will not do anything about the problem. The other day driving the car it lost power going up a hill and the engine light flashed on then everything was ok. I am a 53 year old women on the road driving by myself afraid something will happened to the car. Is there any legal action I can take to help resolve this problem?

The econimic damage is that I paid 40,000 for a car that has an engine problem. I am fearful of driving the car especially when I have to drive out of state alone.

Melanie of San Francisco, CA February 15, 2009

I own a 2000 A4 2.8Q Wagon; I never miss a service (every 3000 miles). Recently, after a brake light needed adjustment, my mechanic mentioned that, since my car had over 70.0K miles, I should change the timing belt. He also suggested that I get an ATF service. He warned that many Audi owners have sustained damages to their engines due to faulty timing belts, and said that replacing the timing belt, water pump, and various belts, hoses, would save me major headaches down the road. So, I had the servicing done (1700). In less than one week, the ABS lights started beeping; so, I had that replaced (another 750).

Now, the tierods and struts are starting to go. Since I try to stay abreast of preventative maintenance issues (my life is at stake, driving on freeways), I find that I am now spending over 1.0K every time the car goes into the shop. In fairness to Moss Motors, the owner/operator provided a gerontology report for Audis--something that Royal Motors and Negherbon never did. You would think that Audi Customer Service would review these issues, and install fixes, but perhaps that would cut into their after market profiteering. The following highlights of the Gerontology report are intended for those less well served by their mechanics: So, thanks to Moss Motors for providing (in great detail), an ethical response to an unethical manufacturer's product.

One more thing: after replacing my ABS, my coolant leaked (discovered on a Saturday, when all the dealership's parts depts are closed); I tried to find the recommended coolant in another store, but no one carries except Audi. Fortunately, Moss Motors replaced the cracked unit (they took full responsibility for this leak), and, curiously, advised that Audi's recommended coolant was no better than OTC brands. Caveat Emptor!

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