jcbrgp

Just thought to give a update.

Tomorrow marks 2 full weeks in the shop. AA has been in touch and tells me the problem has been fixed however they were not sure what the problem was and were waiting to see the reports. In addition there was mention of a "seal" that needed to be ordered which would be in today/tomorrow. Not sure how AA knows it needs a new seal but does not know what was fixed. The dealer has not called me since last Tuesday...nice going...way to turn off a customer who has purchased two cars from you!
Meanwhile back at the ranch...It seems everyone I talk to, including a relative who is the manager of a luxury car dealership, tells me to demand a new vehicle. How about someone just tells me what the problem was!!

I realize its just a car but man this is stressing me out!!!

I'll update once I know something more!

JohnBoyToo

Having gone through that twice with previous mfg's, I feel for you...


Did I miss where they gave you a loaner ?!? I would certainly expect that at least....


Do know your rights and then it becomes much easier...
Knowing the rules and documentation was my friend !

In most states, a certain number of days out of service for ANY issue within the first year or 3 "major" issues or 1 safety issue is grounds for the lemo laws... but do look it up for your state.

Thankfully our Q5 has been excellent, here's hoping AA steps up to the plate without much effort on your part... the web is watching

jcbrgp

johnboytoo - Yes I have had a loaner, but a A4 is hardly a sub for a Q with 3 kids to move. As far as playing the lemon card...in NYS its 4 occasions in 18 months or a full month out of service. As expected there are proviso's as to whether or not it effects the ability to drive the vehicle or significantly causes a safety issue.

The lingering question I have is how can I feel safe putting my 3 kids in this car? 3 weeks, a Audi specialist and a body shop do not give me the warm and fuzzies.

jcbrgp

Just thought to provide a update on the proceedings and perhaps get some additional opinions.

Last eve brings news of a repair having been made. Apparently there are support brackets or rails (not sure the term they used) that run across the car (Left to right)One seemed to be moving causing the noise. They spot welded it and are claiming all is fine.

Aside from the obvious point of its a brand new car that should never have needed to see a body shop...

Here is my problem...should I now feel safe in this car?

If the Engineers back at HQ did not deem a weld point where they put one...how do I know the ramifications? They claim the structural integrity is in tact but taking 3 weeks to figure that out seems crazy.

Right now its in AA hands...trying to have faith they step up!

drcyrus3d

jcbrgp,

I really doubt that they have stripped down the entire car until the inner frame to check all the other weldings. Then again ... is it welding fatigue? Material fatigue? If the car did not hit anything that is a real big problem :|

I don't know i just have a bad feeling, I think you will be on the loosing part for the long run. :|

Think about at the time when you will want to trade this car in for another, you will loose money on having a structural problem so early (I believe this will be detailed on your CARFAX, because it's not something simple as an oil change and your car was in the stealership for so long).

A brand new car should not get out of the factory with a defect like that! I would put pressure on getting a new car. Try talking to a lawyer too.

bozack

I agree with Cyrus on this shouldn't have left the factory with quality control etc being the way it is nowadays however it is not going to show up on any type of carfax or trade in (unless that person pulls Audi's maintenance log).

I would get a detail of the part and then try to find out if it is some load bearing or structural part of the car. If it is some rail piece to aid in attaching the headliner or something then not so much a big deal but giving the way most of the frames the newer Audis have it may not be something integral of the cockpit chell but ya never know.

Maybe hammer them to gift you an extended warranty or something

drcyrus3d

You never updated us on your case. Tell us where you are and what happened. Maybe it can help others who will end up in the same situation.

Thanks.

jcbrgp

Sorry for not closing the loop but I decided to take a little vacation following this nonsense. It's always good to take a step back and evaluate, preferably with a tropical drink in hand!!

All told I was without the car for the first month!! Problem was reported as a rogue "cross-member" charged with supporting the headliner. It seems it was not properly fastened somewhere in the vicinity of the sunroof. The repair, a minor weld and sunroof seal, was made and the car returned to its original condition...which to me was a matter of semantics.

Negotiations as to what was the proper restitution for what they had put me through went on for the next 2 weeks. My first inclination was to tell them to replace the car. My logic was that it was a brand new vehicle that was completely taken apart and as a result was no longer new. In addition I questioned the safety of a the repair performed outside of a "factory" environment. Of course their opinion on the matter greatly differed. Interestingly during the first 20 phone calls, the support person I was working with, seemed to agree with me and almost feigned that they would replace the car. I continued banging that drum until they rejected that concept straight away! Escalations up the food chain ensued and soon I heard their offer was to cover the first two months payments. To me this was a joke as they had basically usurped the first month repairing it and, to me, it was in reality, one month. Keep in mind during this whole process I treated every person I talked to with respect and decorum but looking back now maybe I should have gone nuclear because at the end of the day I just feel abused. The last person I talked to, a regional supervisor, was quite nice but also rejected doing any more than offered. He instead extended to my wife and I, a meal at our favorite restaurant!!

At this point I am told the two payments will eventually get to me, although I have not seen them yet, nor have I seen the gift certificate for the dinner. The proverbial check is in the mail... The only thing I have seen is a lovely folder to keep my paperwork in with a pair of Bang and Olufsen headphones thrown in, which arrived yesterday. I am guessing everyone gets that...but can't be sure. On the positive side the car is flawless. It's tight as a drum with ZERO rattles or sounds. Any sign of what they did is unperceivable to all but the trained eye. So at the end of the day it was just a minor repair magnified by the fact that it took a month to fix. My faith in Audi....questionable...still love the car but just feel like I was marginalized at best! Again, while appreciated, their offer was bare minimum. Maybe someone can tell me what I got was good and make me feel better but until then the bloom is certainly off the rose!

chickdr

I got a similar offer with our S/R leak. They ended up giving us a check for 2 payments. We were without our car for almost 5 months. I would have pushed harder for a replacement car, or a buyback(so you could then decide if you wanted to order another new one later).

bozack

wow, you would think they could at least cover the amount of payments you are without car then add a few on top for goodwill.

Pretty sad to hear on Audi's part for doing the minimal. I remember being without my Q for 2-3 weeks in the shop and being pissed off on having to drive a cheap crappy loaner A4 or Subaru as a loaner