IllustrationFUEL PUMP, FUEL DELIVERY SYSTERM FAILED WHILE ON HIGHWAY. *TR
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
What owners actually said
189 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A4. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR ASSURANCE COMFORT TREAD TIRES (NA). WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EXAMINING HER VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TREAD WAS SEPARATING FROM THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE TIRE DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS ALIGNMENT FAILURE. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A4. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR ASSURANCE COMFORT TREAD TIRES (NA). WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EXAMINING HER VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TREAD WAS SEPARATING FROM THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE TIRE DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS ALIGNMENT FAILURE. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND TIRE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.
FUEL PUMP FAILED WITHOUT WARNING ON JUNE 14, 2008 WHEN I WAS 300 MILES FROM HOME, VISITING MY FATHER FOR FATHER'S DAY. MY AUDI ONLY HAD APPROX 44,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. I HAVE RETAINED THE FAULTY FUEL PUMP, BUT WAS CHARGED NEARLY $800.00 FOR THE REPAIRS, INCLUDING TOWING. I CONTACTED AUDI AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING …
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FUEL PUMP FAILED WITHOUT WARNING ON JUNE 14, 2008 WHEN I WAS 300 MILES FROM HOME, VISITING MY FATHER FOR FATHER'S DAY. MY AUDI ONLY HAD APPROX 44,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. I HAVE RETAINED THE FAULTY FUEL PUMP, BUT WAS CHARGED NEARLY $800.00 FOR THE REPAIRS, INCLUDING TOWING. I CONTACTED AUDI AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THEIR RECALL ONLY COVERS THE 2003 MODEL, AND NOT THE 2004. AUDI REALLY NEEDS TO PROTECT THEIR CUSTOMERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT TO THOSE OF US WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS VERY DANGEROUS FAILURE. A FUEL PUMP FAILURE ON THE HIGHWAY COULD EASILY LEAD TO SEVERE INJURY OR EVEN DEATH. AUDI CANNOT CLAIM THAT THEY ARE NOT ON NOTICE OF THIS PROBLEM, AS I HAVE REVIEWED SEVERAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOR THIS VEHICLE. *TR
2004 AUDI A4 QUATTRO WIPERS STARTED TO RUN SLOWLY. SOMETIMES WOULD STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. RAN SLOWLY FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. FINALLY, DRIVERS SIDE WIPER DISENGAGED FROM LINKAGE AND ACTUALLY CRACKED MY WINDSHIELD. TOOK IT TO SHOP FOR REPAIR, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE "WIPER TRANSMISSION" WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE…
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2004 AUDI A4 QUATTRO WIPERS STARTED TO RUN SLOWLY. SOMETIMES WOULD STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. RAN SLOWLY FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. FINALLY, DRIVERS SIDE WIPER DISENGAGED FROM LINKAGE AND ACTUALLY CRACKED MY WINDSHIELD. TOOK IT TO SHOP FOR REPAIR, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE "WIPER TRANSMISSION" WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. WHEN CALLING FOR PARTS, SHOP FOUND OUT THAT THIS PART IS IN "HIGH DEMAND" DUE TO AN APPARENT DESIGN DEFECT. READ MORE ABOUT OTHERS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS ONLINE. THIS WILL END UP COSTING ME CLOSE TO $1000 TO REPLACE THAT BAD WIPER ASSEMBLY AND MY WINDSHIELD. HOW COULD THIS NOT BE A RECALLED ITEM? *TR
I PURCHASED NEW A 2004 AUDI , THE CAR NOW HAS ONLY 20,000 MILES AND BOTH FRONT WINDOWS HAVE QUIT WORKING., THE PASSENGER SIDE A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AND NOW THE DRIVER'S SIDE. HAS THIS HAPPENED TO OTHER CARS THIS MODEL AND IF SO, WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A FACTORY RECALL? *TR
HEARD A WHISPING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WELL. IT GOT PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER. DEALER INSPECTED AND FOUND THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS FAILING DUE TO PIECES OF THE FUEL FILTER FROM THE PREVIOUS FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT FLOATING AROUND IN THE GAS TANK. 1 MONTH LATER, AFTER MOVING TO A NEW STATE, DRIVING ABOUT 1100 MILES, THE S…
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HEARD A WHISPING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WELL. IT GOT PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER. DEALER INSPECTED AND FOUND THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS FAILING DUE TO PIECES OF THE FUEL FILTER FROM THE PREVIOUS FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT FLOATING AROUND IN THE GAS TANK. 1 MONTH LATER, AFTER MOVING TO A NEW STATE, DRIVING ABOUT 1100 MILES, THE SOUND OF WHISPING OR A CARD IN THE SPOKES OF A BIKE WHEEL WAS COMING FROM THE SAME RIGHT REAR AREA IN FRONT OF THE WHEEL WELL. THE DEALER IN THE NEW STATE SAID THAT THE FUEL FILTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHICH IS A 30 MILE COMMUTE. UPON PARKING ON MY DRIVEWAY, MY CAR SEEMED TO STALL AND IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN WHICH WAS AWKWARD BECAUSE THE PARKING BREAK WAS ON AND THE CAR WAS ON NEUTRAL, GIVING NO REASON FOR THE CAR TO STALL. I TRIED TO RESTART AND THE CAR RAN BUT ONLY FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN SHUT DOWN. I…
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WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHICH IS A 30 MILE COMMUTE. UPON PARKING ON MY DRIVEWAY, MY CAR SEEMED TO STALL AND IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN WHICH WAS AWKWARD BECAUSE THE PARKING BREAK WAS ON AND THE CAR WAS ON NEUTRAL, GIVING NO REASON FOR THE CAR TO STALL. I TRIED TO RESTART AND THE CAR RAN BUT ONLY FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN SHUT DOWN. I TOWED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY AND THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE A FAULTY GAS PUMP. DEALER REPLACED PUMP AND CAR WAS BACK TO NORMAL. SEEING THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS WITH FUEL PUMPS, I ALSO AGREE THAT THE 2004 MODEL SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE LIST OF RECALLS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. HE THEN HEARD A BUZZING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WHENEVER HE ACCELERATED, THE BUZZING SOUND WOULD INTENSIFY. THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 AUDI A4. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. HE THEN HEARD A BUZZING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WHENEVER HE ACCELERATED, THE BUZZING SOUND WOULD INTENSIFY. THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE CONTACT HEARD A SLIGHT BUZZING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED OPERATING WHEN IN USE WHILE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE. DEALER EXPLAINED THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, INDICATED IT WAS A POOR MECHANICAL ASSEMBLY DESIGN AND THE BUSHINGS CORRODE. THEY WOULD REPLACE BUT WOULD NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
THE FUEL PUMP ON MY 2004 AUDI A4 1.8T WENT OUT WHILE TRYING TO LEAVE ON A TRIP. THE CAR STALLED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO GET ONTO THE FREEWAY CAUSING TRAFFIC TO BE BLOCKED AND I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. *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.