1999 Audi A4: sudden unintended acceleration

Filed Jan 28, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 145,000 miles · PA

The car is experiencing unintended acceleration, usually, but not always, after heavy acceleration. Over 10 occurrences. Cannot remedy by pulling back the accelerator. Car must be turned off and the engine must record 0 RPM to remedy the problem.

Filed Jan 22, 2007 · Acceleration · 100,000 miles · UT

My husband and I own a 1999 audi a4. On 01/19/07 I was driving down the I-15 freeway at 75 MPH when suddenly my car began to accelerate without me pushing the gas pedal. I braked, and the car slowed a little, but I still felt tension, like it was trying to push forward. When I took my foot off the brake, the car continued to accelerate even though my feet were not touching any of the pedals. I tried putting my foot under the gas pedal and pulling it up in case it had frozen in a depressed position, but it was not frozen. The pedal freely moved up and down. When I put the car in neutral, the engine raced to 7500 RPM without my foot on the gas pedal (my feet were completely off all pedals). I quickly turned the ignition off drifted to the shoulder of the road. I took the car in to be looked at a shop that specializes in audi/vw cars. They told me that they haven't been able to replicate the problem, but they are aware that there are a history of complaints with audi cars for unintended acceleration. They believe the problem is in the throttle body, which can freeze in cold temperatures. According the mechanic, most reported cases involve cold temperatures and driving long distances. I was driving for about 40 minutes and the temperature was about 5 degrees fahrenheit. He stated that there was an earlier recall on the a6 model that had the same throttle body as ours, but when we called the dealer they told us that ours had no recall. They will take a look at it this week. I am very concerned about the safety of our vehicle. I have come across an entry on a discussion board where someone reported the exact same incident while driving a 2007 a4. Luckily I was in a rural area when the car accelerated and was able to pull off to the shoulder without any accidents or injuries. I am afraid this could happen again and cause a more serious, maybe fatal accident. Note: purchase date was estimated. Exact information is in the car at the shop.

Filed Dec 1, 2004 · Acceleration · DC

The consumer experienced sudden acceleration with his 1999 audi a4 *bf the consumer stated that the gas pedal pulled away from his foot to full acceleration while going uphill. The vehicle reached a speed of 80 MPH. The recall dealing with the same problem dealt with the audi a6 model. No. 04v495000. *tc

Filed Jan 9, 2004 · Acceleration · 55,000 miles · NY

While traveling on the highway on a sub zero (-6 degree f) night, my car which was set at 55 MPH on cruise control, accelerated on its own to 62 MPH, and the throttle became stuck. Braking, and pushing the appropriate buttons would not disengage the cruise control. I had to physically push the foot brake as hard as possible to force the car to a stop, and then the car was still accelerating on its own when I released the brake. After starting the car and turning it off 3 times, I finally disengaged the cruise control and made it to my destination. On the way home, without touching any cruise control features, the throttle once again became stuck and was trying to accelerate the car. Today I had the car serviced, and I was informed that they had received 3 calls during the time period I was there regarding a similar situation with vehicles that contain the same or a similar engine.

Filed May 8, 2003 · Acceleration · CT

The vehicle experienced sudden acceleration when the gear was shifted from park to drive.

Filed Feb 9, 1999 · Acceleration · VA · crash

While backing into a driveway the vehicle suddenly accelerated while brakes were continuously being applied but did not respond, resulting in vehicle hitting a truck. Cause unknown.

Filed Jan 27, 1999 · Acceleration · VA · crash

I was backing up in driveway in front of another vehicle which was parked in front of a house. My car gave a slight lurch and the motor revved up. I immediately looked because I thought I must have my foot on the accelerator. My foot was on the brake. However, the car suddenly accelerated backward into the truck, driving it 15 feet into the porch steps. The pickup truck was totalled and the steps completely demolished. We immediately contacted tischer, our insurance company and attempted to contact someone at audi. It was a full 2 weeks before someone from audi called us back. Finally, an audi rep met us to inspect the car. Audi determined that it was "operator error" and absolutely refused to do anything. We're having our insurance company repair the audi, and we will then trade it in on our second choice car--a bmw. I simply could not drive the audi again, and thank god that no one was injured. I believe that audi's are very dangerous and should be taken off the road until this "sudden acceleration" problem has been solved. If it were "operator error" as they claim--why does only happen in audi's??? Please do everything you can to have this problem corrected before more people are maimed, injured and killed.