While driving the timing belt failed. Consumer managed to pull over, and had the vehicle towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
1998 Audi A4 engine complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 30 of 30, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Without warning, the timing belt on my 1998 audi a4 failed, resulting in serious engine damage and leaving my family stranded in the mountains. Audi has know about the defective timing belt problem for years, and has done nothing to fix the problem or notify customers. Mazda had a very similar problem with some of their timing belts (see the federal safety agency recall no. 00v134/mazda recall no. 92007); why hasn't audi recalled the cars and fixed this problem??
In very cold weather, the engine sticks and holds a speed of 6,000 RPM. This condition lasts for at least 40 minutes during which time the car is not controllable. I have had this happen four times. I have involved the local audi dealer as well as audi of america. They have attempted to fix this problem four times without success. Audi of america is refusing to either acknowledge or take responsibility for this problem. The first time this happened was on jan 16, 2003. The last time it has happened was jan 16, 2004.
Sudden & catastrophic failure of bearing/pulley of main timing belt, while driving at 70 MPH on a busy interstate highway. Vehicle had fewer than 55k miles on odometer and was well maitained.*ak such failure can cause instantaneous destruction of the engine, with resultant loss of control and/or sudden and rapid decceleration, possibly causing a catastrophic collision. The loss of the bearing causes the main timing belt to shift position and/or to snap, causing the engine valves to move out-of-sync with the engine pistons or to stop moving altogether. The pistons then collide with the valves, causing engine destruction. Failure occurs without warning and instantaneously. There are no signs of impending failure that one can observe during a vehicle inspection. In my case, engine failure did not occur, but there was a loss of power. I was able to drive directly to a dealer for repair. The technician who did the repair said that, in my case, I was extremely lucky and that only slippage had occured, and that the slippage was just below the point at which engine destruction would have occurred. This technician was from germany (as was the vehicle), and he said that premature failure of this bearing (and/or associated water pump) is a common problem with this vehicle. He also said that in germany a recall was ordered by the government as they considered the failure premature, frequent, and that it could result in serious injury or death, as the engine could easily destruct at highway speeds, causig a collision. An internet search reveals dozens of reports of premature failure of this belt/pulley/water-pump system on this vehicle. (1998 audi a4 2.8l quattro automatic)
1998 audi a4 1.8t fully maintained timing belt failure causing catastrophic engine damage. Service manual calls for timing belt replacement at 90,000 miles. Failure occurred at 76,000 miles. Audi USA refusal to gather service info or compensate for loss and provided no avenue for appeal or escalation of the case. Audi USA had made no effort to inform drivers of this problem.
I discovered a significant engine oil leak in multiple locations at 50k miles.
In march 2003, the oil warning light came on. Dealer diagnosed a faulty sensor that was replaced for $300. In june 2003, the oil warning light again came on. This time it was diagnosed as a faulty oil pump that was replaced at $900. In september 2003 the engine overheated. Diagnosis: faulty thermostat and sensor. Replacement cost $750. Also, washer fluid container cracked and hand brake lever handle cracked (at different times) -- both made of cheap qualtiy plastic.
Multitude of probs. W/ almost every aspect (brakes, engine valves, oil light stays on, rain leaks, bad wheel bearings, etc.) of this car. Most frustrating has been rude and incompetent service by audi dealer. After an expensive repair to the rear wheel bearings the dealer said that although not all the noise was gone, the car was safe enough to drive to calif.,(we live in nj). We did not believe the dealer because a loud grinding noise remained and took it to another shop where both front control arms were found to be damaged. We were advised not to drive the car as it was not safe to do so .
Audi a4 1.8t q timing belt tensioner failed at 75,000 causing catastrophic engine damage. Service interval published by audi is no earlier than 90,000mi. Tensioner failure is known defect and has been redesigned by audi, yet audi will not acknowledge the defect. Audi claims no responsibility nor have they published any tsb alerting people to have this part replaced early.
I am the owner of a 1998 audi a4 1.8t car. My complaint is my timing belt gave out on the vehicle at 48,643 mls. The owners manual states that the belt should be good for 90,000 mls. My second comlaint is that the tie rods on the front end. *ak of the vehicle need to be replaced. These items should not be giving out on a vehicle with such low mileage. I have not received any notices about any recalls.
Timing belt tensioner failed causing replacement of timing belt and tensioner at 40000. Known issue with audi that tensioner fails as they have a replacement kit with new type of tensioner. Yet, will not cover cost of replacement of failed tensioner or timing belt.
Engine coolant temperature sensor failed, leaking coolant into the engine control module and wire harness, causing several thousand dollars of damage
Car was serviced for an oil leak and what the mechanic found was the ball bearings oil passage seals were leaking from the front of the cylinder heads. Repair would be $4,000 for parts alone. Labor would be additional. Car is less than 5 years old.
While driving at 65mph vehicle timing belt broke, causing rapid loss of speed. Dealer has been notified. Consumer stated owners manual recommended timing chain be replaced at 90,000 miles however timing chain broke at 72,000 miles. Dealer replaced broken timing chan, tensioner and bent valves.
While driving at highway speeds vehicle lost all power and was stuck on dangerous freeway overpass. Dealer diagnosed problem and informed consumer that timing belt tensioner had broken, and caused extensive engine damage. Engine has to be replaced. Audi dealer quote on parts alone is over $6900. Dt
Consumer states that while driving at any speed and no warning the vehicle will shut off causing consumer to pull over and it will be hard to get the vehicle back started. Dealer notified. Nlm
Dealer says virtually all their 6cyl cars have this fail - repair was $850.
While driving at highway speeds vehicle lost all power. Dealer has been contacted, and informed consumer that timing belt tensioner had broken, and caused extensive engine damage. Engine has to be replaced. Please provide further details.
Timing belt broke & caused major engine damage.
Oil pump failed twice, november 17 1999 and december 1, 1999. Hbl, inc of tysons corner, va presumably fixed it first time. Upon recurrence, I have contacted hbl three times by fax, but have not returned my messages. I consider this to be a major failure, as the manufacturer asks fro the car not be driven when the oil pressure sensor is premanently lit.
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