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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

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

What owners actually said

189 reports
36,450 miles · Dec 17, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

DRIVING ALONG AT 55MPH, CAR LOST ALL POWER. I DRIFTED TO THE SHOULDER, LUCKILY THERE WAS A WIDE SHOULDER. AFTER AN HOUR WAITING FOR A TWO TRUCK I OPENED THE FUSE BOX TO SEE IF I COULD SEE AN ISSUE. FOUND THAT THE FUEL PUMP FUSE WAS BLOWN. REPLACED FUSE, CAR STARTED IMMEDIATELY. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 MORE TIMES. DESPITE BEING UNDER…

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DRIVING ALONG AT 55MPH, CAR LOST ALL POWER. I DRIFTED TO THE SHOULDER, LUCKILY THERE WAS A WIDE SHOULDER. AFTER AN HOUR WAITING FOR A TWO TRUCK I OPENED THE FUSE BOX TO SEE IF I COULD SEE AN ISSUE. FOUND THAT THE FUEL PUMP FUSE WAS BLOWN. REPLACED FUSE, CAR STARTED IMMEDIATELY. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 MORE TIMES. DESPITE BEING UNDER WARRANTY, DEALER SAYS THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME BECAUSE THE FAILURE DOES NOT "THROW A CODE". FOR NOW I DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR WITH MY FAMILY IN IT FOR FEAR OF GETTING STUCK, OR WORSE, HAVING AN ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN AN INTERSECTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10296281

58,971 miles · Nov 18, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

LOST ALL ENGINE POWER DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING. DISCOVERED BLOWN FUEL PUMP FUSE. REPLACED FUSE, ATTEMPTED TO START, IMMEDIATELY BLEW THE SECOND FUSE. CAR TOWED TO AUDI DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE CAUSE TO BE A FAILED FUEL PUMP. THE FAILED UNIT HAD 1.1 OHMS RESISTANCE, INSTEAD OF THE SPECIFIED 28 OHMS. INSTALLED NEW FUEL PUMP. …

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LOST ALL ENGINE POWER DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING. DISCOVERED BLOWN FUEL PUMP FUSE. REPLACED FUSE, ATTEMPTED TO START, IMMEDIATELY BLEW THE SECOND FUSE. CAR TOWED TO AUDI DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE CAUSE TO BE A FAILED FUEL PUMP. THE FAILED UNIT HAD 1.1 OHMS RESISTANCE, INSTEAD OF THE SPECIFIED 28 OHMS. INSTALLED NEW FUEL PUMP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10292845

54,800 miles · Oct 21, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 2004 AUDI A4 1.8T. THIS EXACT MODEL IS WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN THE AUDI MANUFACTURER'S 8 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR ENGINES. I AM CURRENTLY BEING DENIED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE ENGINE SLUDGE THAT HAS BUILT UP IN THE ENGINE. THE REASON BEING ACCORDING TO UNIVERSITY AUDI IN SEATTLE, IS THAT: MY CAR IS "TOO NEW." BUT IT IS …

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I HAVE A 2004 AUDI A4 1.8T. THIS EXACT MODEL IS WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN THE AUDI MANUFACTURER'S 8 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR ENGINES. I AM CURRENTLY BEING DENIED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE ENGINE SLUDGE THAT HAS BUILT UP IN THE ENGINE. THE REASON BEING ACCORDING TO UNIVERSITY AUDI IN SEATTLE, IS THAT: MY CAR IS "TOO NEW." BUT IT IS A 2004, THE CUT OFF YEAR FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10289302

81,920 miles · Oct 13, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control

DRIVING SOUTH ON NJ TURNPIKE AT APPROX 65MPH. ATTEMPT TO PULL TO LEFT LANE AND PASS, DRIVER PRESSES ON GAS PEDAL AND THE PEDAL DROPS COMPLETELY TO FLOOR AND CAR ACCELERATES OUT OF CONTROL. THROUGH HEAVY BRAKE APPLICATION CAR IS SLOWED AND PULLED TO SHOULDER AND STOPPED. IGNITION IMMEDIATELY TURNED TO OFF. AFTER CHANCE TO CAL…

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DRIVING SOUTH ON NJ TURNPIKE AT APPROX 65MPH. ATTEMPT TO PULL TO LEFT LANE AND PASS, DRIVER PRESSES ON GAS PEDAL AND THE PEDAL DROPS COMPLETELY TO FLOOR AND CAR ACCELERATES OUT OF CONTROL. THROUGH HEAVY BRAKE APPLICATION CAR IS SLOWED AND PULLED TO SHOULDER AND STOPPED. IGNITION IMMEDIATELY TURNED TO OFF. AFTER CHANCE TO CALM DOWN, DRIVER RESTARTS CAR AND GAS PEDAL NOW OPERATES NORMALLY. THIS SITUATION HAS OCCURRED 5 TIMES IN THE 5 YEARS CAR HAS BEEN OWNED TO 2 DIFFERENT DRIVERS. LAST EPISODE OCCURRED ONLY 3 WEEKS AFTER PREVIOUS INSTANCE. IN ALL CASES, CRUISE CONTROL LEVER WAS IN ON CONDITION BUT NOT ACTIVATED, CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN BY MANUAL GAS OPERATION. THIS IS NOT THE 1980S AUDI SUDDEN ACCELERATION AT START UP. CRASH WAS AVOIDED BECAUSE PASSENGER IS A CERTIFIED HIGH PERFORMANCE DRIVING INSTRUCTOR AND WAS ABLE TO CALMLY ISSUE INSTRUCTIONS. THIS ISSUE WAS REPORTED TO DEALER WHEN CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY BUT NOTHING WAS DONE. IT HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT BUT INCREASING IN FREQUENCY. IT IS MOST LIKELY A ELECTRICAL FLAW (WIRING?) IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM. AS WELL AS A CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR, OWNER IS AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED OCTOBER 2006 AND CAR HAD LESS THAN 40500 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10287292

86,447 miles · Sep 29, 2009
Air Bags

PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON DUE TO PASSENGER SEAT HARNESS ISSUES. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN HOWEVER AUDI WILL NOT REPAIR THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10285618

34,500 miles · Sep 22, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE COILS; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP CAUSED THE FAILURE WHEN IT RECURRED. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK SINCE THE VEHICLE COULD SH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE COILS; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP CAUSED THE FAILURE WHEN IT RECURRED. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK SINCE THE VEHICLE COULD SHUT OFF AND CAUSE A CRASH TO OCCUR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,500.

NHTSA ODI #10284955

71,000 miles · Sep 15, 2009
Fuel System, Other

2004 AUDI A4 1.8T FUEL PUMP FAILED WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT. HAD TO PUSH IT INTO THE GRASS. NO WARNING ABOUT ANY PROBLEM. I USE ONLY 91 - 93 GRADE GAS AND IT HAS ABOUT 71,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284057

45,000 miles · Aug 22, 2009
Visibility

WIPERS STOPPED WORKING DURING A RAIN STORM, LEFT THE BLADE UP AND IN MY VIEW. TURNED THE WIPERS OFF THEN BACK TO THE ON POSITION TO SEE IF THAT WOULD RETRACT THEM. THEY MOVED ABOUT AN INCH AND THEN THE WINDOW CRACKED RIGHT ABOVE THE DRIVERS SIDE WIPER ARM. WIPERS WORK FINE AS LONG AS I LEAVE A CRACKED WINDSHIELD IN PLACE. REPLAC…

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WIPERS STOPPED WORKING DURING A RAIN STORM, LEFT THE BLADE UP AND IN MY VIEW. TURNED THE WIPERS OFF THEN BACK TO THE ON POSITION TO SEE IF THAT WOULD RETRACT THEM. THEY MOVED ABOUT AN INCH AND THEN THE WINDOW CRACKED RIGHT ABOVE THE DRIVERS SIDE WIPER ARM. WIPERS WORK FINE AS LONG AS I LEAVE A CRACKED WINDSHIELD IN PLACE. REPLACE IT AND THEY WORK INTERMITTENTLY UNTIL THE WINDOW CRACKS AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10281379

48,000 miles · Aug 22, 2009
Visibility

2004 AUDI A4 QUATRO, FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW ONLY OPERATES FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT. REAR WINDOWS AS WELL AS DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10281378

68,000 miles · Aug 15, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

AUDI A4 3.0 WHILE DRIVING TO THE AIRPORT TO PICK UP FRIENDS THE CAR SUDDENLY DIED. ONLY 68000 MILES. HAD TO WAIT FOR A TOW TO A DEALERSHIP. I WAS IN ANOTHER STATE. FRIENDS HAD TO RENT A CAR AND PICK ME UP. TURNED OUT TO BE A BAD FUEL PUMP AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS EARLIER I HAD A BAD FUEL FILTER THAT …

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AUDI A4 3.0 WHILE DRIVING TO THE AIRPORT TO PICK UP FRIENDS THE CAR SUDDENLY DIED. ONLY 68000 MILES. HAD TO WAIT FOR A TOW TO A DEALERSHIP. I WAS IN ANOTHER STATE. FRIENDS HAD TO RENT A CAR AND PICK ME UP. TURNED OUT TO BE A BAD FUEL PUMP AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS EARLIER I HAD A BAD FUEL FILTER THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED. ONLY USE 93 OCTANE. NOT GOOD. DISAPPOINTED IN WHAT SEEMS TO BE A REGULAR OCCURRENCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280537

Official recalls

2

16V382000 · 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

1

PE08027 · 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.