IllustrationWHEN ENGINE IS UNDER LOAD WITH A FAULTY FUEL PUMP, THE ENGINE WILL STALL WHILST MOVING WITHOUT TURNING MOTOR OFF. ONLY REMEDY IS TO TURN ENGINE OFF AND ON, SINCE THE FUEL PUMP WILL NOT START ITSELF BACK ON AFTER THE STALL.
2004 Audi A4
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most A4 years
Owner complaints for the 2004 Audi A4 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 76.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all A4 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
250–25K
4125–50K
5150–75K
2975–100K
16100–150K
6150K+
168 reports with mileage · 21 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports3 fire reports5 injury reports
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
5 reportsWAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY FOR A FEW HOURS DURING WHICH CAR WAS RUNNING FINE, AND CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER JUST AFTER I GOT OFF FREEWAY AND APPROACHED A MOUNTAIN ROAD INCLINE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT, OR PRIOR SYMPTOMS TO ENGINE FAILURE, IT JUST STOPPED. WITH HELP, I WAS ABLE TO GET CAR OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND TO SAFETY.…
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WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY FOR A FEW HOURS DURING WHICH CAR WAS RUNNING FINE, AND CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER JUST AFTER I GOT OFF FREEWAY AND APPROACHED A MOUNTAIN ROAD INCLINE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT, OR PRIOR SYMPTOMS TO ENGINE FAILURE, IT JUST STOPPED. WITH HELP, I WAS ABLE TO GET CAR OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND TO SAFETY. TRIED TO TROUBLESHOOT, USED ENGINE ERROR CODE READER, AND NO FAULT CODES FOUND. PERFORMED BASICS CHECKED FOR POTENTIAL FUEL VAPOR LOCK DUE TO ALTITUDE; CHECKED OIL, COOLANT AND FUEL LEVELS- AND ALL LEVELS WERE OK. BATTERY WAS FUNCTIONING - AS RADIO, LIGHTS WORKED. CAR HAS BEEN CONSISTENTLY SERVICED AND MAINTENANCE WAS CURRENT. CAR WAS TOWED TO NEAREST DEALER, DIAGNOSIS BY DEALER FUEL PUMP FAILURE DUE TO CLOGGED FUEL FILTER. MY ISSUE IS THAT AUDI DOES NOT INDICATE SERVICE MAINTENANCE FOR FUEL FILTER. THERE IS NOT ANY MAINTENANCE RECOMMENDATIONS OR GUIDANCE IN EITHER THE OWNER'S MANUAL OR PUBLISHED LIST OF RECOMMENDED SERVICES TO REPLACE OR CHECK FILER. THERE ALSO WERE NOT ANY WARNING LIGHTS, FAULT CODES OR INDICATIONS TO WATCH FOR. I FEEL THAT IT IS NEGLIGENT OF THE MANUFACTURER TO NOT INDICATE ANY SERVICE INTERVAL TO CHANGE FUEL FILTER IN ORDER TO PREVENT FUEL PUMP FAILURE, AND TO ENSURE THE SAFE OPERATING CONDITIONS OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAR LOST POWER ON A WINDING MOUNTAIN ROAD AND PUT ME AT DANGER WITHOUT WARNING. I AM CURIOUS IF THIS FUEL PUMP INCIDENT COULD BE ASSOCIATED WITH KNOWN FUEL PUMP ISSUES, NHTSA #PE08027. KEY SIDE NOTES, WHILE I AM THE SECOND REGISTERED OWNER, THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED BY MY FATHER WHO WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER, BUT FOR INSURANCE AND REGISTRATION PURPOSES THE VEHICLE WAS TRANSFERRED OVER TO ME, BUT I HAVE ALL ORIGINAL RECORDS OF THE VEHICLE AND CAN VERIFY ALL MAINTENANCE SERVICES HAVE BEEN PERFORMED. *JS
I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 AUDI A4 (1.8, CONVERTIBLE) ON A LOCAL ROAD AT APPROX 30MPH, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR SUDDENLY DROPPED FROM UNDER MY FOOT AND THE CAR ACCELERATED VERY RAPIDLY. IT FELT LIKE THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD COME ON BY ITSELF (THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS COMPLETELY OFF AT THE TIME). I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PULLED OVER. W…
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I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 AUDI A4 (1.8, CONVERTIBLE) ON A LOCAL ROAD AT APPROX 30MPH, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR SUDDENLY DROPPED FROM UNDER MY FOOT AND THE CAR ACCELERATED VERY RAPIDLY. IT FELT LIKE THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD COME ON BY ITSELF (THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS COMPLETELY OFF AT THE TIME). I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PULLED OVER. WHEN I SHUT THE CAR OFF, THE GAS PEDAL POPPED UP AND FELT NORMAL. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON SEVERAL TIMES, IT CONTINUED TO IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATE ALL THE WAY WITH THE GAS PEDAL DROPPING TO THE FLOOR. THE CAR IS NOW BEING TOWED TO A MECHANIC. HAD I BEEN IN A TIGHTER SITUATION AT THE TIME, IT COULD'VE BEEN UGLY. *TR
I'M 26, MOTHER OF A 9 YR & 14 MO OLD. CURRENTLY, I'M UNEMPLOYED AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY $2,500 TO REPAIR THE FUEL PUMP THAT AUDI INITIALLY INSTALLED IN MY CAR. I WAS SO EXCITED TO BUY THIS AUDI USED 4 YRS AGO WITH 80,000 MILES. THIS HAS BEEN THE MOST COSTLY AND THE MOST UNSAFE VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED...STALLING OUT WAS NOT FUN AN…
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I'M 26, MOTHER OF A 9 YR & 14 MO OLD. CURRENTLY, I'M UNEMPLOYED AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY $2,500 TO REPAIR THE FUEL PUMP THAT AUDI INITIALLY INSTALLED IN MY CAR. I WAS SO EXCITED TO BUY THIS AUDI USED 4 YRS AGO WITH 80,000 MILES. THIS HAS BEEN THE MOST COSTLY AND THE MOST UNSAFE VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED...STALLING OUT WAS NOT FUN AND VERY SCARY. AUDI DEALERSHIPS HAVE BEEN TRAINED WELL TO DENY OWNING UP TO THE CAR'S DEFECTS. IS AUDI WAITING FOR AN ACCIDENT TO HAPPEN AND PEOPLE/CHILDREN DIE? I GUESS THE COST OF PAYING FOR THE COURT COST WHEN SOMEONE DIES IS NOT A BIG WORRY FOR THE COMPANY - PROBABLY COST MORE TO HAVE THE CARS RECALLED & SAFELY REPAIRED THAN TO PAY FOR COURT & FUNERAL COST. I'M SURE AUDI HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2003 AND REFUSE TO OWN UP TO THEIR 2003 MISTAKE FLOWING OVER TO THE 2004 MODELS. IT MAKES NO SENSE THAT AUDI WON'T "STEP UP TO THE PLATE" AND HAVE A RECALL. MAYBE THE AUDI COMPANY REALLY CAN'T REPAIR THE CAR AND THE PROBLEM WILL ALWAYS EXIST? I WOULD HOPE THEY HAVE SMART ENGINEERS THAT COULD FIX THE PROBLEM. AUDI REALLY IS COMING ACROSS AS HAVING POOR CUSTOMER CONCERNS FOR OUR SAFETY. WHAT A SHAME, I CAN BARELY MAKE ENDS MEET AND NOW, I CAN'T EVEN AFFORD TO TAKE MY CAR OUT OF THE SHOP...BUT, MAYBE IT'S A BLESSING - AT LEAST, MY CHILDREN AND I ARE SAFE BY NOT DRIVING THAT CAR. COME ON AUDI - RECALL NOW BEFORE SOME DIES!!! AND, WHAT IS THE VEHICLE SAFETY FOLKS DOING FOR US??? I JUST AN ANGRY MOTHER HOPING SOMEONE WILL LISTEN & WITH THE BELIEF THAT THE NHTSA CAN HELP...I WISH I HAD NEVER BOUGHT THIS CAR, I'M STILL MAKING MONTHLY PAYMENTS FOR THE CAR THAT I'M SCARED TO DRIVE NOW. I'M WONDERING BY VENTING ON THIS SITE, IF AUDI EVEN GETS THIS INFORMATION? THIS IS A "NO KIDDING" MATTER THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY AND FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BY THE RESPONSIBLE COMPANY TO SHOW THAT THEY REALLY CARE FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS! *TR
FUEL PUMP NOISY AND NOT WORKING. CANT BEAR THE NOISE AS ITS TOO LOUD INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. REPLACED FUEL FILTER STILL NOT USE. BROWSED THROUGH INTERNET AND SAW ITS HAPPENING TO ALL 2004 A4 MODELS AND NO RECALLS FROM THE MANUFACTURER AS ITS COMMON IN ALL A4 2004 MODELS. REQUEST TO FILE AN COMPLAINT ON THIS ISSUE AND REQUEST MANUFAC…
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FUEL PUMP NOISY AND NOT WORKING. CANT BEAR THE NOISE AS ITS TOO LOUD INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. REPLACED FUEL FILTER STILL NOT USE. BROWSED THROUGH INTERNET AND SAW ITS HAPPENING TO ALL 2004 A4 MODELS AND NO RECALLS FROM THE MANUFACTURER AS ITS COMMON IN ALL A4 2004 MODELS. REQUEST TO FILE AN COMPLAINT ON THIS ISSUE AND REQUEST MANUFACTURER TO RECALL FUEL PUMP IN ALL A4 2004 MODELS. *TR
Official recalls
216V382000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jun 1, 2016
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Audi A4, and 2005-2011 Audi A6 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Audi A4, and 2005-2008 Audi A6 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling model year 2004 Audi A4 vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834.
05V096000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights
Mar 15, 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF XENON HEADLAMP COATING DEGRADATION OVER TIME. THE LUMINOUS TRANSMITTANCE OF THE HEADLAMP MAY DECREASE OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD AFFECT A DRIVER'S FIELD OF VIEW, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT XENON HEADLAMP REFLECTORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 11, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE08027 · Engine Stalling - Fuel Pump Failure
Opened Apr 14, 2008 · Closed Aug 6, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST FOR PE08-027, VOLKSWAGEN AG (VW) STATED THAT IT BELIEVES THAT THE POSSIBLE CAUSAL OR CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES COULD RESULT FROM EXCESSIVE ACCUMULATION OF FOREIGN MATERIALS IN THE FUEL FILTER.IN RARE CASES, THE FUEL FILTER COULD BECOME CLOGGED, WHICH CAN CAUSE INCREASED PRESSURE ON THE PUMP.VW INDICATED THAT ENGINE STALLS RESULTING FROM THIS CONDITION ARE RARE AND WOULD BE PRECEDED BY SYMPTOMS SUCH AS REDUCED ENGINE POWER, NOISE OR HESITATION.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA DETERMINED THAT THE RATE OF ENGINE STALL INCIDENTS RESULTING FROM FUEL PUMP FAILURE IS LOW AT APPROXIMATELY 0.2 PERCENT AFTER THREE YEARS IN SERVICE. ON JANUARY 17, 2006, VW SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO ODI CONCERNING A SAFETY RECALL TO ADDRESS A DEFECT IN THE FUEL PUMPS OF APPROXIMATELY 74,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (47,000), AUDI A4 (20,000) AND AUDI A6 (7,000) VEHICLES BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 2002 THROUGH MARCH 2003 (NHTSA RECALL NO. 06V-017, VW RECALL NOS. M7 FOR PASSAT AND JL FOR AUDI A4 AND A6).ACCORDING TO VW, A SUB-SUPPLIER EXPERIENCED AN UNKNOWN CHANGE IN THE MATERIAL COMPOSITION OF THE CARBON-BRUSH SET USED IN THE ELECTRIC MOTOR IN THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH COULD LEAD TO INCREASED WEAR OF THE CARBON-BRUSH SETS, WHICH IN TURN CAN LEAD TO AN INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP AND, ULTIMATELY, STOPPAGE OF FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE.ON JULY 23, 2007, VW EXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL TO INCLUDE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 2002 THROUGH APRIL 2003, ADDING ANOTHER 34,358 VEHICLES TO THE ORIGINAL RECALL (24,801 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, 7,436 AUDI A4 AND 2,121 AUDI A6 VEHICLES).ODI ASSIGNED RECALL NO. 07V-375 TO THE AMENDED RECALL REPORT. THE MY 2004 AUDI A4 VEHICLES THAT ARE THE SUBJECT OF PE08-027 ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THE SUB-SUPPLIER ISSUE THAT PROMPTED 06V-017 AND 07V-375.PRODUCTION OF THE MY 2004 VEHICLES BEGAN FOUR MONTHS AFTER THE AMENDED PRODUCTION RANGE IDENTIFIED IN 07V-375.THE FUEL PUMP FAILURES IN THE MY 2004 VEHICLES HAVE DIFFERENT CAUSES THAN THE DEFECT IDENTIFIED IN THE PRIOR RECALL POPULATIONS AND HAVE OCCURRED AT MUCH LOWER FREQUENCIES. FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FIND BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST FOR PE08-027, VOLKSWAGEN AG (VW) STATED THAT IT BELIEVES THAT THE POSSIBLE CAUSAL OR CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES COULD RESULT FROM EXCESSIVE ACCUMULATION OF FOREIGN MATERIALS IN THE FUEL FILTER.IN RARE CASES, THE FUEL FILTER COULD BECOME CLOGGED, WHICH CAN CAUSE INCREASED PRESSURE ON THE PUMP.VW INDICATED THAT ENGINE STALLS RESULTING FROM THIS CONDITION ARE RARE AND WOULD BE PRECEDED BY SYMPTOMS SUCH AS REDUCED ENGINE POWER, NOISE OR HESITATION.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA DETERMINED THAT THE RATE OF ENGINE STALL INCIDENTS RESULTING FROM FUEL PUMP FAILURE IS LOW AT APPROXIMATELY 0.2 PERCENT AFTER THREE YEARS IN SERVICE. ON JANUARY 17, 2006, VW SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO ODI CONCERNING A SAFETY RECALL TO ADDRESS A DEFECT IN THE FUEL PUMPS OF APPROXIMATELY 74,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (47,000), AUDI A4 (20,000) AND AUDI A6 (7,000) VEHICLES BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 2002 THROUGH MARCH 2003 (NHTSA RECALL NO. 06V-017, VW RECALL NOS. M7 FOR PASSAT AND JL FOR AUDI A4 AND A6).ACCORDING TO VW, A SUB-SUPPLIER EXPERIENCED AN UNKNOWN CHANGE IN THE MATERIAL COMPOSITION OF THE CARBON-BRUSH SET USED IN THE ELECTRIC MOTOR IN THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH COULD LEAD TO INCREASED WEAR OF THE CARBON-BRUSH SETS, WHICH IN TURN CAN LEAD TO AN INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP AND, ULTIMATELY, STOPPAGE OF FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE.ON JULY 23, 2007, VW EXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL TO INCLUDE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 2002 THROUGH APRIL 2003, ADDING ANOTHER 34,358 VEHICLES TO THE ORIGINAL RECALL (24,801 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, 7,436 AUDI A4 AND 2,121 AUDI A6 VEHICLES).ODI ASSIGNED RECALL NO. 07V-375 TO THE AMENDED RECALL REPORT. THE MY 2004 AUDI A4 VEHICLES THAT ARE THE SUBJECT OF PE08-027 ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THE SUB-SUPPLIER ISSUE THAT PROMPTED 06V-017 AND 07V-375.PRODUCTION OF THE MY 2004 VEHICLES BEGAN FOUR MONTHS AFTER THE AMENDED PRODUCTION RANGE IDENTIFIED IN 07V-375.THE FUEL PUMP FAILURES IN THE MY 2004 VEHICLES HAVE DIFFERENT CAUSES THAN THE DEFECT IDENTIFIED IN THE PRIOR RECALL POPULATIONS AND HAVE OCCURRED AT MUCH LOWER FREQUENCIES. FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FIND BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery
IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST FOR PE08-027, VOLKSWAGEN AG (VW) STATED THAT IT BELIEVES THAT THE POSSIBLE CAUSAL OR CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES COULD RESULT FROM EXCESSIVE ACCUMULATION OF FOREIGN MATERIALS IN THE FUEL FILTER.IN RARE CASES, THE FUEL FILTER COULD BECOME CLOGGED, WHICH CAN CAUSE INCREASED PRESSURE ON THE PUMP.VW INDICATED THAT ENGINE STALLS RESULTING FROM THIS CONDITION ARE RARE AND WOULD BE PRECEDED BY SYMPTOMS SUCH AS REDUCED ENGINE POWER, NOISE OR HESITATION.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA DETERMINED THAT THE RATE OF ENGINE STALL INCIDENTS RESULTING FROM FUEL PUMP FAILURE IS LOW AT APPROXIMATELY 0.2 PERCENT AFTER THREE YEARS IN SERVICE. ON JANUARY 17, 2006, VW SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO ODI CONCERNING A SAFETY RECALL TO ADDRESS A DEFECT IN THE FUEL PUMPS OF APPROXIMATELY 74,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (47,000), AUDI A4 (20,000) AND AUDI A6 (7,000) VEHICLES BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 2002 THROUGH MARCH 2003 (NHTSA RECALL NO. 06V-017, VW RECALL NOS. M7 FOR PASSAT AND JL FOR AUDI A4 AND A6).ACCORDING TO VW, A SUB-SUPPLIER EXPERIENCED AN UNKNOWN CHANGE IN THE MATERIAL COMPOSITION OF THE CARBON-BRUSH SET USED IN THE ELECTRIC MOTOR IN THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH COULD LEAD TO INCREASED WEAR OF THE CARBON-BRUSH SETS, WHICH IN TURN CAN LEAD TO AN INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP AND, ULTIMATELY, STOPPAGE OF FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE.ON JULY 23, 2007, VW EXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL TO INCLUDE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 2002 THROUGH APRIL 2003, ADDING ANOTHER 34,358 VEHICLES TO THE ORIGINAL RECALL (24,801 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, 7,436 AUDI A4 AND 2,121 AUDI A6 VEHICLES).ODI ASSIGNED RECALL NO. 07V-375 TO THE AMENDED RECALL REPORT. THE MY 2004 AUDI A4 VEHICLES THAT ARE THE SUBJECT OF PE08-027 ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THE SUB-SUPPLIER ISSUE THAT PROMPTED 06V-017 AND 07V-375.PRODUCTION OF THE MY 2004 VEHICLES BEGAN FOUR MONTHS AFTER THE AMENDED PRODUCTION RANGE IDENTIFIED IN 07V-375.THE FUEL PUMP FAILURES IN THE MY 2004 VEHICLES HAVE DIFFERENT CAUSES THAN THE DEFECT IDENTIFIED IN THE PRIOR RECALL POPULATIONS AND HAVE OCCURRED AT MUCH LOWER FREQUENCIES. FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FIND BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.
Fuel System, Gasoline
IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST FOR PE08-027, VOLKSWAGEN AG (VW) STATED THAT IT BELIEVES THAT THE POSSIBLE CAUSAL OR CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES COULD RESULT FROM EXCESSIVE ACCUMULATION OF FOREIGN MATERIALS IN THE FUEL FILTER.IN RARE CASES, THE FUEL FILTER COULD BECOME CLOGGED, WHICH CAN CAUSE INCREASED PRESSURE ON THE PUMP.VW INDICATED THAT ENGINE STALLS RESULTING FROM THIS CONDITION ARE RARE AND WOULD BE PRECEDED BY SYMPTOMS SUCH AS REDUCED ENGINE POWER, NOISE OR HESITATION.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA DETERMINED THAT THE RATE OF ENGINE STALL INCIDENTS RESULTING FROM FUEL PUMP FAILURE IS LOW AT APPROXIMATELY 0.2 PERCENT AFTER THREE YEARS IN SERVICE. ON JANUARY 17, 2006, VW SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO ODI CONCERNING A SAFETY RECALL TO ADDRESS A DEFECT IN THE FUEL PUMPS OF APPROXIMATELY 74,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (47,000), AUDI A4 (20,000) AND AUDI A6 (7,000) VEHICLES BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 2002 THROUGH MARCH 2003 (NHTSA RECALL NO. 06V-017, VW RECALL NOS. M7 FOR PASSAT AND JL FOR AUDI A4 AND A6).ACCORDING TO VW, A SUB-SUPPLIER EXPERIENCED AN UNKNOWN CHANGE IN THE MATERIAL COMPOSITION OF THE CARBON-BRUSH SET USED IN THE ELECTRIC MOTOR IN THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH COULD LEAD TO INCREASED WEAR OF THE CARBON-BRUSH SETS, WHICH IN TURN CAN LEAD TO AN INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP AND, ULTIMATELY, STOPPAGE OF FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE.ON JULY 23, 2007, VW EXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL TO INCLUDE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 2002 THROUGH APRIL 2003, ADDING ANOTHER 34,358 VEHICLES TO THE ORIGINAL RECALL (24,801 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, 7,436 AUDI A4 AND 2,121 AUDI A6 VEHICLES).ODI ASSIGNED RECALL NO. 07V-375 TO THE AMENDED RECALL REPORT. THE MY 2004 AUDI A4 VEHICLES THAT ARE THE SUBJECT OF PE08-027 ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THE SUB-SUPPLIER ISSUE THAT PROMPTED 06V-017 AND 07V-375.PRODUCTION OF THE MY 2004 VEHICLES BEGAN FOUR MONTHS AFTER THE AMENDED PRODUCTION RANGE IDENTIFIED IN 07V-375.THE FUEL PUMP FAILURES IN THE MY 2004 VEHICLES HAVE DIFFERENT CAUSES THAN THE DEFECT IDENTIFIED IN THE PRIOR RECALL POPULATIONS AND HAVE OCCURRED AT MUCH LOWER FREQUENCIES. FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FIND BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.