Steering Issues - 2013

[TTRU]

Just read thru all 9 pages of this mess and I really feel for you guys. Is anyone experiencing delivery delays on new car orders? Any significant changes to the rack would affect current production as well as replacement parts.

The 13's are beautiful but steering issues would certainly scare the crap otta me.

Good luck guys

[Nuccadoc]

Just read thru all 9 pages of this mess and I really feel for you guys. Is anyone experiencing delivery delays on new car orders? Any significant changes to the rack would affect current production as well as replacement parts.

The 13's are beautiful but steering issues would certainly scare the crap otta me.

Good luck guys

As far as I can tell using the new myauditracker in Alberta, everything is moving along just fine, no hold up in production. Just got another update today, so things are moving ahead. JR's tech seems to have offered some valuable insight into this. They may be redesigning the whole thing, they may be scratching their heads still. We don't know 100% yet. But if they have changed either the rack completely or cleared up a manufacturing defect at this point, we shall know soon as mine is just starting into production now. I will be curious as all get out as soon as I get my car:)

[BzzzBom]

Personally I wouldn't want to be the beta tester for this issue. I would rather wait until AOA has an official recall, TSB, or update. It is very likely that you will be the first person that has the steering rack replaced by the mechanic -- too much room for error. Also, they have to do an alignment after the install.

[visualguy]

Just read thru all 9 pages of this mess and I really feel for you guys. Is anyone experiencing delivery delays on new car orders? Any significant changes to the rack would affect current production as well as replacement parts.

The 13's are beautiful but steering issues would certainly scare the crap otta me.

Good luck guys

Unfortunately, this kind of thing is pretty common in cars these days. Too much complexity, too much change, and too little time to test. That's why it's best to buy a model that's been around for a few years without changes in any of the major subsystems (if you're looking for initial quality and reliability). For example, the Infiniti G37 and the BMW M3 should be rock solid by now with the vast majority of bugs fixed - they've been around for years without significant changes other than bug fixes...

[visualguy]

Personally I wouldn't want to be the beta tester for this issue. I would rather wait until AOA has an official recall, TSB, or update. It is very likely that you will be the first person that has the steering rack replaced by the mechanic -- too much room for error. Also, they have to do an alignment after the install.

If I had one on order, I would wait until things become clear before buying it, and I wouldn't buy it if it needed repair (unless it's just a software update).

[shouston]

If I had one on order, I would wait until things become clear before buying it, and I wouldn't buy it if it needed repair (unless it's just a software update).

How would we really know if it's just a software update? Being optimistic because I have one on order. I was told by my dealer here in Houston that it was.

[msngrey13s4]

So what happened when you all ganged up on the dealer?

We end up talking to the service department shop foreman. Was a nice guy, listened to our problems, stated that he wasn't aware of this issue, and we are the first ones reporting the issue at their location. Since kooltechie already had a service work order initiated a few days earlier when he initially brought the car in, they basically continued diagnosing on his car while me and bzzzbom left our contact info. Was told that if there is a fix, they will contact us. Asked if they should put an official note in our service files, was told its not neccessary. They ended up scanning kooltechie's S5 and was gonna report to AUDI Headquarter during their afternoon meeting. I think kooltechie will update us if there is anything new.

[visualguy]

How would we really know if it's just a software update? Being optimistic because I have one on order. I was told by my dealer here in Houston that it was.

You have to wait and hear what the fix is for people who already own their cars. If it's just a software reprogramming, then no big deal. If they have to replace parts, then I would pass on the car, and order another one once the factory starts cranking them out with good parts.

By the way, I strongly doubt that it's just software. It sometimes takes thousands of miles for the problem to show up, so it seems like something physical goes bad after a while.

[Surfdoc37]

Back to Plaza Motors in St. Louis to pick up my car after having them look at this. They could duplicate the problem in their test drive, but there were no error codes tossed, and they drove a couple other 2013 S4/5's on the lot that did the same thing, and concluded "normal behavior".

Thanks to this thread I was able to provide them solid evidence of a more pervasive issue. I asked them if they could at least flash the computer, check/replace the position sensor, and contact Audi for further direction which they were happy to do.

A day and a half later, and now I'm in line for the the full steering rack replacement.

Not super happy about that, but at least I have a good feeling the issue is seriously addressed and some hope of it being resolved.

Thanks to all.

[Gotchaa]

I am curious why not all 2013 B8 owners are experiencing this issue. so far it seems to be a handful of folks without any obvious pattern. This may take a while to sort out, but at least they are aware of it and researching possible solutions. I would think we will hear something in the next month or so.

[bbhbba]

Sadly, I experienced the issue described by many in the thread yesterday. It was a weird feeling at first. Then I recalled what I've read here, and immediately realized that it was same problem. I wouldn't categorize it as hazardous but it sure was unsettling and agitating.

[Moose201]

Back to Plaza Motors in St. Louis to pick up my car after having them look at this. They could duplicate the problem in their test drive, but there were no error codes tossed, and they drove a couple other 2013 S4/5's on the lot that did the same thing, and concluded "normal behavior".

Thanks to this thread I was able to provide them solid evidence of a more pervasive issue. I asked them if they could at least flash the computer, check/replace the position sensor, and contact Audi for further direction which they were happy to do.

A day and a half later, and now I'm in line for the the full steering rack replacement.

Not super happy about that, but at least I have a good feeling the issue is seriously addressed and some hope of it being resolved.

Thanks to all.

Surfdoc37, how many miles on your car?

[s4macs]

My 2013 S4 has had these symptoms since the day I drove it home (it was delivered with just 14 miles on it) and it still comes and goes with now 3800 miles.

[kooltechie]

seeing more B8.5 owners with the steering issue is quite upsetting and disappointing.
it might be helpful to list who has the issue vs. who does not, so we can see how widespread this issue is (though limited to AZ only).

would everyone with B8.5 A4/S4/A5/S5 please list your id accordingly?
thx!

B8.5 w/ steering issue

1. Bclippard (possibly fixed with new steering rack/box)
2. thedollardoctor
3. kooltechie
4. BzzzBom
5. msngrey13s4
6. sjones630
7. Stereodude
8. stactum
9. bbhbba
10. TayTay
11. thirddecay
12. Bdawson
13. treginginco
14. holmes4
15. spl1011
16. u2nelson
17. Tvall13
18. kenglehardt
19. mrjoco
20. a5sport
21. SixShifter
22. Mrads
23. EliteX
24. handruin
25. gpwizard
26. JFrA5
27. mrrun2fast
28. kwong26
29. unit
30. Henkka82
31. Surfdoc37
32. jackal15
33. engineer29 (possibly fixed with new steering rack/box)
34. offthewall
35. s4macs

B8.5 w/o steering issue

1. proman
2. JohnEnglish
3. au5
4. visualguy
5. foobert
6. guestlinger
7. CharlieG
8. jg 4/c
9. 13S4
10. Doc Brown
11. 407guy
12. gboogie88
13. S4owner

[Sjones630]

add sjones630 to the w/ steering issue column

[kooltechie]

add sjones630 to the w/ steering issue column

added

[thedollardoctor]

UPDATE: Well this stuff just gets more and more confusing! I got a call from Audi today that my "backordered" part has arrived for install. Based on my previous post where my tech assumed this long back ordered status suggested it was being completely rebuilt, now I'm wondering if I'm just swapping out a faulty part for another potentially faulty part.

Anyway, my car is set to go in next Friday (2/1/13) to have the rack swapped out. I'll report back if this fixes the issue, but to be honest, I'm not THAT optimistic. Way if figure it though is I HAVE this issue now, so why not have the rack swapped and see if it fixes it. I trust the tech that will be doing the work as he has over 20yrs experience at Audi so might as well give it a shot. If it doesn't work, my tech will go back to Audi to try something else till it's fixed 100%.

[Stereodude]

You can add me to the affected B8.5 category.

[kooltechie]

UPDATE: Well this stuff just gets more and more confusing! I got a call from Audi today that my "backordered" part has arrived for install. Based on my previous post where my tech assumed this long back ordered status suggested it was being completely rebuilt, now I'm wondering if I'm just swapping out a faulty part for another potentially faulty part.

Anyway, my car is set to go in next Friday (2/1/13) to have the rack swapped out. I'll report back if this fixes the issue, but to be honest, I'm not THAT optimistic. Way if figure it though is I HAVE this issue now, so why not have the rack swapped and see if it fixes it. I trust the tech that will be doing the work as he has over 20yrs experience at Audi so might as well give it a shot. If it doesn't work, my tech will go back to Audi to try something else till it's fixed 100%.

the shop foreman at my local dealer told me it's not complicated to replace the steering rack/box - everything's done under the car and nothing from the dash.
I'd love to know if the replacement part has been manufactured with the fix for the issue.

[kooltechie]

You can add me to the affected B8.5 category.

updated.
thx!


anyone without the issue????

[thedollardoctor]

Hopefully I'll have something to report kooltechie

[kooltechie]

Hopefully I'll have something to report kooltechie

there's gotta be someone here who has access to the inside info @Audi....wouldn't it be nice to hear from Audi that they're working on the fix and that they'll let us know when it's ready?

[stactum]

add stactum to the issue list


Also I gave my dealer a call yesterday and complained again (his previous response was "car operating within manufacturer specifications") that steering is very very bad, he suggested to take a drive together to show exactly what I mean so I am planning on doing it again.

Another point - there is gotta be a pattern on when the issue is very evident, maybe we need to identify a pattern so it's easier to communicate the issue to a dealer.

[thedollardoctor]

add stactum to the issue list


Also I gave my dealer a call yesterday and complained again (his previous response was "car operating within manufacturer specifications") that steering is very very bad, he suggested to take a drive together to show exactly what I mean so I am planning on doing it again.

Another point - there is gotta be a pattern on when the issue is very evident, maybe we need to identify a pattern so it's easier to communicate the issue to a dealer.

Only "patterns" I have noticed in general is that it's worse when it's cold and the car is "cold", and worse in comfort mode, and worse at highway speeds. However, I have still had all three of the above environments together and NOT had the issue.

It also pops up and goes away, on the same day even. Though I have noticed that once it pops up, it does NOT go away until the car is turned off and restarted.

[kooltechie]

add stactum to the issue list

updated.
thx!

[kooltechie]

Only "patterns" I have noticed in general is that it's worse when it's cold and the car is "cold", and worse in comfort mode, and worse at highway speeds. However, I have still had all three of the above environments together and NOT had the issue.

It also pops up and goes away, on the same day even. Though I have noticed that once it pops up, it does NOT go away until the car is turned off and restarted.

^ this

[Leor604]

Well, the fact that it resets itself by restarting would point to an electrical or programming fault of some kind. Any type of mechanical defect is not going to fix itself with a reboot.

[bbhbba]

Please add me to the list of B8.5 with issue. Thanks.

[kooltechie]

my guess is the amount of boost the electric motor generates based on the sensor data causes the issue.
so the "slip & grab" behavior is created when the amount of boost is not immediate/consistent/accurate.
however, I don't care what causes the issue as much - what I do care is the actual fix to the issue and a formal apology from Audi for all the inconveniences/headache/wasted time.

[offthewall]

seeing more B8.5 owners with the steering issue is quite upsetting and disappointing.
it might be helpful to list who has the issue vs. who does not, so we can see how widespread this issue is (though limited to AZ only).

would everyone with B8.5 A4/S4/A5/S5 please list your id accordingly?
thx!

B8.5 w/ steering issue
- Bclippard
- thedollardoctor
- kooltechie
- BzzzBom
- msngrey13s4
- sjones630
- Stereodude
- stactum




B8.5 w/o steering issue
-

Add 'offthewall' to the UNaffected list.

2013, delivered 7-3-12. It was the very first custom ordered '13 at my dealer.

3100 miles on the car now. I did have an issue where the steering wheel wasn't straight. Brought the car in and it needed a full alignment. No problems since.

Btw I have the Dynamic Steering option. Wondering if those with the issue do or don't.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[kooltechie]

Please add me to the list of B8.5 with issue. Thanks.

updated.
thx!

[kooltechie]

Add 'offthewall' to the UNaffected list.

updated.
thx!

[proman]

You can add me to the unaffected list. I was also an early build, the car was out of production end of July.

[Sjones630]

I too would like to see a common pattern, BUT:

I have had the problem crop up soon after leaving home, only to have the problem disappear WITHOUT having to restart the car. I often resort to cycling through Dynamic/Auto/Comfort trying to get it to change, but the drive setting doesn't change anything. It seems worse in the cold. Sometimes the symptom is 12 o'clock notchiness and other times I can feel the wheel actually tugging at my grip. This didn't show up until around 3000 miles.

[rs4dreams]

I'm not sure if I have the same "floaty" steering problem or not (though I do feel that the boost inconsistent sometimes, more often in the cold). What I undoubtedly have is the occasional notchy feel in the steering. Also usually happens when it's cold during the first few minutes of a drive. When turning the wheel, rather than being a smooth action it feels like it hits a "notch" every couple degrees of rotation. Unlike the other issue (doesn't go away after it started) this one disappears after a couple minutes. Who's experienced this?

[kooltechie]

You can add me to the unaffected list. I was also an early build, the car was out of production end of July.

updated.
thx!

[stactum]

We should also ask other forums A4, Allroad, A5, S5, etc. if we find a number of people we can sign the petition to Audi of America using http://www.change.org

[JohnEnglish]

updated.
thx!


anyone without the issue????

I don't have any problems with my steering.

[au5]

updated.
thx!


anyone without the issue????

Me. No issues HOWEVER I did have notchiness before the Steering software was updated as per the TSB. Has been good since and drive every morning in the cold (high 30s). Trying my best to feel it everyday, but has been silky smooth the entire time since the update. I also don't have sport diff/ADS, so wonder if that might be worth tracking too?

EDIT : May, 2012 build date

[spl1011]

Nice to see I didnt even have to ask about being on the list.

The list is staggering, BTW...

Everyone that feels this problem needs to tell their techs and sales managers TOMORROW if you havent already. No "waiting for others to see what happens..."