2013 Audi S4

[Pepperoni]

Hello Everyone,

this is my first time on this blog and a first time Audi owner.
I bought about 3 months ago a 2013 Audi S4. The car so far has only 1,900 miles on it.

So far, I've had to take this car to the dealer 4 times because of different issues.

-The first issue (not a big deal): the "SUPERCHARGED" badges from both sides were coming off.
-Second issue: Drivers door handle wouldn't open for anything. not automatically, not manually.
-Third issue: The "check fuel tank" light came on on the screen. Took it to the dealer and they did an update and changed the sensors from the fuel tank all the way to main cluster. The dealer told me that they have detected this issue and had to changed the fuel tank system with a brand UPDATED new sensors.
[B][U]-Fourth issue: I went to the gas station to fill up the tank. After filling the tank, I turned the car on and noticed that the fuel gauge only went up 3/4. I thought it could probably be a fuel pump issue or maybe (once again) the fuel tank. After driving it for a while, the gauge started to go up slowly and then went back down to 3/4 drastically. I took the car to the dealer and have not got it back yet.

Please let me know if these issues had occur to one of you in such a new car.
I don't want to punish the car yet but I am starting to doubt Audis' quality.

[V8Star]

What was done to fix the door not opening issue?

Third issue sounds related to the fourth.

[Pepperoni]

They changed the whole door mechanism. According to them, it is not the first time they had this issue.

I'm waiting to see if maybe during this upcoming week they return my car.
I'll let you know if the fourth issue was related to the third.

[adamkb26]

How long has the car been in the shop since you got it? Might wanna contact AoA soon.

[Pepperoni]

Well, for the first issue just one day.
Second issue 2-3 days.
Third 4-5 days.
Forth 6 days already (counting 2 days for the weekend).

Excuse my ignorance but what is AoA?

[MaX PL]

audi of america

[Pepperoni]

audi of america

Thank you.

[oneiztoomany]

sucks to hear all these issues with a new car.

[Rodmar]

It's a lemon get a new one

[Mike00]

It's a lemon get a new one

Actually one more gas related issue and he might have a case.

[Doc Brown]

How long has the car been in the shop since you got it? Might wanna contact AoA soon.

agreed. I would lodge a complaint with AoA. Even if not a lemon yet. Put them on notice early.

My experience with them is that early and aggressive (but polite) interaction speeds repair and results in a more durable repairs. Once they are aware you are exploring Lemon, they wanna make it work.

Also, as an aside, don't sign anything that they provide offering to skip a payment or two as their way of saying sorry. Those letters usually have clauses that allow them to get out of the lemon law. Both AoA and BMW USA tried that with me when I was in contact with them (PA Law - not sure of other states). Although under PA law I cannot waive my lemon rights, there is a way for me to release them from obligation which is the angle they were exploring.

Gotta watch those Wiley Germans (and their lawyers)

[Pepperoni]

Thank you for all your responses.
For a lemon I think the car have to go in 3 times or more for the same issue in a period of 18months.
This would be the second time with fuel tank related issue. Lets see what happens.

I really dont want to bring the lemon law out to the dealer or AoA yet until it gets there for a third time.

[Maltitol]

I really dont want to bring the lemon law out to the dealer or AoA yet until it gets there for a third time.

In Maryland the lemon law requires only 1 fix for a steering or brake issue, and three times for anything else. Cross your fingers for a brake failure [>_<]!

[BzzzBom]

I haven't had any of your issues but have the following on my 2013: low speed turn shudder and noise. Any one else have this issue on their 2013?

[IceAero]

I haven't had any of your issues but have the following on my 2013: low speed turn shudder and noise. Any one else have this issue on their 2013?

I believe I do have the shudder on low speed turns, I sorta assume it's the one of the differentials? (not a problem) Or maybe it's in the electronic steering? (possibly a problem)

[htoudiee]

Interesting. I have not had any of the 4 issues you mentioned in my '13 yet. I hope it gets fixed.

[Doc Brown]

I really dont want to bring the lemon law out to the dealer or AoA yet until it gets there for a third time.

Respectfully, I disagree. A polite phone call to AoA letting them know of the problem is completely appropriate. I am not familiar with Florida Lemon Law, and you should review the details.

Try as best you can to divorce yourself from the emotion. This is a business transaction. You paid a great deal of money for an item and it is not as promised and is not being durably repaired. It is not about how much you like your car. It is not about being a nice guy.

I also chose to wait a bit on my RS4 so as to not be a hard ass and be understanding and all that did was delay the inevitable. And got me to such a point of frustration that I did not want to hear a single thing that Audi had to say anymore by the time I contacted them.

My waiting may have actually resulted in the lemoning. Had I put AoA on notice earlier, they would have gotten involved earlier. For the RS4 DRC issue, they had a traveling tech with specialize tools that would go around to dealerships that could not durably repair the car. I had six failed repairs. Odds are, had I gotten them involved early, I might not have lemoned that car. By the time they were involved the car was two months out of service for the first six I had it.

With my first E90M3 the M-DCT transmission was a problem. Second visit for the transmission, with a dealership with whom I had a good relationship and trusted (unlike Holbert Audi - now out of business), I was on the phone with BMW USA. They expedited a repair, overnighted a transmission from Germany, I avoided lemoning that car, and enjoyed nearly 50K miles with no further transmission issues.

I would argue that getting AoA involved now is more likely to NOT result in a lemon buy back as AoA will do anything they can to avoid that loss. Once lemoned the car is of virtually no value to them and they wish to avoid that at all costs.

Personally, I think AoA should have a way to flag your car as being in several times for repair in such a short time and be pro-active in repair, but that is not how it is. If they can flag your car for having an aftermarket intake, they should be able to flag it as being in with the same complaint more than once.

[Doc Brown]

I believe I do have the shudder on low speed turns, I sorta assume it's the one of the differentials? (not a problem) Or maybe it's in the electronic steering? (possibly a problem)

Every Audi I have had does this.
B7 S4. B7 RS4 and to a lesser degree my current B8.5 S4

[mobile S4]

2nd engaging AoA early, just call number on the site. I called them - first person I talked to was the only person I had to deal with, and they called me twice to follow up with my issue.

http://www.audiusa.com/us/brand/en/about/main/contact_us.html

If you're an Audi owner and have questions regarding your vehicle or your ownership experience, please contact us. We're here to help.

Phone:
1-800-822-AUDI (2834)
Hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday-Friday

[Patrick Bateman]

Call AoA... Great to deal with on an issue i had on a past car. Routine updates...in some cases, they will offer some soft of compensation, if not monitarily,in services,etc.
my 13 has zero issues and im around 4k in 10 weeks ownership. Inly thing we 13 owners really need is a tune! Like NOW!

PB.

[Pepperoni]

Thank you this information.
I will call them and let them know about this issue.

I was between purchasing a BMW M3 , C63 AMG or S4 and so far I'm starting to doubt about the decision that I've made.
The only feeling that I have towards this transaction is frustration. I bought a 60K car (with all the options) and so far I paid to drive a loaner.

Updates about these issues will be posted.

[Doc Brown]

I can empathize with you.

I traded my B7S4 which was running fine for my B7 RS4 and ended up spending most of my time for the next few months in crappy loaners, the worst a 6 year old A4 1.8T, stripper, that smelled like taco bell and leaked oil and antifreeze. I wouldn't even put that thing in my driveway it was such a POS.

AoA has a great deal of motivation to make you happy.

[ahcow]

Eh, my car wouldn't start up the first week I had it. Silly things go wrong with cars somethings, once they get fixed, should hopefully be okay.

Good luck!

[Okan509]

my drivers side passenger door is doing the same thing, but will open when I pull both handles at the same time (in and out)

[Pepperoni]

Okan509,

Same happened with my car.
Take it to the nearest dealership and they will change the whole door mechanism. After that, you should be fine.
By the way, there is an updated for the steering wheel of the car. Ask if they can do it to yours. The driving is a little bit different after the update (good though).

[Pepperoni]

hahaha
Funny that you mentioned the A4 1.8T. I had it a long time ago and have the same comments as you.

I call AoA and they told me that they should have an answer by Wednesday.
Supposedly, they are going to see if a full refund for the car will be made. Maybe if that happens I end up buying the RS5.

I will keep yo updated with the results.

[jdwk]

Your issues are not incredibly common, so hopefully once they are resolved they will stay that way. It certainly sounds like they screwed up the gauge when they replaced the sensor. That's really the hardest part about these problems is getting a dealership to fix them properly.

I don't know if I've ever taken a car to a dealership and had it fixed right the first time.

[Doc Brown]

hahaha

Supposedly, they are going to see if a full refund for the car will be made. Maybe if that happens I end up buying the RS5.

I will keep yo updated with the results.

Sweet. There was an RS5 on the lot when I ordered my S4 and I was tempted. So far, I am happy with my decision. RS5, sexy though it is, does not fit my needs/wants right now - which is kinda why I traded the M3. I need something a bit less hooligan - at least for a couple of years.

I gotta tell you. If I didn't have snow to worry about, I might not have traded the M3.