1999 Audi A4 Turbo Quattro 1.8 from North America
Summary:
A dream to drive, a nightmare to repair when the timing belt breaks 25,000 before recommended repair
Faults:
Timing belt broke @ 63,000 miles, causing $5,000 damage.
Front air bags need replacement @ 70,000 miles = $1,000.
General Comments:
I had my timing belt break @ 65,000 miles on my 1999 Audi A4. The cost to to fix the failure was $ 5,000, not including two weeks for a rental car. The scheduled recommended replacement for this part according to the maintenance manual provided by Audi, recommended that this part be replaced at 90,000 miles. I was totally aware of this recommendation, and was going to get the $1,000 job done 5,000 miles prior to the recommendation.
Due to Audi's vastly understated recommendation for repair, I'm out $5,000. When I approached Audi corporate with what I thought to be a very valid case, they essentially told me to pound sand. Stating that it was only recommended and was not covered by warranty, and therefore not Audi's concern.
I'm currently trying to compile enough statistical case by case information to show Audi corporate or a class action lawyer that this is a recurring theme, and not just one poor SOB that means nothing to their ultimate bottom line at Audi corporate. If anyone has had a similar experience or could supply any kind of information that would help me out, I would greatly appreciate it. I have had a few other minor by comparison type of repairs, but those are to be expected. I just feel as though Audi is doing the wrong thing with the timing belt issue, and they should be accountable. My contact information is attached below.
Mike Browne
619-990-8636
mikebrowne@cox.net.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 4th February, 2004
11th Mar 2004, 23:52
I have a '96 A4 with 67,000 miles. I had the car into my mechanic recently (I will not go to the dealer unless absolutely necessary.) and he advised me to have the timing belt replaced now. He also indicated that there was a possibility of the belt breaking and that if it did, substantial damage would be done to the engine.
12th Dec 2006, 10:21
In Ireland and Europe, the timing belt, on nearly all Volkswagen Group engines, has to be replaced every 60,000 miles. I generally get it done as close to 50,000 miles as I can, just to be on the safe side - this should also include a new water pump. The timing belt will wear in line with engine running time rather than mileage - if you spend two hours per day, as I do, covering 30 miles in traffic it is causing the same wear as two hours covering 100 miles! Looking at these reviews, it would seem that Audis sold in North America are very problematic compared to those sold in Europe. And the Audi service seems to be dreadful.
10th Feb 2004, 22:09
Just a note to comment on your treatment by Audi corporate. We contacted Audi of America regarding two lower control arm failures at 24,000 miles that will cost us $2600. We argued premature failure and the dealer's service manager agreed with us in principal; Audi said go pound sand.
Keenonjang@telusplanet.net.