2004 Audi A4: windshield wiper failure

Filed Aug 17, 2011 · Visibility · 90,000 miles · PA

My vehicle is a 2004 audi a4 cabriolet with a 1.8t engine. Windshield wipers stop working. While driving on the pa turnpike in the rain my windshield wipers stopped in the middle of the windshield and would not move. I was lucky it wasn't at night because I was unable to see the lanes in the road or other cars in front of me. I pulled over and waited for the rain to stop. When I contacted the audi dealership to ask what they thought it could be I was told that it was most likely caused by the windshield wiper transmission becoming corroded with rust and being unable to move. The service technician said this was a common problem with these cars and they had just finished repairing one this week (southhills audi, pittsburgh pa) I made an appointment at the dealership to have my vehicle inspected and 2 weeks later after the inspection was told that the wipers have definitely stopped working because of the amount of rust on the windshield wiper transmission. I was quoted 600 dollars to fix and left to drive home since they didn't have the parts.

Filed May 9, 2011 · Visibility · 35,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 audi a4 cabriolet. While stopped the contact turned on the windshield wipers and the wipers failed, partially obstructing her vision. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed the windshield wiper motor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where the wiper motor was replaced. The failure has since recurred twice. After each failure the vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop to be repaired. The failure mileage was 35,000 and the current mileage was 76,834.

Filed Jun 23, 2010 · Visibility · 85,760 miles · MA

While driving on rte 495 in littleton, ma in the passing lane, we were caught in a thunder storm with heavy rain. I turned on the windshield wipers that initially ran slowly but then stopped completely in the up position. Had to pull it median as visibility was very limited.

Filed Aug 22, 2009 · Visibility · 45,000 miles · CO

Wipers stopped working during a rain storm, left the blade up and in my view. Turned the wipers off then back to the on position to see if that would retract them. They moved about an inch and then the window cracked right above the drivers side wiper arm. Wipers work fine as long as I leave a cracked windshield in place. Replace it and they work intermittently until the window cracks again.

Filed Jul 23, 2008 · Visibility · 54,000 miles · PA

2004 audi a4 quattro wipers started to run slowly. Sometimes would stop in the middle of the windshield. Ran slowly for a couple of weeks. Finally, drivers side wiper disengaged from linkage and actually cracked my windshield. Took it to shop for repair, and was told that the "wiper transmission" was broken and needed to be repaired. When calling for parts, shop found out that this part is in "high demand" due to an apparent design defect. Read more about others with similar problems online. This will end up costing me close to $1000 to replace that bad wiper assembly and my windshield. How could this not be a recalled item?

Filed May 26, 2008 · Visibility · 87,000 miles · OH

Windshield wipers stopped operating when in use while driving down interstate. Dealer explained they were aware of this issue, indicated it was a poor mechanical assembly design and the bushings corrode. They would replace but would not cover under warranty.

Filed Jun 15, 2007 · Visibility · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 audi a4 avant. The contact stated that the windshield wiper fluid prevents the wipers from working properly. The dealer has replaced the wipers twice, but the failure persists. To have the wipers repaired would cost $500, since the vehicle is out of warranty and there are no recalls. The current mileage is 70,000 and the failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Dec 27, 2004 · Visibility · 8,000 miles · PA

My 2004 audi a4 3.0 cabriolet has windshield wipers which at about 8,000 miles of wear began to make an unbearably loud, rythmically repetitive sound on the driver's side. The selling dealer, cherry hill imports, has repeatedly looked at the problem and said there is nothing unusual about this sound, but the car did not do it when it was new. In severe weather , I have resorted to turning off the wipers for a few seconds at a time in order not to be hypnotized by the repetitive sound of the defect. This, of course, is a safety hazard, but I feel being put to sleep while driving is more dangerous, should the defect lead to that. Dealerships besides cherry hill imports have replaced the blades on the car, but the effect of this remedy was non-existent. I feel it is my duty to request the aid of the nhsta to save the lives of audi owners who labor under this hazard, as well as my own. Thanks.