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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
Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2005
Tires

AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 AUDI A-4 EQUIPPED WITH PIRELLI P-6 P235/45 R-17 TIRES. THESE TIRES ARE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND THE VEHICLE. AT APPROXIMATELY 12000 MILES THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE DEVELOPED A LARGE SIDEWALL BUBBLE. THIS TIRE WAS IMMEDIATELY REPLACED. NOW A WEEK LATER AND APPROXIMATELY 300 MORE MILES, THE SAME PROBLEM HAS…

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AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 AUDI A-4 EQUIPPED WITH PIRELLI P-6 P235/45 R-17 TIRES. THESE TIRES ARE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND THE VEHICLE. AT APPROXIMATELY 12000 MILES THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE DEVELOPED A LARGE SIDEWALL BUBBLE. THIS TIRE WAS IMMEDIATELY REPLACED. NOW A WEEK LATER AND APPROXIMATELY 300 MORE MILES, THE SAME PROBLEM HAS DEVELOPED AT THE DRIVER"S SIDE FRONT TIRE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10118334

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2005
Air Bags

AUDI A4 1.8T 2004, AIR BAG DEFECT. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10115065

3,000 miles · Dec 31, 2004
Tires

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 AUDI A-4 EQUIPPED WITH PIRELLI P-6 P235/45 R-17 TIRES. THESE TIRES ARE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHESED FROM BELL AUDI OF RAHWAY, NJ. AT APPROXIMATELY 3000 MILES THE REAR RIGHT TIRE DEVELOPED A LARGE SIDEWALL BUBBLE. THIS TIRE WAS IMMEDIATELY RELPACED WITH THE FULL SIZE SPARE (SAME TYPE…

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I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 AUDI A-4 EQUIPPED WITH PIRELLI P-6 P235/45 R-17 TIRES. THESE TIRES ARE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHESED FROM BELL AUDI OF RAHWAY, NJ. AT APPROXIMATELY 3000 MILES THE REAR RIGHT TIRE DEVELOPED A LARGE SIDEWALL BUBBLE. THIS TIRE WAS IMMEDIATELY RELPACED WITH THE FULL SIZE SPARE (SAME TYPE, MODEL AND RIM). CALLS TO THE DEALERSHIP, AUDI, USA AND PIRELLI WERE MET WITH LIMITED INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE AT BEST. IN SUBSTANCE, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD / WOULD DO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. NOW A APPROXIMATELY 6000 MILES (3000 ON THE REPLACEMENT), THE SAME PROBLEM HAS DEVELOPED AT THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. CALLS ONCE AGAIN ARE APPARENTLY FALLING UPON DEAF EARS. UNDOUBTABLY WE HAVE A SAFTY ISSUE HERE (AS INDICATED BY SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS LODGED BY OTHER OWNERS OF P-6 TIRES) WHICH IS BEING INGNORE BY THE TIRE MANUFACTURER AS WELL AS AUDI, USA AND ITS DEALERS. IN VIEW OF THE LACK OF RESPONSE, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THE SAFETY ISSUE, I'LL BE FORCED TO REPLACE ALL OF THESE OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE TIRES ON MY VEHICLE AT MY OWN EXPENSE. I'M REQUESTING THAT THE NHTSA MAKE FURTHER INQUIRIES INTO THIS MATTER. I WILL ALSO BE VERY WILLING TO PROVIDE MY DEFECTIVE TIRES TO THE NHTSA, OR ANY OTHER INDEPENDENT AGENCY, FOR TESTING, ETC. FURTHERMORE, IF THE NHTSA, OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES, COMPLAINTANTS, OWNERS, DEALERS, CONSUMER GROUPS, ARE INTERESTED IN PURSUING LEGAL RECOURSE PLEASE CONTACT ME AS I AM MORE THAN WILLING TO ASSIST IN ENTERING INTO A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST PIRELLI, AUDI, ETC. I AM EGERLY AWAITING YOUR RESPONSE. THANK YOU.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10104848

7,500 miles · Dec 28, 2004
Air Bags

THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. THE CONSUMER HAD THE AIR BAG REPLACED AND THE DEALER HAS SERVICED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO STAY ON. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10105415

8,000 miles · Dec 27, 2004
Visibility

MY 2004 AUDI A4 3.0 CABRIOLET HAS WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHICH AT ABOUT 8,000 MILES OF WEAR BEGAN TO MAKE AN UNBEARABLY LOUD, RYTHMICALLY REPETITIVE SOUND ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE SELLING DEALER, CHERRY HILL IMPORTS, HAS REPEATEDLY LOOKED AT THE PROBLEM AND SAID THERE IS NOTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT THIS SOUND, BUT THE CAR DID NOT DO IT W…

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MY 2004 AUDI A4 3.0 CABRIOLET HAS WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHICH AT ABOUT 8,000 MILES OF WEAR BEGAN TO MAKE AN UNBEARABLY LOUD, RYTHMICALLY REPETITIVE SOUND ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE SELLING DEALER, CHERRY HILL IMPORTS, HAS REPEATEDLY LOOKED AT THE PROBLEM AND SAID THERE IS NOTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT THIS SOUND, BUT THE CAR DID NOT DO IT WHEN IT WAS NEW. IN SEVERE WEATHER , I HAVE RESORTED TO TURNING OFF THE WIPERS FOR A FEW SECONDS AT A TIME IN ORDER NOT TO BE HYPNOTIZED BY THE REPETITIVE SOUND OF THE DEFECT. THIS, OF COURSE, IS A SAFETY HAZARD, BUT I FEEL BEING PUT TO SLEEP WHILE DRIVING IS MORE DANGEROUS, SHOULD THE DEFECT LEAD TO THAT. DEALERSHIPS BESIDES CHERRY HILL IMPORTS HAVE REPLACED THE BLADES ON THE CAR, BUT THE EFFECT OF THIS REMEDY WAS NON-EXISTENT. I FEEL IT IS MY DUTY TO REQUEST THE AID OF THE NHSTA TO SAVE THE LIVES OF AUDI OWNERS WHO LABOR UNDER THIS HAZARD, AS WELL AS MY OWN. THANKS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10104593

31,000 miles · Dec 27, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE PROCEED TO LAUCH FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, THE RPM'S WERE IN THE RED, VEHICHLE HAD TO BE PUT IN NEUTRAL AND ENGINE TURNED OFF IMMEDIATELY TO AVOID DAMAGE. VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, WHEN WE HIT THIRD GEAR, VEHICLE AGAIN LAUCHED FORWARD, PEDAL WAS PRACTICALY GLUED TO THE FLO…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE PROCEED TO LAUCH FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, THE RPM'S WERE IN THE RED, VEHICHLE HAD TO BE PUT IN NEUTRAL AND ENGINE TURNED OFF IMMEDIATELY TO AVOID DAMAGE. VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, WHEN WE HIT THIRD GEAR, VEHICLE AGAIN LAUCHED FORWARD, PEDAL WAS PRACTICALY GLUED TO THE FLOOR, TRYING TO PRY PEDAL UP WITH FOOT WAS NO USE, AGAIN PUT IN NEUTRAL AND PULLED OVER CAR AND TURNED OFF ENGINE. WHEN WE STARTED THE CAR FOR THE THIRD TIME, WE SAT WITH IT IN NEUTRAL AND ENGINE BEGAN TO RAISE. CAR WAS BEING TOWED TO DEALER. WE HAVE NOT HEARD ANY OUTCOME, BUT WE ARE VERY SCARED TO EVER DRIVE THE VEHICLE AGAIN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10104566

Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHEN THE CONSUMER CAME TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE STALLED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10101547

8,500 miles · Oct 1, 2004
Tires

PIRELLI TIRE P235/45R17 DOT XBCUC23640. TIRES ARE EXPERIENCING SIDEWALL BUBBLES.

NHTSA ODI #10094824

8 miles · Sep 28, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE HEATED UP UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING 50 MPH OR GREATER. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR EIGHT DAYS AND FOUND THE SAME FLAW AS THE CONSUMER. MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING UNDER NORMAL RANGE, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. …

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VEHICLE HEATED UP UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING 50 MPH OR GREATER. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR EIGHT DAYS AND FOUND THE SAME FLAW AS THE CONSUMER. MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING UNDER NORMAL RANGE, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK *NM

NHTSA ODI #10088041

22 miles · Sep 11, 2004
StructureInjury

MY 2004 AUDI A4 CONVERTIBLE HAS HAD THE TOP FAIL MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO IDENTIFY OR FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CAR ONLY HAS 4600 MILES ON IT. 1ST INCIDENT WAS IN APRIL 2004 AND CONTINUES TO TODAY. SEPT 9 WWAS THE LAST INCIDENT AND THE CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALER. I NOTIFIED AUDI FOUR TIMES AND HAVE NOT GOTTEN…

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MY 2004 AUDI A4 CONVERTIBLE HAS HAD THE TOP FAIL MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO IDENTIFY OR FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CAR ONLY HAS 4600 MILES ON IT. 1ST INCIDENT WAS IN APRIL 2004 AND CONTINUES TO TODAY. SEPT 9 WWAS THE LAST INCIDENT AND THE CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALER. I NOTIFIED AUDI FOUR TIMES AND HAVE NOT GOTTEN A RESPONSE. THE TOP GETS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION MAKING IT A HAZZARD TO DRIVE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10090827

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.