Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
EQUIPMENT - OTHER - LABELS
98026402/06/1998600820Information on airbag label for replacement windshield. *yc06/09/1998

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
EQUIPMENT
12/15/20025500011/15/1997
 Seat heater on driver's side malfunctioned and burned a hole through the leather seat cover. hot burning sensation on my leg.
EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - AIR CONDITIONER
07/02/20000
 Ignition switch was still on when consumer started vehicle. also, starter didn't return back when engaged from the switch, and air conditioner was blowing slowy and there was a smell coming fron the air conditioner. consumer took vehicle to the dealership. mechanic told conssumer that he needed an evaporator , and it was leaking coolant.*ak
02/08/2000104/01/1996
 After starting my vehicle and attempting to turn on my headlights (incident occured approx. 8:00 pm), i noticed that my headlights, and tail lights were inoperable. i also notiiced that my climate control system, warning/indicator lights (lights during normal start-up), outside ambient temperature gauge, door locks, and my turn signals were all inoperable. i then proceeded to turn off my engine to trouble shoot the problems when i found that i was unable to turn the key in the ignition (to the off position). i verified that my automatic transmision shifter was in park p. the engine was finally shut (1.5 hrs later) down by pulling fuel pump fuze. dealer replaced ignition switch (# vwn 4ao 905 849 b), this corrected all problems. this problem is very simular to the 1994/1995 audi 90 recall (id #96v017000) of the ignition switch. my vehicle was manufactured in feb. 1996 which is two months following the last recalled audi 90 (mfd. recall jan 94 to dec 95). audi inc . would not reimburse me for this repair. please investigate: this part (ignition switch for the 90 and a4 appear to be the same: i verified this at one dealer) causes very similiar malfunctions in the a4 as the audi 90 had in 1994/1995 vehicles. note: some audi a4 owners may not have reported to nhtsa because warranty covers part up to 50,000 miles. please verify how many ignition switches have been replaced in the a4 via dealers. if this issue prompted a recall of the audi 90 (recall: 1996) , my vehicle and possibly others has just experienced a similiar if not worse problem (can not shut of engine, no headlight/tail lights etc. using normal technique, engine also began to overheat). this is potentially very dangerous. i fortunately had the know how to deal with this situation safely, but all a4 owners are not technically inclined. please contact me for more information/clarification.
1
 The air conditioning would turn on and off by itself.
EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
11/01/1996110/01/1995
 Radio failed.
1
 The radio would increase its volume to maximum on its own.
EQUIPMENT - MECHANICAL - CARRIER/RACK
07/08/1999
 Equipment:bicycle carrier broke. *ak
EQUIPMENT - MECHANICAL - JACKS
05/01/1998103/01/1996
 Tire jack bent under the vehicle's weight, causing vehicle to fall.
EQUIPMENT - OTHER - OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
03/01/1996
 Service manual for 96 and 97 audi a4 do not indicate the need for replacement of the timing belt at 90,000 miles. manufacturer admits the failure but refuses to update manuals for owners. this car has an interference engine which will cause several thousands of dollars of damage to the engine if the timing belt fails. i feel that the manufacturer should recall the service manuals and inform owners of the potential costly and dangerous conditions if the timing belt fails. the 98 and newer manuals indicate the timing belt need, but the 96 and 97 make no mention. i contacted audi in 3/99 but they refused to update the manuals.