– Writing Problems Cause Potential Fire Hazard –
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said yesterday that it was re-examining a 2004 recall of Audi A6, S6 and Allroad Quattro sedans for wiring problems.
The NHTSA has reacted after receiving six reports of fires starting in the driver’s side dashboard.
The recall investigation only involves Audis made between 1998 and 2004.
In March 2004, Audi recalled about 173,000 models of the A6, S6 and Allroad Quattro vehicles made between 1998 and 2004. But the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it has recently received the reports of fires in A6 sedans from the 1998-2004 model years.
A representative from Audi told the Associated Press that the company “had not yet received information about the inquiry but would cooperate with NHTSA in the review”.
To: Audi Customer Care – Germany
Attn: Customer care representative
From: Edward Cyrankowski
Subject: Audi experience
Date: Dec 14, 2008
Pages: 5
Note:
You can contact me at:
Cell: 1-651-206-3864
Home: 1-651-730-6406
Best regards,
Edward Cyrankowski
To: Audi Customer Care
From: Edward Cyrankowski
1428 Larkspur Dr.
Woodbury, St. Paul, Minnesota 55129 USA
Subject: Audi experience
Date: 12-06-2008
To Whom it may concern,
This is my third and final official letter I am writing to Audi headquarters regarding the status of my 3 cars made by Audi. I have owned several Audis in the past (CS4000 Quattro) and as for today I still own A4 and A6 which I purchased at Audi USA dealer as an Audi certified vehicle.
I have been driving my Quattro for over a decade and I have not experience any inconvenience in terms of maintenance or performance. Essentially, I took it to the Audi dealer with some technical issues on several occasions but my overall impression as far as reliability was quite good. The overall cost of all repairs made on the car did not exceed more than four thousand of dollars within ten years period. Since I loved my Quattro so much, I have seriously considered that Audi will be my next purchase so my family can enjoy safe and comfortable ride. My dream came true at Audi dealer in Wyzata, Minnesota, USA as I purchased legendary A6 as Audi certified vehicle and later on I have purchase another one – A4.
Unfortunately, my Audi dream turned into a worst nightmare of my life and the only good things I can say today about cars made by Audi is an old model CS4000 Quattro. The purchase of two of my current cars made by Audi turned out to be the biggest mistake and the worst financial decision I have ever made in my life.
Under circumstances, I have experienced serious emotional distress and financial burden. After several trials of communication, it seems that Audi USA is not willing to cooperate and therefore deny acknowledging a simple fact that both cars I own, A4 and A6, DO NOT meet and Do NOT comply with simple safety requirements and reasonable cost of maintenance.
As for today I have spent well over fourteen thousand dollars to keep my A4 and A6 on the road and it will take easily another twenty thousand dollars to keep them safe and reliable for a few more years. My both Audis are literally falling apart and I was told last week by the Audi repair shop representative that those two particular models made in the late nineties are the cars with multiple technical issues. He also made a statement that Audi’s engineering team took all measures to fix those problems on next generation of Audi cars and therefore they produce better cars today. I found his statement truly ironic and inappropriate. How was it supposed to relay to my situation? It did not make my pain and disappointment to go away. A few minutes later I learned from him that it will cost me over four thousand dollars to repair current problems on my A6, despite the fact I have already paid for all repairs in the past. The aftermath speaks for itself and quite frankly, it is truly depressing. As for today I have paid over 50% of the original price of the car for taking care of the never ending chain of technical issues, despite thousand of dollars for all repairs which were paid by Audi under Audi Certified Vehicle contract.
I have no choice but consider this whole situation as an insult and therefore consider both Audis as the most unsafe and unreliable cars I have ever owned. Ironically, I was suggested by Audi repair shop representative to not to fix those problems since I do not like the cars anymore. How am I supposed to respond to his suggestions? I found his statement thoroughly inappropriate and deeply offensive. In fact, I perceived this whole situation as an absolute insanity. Under circumstances he left me no choice but to think that that I am a victim of my own stupidity and therefore responsible for purchasing both cars knowingly.
Nevertheless, the majority of recent problems impose serious safety hazard, personal injury and may lead to life threatening situations (malfunction of air bags, malfunction of brakes, malfunction of steering system, flammable lubricant spills on the engine imposing fire hazard, malfunction of windshield washer pump, multiple leaks, malfunction of electronics, fatal breakdown of computer programs and so on and on. The list of failures is endless and I learn every day that there is something next to be repaired on the cars. My other Audi A4 makes no exception as I paid nearly five thousand dollars in the past to keep it on the road. How do you suppose I feel about it? Do I have to pay for repairs as much as I paid for the new cars? Do I have to start replacing all the components of the car in order to keep it safe and running? Yet, am I supposed to feel safe driving the car with total failure of the most essential futures as air begs for example?
Consequently, Audi as a car manufacturer leave me no choice but perceive whole situation and Audi purchases as the biggest mistake and the most sickening rip-offs of my life. And the credit for it goes to Audi as you put me through living nightmare.
The question being today is whether I should take it up with Audi headquarters or start worldwide crusade against Audi and make it public or simply take it to the International Court of Justice?
I feel so deceived by Audi and lack of its support so I started making preparation to create my own website that would expose the truth about cars made by Audi. I think it would be a very honest thing to do to advise potential buyer about financial consequences of such purchase and share my Audi experience worldwide. We, the people deserve the truth and honest treatment so it is time for the truth to be told. As much as I loved my Audis and as much faith I had in Audi product, you have changed that feeling into despair and turned my perception into grim picture. I can not and I will not pay Audi for exposing my family to life threatening situations, low work quality, poor engineering and parts replacement at the cost that exceed amount of money the car was purchased for.
Nevertheless, I do have all receives and supporting documentation that can be shown upon your request. After all, the 99% of the car service was provided by Audi so you should be able to investigate the case without any problems.
I guess it is your choice as far as how you are going to deal with the problem and whether you consider me as a human being with real problem or just a faceless customer complaining abut your product. I am hoping cautiously however that this whole situation will be addressed and find its happy ending and finally someone starts listening. After all it should have been a wonderful Audi experience but is it?
Edward Cyrankowski
Unhappy Audis owner
My phone number: 651-206-3864
Here is the list of current problems that have to be addressed and fixed immediately in order to make the cars safe and fully operational:
Audi A6
Engine and drive train – number of parts need replacement – cost of repair nearly 4 thousand dollars
ABS breaks – fatal computer failure, does not work at all – over $1100 repair cost
Air bags – fatal computer failure – over $1200 repair
Breaks – never worked well, hydraulics pump make noise, it takes twice as much distance to bring the vehicle to stop than on average car
Engine head gasket – has to be replaced
Hubs leaking – have to be replaced – 1 piece – $1300
Mirror – delaminating, oxidation, thorough lack of visibility on driver side
Transmission – spontaneous slipping – need replacement or it has be repaired
Car Engine wouldn’t start on numerous occasions
Headlights – xenon light went off randomly on several occasions
Windshield pump leaking – no fluid can be added, it has to be replaced – cost $400
Rear lights – Plastic – cracked and broken for no reason
Front bumper had to be painted due to the recall problem. Painting not covered by the recall
Left fender – paint delimitation, pealing – Painted by Audi while purchase
Burning odor present in the car – it smells as car was on fire
Windshield – water leak going on passenger feet
Windows – opens very slowly, can not close
Audi A4
Ongoing problem with front right and left steering – nearly $5000 cost of repairs in the past and several thousand estimated by repair shop to fix the problem
Serious problems with drive train – number of expensive parts replaced
Sunroof – opens spontaneously on sunny day, in summer, spring, fall and winter time. Car was flooded by snow and rain as it opened on its own while driving, my daughter panicked and drove into a ditch by the highway, could not close the sunroof on her own
Yesterday, it happen again right in front of my house – it took 1.5 hrs and three members of my family to close the sunroof manually at -15ºC temperature
Mirror – driver side – completely foggy, delaminating and oxidizing at 100% – it has to be replaced
Would not start in winner time number of times
Front headlights – ongoing replacement of electrical bulbs – twice a month
Heating – car does not produce heat at all – it has to run for 1 hr to heat up interior to bearable level at 5ºC.
Suspension problems
Cracking noise and squeaking while taking turns and driving on the rough road
Radio had to be replaced with aftermarket one
Excessive and uneven wearing of the front tires – ongoing alignment problems
Dear Ed,
Please let me know the response from Audi. I have a 2002 Allroad with several major and minor gremlins. The first major problem was the air suspension system which cost $2600 for the fronts. Second issue is the water leak into the cabin which Michael Phelps can do backstroke on the floor board and now it’s causing my air suspension warning system to act up.
I called to the dealer and ask them to fix the water leak but they it’s not covered by any warranty or recall.
I’m seriously tired of the poor designs on these cars that keeps the drivers from enjoying the driving experience !!!
Thank you,
Monchai
My 1997 audi a6 avant quattro started on fire last week (passenger side of hood) with my entire family in the car……I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER AUDI AGAIN AND PUT MY FAMILY IN AN UNSAFE AUDI……THEY ARE INFERIOR CARS!!!!!