Much like our beloved fat guy in a little coat, the Audi allroad is puking again in the corner.

Sob story continued...

After a 2nd time around with replacing a broken air compressor (which I still believe is too noisy) yet ANOTHER problem has surfaced.

I vaguely recall a day when the climate controls randomly reset - apparently there is a problem and they've had to order a new control unit. Great! I get to go back yet again.

ESP now randomly decides to come on even when I have manually turned it off. (not after a restart, but DURING a driving session)

I have been at the service department EVERY week since the first of January 2004. I'm not angry any more, just bewildered.

The litany of problems in the 8 months of ownership:

- failed keyfobs (x3)
- gearshift rattles (x2)
- cracked license bracket (x1)
- improper install of wipers (x1)
- tire balance/alignment issues (x1)
- squealing brakes (x3)
- misfiring/rough idle (incessant)
- adjustable suspension failures (x2)
- faulty climate control unit (x1)
- ESP turns itself on randomly (new issue)

I've owned three VW/Audi products and had high hopes for the allroad. Sadly VW/Audi is now permanently off my list of manufacturers. No matter how "cool" the product may seem, they have lost me forever.

The records shows:

1995 VW Golf : VW buyback after months of grueling work to prove the case. A total lemon.

2000 Audi A4: Loved it, never any issues beyond one buzzy door speaker.

2003 Audi allroad: Audi, can you hear me?

I have a 2001, 42K miles, no problems. Not sure if what I am experiencing is the norm, maybe I just got lucky. But with what you have gone through, can't say as I blame you for not wanting one.

cheers and best of luck to you
jon

There are so many systems that share circutry through this.
I would also Make a call to AoA...not Custometer Service, but the department of AFTER SALE SERVICE...there was a write up in this month's Audi mag..if I still have the issue I'll post the name. Its time for massive contact from you. It sucks big time.

I read your comments to my post of yesterday.

Just for comparison:
I've had a new Golf II 1990, one significant transmission problem first six months, other 2,5 years quite OK.
New Golf III 1993, problems with open roof noise, but rest ok, until it was stolen in '95.
Then a used Audi 80 from '94 for 6 months, no problems.
New Audi A4 1996, 1 year and 40.000 miles, not a single problem, I loved it.
Then Rover 620 (Honda based model) '97, was not very fond of it, but no problems.
Then BMW 320 Touring '00, really liked it, 2-3 small problems in 3 years, all timely fixed.

And now this terrible Allroad experience ... my first car in >14 years that had to be towed away.
All the previous cars have done better than the allroad!

HTH if your '01 is doing OK, we read about so many newer models with problems. What makes me crazy is that I had a turbine broken after 9000 miles, while Audi makes this (diesel) engine since '99. I had an oil leak in transmission (central part), while Audi claims to have the most 4WD experience.
It means that Audi may be good in engineering, but is really bad in production / procurement and quality mgt. After all these years of Total Quality Mgt, Zero Defects, etc they still are not able to come even close to the japanese.

Should my next car be a Subaru?

I have no a6 specific knowledge, but I've been told that on the b5's at leat, when you turn off ESP, you have to do something weird to make sure it really stays off. I think it's that you drive a few feet and then press the brakes hard, and that's supposed to "lock it off" - otherwise there are situations where it will re-enable itself.

It's designed that way.

Its terrible the way you are being treated.

I guess I am lucky as well, 33K with virtually zero problems (other than the obligatory warped rotors). I was hoping to keep the car for a long time but I am reconsidering, I drive 100+ miles per day and need reliability and so far I've gotten it...

It really depends on what the Lemon Law is in his state. What he's got so far might not be enough to claim it a lemon.
AlaskaKaz, check what the Lemon Law is in your state, and go from there. If your problems fit into what the law describes as a lemon (it has mostly to do with frequency and time period of a specific problem), then definitely go for it. You might want to talk to a lawyer as well. Good luck and godspeed!

But, I also think Audi would buy it back first without the LL if he make enough noise to the right people.

What is the best way to "make noise"?
I am trying to remain civil at this point and have already petitioned AoA to consider a goodwill buyback.

The regional (FOM) guy has been on vacation, so it will require his first okay to approve the buyback.

I am very close to the needed 30-days in the 1st year to have a solid legal case. This legal process is my least preferred option, but will forcefully apply the statutes if necessary.

Man, I hate doing all of this. One of the major reasons (for me) to buy a supposedly premium vehicle is to NOT have to spend time in repairs or chasing service issues. For this, I can pay considerably less and likely have less problems.

Thanks again for the condolences.

I write letters to President's and VP's of companies. I totally go around normal channels. I list my reasons for making the purchase and I clearly state my reasons for dissatisfaction.

I have also made calls on behalf of the GTI-337 group to: Local TV Stations,(problem aired WABC TV) TOM MARTINO--trouble shooter radio. (live interview with VW Rep. on the air) and eventually got the solutions implememted (another long story).

But in all its getting the attention of the people on top because... Shxt rolls down hill.

After eight front rotor replacements and a similar list of ongoing problems, I had AoA do a voluntary buy back on my AR. My rotors went out every three thousand miles...with AoA blaming me for abusing the car.

gone into a corner too hot, activating the ABS and had the outside front wheel lock up on you? I have and it's the ESP kicking in. The ESP light never turns off, but it's there.

Seems unlikely they would even remotely care to be involved.

yes.....esp and abs share some stuff. when I talk esp I'm refering to it stopping wheel spin. when you turn the esp off, the programing you turned off does not come on again when you hit the brakes..that's what I belive this is about.

but you can turn off the esp which will try to correct a slide by applying brakes to one wheel or another and it will stop wheel spin by applying brakes and/or cutting the power. although they are all linked they are different programs. esp and what it specificaly does, in my findings, does not come back on after you turn it off for any reason other than shutting off and restarting the car.

Since we never had an allroad made without ESP, we can't verify it, but 2000 S4s (without ESP) do not exhibit the same behavior at the limits. I'll rummage through the manual when I get a chance, but I remember reading something there that said ESP was reactivated in panic stops.