RS5 with noise coming from transmission after hitting a pothole

[chimac07]

Hi everyone,

I am hoping you guys can offer me some guidance on how I should proceed with this issue.

Earlier this year in April, I hit a pothole while driving my RS5 (30k miles) and ended up cracking part of the sub fame. I brought my car into my local Audi dealership and it was repaired/replaced by Audi, paid for by my insurance( $11,000.) Upon getting my car back, I noticed a very subtle humming/fan noise that would come from the transmission when I start the car, then it disappears, and re appears after driving about 30 minutes. The noise is very faint.

I quickly brought the car back to Audi and they conducted “their diagnostic tests" on the transmission(whatever that entails.) They also flushed the transmission and no metal shavings were found.

According to the service manager, Audi does not drop the transmission nor open it to check what components have failed. Whatever they did, they determined that a fluid pump in the transmission is broken, and that it is not a warranty issue because :

1. No reported issues of this sort in Rs5’s
2. Was not noticed prior to the pothole incident

The service manager also told me the only way to fix this is an entire transmission replacement(23k) because Audi does not have these component parts for the transmission nor do they open up transmissions to do any repairs for RS5’s.


Naturally, my insurance company will not pay for the replacement transmission unless they at least open it up, show them the broken pump, and relate it to the pothole incident. I really don’t blame them. I feel my insurance company is really trying to approve the replacement, but Audi will not cooperate in doing the diagnostic testing in a more complete manner. Audi’s response verbatim is “We performed our diagnosis and inspection per Audi's diagnostic procedures and unfortunately your insurance has determined it is not enough for them to authorize replacement of the transmission.”

Do you guys think Audi is being unreasonable by stating the only option is complete transmission replacement; and they aren’t even willing to tear the transmission open to show my insurance the failed fluid pump? Service manager stated "No tear down is needed, we did our diagnosis per Audi's protocol."

My insurance has asked Audi to remove the transmission and disassemble it to show the failed component and show supporting evidence the failed parts relation to the collision loss. They have told my insurance they do not disassemble this model transmission and they are only serviced in Germany. Their diagnosis is that the fluid pump is not operating properly. They are unable to verify any specific damage to the fluid pump and are indicating that it may be damaged due to proximity to the aluminum cross-member that was damaged. I feel Audi isn’t willing to cooperate with what my insurance needs to fairly conduct its evaluation.


`What do you guys suggest? Should I pursue Audi for a warranty claim(which they have denied already)or should I find another Audi dealership willing to open the trans? The noise is very subtle and honestly not that big of a deal, but its annoying to say the least. Any input is greatly appreciated.

[superswiss]

Well, that's a shitty situation. Not sure what to say here, but I can understand Audi's position. I don't think you want them to disassembly the transmission, because if your insurance still doesn't agree at the end, then you have a car with a dissembled transmission and no technician nearby trained to put it back together in working order. You've got yourself a sort of a Mexican standoff here and you may need to get external help to get this resolved. The noise may be faint, but most likely the pump will eventually fail completely.

[JamesRS5]

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[Rshane]

I wonder how much an independent service shop would charge. It's asinine to replace an entire transmission for a pump at $23K. Like replacing a car due to a flat tire.

[chimac07]

Yeh, this situation really sucks. They are refusing warranty because this wasnt noticed prior to the pothole, so they attribute it to the incident, not component failure. I agree it's completely retarded to replace the whole thing when it's just a pump. I'm sure it will cost a couple grand to dissemble the trans, and even doing that, it is no guarantee my insurance covers the replacement if they cant attribute the failure to the pothole.

[Johnhanson]

It should be up to your insurance company to go after Audi.

I've been contemplating keeping my rs5 as a toy after the warranty expires when I buy my next car. This basically confirms I'll be dumping it prior to that....and unlikely buying another Audi.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[chimac07]

I agree. I'm dumping this car very soon regardless of the outcome here.

[mcbuck]

Stuck between the proverbial rock and hard place, but you can't really fault either Audi or your insurance company. They are simply adhering to policies in place.

On another note, how fricking big was this "pothole"?

[chimac07]

Houston has A LOT of crappy roads and it hit it going about 45mph, The hole looked to be at least a good 6-8 inches deep.

[JamesRS5]

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[chimac07]

Thank you. I felt the same way, but helps to hear I am not the only one. Will do.

[mufflerman]

If the noise came after the pothole incident, your insurance should be handling this on a supplemental. I would contact both Audi NA and the supervisor of your insurance company and tell them where you are. Youre going to need to go over the heads of who youve been dealing with so far.

[na_v]

i would contact AoA right away, this is some bs. How can you say " since you didn't notice it prior to the pothole incident its not covered under warranty", if you have any future issues none of it is warrantied because of the pothole incident?? id call AoA then talk to the service manager

[chimac07]

Thank you guys! I will do as yall suggest. Work has been busy so this hassle isnt helping!

[chimac07]

Hello,

Stopping in to update you on the situation. I asked my attorney draft a letter detailing all the issues etc regarding both Audi and my insurance. My attorney forwarded it to the director of the dealership who then opened a line with corporate Audi. Took a few weeks for Audi North America to render a decision, but they decided to warranty and replace the transmission as a "one time good will" gesture. Ill take it! :) Thank you for everyone's input in this matter. I am happy this was resolved amicably, as it really was a principle issue for me.

[Hy Octane]

Yes. having lived thru 10 years of transmission hell with the 2003 RS6's it is true they do not repair RS transmissions but rather replace them with rebuilt (or reman) units. Interesting that they had no problem repairing the cracked frame which was attributed to the pothole under warranty but went stupid on ya when the tranny needed replacement from the same incident.. Unfortunately, what we take from this is that when it comes to Audi's warranties, honesty isnt the best policy.. "Jeesh SA, dunno what happened.. Just started making these weird noises the other day....."

[JamesRS5]

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