Resolved Audi A4 problem seems to be international

I HAVE the following problem with my son’s Audi A4. In short, he had an engine failure and his car was towed to the Audi dealership where the car has been serviced.

They identified a timing chain problem, which I found very suspect. Therefore I went to see them personally.

Actually I went to see them twice, but they insisted it was a correct diagnosis.

I then advised my son to have the car removed and taken to a general garage.

There they identified quickly that the problem was not the timing chain, but that engine coolant had found its way into the car’s wiring system and into the engine management computer.

I then contacted the Audi dealership owner/principal and made him aware of the incorrect diagnosis. He requested the car back so he himself could analyse this. He then confirmed the diagnosis from the other service station.

I went to see him with my concerns about the fact that in my opinion this was a manufacturing fault, because water and electrics should never be able to get together, especially in today’s electronically controlled cars.

I told him that I am aware that cars can always break down, but never in this way, because without any warning your engine could stop and this could be the trigger for any accident.

He promised me he would take this to the next Audi management meeting.

However, digging a little on the internet, I found this problem had manifested itself identically in the US with the Audi A8 2012/2013 models. There were cases where engine coolant was found in the tail lights. Audi US and Canada recalled all Audi A8 2012/13 models for a part replacement.

They identify exactly the same problems as with my son’s Audi A4, and prohibited any dealer in the US/Canada to sell any of these vehicles, new or pre-owned, without the modification suggested in the document. This recall was dated end 2016.

I now know that there could be none or many more Audi A4s on our roads where this failure could surface. I have entered online a complaint to Audi with my concerns.

Brunings later wrote: This has been a much better day for me, as at last my son’s car is on the road again without any warning lights, after almost three months of disaster. I suspected that you had made contact with VW, after I received a call from, I think his name was Alex, because you were the only person who I had given my phone numbers. This was after my son had written on their Audi Facebook page and they were not interested. Therefore I have to thank you very much, as it looks that they have much respect for you.

I cannot report what kind of deal they are prepared to make with my son as he was requested to send them all invoices for cost he had paid for, so I will let you know as soon as I have that information. Yesterday his car was finally “fixed” at no extra cost.

There is one important issue from my side, and that is the fact that they said that they are investigating the correlations between the US/Canada safety recall, and my son’s case.

For the safety of all motorists with identical models and possible others as well, I would like to see some kind of action, to give me peace of mind that I have done all I can to prevent this defect to cause any harm to any other motorist, or at least prevent extreme damage to their vehicles as what happened to this Audi A4 2012 model.

During the last few weeks there were moments I thought that we were fighting a losing battle and had a feeling that nobody was interested in our case.

As a consumer you feel useless and powerless against these big boys, but you have proven me wrong.

Thank you again for assisting us with this issue.

Hans and Yari Brunings