I just picked up my Ooling Grey A7 and noticed that, although the rear view camera is installed, no image comes up when I shift into reverse. My salesman now tells me that it is because a chip that is manufactured in Japan is missing due to the tsunami. Expected delay of chip at least 2 months. Does anyone else have the same issue?

yes, it is true. The control unit for the rearview backup camera is not installed from the factory due to a worldwide shortage of parts from the supplier. Audi of America will inform the dealers as soon as parts are available for ordering.

I find that unbelievable. It's like buying a computer and the DVD-ROM is missing because there is a shortage. Why then was the car sold to the dealers??

I find that unbelievable. It's like buying a computer and the DVD-ROM is missing because there is a shortage. Why then was the car sold to the dealers??

Its called "Cash Flow"

Its called "Cash Flow"


Thanks for your #2 post on the forum.

Please post pictures of your Oolong...

I find that unbelievable. It's like buying a computer and the DVD-ROM is missing because there is a shortage. Why then was the car sold to the dealers??

I suppose the end consumer has the option of not taking delivery of the car without the camera, but most people would rather be inconvienced a bit for a few months rather than not have the car.

Where did you end up getting your white A7 from, Aquarian?

I just picked up my Ooling Grey A7 and noticed that, although the rear view camera is installed, no image comes up when I shift into reverse. My salesman now tells me that it is because a chip that is manufactured in Japan is missing due to the tsunami. Expected delay of chip at least 2 months. Does anyone else have the same issue?

Congrats, Babydoc! Was your car a special order or did you buy off the lot? And did the dealer give you a heads up on the camera when you ordered?

As for the visibility, what exactly do you see when you put it in reverse?

Wow...this is the first I had heard of this. I have one on order with expected delivery at the end of August/early Sept. My dealer never mentioned it.

Hell, I don't even know if I have a rear view camera...is it part of the Prestige package or the innovation package?

I suppose the end consumer has the option of not taking delivery of the car without the camera, but most people would rather be inconvienced a bit for a few months rather than not have the car.

Where did you end up getting your white A7 from, Aquarian?

The original poster did not know that the chip was unavailable, even though the actual backup camera was installed. Therefore he had no option because he was not told about the chip.

I picked up my car from my local Audi dealer, Barrier.

The original poster did not know that the chip was unavailable, even though the actual backup camera was installed. Therefore he had no option because he was not told about the chip.



That's pretty rude- and awful customer service!

I did bring this up in this thread

http://forums.audiworld.com/showthread.php?t=2807652

For those with bad necks (like me) and being sandwiched between 2 large SUVs in a parking space, it could be an issue.

My car was a special order. And, as stated, I did not know the chip was an issue when I ordered, nor when I received, the car. I am disappointed, and I would have wished someone would have forewarned me, but it would not have changed my mind about ordering the car. I trust that Audi will install the chip as soon as it is available. Meanwhile, I have to turn around when in reverse, like we all had to do for many years. The view is limited, but not awful. Obviously, I cannot see what is on the ground behind the vehicle.

I will post pics of the Oolong Gray soon.

Wow...this is the first I had heard of this. I have one on order with expected delivery at the end of August/early Sept. My dealer never mentioned it.

Hell, I don't even know if I have a rear view camera...is it part of the Prestige package or the innovation package?

if you ordered an 2012 S4 with navigation, and did not order rear parking sensors then you will not have a rear view camera/rearview camera preparation... rear parktronic needed to be ordered in order to have the rear view camera installed..

it was a pretty common error for dealers to order the cars like this since the camera was previously included with the navigation pkg in MY 2010 and 2011.

That's pretty rude- and awful customer service!

I did bring this up in this thread

http://forums.audiworld.com/showthread.php?t=2807652

For those with bad necks (like me) and being sandwiched between 2 large SUVs in a parking space, it could be an issue.

Things could be worse...

<img src="http://musicforjapanok.org/gallery/var/albums/japan-tsunami-ap110311113416.jpg?m=1306064181" width="600">

^^^^^^ WELL SAID.

My dealer called to tell me about the chip missing when the car arrives.

I was at a local Toronto dealer today and they had a new A6 that showed a $250 Rear Camera Credit on the window sticker. The camera was installed above the rear plate frame, so I assume this is a chip credit.

Same issue as well. Picked up my A7 in early July. Was told at that time about the chip issue and that it would be a couple of months. I guess in the big scheme of things not that big of a deal.

I got a call from the dealership yesterday. I thought it was to install the camera chip, but they said audi contacted them because the wrong steering wheel was on my car:) I was supposed to have the upgraded one with the paddle shifters. I thought it was great that they called to let me know. Pretty happy with that customer service (so far) all the way around.

I would like to see the oolong grey as well. That was originally my choice. I went to dealership in May and they had the moonlight blue metallic. I instantly fell in love with the color. Looks very good in person (the audi website does not do it justice) It was already sold. I preorder the only other one they had coming in this year.

Picked up this week and was told chip would most likely not be available until early next year. Not a big deal though.

I love this car so much I would keep it even if it didn't have rearview mirrors, forget about the rearview camera! The dealer has been very gracious about the delay and I have no doubt the chip will be installed as soon as it is available. I am sure the Japanese people are still having much more trouble from the tsunami than I am.

I picked up my car yesterday. I was told that the factory that made the chip wasn't damaged but rather it was completely wiped away. As for the ETA for the chip, he said there was a meeting earlier that week (could easily be dealer-speak) about production starting up again. He said that Audi told them (again probably dealer-speak) the chip would be ready to be installed before the end of the year.