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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
57,650 miles · May 16, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

THERE WAS NO APPARENT SIGN OF THE FAILURE UNTIL TO THE MORNING OF WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A WHIRRING NOISE FROM NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 15 MILES THAT MORNING THE CAR SPUTTERED AND THE ENGINE QUIT AS THOUGH IT WERE OUT OF GAS. FORTUNATELY I WAS IN A LOW TRAFFIC AREA AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF T…

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THERE WAS NO APPARENT SIGN OF THE FAILURE UNTIL TO THE MORNING OF WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A WHIRRING NOISE FROM NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 15 MILES THAT MORNING THE CAR SPUTTERED AND THE ENGINE QUIT AS THOUGH IT WERE OUT OF GAS. FORTUNATELY I WAS IN A LOW TRAFFIC AREA AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD SAFELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER AND CHARGED MORE THAN $500.00 TO DO SO. THE DEALERSHIP RETAINED THE OLD PART.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10190882

47,000 miles · Mar 28, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

ACCELERATOR STUCK FULL OPEN WHILE IT WAS PUSHED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN ACCELERATING ONTO A FREEWAY. HAD TO STAND ON THE BRAKES WITH ONE FOOT AND STOMP REPEATEDLY ON THE ACCELERATOR WITH THE OTHER UNTIL THE ACCELERATOR RELEASED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10186336

32,000 miles · Dec 13, 2006
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrash

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IMMOBILE ON A PRIVATE WINTER RESORT ROAD, IT WAS RAMMED BY THE VEHICLE COMING BEHIND AND PUSHED HIM FORWARD HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE FRONT DRIVER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID THE SEAT BELT RESTRAIN THE CONTA…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IMMOBILE ON A PRIVATE WINTER RESORT ROAD, IT WAS RAMMED BY THE VEHICLE COMING BEHIND AND PUSHED HIM FORWARD HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE FRONT DRIVER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID THE SEAT BELT RESTRAIN THE CONTACT. THE SECURITY PERSONNEL OF THE RESORT WAS PRESENT BUT THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT WAS VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. UPDATED 02/13/07. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10176078

25,334 miles · Nov 16, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH UPHILL ON A STREET, UPON MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 40 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT APPLIED BRAKE PRESSURE WHICH STOPPED THE ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

NHTSA ODI #10173654

40,200 miles · Nov 15, 2006
Power Train

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AT A REDUCED SPEED AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. ADDITIONALLY, UPON INITIAL ACCELERATION THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS SLUGGISH WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CLUTCH BODY …

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AT A REDUCED SPEED AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. ADDITIONALLY, UPON INITIAL ACCELERATION THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS SLUGGISH WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CLUTCH BODY AND FLUID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTERWARDS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. *AK UPDATED 12/15/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ODI #10173601

49,000 miles · Nov 9, 2006
Air Bags

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED WATER ENTERED INTO THE AIRBAG CONTACTS LOCATED UNDER THE CUP HOLDER. TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM THE CONTACTS WERE CLEANED.

NHTSA ODI #10173034

27,000 miles · Nov 5, 2006
Steering

I BEGAN TO NOTICE A RATTLE IN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP. IT SEEMED TO COME FROM THE SUSPENSION. AT THE SAME TIME I NOTICED A SLIGHT THUMP IN THE STEERING WHEN STATIONARY AND SLIGHTLY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. AS THE RATTLE WAS GETTING WORSE, I TOOK THE CAR IN TO GET IT CHECKED. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT TH…

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I BEGAN TO NOTICE A RATTLE IN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP. IT SEEMED TO COME FROM THE SUSPENSION. AT THE SAME TIME I NOTICED A SLIGHT THUMP IN THE STEERING WHEN STATIONARY AND SLIGHTLY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. AS THE RATTLE WAS GETTING WORSE, I TOOK THE CAR IN TO GET IT CHECKED. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE STEERING RACK HAD LOOSENED AT ONE END. IT WAS TORQUED DOWN AND LOCK-TIGHT PUT ON THE BOLT. I AM FEARFUL OF WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED HAD THE RACK FAILED ENTIRELY. I HAVE APPROXIMATELY 27,000 MILES ON CAR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10172661

14,000 miles · Oct 5, 2006
Equipment

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE USING THE JACK ON LEVEL GROUND IT BENT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FALL. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED.

NHTSA ODI #10170022

45,000 miles · Jul 23, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

I AM HAVING ONGOING MAJOR ISSUES (EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY) WITH MY AUDI A4 CABRIOLET WITH NO RESOLUTION FROM MY LOCAL DEALER OR AUDI CUSTOMER CARE AGENTS. I HAVE HAD MY CAR TOWED THREE TIMES IN THREE MONTHS. MOST RECENTLY(JULY 21) MY CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE, LEAVING ME STRANDED 2.5 HOURS FROM HOME. THE ENGINE STARTED TO "SKIP" AND "MI…

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I AM HAVING ONGOING MAJOR ISSUES (EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY) WITH MY AUDI A4 CABRIOLET WITH NO RESOLUTION FROM MY LOCAL DEALER OR AUDI CUSTOMER CARE AGENTS. I HAVE HAD MY CAR TOWED THREE TIMES IN THREE MONTHS. MOST RECENTLY(JULY 21) MY CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE, LEAVING ME STRANDED 2.5 HOURS FROM HOME. THE ENGINE STARTED TO "SKIP" AND "MISS" THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THE CHECK OIL INDICATOR CAME ON. I MANAGED TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY INTO A PARKING LOT. THE PERSON WITH ME CAN VERIFY THAT THE ENGINE/CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS BOUNCING OR VIBRATING. PRIOR TO THAT, MY CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSTATE 264 IN NORFOLK, VA. IT WAS A NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF THAT HIGHWAY. THE CAR STALLED WHEN I WAS LEAVING WORK. I DECIDED TO TRY TO MAKE IT HOME ONCE IT RESTARTED. ONCE I STARTED TO ACCELERATE ONTO THE INTERSTATE, THE CAR WOULD SPORADICALLY ACCELERATE. IT FELT LIKE A "STOP AND GO" SITUATION. IT PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE OVER A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 300 YARDS, FINALLY STALLING. THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD NO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. AUDI REFUSED ANY FURTHER ACTION ON MY CAR AFTER REPEATED REQUESTS. THE FIRST TIME MY CAR WAS TOWED WAS FROM MY OWN LOCAL STREET: THE SAFEST PLACE OF THREE LOCATIONS WHERE I'VE BEEN TOWED. THE DEALER MAINTAINS THEY CAN NOT FIND A PROBLEM FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD TOWS. I FEAR FOR MY OWN SAFETY TO RIDE IN THIS AUDI CAR. FAMILY MEMBERS NOW REFUSE TO RIDE IN THIS PRODUCT. FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS HAVE WITNESSED THE PROBLEMS FIRST HAND AS WELL. I HAVE MADE REPEATED REQUESTS TO AUDIO CUSTOMER CARE TO: 1. GET THE CAR REPAIRED PROPERLY 2. REPLACE THE ENGINE 3. EXTEND THE WARRANTY 4. OFFER A REASONABLE TRADE-IN 5. BUY BACK THE CAR I HAVE BEEN REJECTED ALL ALONG THE WAY. I AM AGAIN BEGGING AND PLEADING FOR SOMEONE AT AUDI TO OFFER REASONABLE HELP HERE. I'M NOT ASKING FOR MUCH. I'M SIMPLY ASKING FOR A CAR THAT RUNS TO ANY ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS WHERE I CAN BELIEVE I AM SAFE. PLEASE HELP. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10163226

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2006
Power Train

2004 AUDI A4 3.0 CABRIOLET DOES NOT MOVE WHEN SHIFTED INTO GEAR. *TS ***NAR***

NHTSA ODI #10157350

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.