1993 Audi 100

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 AUDI 100 CS QUARTO.(N/A) THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 20 MPH WHEN HE TRAVELED OVER AN EXTREMELY UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE TRANSMISSION OIL PAN FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG INDEPENDENTLY DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT THEN AUTONOMOUSLY RELEASED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO ABRUPTLY HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THE PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURIES TO HIS EYES, HEAD AND NOSE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURY TO HIS KNEE FROM ABRUPTLY STRIKING THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING WHEEL. HE SUSTAINED SECOND DEGREE BURNS TO HIS ARMS AND HANDS. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE DEALER CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A RECALL PERTAINING TO THE AIR BAG FAILURE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V172000: AIR BAGS: FRONTAL: SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THEY WOULD SEND AN INVESTIGATOR TO FURTHER INSPECT THE FAILURE. THE INVESTIGATOR DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE STRUTS. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE CONTACT FAILED TO HAVE THE STRUTS CHANGED. THE CONTACT DID NOT BELIEVE THE STRUTS WERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND WERE REPLACED LESS THAN 20,000 MILES BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND WAS STILL IN THE DEALER'S POSSESSION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 186,000. UPDATED 12/01/2010. *LJ UPDATED 12/08/10

PREVIOUS OWNER EXCHANGED LEFT SIDE CATALYTIC CONVERTER (UNDER AUDI RECALL - RIGHT SIDE CONVERTER NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL). CAR STARTED VIBRATING AND ENGINE OVERHEATED. CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOUND TO BE CLOGGED INTERNALLY - SAME FAULT AS WITH RECALLED LEFT SIDE. COST $1500 TO REPLACE NOT UNDER WARRANTY. MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN DUE TO POTENTIALLY SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE CAUSED BY CLOGGED EXHAUST ON ONE SIDE.

FOR SEVERAL YEARS I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING OF AN INTERMITTENT, VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL. AUDI HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO TELL ME WHY THIS OCCURS. IT HAS BEEN PRESENT TRANSIENTLY AND IT HAS BEEN PRESENT FOR PROLONGED PERIODS OF TIME. THE SMELL, WHEN PRESENT, IS EXTREMELY STRONG. THIS IS NOT RELATED TO AND IS ENTIRELY DIFFERENT FROM THE "SULFUR" SMELL THAT IS FREQUENTLY PRESENT IN THE WINTER. ON ONE OCCASSION, IT WAS PRESENT FOR ALMOST A WHOLE WEEK AFTER THE CAR SAT FOR THE PRECEEDING WEEK WITHOUT BEING DRIVEN. I HAD TO KEEP THE WINDOWS OPEN CONTINUOUSLY IN ORDER TO AVOID GAGGING. AUDI CLAIMS THAT MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE CURRENT RECALL REGARDING THE LEAKING FUEL INJECTOR. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR HELP IN DISCOVERING THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM AND IN REMEDYING IT FINALLY. THANK YOU.

WHILE DRIVING, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAME APART - THE COMPLETE TOP BROKE OFF, FELL TO THE SIDE AND LODGED BEHIND THE REMAINDER OF ACCELERATOR MECHANISM. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR AND EXTRACT IT WITHOUT INJURY. AUDI CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THEY HAVE REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR. WHY IS THIS NOT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT?