Audi A4 Quattro, 2.8L - 2 new transmissions in 52K miles

Complaints.com received the following consumer message on February 3, 2003:

From: Harris, Dion [Email User] RE: Audi A4 Quattro, 2.8L - 2 new transmissions in 52K miles

Dear Audi, I purchased a 1998 Audi A4 Quattro (2.8L) from a used car dealership back in August of 2002. The car only had 49K miles on it, so I elected not to purchase an extended warranty. 3 months later, on Christmas eve, my car stopped on the highway with my Pregnant wife, 7 year old son and my mother-in-law in the car.

After getting the car towed nearly 70 miles, to a repair shop near my house, I found out that I needed a new transmission. This surprised me, since I had taken my car in to an Audi dealership (Negherbon in Oakland, Ca). to get the 54K check up in Sept 02 and was given no warning of potential transmission problems. I called Audi to complain, and they told me that if I took my car to an Audi Dealership, they could take a look at it and potentially assist in getting the car repaired if it was deemed that the failure was due to a manufacturing defect. I thought surely, 52K miles is not enough miles to cause any user induce failure of a transmission. The Audi mechanic agreed that I needed a new transmission, but he said he could not determine the cause (est. cost $13,000) When I spoke to the Audi Customer Care Rep again, she told me that Audi assisted the previous owner of my A4 in replacing a Transmission in 2000 (26Kmiles) and that they were not willing to provide me with any financial assistance in getting the transmission repaired. That means this Audi went through not one, but 2 new transmissions in 52K miles. I thought that was even greater cause for them to cover the cost of replacing the transmission.

I know many people who have pretty intense driving styles, but I've never heard of anyone going through 2 brand new transmissions in 53K miles. I think this car is defective and Audi refuses to stand by it product. In fact, when I called Audi, to schedule the transmission inspection, the technician told me that it would be at least 2 weeks before any I could get any transmission work, due to the backlog of transmission breakdowns. As for the used car dealership I purchase the car from, they've attempted to help me in getting the car fixed by referring me to mechanic at a discounted rate, but no one is willing to share the financial pain. I have and will continue to tell everyone I know about the poor workmanship and customer service that Audi provides its customers. Regretfully, Dion Harris

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