Over this past year, I have replaced 3 control arms, dealer points to design flaw.
1996 Audi A4 suspension complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 19 of 19, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Many other audi a-4 owners have complained about premature wear of tie rods and control arms in vermont. Audi of america and local dealer refused to cover problem although voluntary recall in effect for newer audis.
Problems is with electrical system/ suspension and air conditioning system. Dealership is aware of the problems.
In 1998, while still under warranty audi was advised of a problem which began with a noise in the car. This was eventually diagnosed as defective control arms and the lower control arms were replaced in 2/2000 at no cost to myself as audi admitted that there was a "defect" in that model year. 2 weeks ago, I discoverd that the lower controls arms have a problem with the bolt that holds them together. I again reported this to audi of america and was again told that they had many problems with this model and to take it to the nearest dealer. I was instructed audi and my mechanic that the I could lose the steering at any point. Upon inspection by audi they determined that the care is not safe to drive and that these upper control arms must be replaced. After discussing this with them, they have been extremely uncooperative and rude and have agreed to pay half of the parts, but I must pay all of the labor at their premium prices. Since the car is too dangerous to drive I do not have the option to take it to a reasonably priced auto shop. Audi has known about this problem for two yeas, as I was told by an audi mechanic that they had considered a recall. Audi is putting their customers in great danger and will do nothing until someone is killed.
Front suspension rattles and thunks over bumps, and makes creaking noise when entering vehicle, and when driving over bumps
When getting in and out of vehicle or going over bumps front end makes a loud noise. Contacted dealer , and they replaced the lower control arm. However, problem has reoccurred.
There is a known problem with premature wearing of the suspension assembly, including the control arms as well as the stabilizer links.
When hitting a bump vehicle's control arm makes a loud noise and causes a slight loss of control . Dlr has replaced broken control arm before. Problem has reoccurred.
(1) suspension: front end groans and creaks over bumps (even small bumps), as well as when people enter and exit the vehicle, extent of danger unknown -- audi has "diagnosed" it as a "control arm" problem; (2) sunroof spontaneously opens on its own while vehicle in operation with no human involvement, causing major distraction and potentially dangerous situation -- audi has diagnosedit as an electrical "switch" problem. Audi service reps have acknowledged that these two defects occurring on my car are reoccurring problems in a4s, and not just on the 1996 model year, but on subsequent years (1997, 1998 and 1999) as well. Despite the widespread nature of the problems, audi refuses to assume responsibility for correcting the problems when they arise on vehicles that are out of warranty (like mine).
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