snagitseven

I didn't really want to start yet another steering thread but I did a couple of Google searches to see what other reports there might be outside of this forum on the electric steering issue.

Yikes! I gave up after after finding these; I'm sure there's more.

It appears that the electric steering problem ranges from a mild, directional vagueness at speed (as in my case so far) to a very noticeable and disconcerting notchiness/jerking in the wheel at any speed. There doesn't seem to be consistent, contributing parameters, i.e. temperature, ADS mode, speed, mileage, etc. that I've been able to ascertain from the reports - they're all over the map. Also, for some, it's intermittent and for others, continuously apparent.

Some have had the steering rack replaced with success (at least temporarily) and for others, it didn't help. Alignments, wheel balancing, etc. have been done no with discernible improvement. One poster even (dubiously) claimed that installing an Alu Kreuz chassis billet eliminated the issue. The only temporary solution for some has been to turn the wheel lock to lock and back to center. Others have reported turning the car off then back on has worked for a period of time.

Reports say that Audi has been working on the issue for some time but no word yet to the dealer network. If this can be resolved via software update, it should be a fairly easy fix. If it's hardware related, this could be expensive for Audi as the issue with the new steering system exists across most new product lines and models. With possible safety ramifications, Audi might be compelled to replace components for everyone rather than on a case by case basis.

At the end of the day, it's clear there's a global issue with the electric steering that needs a timely resolution from Audi.

https://www.audiworld.com/forums/sho....php?t=2837770

https://www.audiworld.com/forums/sho....php?t=2843581

https://www.audiworld.com/forums/sho....php?t=2836501

https://www.audiworld.com/forums/sho....php?t=2844942

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ng-Issues-2013

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...estion-For-You

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ering-problems

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...teering-issues

http://www.a5oc.com/forums/a5-s5-top...ng-issues.html

http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2013/...g/problem.aspx

http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2013/...g/problem.aspx

http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2013/...g/problem.aspx

http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2013/...g/problem.aspx


http://www.aboutautomobile.com/Compl...di/S4/Steering

VectorA7

Thanks - this was very helpful since the information is all over the place.

Have a '13 A7 Prestige with Innovation and Cold Weather and I noticed the "notch" problem as I drove off the dealer lot. For me it's worse at higher speeds, even worse in a cross wind. Can't keep the car in a straight line, as the normal micro corrections over compensate and I end up weaving slightly left and right.

No difference regardless of the ADS setting, but better in warmer temperatures. Turning the wheel from lock to lock does not help.

Interestingly, also very apparent when using Active Lane Assist - the car itself keeps weaving left and right in the lane as the "notchiness" causes it to over compensate.

Dealer and Audi USA are aware, my customer advocate dispatched a tech crew to work over the car. Hoping it comes back in one piece - will update when I hear more.

NVThs1

Vector....Which way do you turn the wheel? I do the left turn first, than right turn. Make sure you hit the end of each turn. I have read this does not work for everyone, but I know it goes for me.

I also am starting to notice that active lane assist people seem to report more drastic feelings of this problem. Mine were more of an annoyance, nothing that felt dangerous.

Otherwise, thanks Snag for putting this toghter, if new members do a search and find this thread, it will save them a lot of research along with starting a redundant thread.

snagitseven

Latest info. (Sorry to bounce you around):

https://www.audiworld.com/forums/sho....php?t=2845274

VectorA7

Yep, I have tried going all the way to the left, then right, and the opposite. No luck.

And agree with you about it being worse with Active Lane Assist. I drove an A6 and A7 over the weekend, both had the problem, the A6 did not have ALA and it was not as bad.

Take a look at my other post - seems like they have isolated the problem, it's with the steering sensors.

VectorA7

I posted this in a few places, think I missed this thread:

OK, so here's what I think is actually going on. Just got my car back, my dealer was working with Audi USA techs. Problem seems to be that the sensors in the steering rack that tell the electric assist motor the position of the wheels and which way to boost the steering, left or right, are out of alignment. So there a sub-second delay in the boost, which causes the notchy feel to the steering. They spent 2 days working on the alignment and the steering is 80% better. Still not perfect, and I miss the good old days of hydraulic boost, but they seem to be on the right path.

Reason that replacing the rack works, I'm guessing, is that the installation process forces them to align the sensors - so it may not be the rack itself that's causing the problem.

psychodo

Damn. My steering just started the notchy crud yesterday. Thought it might have been the wind but it was back this morning . Thanks for starting this post snagit

DirkM

Two videos about the issue, it's an A4 but nevertheless the same issue:

Azerty63

I have this issue on my July 2012 A6.

I reported it to my dealer in march.
He told me that since febuary, it is an official problem studied by the design office.
He keep me informed each 2 weeks of any update but so far, no news.

So I suggest to anyone who got the same issue to report to his dealer in order to raise pressure on Audi and be infomed when a solution is available.

larrycowan

For those who didn't see my original post, I have a 2013 A4.

Immediately upon delivery, the steering was severely notchy - to the point that driving the car on the highway was terrifying.

At 700 miles, I brought it back to the dealer. After a test drive, they called me and said the car was unsafe and would not be returned to me until resolved. They gave me a brand new A4 loaner, so that was fine. They replaced the steering rack, which worked until...

At about 3k miles, I noticed the notchiness returning. For the next 1k miles, it got progressively worse. I called my dealer and they said that Audi knew about the problem, but had no solution yet. I decided to bring it in anyway for an early 5k service since, alas, I was also already down a quart of oil. The service manager suggested I contact the Audi complaint line about the steering. Later in the day, the dealer confirmed that the steering was not right, and that they had escalated the issue at Audi. Audi told them to replace the steering shaft first. This did no good. Next came a new steering rack (the third on the 4k life of this car).

Audi seemed to be genuinely concerned about resolving the issue. I have received three calls from them, and was given a direct number to the rep that had my case.

I now have the car back, and the steering seems normal. Time will tell, but somehow I am not optimistic that this problem will not crop up again.