Audi - All Models

February 2001

Dear Audi Owner:

Thank you for contacting the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) about your Audi. CAS has received numerous complaints from consumers on electrical problems, fires, engine and transmission failures, and sudden acceleration.

With nearly 1800 reported unintended acceleration incidents in the 1980s, Audi became synonymous with the term "sudden acceleration." Despite several deaths, dozens of injuries, five related recalls and a Swedish defense agency study showing cruise control malfunctions could cause sudden acceleration, Audi claimed that "pedal misapplication" caused the incidents. Audi lost 80% of its market share because it chose to blame its customers for the problem.

While Audi sudden acceleration received the most attention, other serious defects belie Audi's claim of producing high quality automobiles. Sleek and shiny on the outside, many of these cars become mechanical nightmares with complex computerized components that frequently require expensive repairs. Audi's chairman, denying that sudden acceleration was an issue, conceded that "Yes, Audi has a problem in the United States. Audi has a terrible quality problem."

The Audi 5000 has very poor crashworthiness. Not until the debut in 1989 of its airbag-equipped replacement, the 100/200 series, did Audi models receive acceptable scores in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program frontal barrier impact test. In 1997, Audi recalled more than 90,000 vehicles due to faulty airbags. A discharge of static electricity in low humidity conditions can activate the driver's side airbag when drivers of 1995 900, 1995-96 A6 and 1997 A8 models enter or exit their vehicle. The smaller-than-normal right hand mirror on the 1998 A6, designed to improve aerodynamics, is not a "plus" in terms of visibility. Overall, the A4, A6 and A8 models are significantly improved over earlier models in quality and safety. Their warranty is one of the best with free service through 3 years/50,000 miles.

You'll find more information on Audi problems below and what you can do about them plus a complaint box. Your information will help us build a strong case against Honda on the defects we know about and help us spot new ones.

We need you to support the Center for Auto Safety in our fight for consumer rights and against poorly designed and unsafe cars. Your contribution is tax-deductible and entitles your to our quarterly newsletter, Lemon Times. Please submit the membership form along with your contribution and complaint. If you contribute $35 or more, we will send you the current edition of The Ultimate Car Book, by Jack Gillis.

Sincerely,

Clarence M. Ditlow
Executive Director

AUDI FACT SHEET
Audi technical service bulletin (TSB) numbers are in parentheses.

Brakes: Rust on front rotors causes steerin wheel shimmy '00 All w/HP-2 Brakes (46-99-01)

Electrical/Instruments: Inaccurate fuel gauge 1993 100, 1995 A6 & 1998-99 A6 (90-94-06 & 20-99-02); Inoperative electric windows, 1985-87 4000/ 5000, 1988 5000 & 1989 100/200 (64-89-T04); Inoperative outside air temperature display, 1992-94 100/100S/100CS & 1993-94 90S/90CS (90-94-01); A/C inoperative, 1992 100/S4/V8 & 1993 90 with ACC (87-94-08); Climate control inoperative, 1990-91 V8 (97-93-01); Fan intermittently switches to high speed, 1993-94 90 & 1992-94 100 with manual A/C (87-94-05); A/C heater motor inoperative, 1993-94 90 & 1994 90 Cabriolet (87-94-03); Cruise control inoperative, 1995 90, 1995-96 A6, 1996 A4 & 1995-96 Cabriolet (27-95-02).

Engine/Driveability: "Clunking" from front of vehicle, 1993-94 90 (10-94-01); Radiator fan runs after ignition switch is turned off, 1986-91 5000T\5000T Quattro\200T\200T Quattro (19-93-02); Misfire 1997-99 A4 w/1.8L Turbo & 1998-99 A4, A6 w/ 2.8L (01-99-01 & 01-99-02); Crank & no-start 1998-99 A4. A6 w/2.8L & 1997-99 A4 w/1.8L Turbo (15-99-01 & 15-99-02)

Steering/Suspension: Rear suspension noise, 1990-91 80/90 Quattro (42-93-01); "Squeak"/"groan" in left turns, 1992-94 90/S4 (48-94-03); P/S fluid leak: 1984-89 5000 (48-89-T05), 1988 80/90 (48-89-T02) & 1989 100/200 & 1990 V8 (48-89-T04).

Transmission: Delayed 1-2 upshift, 1995-97 A6, 1996 A4 & 1997 A8 (37-96-02); Shift lock solenoid clicks when in "Park," 1993 90 & 1994 Cabriolet (37-96-01);

Other: W/S wiper blades skip, 1991 Coupe/Cabriolet, 1992 80/90/100/S4/A6 & 1995 A6 (92-9501); Condensation in ventilation system, 1993-95 90 (87-93-01); Metallic rattling from rear lid lock, 1992-93 100 Wagon (55-93-03); Moisture accumulates in headlights 1996-99 All (94-99-01).

MAJOR RECALLS
Copies may be obtained from NHTSA's Technical Reference Division at 800-445-0197.

Airbags: 54,800 1989-93 Coupe, 80, 90, 100, 200, V8, S4 - Inadvertent airbag deployment (97V-172); 39,300 1995-97 Cabriolet, A4, A6, A8, 90 - Discharge of static electricity activates driver airbag (97V-175).

Brakes: 16,000 1986-87 5000 - Rear calipers bind & overheat (87V-158); 7,000 1992 100 with V6 & A/T- Blades in vacuum booster pump wear prematurely & reduce brake assistance (93V-007); 50,000+ 1983-84 4000/5000 - Hoses develop cracks & leak (85V-099); 50,000+ 1997-99 A4, 1998-99 A6 - Insufficient booster vacuum (99V-131.001).

Fuel System/Fires: 80,710 1985-86 5000 - Backfire causes fuel absorbed by air filter to ignite (86V-103); 25,000 1984-88 5000 - Exhaust system heat ignites gas vapors from charcoal filter (87V-157); 35,000 1984-89 5000 Quattro Turbo & 37,200 1993-95 Cabriolet, 90, 100 - Fuel injection seals leak (89V-006 & 98V-332)); 31 1998 A6 - Wrong filler neck (97V-160); 27,964 1998-99 A6 - Fuel expulsion from filler neck (99V-058); 52 2000 TT - Fuel line assembly leak (99V-222); 48,500 1998-00 A6 - Fuel guage inaccurate (00V-137).

Seats/Seatbelts: 12 1997 A4, A6 - Rear belt retractors don't lock (97V-115); 8,000 1986 4000/5000 - Seatbelt locks don't properly engage (86V-113); 600 1990 Quattro - Seatback hinge separates from anchor (90V-069).

Steering/Suspension: 6,600 1990 Quattro 80/90 with airbags - Loss of steering control (90V-070); 25,000+ 1998-99 A4, A6, A8 - Tie rod seals fail (99V-248); 6,200 2000 TT - Loss of control in high speed turns (99V-300)

Sudden Acceleration: 5.000+ 1998 A4, A6 - Throttle plate sticks (98V-134); 3,100 1990-91 V8 - Control rod binds & throttle sticks open (96V-084); 251,102 1978-86 5000 - Vehicle suddenly accelerates from a stationary position when shifting from "Park" to "Reverse"/"Drive" (87V-008); 57,000 1984-85 5000 - Faulty idle control unit causes erratic/increased idle speed (87V-170); 81,000 1985-86 5000 & 12,000+ 1985-86 4000 Coupe - Idle stabilizer wear causes excessive engine speed fluctuation (87V-009 & 87V-069).

Others: 24,000 1994-96 Cabriolet, 90, 100, A6, S4, S6 - Ignition switch causes electrical accessories to malfunction (96V-017); 3,700 1996 A4 - Horn works intermittently (96V-088);20,800 1989-91 V8/100/200 - Jack collapses (91V-050); 152,000 1985-91 80, 90. 100, 200, 4000, 5000 with automatic 3-speed transmissions - Differential failure (93V-006); 5,900 1990 100/200 - Placard inside gas filler door lacks vehicle capacity weight (91V-156).