2014 R8 out of service under warranty repairs for over 2 months

[porsche37]

So long story short, The original warranty complaint was a humming grinding and popping noise coming from the car when driving. Car felt as if it was dragging. this had been going on for about a year at that point. Audi replaced the front diff as well as one of the rear wheel bearings. Took the car home as they were ordering the rest of the wheel bearings as it was determined all needed to be replaced as noise was still present but reduced at that time. The cars brakes were working properly at that time no issues.

So fast forward parts come in I drop the car off and when I pick it up car won't stop properly brake pedal extremely soft. I tell the service manager and shop foreman that brake pedal feels soft car does not feel right, they will not listen tell me nothing is wrong. end up almost getting killed on I95 on the way home. So I carefully take car to a different local Audi dealer and here is what they found.

Audi appears to have used some type of hammer or mallet to remove all of my discs to install the wheel bearings(which you are not supposed to do.) This caused the rotors to become warped and bent. So when Audi was trouble shooting the car and it was up on the lift they could see calipers would not close properly due to irregular shapes of discs. In addition to this they damaged all of the brake calipers and they would not close properly. Also it seems the power booster was damaged as well because now you can hear it every time you stop the car and now they are looking into that as well.

So not only did I almost get hurt or severely injured because of the brake issue that dealership caused we have been without our car working now for over 2 months. Audi tried to hand it back on Fri but the wife drove it and heard that power booster electronic noise and she refused to take it. She said why would I take a car back that makes that noise when a $30k car doesn't and this car never made that noise before. I can't believe Audis engineer would try to say that was normal........ In addition to this we dont know if the original drivtrain issue was ever fixed.

Could you guys at Audi please give us some help with this? I know we have someone from executive services trying to help us but it is taking way too long. This is my wifes daily driver and our second car and over 2 months out of service is a little excessive.

We avoided buying a used mclaren and went with Audi because we wanted to avoid a situation like this because we thought Audi would be more reputable and reliable and if problems arose things would be taken care of in a reasonable timely manner. This has not been the case so far and this has been dragged out in the name of cost savings with no consideration to the customer and this last instance with the brakes literally put my life at risk.

I ask that you please read my other posts that will truly give you the full story on how this has evolved and that Audi please comes up with a solution for us by the end of this week. My wife does not trust this vehicle anymore and neither do I.

Please Audi help us.

[Audi USA]

Good morning, thanks for reaching out. I would like to discuss your concerns further. Please send me a PM with your full name, mailing address, email, phone number, and VIN.

[porsche37]

Good morning, thanks for reaching out. I would like to discuss your concerns further. Please send me a PM with your full name, mailing address, email, phone number, and VIN.

please let me know if you got my PM its not showing as sent.

So yesterday they had an Audi engineer come out and drive the car both the dealer staff and the engineer heard the noise, but the engineer wanted to switch the wheels out on the car to see if that would dissipate it and there was no change then take apart the rotors etc and there was no change, even though the noise was coming from inside the dash and was an electronic noise, and the service dept asked him to just replace the power booster and the vacuum pump...... as service dept said they drove a like vehicle and it did not make electronic noise.

the engineer stated he believed the noise was the new rotors and pads bedding and to have the customer drive the car 500 miles to brake the rotors in. IS that really worth everyone on the roads safety for $600 worth of parts??? Is that worth me stressing out every time I hit the brakes and wonder will this car stop this time? The answer According to Audi but not the dealer is all pressure and performance is to specs the same answer Audi technical gave after their tests on the initial brake problem failure. but local dealer then drove the car and found it to be unsafe when they tried to stop.


We have had this car since new and when it had 40 miles on the odometer. there was never an electronic power assist type noise that ever came from this car inside the dash especially when pads were bedding in. The only time I have ever heard that noise was right before and after the brake failure issue.

latest thread on r8 talk
http://www.r8talk.com/forums/5-gener...ror-story.html

[tstiles]

It is of concern when the manufacturer sends someone who tries to analyze and resolve an issue without listening, really listening, to the car owner. The Audi owner is discerning and often a highly logical thinker. An R8 owner, I would think, would be particularly so. The manufacturer's "expert" in this case sounds to the outsider(me) as someone who hasn't mastered the art of listening. And their priorities sound askew, as well. Mike, perhaps the engineer's manager, or that manager's manager should be engaged?

[porsche37]

It is of concern when the manufacturer sends someone who tries to analyze and resolve an issue without listening, really listening, to the car owner. The Audi owner is discerning and often a highly logical thinker. An R8 owner, I would think, would be particularly so. The manufacturer's "expert" in this case sounds to the outsider(me) as someone who hasn't mastered the art of listening. And their priorities sound askew, as well. Mike, perhaps the engineer's manager, or that manager's manager should be engaged?

thank you for that,

You would not believe the movement in my discs brakes and how the car was unable to stop properly, yet all Audi technical services cared about was their pressure measurements on the brake system even though they were a million miles away diagnosing over the phone. Yet the R8 techs were telling them we have never seen an R8 not stop like this but Audi wanted to hand me the car back and thats when the manger stepped in and said no.

He saved Audi because I could have been killed in that car.

So you can imagine my concern when Im hearing this power assist noise come on every time I brake.

[porsche37]

ou a pm but it doesn't show if it was sent.
vehicle is still at the dealer as the wife and myself do not like the electronic power booster noise we are hearing. With a vehicle like this you are able to drive it a certain way and get away with certain things. because of the stopping power you brake later because you can as normal cars do not stop like an R8.

Now all of the sudden if these components were stressed out and failed you have to apply double the pressure to brake and it requires more distance to stop. Like I said before Audi tech is saying it performs to specs right now, but that noise is a sign of trouble and is not worth it for the safety of the driver and others on the road considering what we have been through. In addition it is not acceptable on a 150k plus vehicle.

I am extremely lucky to be alive today after the initial braking episode out on the interstate and I hope no one has to ever experience that. I also hope that no one ever has to argue with Audi over an unsafe car and then have their dealership go to bat for them because Audi is just going by measurements given over the phone when in fact it was movement in the wheels, discs and or calipers causing the issue which the dealership found and Audis pressure measurements would have never detected.

There is nothing more serious than a braking issue and I hope Audi realizes what almost happened and what could have happened.

Again we are fearful of this vehicle, it is not normal. I appreciate you looking into this but if Audi will not step up we will be replacing the power booster and vacuum pump and covering the expenses ourselves ,because I do not ever want to be put in that position again. Having no brakes and having to pump on the pedal several time to get a response no thanks.

Also please remember we never had any complaints with the brakes until after that dealership worked on the car though AOA says it could have been a coincidence either way The initial complaint was for the drive trane.

I also would think after all of this that Audi would have had the decency to have us meet the engineer and express our concerns and at least take a ride with us in the vehicle so we could make sure all issues both the drive trane and brakes were taken car of.

I just don't get the disconnect With Audi and customer service this should be an absolute priority considering the near miss with the brakes and time out of service. I mean we are going on 2 months and 3 weeks and your average monthly payment on a car like this is about $2500 to $3k a month.

Again thank you for looking into this.

hopefully we can get this resolved

[JohnEnglish]

I feel for the OP as I've had a similar experience with another car in the past but this

The Audi owner is discerning and often a highly logical thinker.

was hilarious.

[Audi USA]

vehicle is still at the dealer as the wife and myself do not like the electronic power booster noise we are hearing. With a vehicle like this you are able to drive it a certain way and get away with certain things. because of the stopping power you brake later because you can as normal cars do not stop like an R8.

Now all of the sudden if these components were stressed out and failed you have to apply double the pressure to brake and it requires more distance to stop. Like I said before Audi tech is saying it performs to specs right now, but that noise is a sign of trouble and is not worth it for the safety of the driver and others on the road considering what we have been through. In addition it is not acceptable on a 150k plus vehicle.

I am extremely lucky to be alive today after the initial braking episode out on the interstate and I hope no one has to ever experience that. I also hope that no one ever has to argue with Audi over an unsafe car and then have their dealership go to bat for them because Audi is just going by measurements given over the phone when in fact it was movement in the wheels, discs and or calipers causing the issue which the dealership found and Audis pressure measurements would have never detected.

There is nothing more serious than a braking issue and I hope Audi realizes what almost happened and what could have happened.

Again we are fearful of this vehicle, it is not normal. I appreciate you looking into this but if Audi will not step up we will be replacing the power booster and vacuum pump and covering the expenses ourselves ,because I do not ever want to be put in that position again. Having no brakes and having to pump on the pedal several time to get a response no thanks.

Also please remember we never had any complaints with the brakes until after that dealership worked on the car though AOA says it could have been a coincidence either way The initial complaint was for the drive trane.

I also would think after all of this that Audi would have had the decency to have us meet the engineer and express our concerns and at least take a ride with us in the vehicle so we could make sure all issues both the drive trane and brakes were taken car of.

I just don't get the disconnect With Audi and customer service this should be an absolute priority considering the near miss with the brakes and time out of service. I mean we are going on 2 months and 3 weeks and your average monthly payment on a car like this is about $2500 to $3k a month.

Again thank you for looking into this.

[porsche37]

So my brake issue seems to have been resolved

[WinterRunner]

http://www.r8talk.com/forums/5-gener...r-story-3.html


So my brake issue seems to have been resolved but the whole reason my car was out of service remains, If you read the above service report on my thread, you will notice the Audi engineer TFM asked to check fluid level in differential.

The reason is the differential is incredibly noisy yet they release the car???????? Audi of Stuart is a great dealership but it seems Audi will not Authorize repairs.....

So after a brake failure now I have to deal with a noisy differential that vibrates and resonates through the car. On a $150k plus car????????

Really Audi?

I would hire a specialist lawyer to go to bat for you against AoA. This is unacceptable and I wouldn't take back ownership of the car until you personally are satisfied and feel safe with the repairs. Being a halo/flagship car of Audi (plus it costs 150k), they should be bending over backwards to fix this fiasco. I would further this by having AoA investigate the dealer and techs involved. Lives were literally on the line here. I am disgusted to hear this! I really hope this is resolved, and quickly.

[JoshDub]

Since you purchased the car new, could this not fall under a lemon law situation?

http://www.dmv.org/fl-florida/automo.../lemon-law.php

Particularity:
"In order for your car to be considered a lemon, the following must have occurred within 24 months following the date of delivery (the Lemon Law Rights Period):
The vehicle defect or condition must "substantially impair the use, value, or safety" of the vehicle.
The vehicle must have undergone at least 3 attempts to repair the same issue.
The vehicle must have out of service for repair of the defect for 15 days or more."

Honestly though, it sounds like inexperienced techs messed up some components of the car, and given the price of parts and labor the dealer is unwilling to fix it and trying to get their mistake covered under warranty. I don't see this getting fixed, nor do I think you'd ever feel comfortable with the car once it's been properly repaired given your posts.

[porsche37]

Since you purchased the car new, could this not fall under a lemon law situation?

http://www.dmv.org/fl-florida/automo.../lemon-law.php

Particularity:
"In order for your car to be considered a lemon, the following must have occurred within 24 months following the date of delivery (the Lemon Law Rights Period):
The vehicle defect or condition must "substantially impair the use, value, or safety" of the vehicle.
The vehicle must have undergone at least 3 attempts to repair the same issue.
The vehicle must have out of service for repair of the defect for 15 days or more."

Honestly though, it sounds like inexperienced techs messed up some components of the car, and given the price of parts and labor the dealer is unwilling to fix it and trying to get their mistake covered under warranty. I don't see this getting fixed, nor do I think you'd ever feel comfortable with the car once it's been properly repaired given your posts.

unfortunately I am out of the Lemon law period but what Audi is doing is a violation Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

here is my latest episode So after driving car over the weekend brakes seemed fine. Was sitting in traffic and brake pedal went soft and then low oil light comes on.... Looks like Audis cheapness not replacing the vacuum pump and power booster caused an oil leak.

This is extremely dangerous playing around with brakes like this. What the hell is this company thinking. In addition to this I have a grinding vibration noise coming form the front of the car once the front differential gets warmed up.

I don't now what to do guys I asked Audi if they would offer me trade assistance to get out of this car and they refuse i ask them to fix it and their corporate engineers never go over the car and are not detail oriented and it leads to more problems..

I have even asked Audi to have one of there AOA TPM engineers meet with me to go on a long test drive with this car so we can get this solved and this so far has been refused. I mean how simple is that and they can't do it???????

What should i do I can't trade the car like this......

[JoshDub]

I just read your r8talk thread. It just straight up seems like AoA is unwilling to fix the car. I've also had issues with AoA recently (and my local dealer) screwing me out of a few thousand on work. Cooperate is absolute cancer. I can sympathize with your situation, but unfortunately I don't have any other advise than to lawyer up.

AoA doesn't listen, care, or have the capacity to exhibit any sort of common sense when it comes to issues. They have considerably worsened the past couple years, and I can only think their shit service has something to do with dieselgate.

TL;DR, the cars are great, the people are awful.

[porsche37]

I just read your r8talk thread. It just straight up seems like AoA is unwilling to fix the car. I've also had issues with AoA recently (and my local dealer) screwing me out of a few thousand on work. Cooperate is absolute cancer. I can sympathize with your situation, but unfortunately I don't have any other advise than to lawyer up.

AoA doesn't listen, care, or have the capacity to exhibit any sort of common sense when it comes to issues. They have considerably worsened the past couple years, and I can only think their shit service has something to do with dieselgate.

TL;DR, the cars are great, the people are awful.

Yep got the car back they topped of oil and said couldn't find leak, brakes seem to be working.
.

[JoshDub]

Maybe try sending your story to jalopnik? I'd bet one of their authors would be happy to rag on VAG right now, and their incompetence and shitty customer service in this case is pretty astounding.

I don't know what that would get done other than get your story more exposure.

Have you tried another dealer?

Audi Prembroke Pines
Audi Fort Lauderdale
Audi North Miami
Audi Stuart

Maybe try to play dumb, and don't go in swinging.

[tstiles]

Agreed re: publicity. MSN has automotive writers as do many other news media. There are a plethora of automotive magazines, European as well as USA, that might have interest as well. All it takes is one or two. Media pressure can be daunting.

[timzcat]

File a complaint with NHTSA. It is a safety issue and if they have received other complaints they will investigate.
Otherwise you need to hire a lawyer. While there are guidelines for Lemon Law, that does not mean a lawyer cannot sue for Lemon Law status.

[Fourcircle]

PM sent.


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[JoshDub]

Any update on this?

You could probably push the car outside this weekend and mother nature will take care of the rest.

[porsche37]

Any update on this?

You could probably push the car outside this weekend and mother nature will take care of the rest.

The cars issues were resolved and were caused by improper installation and damaging of parts by dealer. It just took forever and ruined me for the Audi brand. I love the R8 and its a great car but it should not have taken months and months to fix.

[shtaka]

As a warning for those of us in South Florida, which dealer did the original screw up?

[porsche37]

As a warning for those of us in South Florida, which dealer did the original screw up?

Braman Audi

[JoshDub]

The cars issues were resolved and were caused by improper installation and damaging of parts by dealer. It just took forever and ruined me for the Audi brand. I love the R8 and its a great car but it should not have taken months and months to fix.

What all did they replace? I am curious as to what the actual issues were.

Also, don't let a poor dealer and AOA experience ruin a good car for you. The cars are awesome, the people running the show on this side of the Atlantic are idiots.

[lkslawta]

What all did they replace? I am curious as to what the actual issues were.

Also, don't let a poor dealer and AOA experience ruin a good car for you. The cars are awesome, the people running the show on this side of the Atlantic are idiots.

Preach!


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