Complain about a product or service

Audi Sludge

Laurie of Petaluma CA (08/28/07)
I purchased a used Audi A4 1.8T and nine months later I find out there is a known oil sludge build up in the engine and I wasnt told about it by Presige Auto in Santa Rosa,CA when I bought it. I purchased an extended warranty also. Needless to say I needed a new engine and turbo parts. Audi refused to pay as the prior owner didnt have the oil changed at Audi for the 5,000 mile oil change. All other maintenance has been proved but they say they wouldnt pay. My warranty company wouldnt pay because they say it is Audi's responsibility. Sonnen Audi is where I take the car per the instructions of Prestige Auto for all service and oil changes. Mike at Sonnen had a friend that was an area rep for Audi and he donated the engine, turbo and all hoses and parts that were needed. They would not cover the $2,600 labor fees and it took many threats to the warranty company to get them to pay $1300. I ended up paying $1000 on a car I purchased 9 months ago and have an extended warranty on. Today, two weeks later I had to take my car back in because the engine is shaking. Mechanic says, O that is probably the coil above the spark plugs. He wouldnt be surprised is there was a recall on the coil which they are replacing on a lot of A4's.

William of Caldwell ID (08/27/07)
I bought a used 2001 Audia A-4 1.8T Quattro in July of 04 with 49K miles on it. At 59K, the timing belt broke and caused over $3,500 in damage. At first, Audi America denied me coverage even though the belt has a factory replacement interval of 105K miles. The local dealer went to bat for me, and Audi eventually paid for the repair.

I also learned at that time that Audi now specifies fully synthetic oil for this motor, and a service interval of 5K miles. The factory owners manual specifies any Premium petroleum oil, and a 10,000 mile oil change interval, which is how it was serviced by Audi dealers for the first 50,000 miles. Since the timing belt broke, I have been using Mobil 1 synthetic oil and changing it at 5,000 mile intervals.

Recently, my wife was driving back from the mountains when the oil light came on. She stopped the car and chekced the oil level, which was normal. When she re-started the car, it began to make a rattle.knock sound, so she turned it off and called a tow truck. The tow truck driver reccomended a repair shop specializing in German cars, so she had it towed there.

The shop tells us that this is a very common problem with the 1.8T A-4, and they usually find a clogged oil pickup and the cam bearings are susually the first to fail from oil starvation as they are last in line to get oil. After doing a quick internet search, I learned that this is indeed a very common problem and that Audi/VW extended the warranty for oil starvation damage to 8 years/unlimited mileage.

I called Audi Customer Care to verify this, and was told that indeed it is true. But I would need to provide documentation for all of the oil changes, which I don't think I have, beyond a notation in the owners manual. I don't have reciepts for oil and filters that Audi wants to see. I understand that there is at least one class action lawsuit already under way on this iisue

Gerald of Corinth TX (07/16/07)
The oil lamp came on in my 2003 Audi A4 while driving on the interstate. The engine completely shut-down shortly thereafter. I had the car towed to the nearest Audi dealership,which was over 100 miles away. I received a call the next day indicating that the engine was ruined and that it would cost approximately $10,000. After doing some research on the web, I discovered an extended warranty that Audi and VW sent to owners with the 1.8T engine.

I never received this letter or knew that it existed before now.I have been dealing with the local dealership but since I can't prove regular maintenance, Audi will not cover any of the repairs. In addition, I was told that engine sludge was the problem but when I asked them to put this in the diagnostic report the service manager initially refused. When I refused to pay for the $400 diagnostic and signoff until they included this terminology, the service manager stormed off. I eventually had the car towed to my house because I was told that the dealership had limited space. Meanwhile, I have to continue to make payments and maintain insurance on a car that I cannot drive.

The service manager also mentioned that if my engine were the 3.0 version that I would not be having this issue, which further indicates there are known problems with this engine design. I was told that there was another car at the dealership with the same issue and that the owner was trying to provide documentation of two oil changes. Can a class action lawsuit be filed against Audi Corporation? I've had the car since it was new. Currently, I have 87,000 miles on my A4. This is the first and only problem that I had thus far. At the moment, I'm getting very little cooperation from Audi Corporation or the local dealership. I'm not sure what else I can do.

John of Mentor OH (01/22/07)
I purchased a new less than 10 miles on it 1999 Audi A6 in July of 1999. It now has 109,655 miles on it. It has been maintained by the dealer since that time. ALL scheduled service, maintainence requirements and recalls have been performed/corrected by the dealer. The low Oil Pressure light came on last saturday and the car just died.

I had it towed to the dealer and was informed today that I need a new engine at a cost of $5K for junkyard engine or $10K for a new one! I have done some research and it seems that Audi/VW have had problems with sludge build-up due to the extended oil change period - 10,000 miles.

As mentioned, I have changed oil as required, and then some. I have all receipts on hand from day one, and I do mean all of them. I am prepared to talk to Audi NA in regards to covering the replacement of my engine and feel the problem is the same as found on the Audi A4 and VW Passat. Can you offer any advice or assistance? This, by the way is my 4th Audi A6 - is it my last?

Karen of West Hurley NY (08/21/06)
We own an Audi 2005 A4. At 64,000 the engine seized while traveling at 70mph on the highway. We had it towed to our dealer ship. We were told we needed a new engine and it was out of warranty. I had remembered seeing an extended warranty for the A4's but my dealership said they had no idea what I was talking about. We had reported engine sludge when the engine light kept coming on while it was under warranty. They have had our car almost 5 weeks and we have not heard a word from them. Our oil has been changed every 5,000 miles and we have receipts. We know this is a problem because we also owned a 2003 Audi A4 and the engine seized on it as well, at 30,000 miles so it was covered by warranty. We are looking for advice and help!

Chris of Gig Harbor WA (06/05/06)
It has happened to me. My 2003 Audi A4 1.8T has broken down. The oil light came on and seconds later the onboard computer shut the engine down in the middle of freeway traffic.

I immediately had the car towed to the local dealership. Upon inspection I was told that the engine needed to be rebuilt or replaced. I questioned this based on the car only having 75,000 miles and being recalled to replace incorrect oil being put into the vehicle when I purchased the car.

The vehicle needed to have synthetic oil in the engine. This was completed  when I brought my car in with 10,000 miles on the vehicle. So the damage had already started unknowingly to me.

Audi then stated that they would extend the warranty to eight years d ue to sludge. Well this did not happen. They stated that I was responsible for the damage because I did not get an oil change at 40,000 miles.

My oil was changed was at 45,000 miles. I think they would have seen something that may cause future damage at this point or at least at my 60,000 mile oil change. Nothing was mentioned.

Audi is stating that they are not responsible for a known problem with the engine and want to charge me $13,000 to replace the engine. I cannot believe after paying $35,000 for the car that they will not stand behind their product and the known issue. This is reprehensible in my eyes.

They started the problem by putting the wrong oil in the car and don't you think that the oil light should come on before the engine is completely damaged. When the computer shut the car down I was in the middle of rush hour traffic, this could have endangered lives. No power steering or brakes, extremely dangerous.

Richard of Bedford PA (03/13/06)
My 2002 Audi A4 just hit 69,900 miles and the third turbo on my car had just gone bad. In addition to this, the car has now developed a ticking noise in the valve-train. Upon hearing this noise, the car was promptly delivered to Fiore Audi in Altoona, Pa. Fiore technicians stated they never heard a noise in the top of the motor and that the "dentist drill" turbo noise was caused by an exhaust leak.

After I reiterated my concerns about the car's problems and my worry over oil sludge issues with this car, they pulled the valve-cover and the oil pan and found oil sludge build-up in the oil lines feeding the turbo and in some of the oil galleys in the engine. Fiore contacted Audi of America who agreed to replace the turbo and the oil feed lines under Audi's extended oil sludge warranty.

After completing these repairs and putting the engine back together, Fiore then contacted me to tell me that they now heard a "ticking" noise in the top of the motor. Big Surprise there, as I had initially told them about this. After pulling the head they determined that the engine block AND the cylinder Head were warped and refused any responsibility for the repairs, stating that we needed a new engine. Fiore technicians informed me that these damages were caused by the engine being excessively overheated. This was news to both my wife and I, as the engine had never indicated that it had overheated.

For this "excuse/reason", they refused to cover any repairs regardless of the fact that I had produced receipts documenting that the oil was changed religiously around 3,000 mile intervals with full synthetic oil. Incidentally, my oil replacement schedule was well below Audi's initial recommendation that the oil be changed every 10,000 miles, as referenced in the manual, or their subsequent recommendation of changing it every 5,000 miles with an Audi recommended full synthetic oil (a changed recommedation of which I was never informed of in the first place). Subsequent communication/negotiation with Audi's Service Representative and Fiore's Service Manager resulted in their adamant, and at times rude, refusal to honor their "goodfaith" engine warranty of 8 years regardless of mileage due to oil sludge issues.

My complaint is simply that this car continually smoked upon idling from the time the first turbo was replaced at around 39,000 miles. Upon further complaints to Audi about the "smoking" issue, the turbo was again replaced at around 49,000 miles. Unfortunately, the car still continued to smoke upon idling. When I called back to Fiore Audi to again complain that the issue had still not been resolved I was informed that the car was out of warranty and that they were unable to find the cause of the problem in the first place and that I "should not worry about it". Interestingly enough, the oil lines that feed the turbo charger were never checked or replaced during any of the turbo charger replacements, or other oil smoke complaints. Subsequently, now, after our third turbo replacement, (this time they did change the oil lines) obviously due to oil sludge build-up, we are now told that our motor is no good.

Had Audi taken care of this issue when these problems were first developed and identified, I would not be in the situation that I am in now, having to pay for a major repair, (i.e. engine replacement), at less than 70,000 miles due to an issue that is well-known with this vehicle and that was also obviously present when this vehicles warranty was in full effect. It is obvious after searching the Audi specific forums, consumer complaint sites and the internet in general, that Audi of America as well as VW of America is well aware of this problem and that many people are beginning to experience this issue that is a direct result of a defective engine design that holds less oil than the car's systems need as well as improper maintenance schedule recommendations and oil specification guidelines for this car.

Audi of America should have an obligation to stand behind their warranty as well as their product and be responsible for their design flaws and manufacturer's defects. After all, who has around $35,000 to spend for a vehicle that will last less than 70,000 miles, only to then be faced with a $5,000 - 8,000 repair? I believe that as the 2001 and up 1.8T models begin to "come of age" so to speak, mileage-wise that many more individuals will be becoming aware of these issues as they too experience major engine failure and replacement costs due to this faulty design.

Elena of North Bergen NJ (01/26/06)
This is my second serious issue with Audi Corporate America regarding my Audi A4 1.8T 2002 model, while it has been under new car warranty. The first issue was happily resolved after several weeks of torturous phone calls, where the outcome had Audi (justifiably) paying to fully replace my engine after an oil sludge problem brought my car to a screeching halt on a highway, leaving my car and family stranded on the side of the road Christmas day.

PS: Audi Roadside assistance was non-existent that day – taking almost 24 hrs to send help & tow our car!

My elation and relief that the engine issue was finally resolved by Audi (by finally talking to the right person in customer service - who was refreshingly wonderful to deal with), again soured when Audi Corporate told me they will not stand behind the full 4 year new car warranty offered by Bellavia Audi NJ, the dealership from whom I purchased my car. A dealership that is coincidentally no longer in operation.

Audi Corporate felt that I had only 3 years warranty from the date of my purchase (March 2003). This is despite me purchasing the car with assurance from the dealership, at point of sale, that I would have full 4 yr new car warranty coverage until March 2007. Most concerning is that this now leaves me just 2.5 months of warranty cover after Audi acknowledged a major fault with the car, requiring replacement of my engine. Since the dealership (Bellavia) is no longer in existence, Audi Corporate proclaimed they would only honor the “new” car warranty offered as part of my contract of sale until March 2006, on the basis that their records say I bought the car in 2002!

They insisted on seeing proof that we actually bought the car in 2003!! What organization cannot correctly tell when one of their cars was purchased?? We even did the financing through Audi, but they were not willing to cross-check that we had purchased the car in 2003 – so the onus of proof was entirely on us. After proving I had purchased the car in 2003, Audi corporate now argue that the 4 year warranty was actually first claimed against (ie: initiated) by Bellavia Audi in 2002 (the year before I bought the car), for the electric windows jamming. Therefore the 4 year warranty was activated from this point (ie: more than 6months before I came into the picture to buy the car).

In all fairness, I bought my Audi A4 1.8T (my second such Audi), knowing that there were almost 6000 miles on the clock, but I was assured that it had not been used as a demo, and instead used by someone in the administration office of the dealership to go to and from work. On that basis they told me they could sell the car to me as 'new' and I would qualify for the full 4 year warranty that comes on all new Audi models. The model I purchased had a lot of extras that were no longer offered on 1.8T’s if we ordered one in, so the offer of a 4 year ‘new car’ warranty sealed the deal for my husband and I buying the model they had in stock. My written contract with Bellavia Audi clearly states that the car I purchased was “NEW”.

Christophe of Corte Madera CA (07/01/05)
Turbo died on my Audi A4 1.8T as a result of oil sludge issues. Oil sludge problem has been acknowledged by Audi as causing damages to engines.

$2000 and 10 months of process to submit all required documentation. During the process, Audi never updated me, never provided written communication on requirements but in the end concluded that I had not submitted enough evidence of "maintenance records". I have testimonies of car experts regarding the matter. I believe Audi never had any intention to reimburse damages caused by oil sludge.

Joseph of Homer Glen IL (03/09/05)
I own a 2001 Audi A4 with a T8 engine. I bought the car used. The engine in my car totally failed because of an oil sludge problem. Audi extended the original 50,000 mile warranty on this engine to unlimited miles do to numerous catastrophic engine failures caused by the oil sludge problem. Audi extended the as warranty is fully transferable to used car buyers. In the owners manual Audi specificed to change oil at 10,000 mile intervals with premium petroleum oil. The extended warranty requires proof a certified mechanic did oil changes at the specified intervals; the extended warranty stated there is no petroleum oil sold in the United States or Canada that meets Audi's specifications.

Audi changes oil for the first 50,000 as part of the purchase price of the car. My car had 62,000 miles on it when the engine failed. Audi did the oil changes up to 50,000 miles. I changed the oil myself 3 times in the remaining 12,000 miles. Audi refused to honor their extended warranty because I changed the oil myself. In the original owners manual it tells owners what safety precausions to take when they change their oil themselves. Audi now specifies synthetic oil be used. I paid an automotive expert to look at the engine. The expert's report attributes the damage to the engine a result of oil coking/oil sludge. He further stated petroleum oil breaks down after 3000 miles and Audi is responsible for the engine damage by specififying 10,000 mile oil changes with petroleum oil.

I bought a junk yard engine and installed it in the car myself, I could not afford what Audi wanted to repair the car. Audi sent the extended warranty letter to over 400,000 owners, I did not receive the warranty letter till after I requested the letter after the engine failed. Audi was aware of I was the new owner in they did send me a card asking me to buy an extended warranty.

Jill of Clearwater MN (02/12/05)
Purchased used '97 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro in fall of 2000 w/warranty. Within 1st 3 yrs., spent over $3,000 in "non-covered" warranty repairs - all 4 tires within 1st 6 months (tie rods, power control unit, upper ball joints, lower control arms, etc.). We moved a year ago -- nearest Audi dealer over 75 miles away (Carousel, Mtka.). Have been taking car to VW dealer in St. Cloud for maintenance (almost the same thing, heh?). Oil light on dash was intermittently coming on/going off. Brought Audi to VW dealer & they changed the oil. Said they couldn't find anything wrong ~ drive it awhile & bring it back if problem didn't resolve (maybe a short in wiring).

Seemed to be OK for a week or two, then light came on & stayed on. Parked car in garage. Made an appointment to bring back to VW in St. Cloud (yesterday). Car "died" en route. Called VW. Called towing co. Put on flatbed & brought in to VW. Engine & turbo need replacing at a cost of over $6,000. Phoned our previous (prior to move) Audi repair technicians / they came & picked up Audi & brought back to their shop (150 mi. towing charge) ... apparently has something to do with oil "sludge" pick-up into the motor that caused the damage. (VW wasn't aware of that??)

A newsletter or something of that sort was supposedly sent out in Sept. of 2004 addressing this problem. We DID NOT receive it (have received notices of recall on other issues, however). I'm angry/frustrated/broke -- it just seems to be one big investment problem tumbling over another & nobody is willing to take responsibility for anything.

Jennifer of Nashua NH (10/28/04)
The engine in my 99 Audi A4 needs to be replaced due to oil sludge. The engine is still covered under warranty since Audi extended the warranty on my vehicle for 8 years to cover oil sludge repairs however, Audi is refusing to reimburse me saying that I have insufficient maintenance records. I have provided Audi with all of the maintenance records showing that I have been properly maintaining the vehicle since the day it was purchased.

I have been without a car for a month making it very difficult for me to get to and from work. The repairs will cost anywhere from $5,000 - $10,000 and I am still making car payments on a car that I can't even drive and I can't afford to fix it.

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