2010 Audi A5

The contact owns a 2010 Audi A5. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the failure could be related to the catalytic converter, but a diagnostic test was not performed. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced, but the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that her son inspected the vehicle and discovered that all the fluids were low. The fluids were topped off to the proper level. The warning light disappeared; however, the check engine warning light was illuminated a month later. The contact stated that her son completed a diagnostic test and retrieved a fault code for a defective catalytic converter. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,960.

AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON A COLD JANUARY MORNING HERE IN THE MID-ATLANTIC, THE WATER PUMP BROKE AGAIN AFTER AUDI REPLACED IT ABOUT A YEAR AGO. THE COOLANT LEAKED QUICKLY, AND THE "SHUT ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. I WAITED FOR FOUR HOURS BEFORE A TOW TRUCK WAS AVAILABLE. ACCORDING TO MY DEALER, AUDI IS AWARE THAT THESE PLASTIC WATER PUMPS ARE DEFECTIVE BUT DID NOT INFORM AUDI DRIVERS FOR TWO REASONS: 1) THEY DO NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT PARTS IN STOCK TO REPLACE ALL THE PROBABLE DEFECTIVE ONES AND ACCORDING TO REGULATIONS, THEY MUST HAVE AMPLE PARTS BEFORE THEY CAN ISSUE A VOLUNTARY RECALL; AND 2) IT HAS NOT BEEN REQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE THERE ARE INSUFFICIENT COMPLAINTS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BROKEN PUMP WITH ONE THAT IS NOW SUPPOSEDLY MADE OF METAL INSTEAD OF PLASTIC. IT TOOK THEM ONLY A DAY TO GET THE REPLACEMENT PART IN, AS OPPOSED TO A WEEK THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THEY HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH 5-10 CASES OF BROKEN WATER PUMPS EACH WEEK SINCE THE COLD WEATHER STARTED - AUDI A5/Q5S. *TR