5000 kms and the trouble has started

[sliner32]

At 5000 kms my S3 check engine light came on. In to the dealership. Replace water pump. Thermostat. Now with 6500 kms on the car. ESC light is on saying stabilization not working then 10 minutes later orange triangle came on and said Hill Assist not working. So back in I go. The irony of it all is I just got rid of my 2011 S4 due to a $6500 bill for a drive position sensor. I'm having no Luck with AUDI.

[VWVW]

At 5000 kms my S3 check engine light came on. In to the dealership. Replace water pump. Thermostat. Now with 6500 kms on the car. ESC light is on saying stabilization not working then 10 minutes later orange triangle came on and said Hill Assist not working. So back in I go. The irony of it all is I just got rid of my 2011 S4 due to a $6500 bill for a drive position sensor. I'm having no Luck with AUDI.

At least it is still covered under warranty for now. :)

[salvadorik]

When a car is that new and the issues keep coming back the owner should not tolerate it. A manufacturer needs to buy it back or replace it with a brand new one at owner's choice. The problems such as failed water pump and thermostat at 5,000km (3,100 miles) and stability control malfunction make the car be a great candidate to be replaced. Sometimes these lemons get sold but they are rare in general. My S3 has 13K miles on and it has been rock solid so far. I drive it hard but knock on the woods it is very reliable for me.

[selp]

No problems here :)

[sliner32]

I decided to lease this time due to my prior S4 experience. Once lease is up. Drop off keys. Different brand next time. In Canada I think it is harder to get a car replaced. We need a lemon law here.

[LINDW4LL]

I think any talk of lemoning the car at this point is laughable. It's unfortunate but hopefully you won't have more issues going forward!

[Blaine]

I decided to lease this time due to my prior S4 experience. Once lease is up. Drop off keys. Different brand next time. In Canada I think it is harder to get a car replaced. We need a lemon law here.

You shouldn't have to wave any type of lemon law in front of a dealer/manufacturers face regardless if there isn't one in Canada. Any reputable brand would buy the car back and replace it after so many problems. If Dodge does it... its sad... really sad Audi won't. I guess repeat customers are not a priority for Audi? I'd make some higher up calls to Audi.

I've seen a new Charger SRT8 bought back after the CEL on a vehicle and the dealer couldn't figure out what was wrong with it since it kept coming back in the shop for the same issue several times. Dodge simply bought the car back and gave the person a new SRT8 to save face.

[salvadorik]

Be it Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Toyota/Lexus or any other make for that matter all of them would be trying to exhaust all other options before they decide to buy the car back. They normally start out with the cheapest alternative such as offering a free detailing and incrementally increase the value of their offer such as agreeing to pay for two or three auto loan payments. Ultimately if the customer remains persistent and the issues corroborate the lemon claim the manufacturer might agree to buy it back. Depending upon how serious the defects are the whole process from initial complain untill getting a manufacturer agrees it might take several months. They love delaying these issues hoping that somewhere during the process the customer will give up. But all this can be bypassed if an attorney takes the case and sends a demand letter. The case will be forwarded from the customer relations department to a legal department the same day the letter is received and they will be able to give an answer in 10 days or so.

The monetary loss on buyback approval is not the main reason why manufacturers give customers hard time. Brand reputation and customer trust in the brand is what makes it so important for them becuase all these lemons are recorded (public record) and obviously compared to other makes. This customer trust is very delicate - it is an intangible asset that is very hard to earn and so easy to lose.

[LINDW4LL]

Any reputable brand would buy the car back and replace it after so many problems. If Dodge does it... its sad... really sad Audi won't. I guess repeat customers are not a priority for Audi? I'd make some higher up calls to Audi.

"so many problems"

Judging from the OP, it sounds as if it's been in for repairs only once before, when they decided to replace both the water pump and thermostat.

Now he has this issue- probably a simple fix for all we know.

Major overreaction.

[sliner32]

Just a little disappointing after just 6000 Kim's on the car. I'm not panicking or has the car left me stranded yet.

[Blaine]

"so many problems"

Judging from the OP, it sounds as if it's been in for repairs only once before, when they decided to replace both the water pump and thermostat.

Now he has this issue- probably a simple fix for all we know.

Major overreaction.

In the shop for 3+ issues in less than 6km is not normal. (3k miles) Before the first oil change. If this is normal than heck.. 1980's GM was super reliable to I guess.

Hope this is the last of your issues and an easy fix. There are always a couple bad apples from any batch of cars.