Car back in to dealer again. Not too happy with Audi.

[Fatbloke]

Hi All

My car is still under warranty and was back in again today for the intermittently sticking handbrake, the notchy (worst in 2nd and 4th) gear changes. They have reset the handbrake again (3 or 4 times now) and adjusted the gear linkages (2nd time now). I am picking the car back up tomorrow and hope it is fixed but not holding my breath. I have had the problems for around a year and a half.

The other issues are the brightness on the MMI screen flickering, even when sitting in traffic (so no shadows from trees on light sensor etc) and just recently the steering creaking.

The last 2 issues, (MMI also at least a year and a half) seemingly are normal operation as stated in bulletin documentation from Audi. Seemingly I can see the documentation but cannot get a copy. I am really not happy about this response. The car wasn't sold to me with these "features" highlighted.

From this and other forums, the handbrake and gear change issues seem to be quite common. I have read that Audi know about these and there is no fix for the handbrake and the gearchange issue is often the synchromesh. Would you agree with this ?

I also read that Audi bought a car back from a customer because of the dodgy handbrake.

One time I had to call out the breakdown mechanic because of the handbrake. He stated that Audi have removed the entries in the software to release the handbrake at a certain clutch position and that Audi are writing new software to fix the issue but that was several months ago.

I hate to think how much of my clutch is burnt away trying to get the car moving with the handbrake stuck.

Anyone else having these issues?

 

[Carefree69]

So far no, sorry.

Maybe yours is a classic Friday afternoon car

 

[Leevr]

I had the reverse gear issue of the lever not sitting properly in the gate, but always reverse worked great. The lever would clunk as it jumped vertically up. Sometimes it would be impossible to get 1st needed 2nd then 1st. A dealer cable adjust has as far as I'm concerned sorted it out and the cold 2nd gear notchyness is much reduced. Handbrake sometimes does not release if im in reverse with the clutch. But with a press of the footbrake it releases first time. No other issues that you've highlighted. I hope you get to the bottom of them all mate.

 

[Svenedin]

I don't have any issues with the MMI screen at all. I have an S-tronic rather than a manual and the handbrake is problem free. However, I drove a manual VW Golf with an electronic handbrake (it was a hire car in Austria) and it was an absolute nightmare, especially in the Alps. The ****** thing would not let go but sometimes it would too soon and on a steep slope that is not amusing. It seemed to need a certain "knack" which I had almost acquired towards the end of a two week holiday although I still loathed the handbrake.

 

[RichardT]

Hi All

I hate to think how much of my clutch is burnt away trying to get the car moving with the handbrake stuck.

Anyone else having these issues?

Do you mean it does not auto-release? If so, why not knock it off manually if you are concerned about the clutch. I do this anyway because I don’t like how it auto-releases. A bit jerky, though it does always work fine.

 

[Fatbloke]

Do you mean it does not auto-release? If so, why not knock it off manually if you are concerned about the clutch. I do this anyway because I don’t like how it auto-releases. A bit jerky, though it does always work fine.

Yes, the auto release. It sometimes does it on a hill so having your foot on the brake and clutch and hitting the release button causes it to roll back while you get your foot back on the throttle. Not a good situation and the point is it should work correctly.

Sometimes dipping the clutch a second time makes it realise you want to go but sometimes it's 3 or 4 times dipping the clutch before it realises. When it works, it works well but every few days it acts up, sometimes for most of the day. I cannot trust it.

Another issue is sometimes on a hill without me putting the brake on manually, it can go on itself while I have my foot on the brake pedal and hold the car for several (4 or 5) seconds when I am trying to pull away on the hill then all of a sudden releases and shoots forward. I can't release it manually because the handbrake light is not on so it's not actually in a condition to put it off.

The handbrake not working correctly is dangerous.

 

[Matt Titanium]

Another issue is sometimes on a hill without me putting the brake on manually, it can go on itself while I have my foot on the brake pedal and hold the car for several (4 or 5) seconds when I am trying to pull away on the hill then all of a sudden releases and shoots forward. I can't release it manually because the handbrake light is not on so it's not actually in a condition to put it off.

The handbrake not working correctly is dangerous.

All 8V A3s have hill hold. (not to be confused with hold assist) The car should hold the brakes on for around five seconds when you take your foot off the brake to stop you rolling back. Both the handbrake and hill hold should release seamlessly when you set off. All the Audi I've driven have worked great to the point you don't even know it's happening.
If yours is sticking on it's faulty and Audi should rectify it under warranty.

 

[AStalUK]

I’ve had a similar problem with my handbrake sticking, it’s been happening since I brought the car in May last year. The car has been in a number of times, the last one following a letter of complaint to the Directors office and still feels no closer to resolution. I’m due back at the dealers to collect the car. They’ve had it for over a week and the handbrake has been fine whilst in their possession, guarantee after a week the issue will reoccur.

 

[Fatbloke]

All 8V A3s have hill hold. (not to be confused with hold assist) The car should hold the brakes on for around five seconds when you take your foot off the brake to stop you rolling back. Both the handbrake and hill hold should release seamlessly when you set off. All the Audi I've driven have worked great to the point you don't even know it's happening.
If yours is sticking on it's faulty and Audi should rectify it under warranty.

It's been in several times under warranty. Normally they can find no fault although they have witnessed it sticking on and it was witnessed by the breakdown guy. It's been "reset" about 4 times.

Got it back last Saturday. Handbrake has been not bad since although it did hesitate to go off in a timely manner once. They adjusted the gear linkages and 2nd and 4th are a bit better but still occasionally a bit notchy/crunchy going into gear, especially 2nd.

Luckily although no fault found on the flickering MMI screen, it was flickering before I left and they witnessed it. They are looking into the issue now and checking other cars to see if it's a "characteristic". If it is, then Audi has gone down even further in my estimation.

The creaky steering, was explained as squeaky rubber driveshaft boots. Upon further discussion they realised this was not the case. I have to monitor it.

It's a different guy I was dealing with in the dealer last week and he does seem genuinely interested in getting things fixed. Actually a very decent bloke.

The car is to go back in a couple of weeks for further MMI investigation and anything else not fixed.

 

[Fatbloke]

I am still having problems with my handbrake sticking on. Now there's an intermittent shudder from the clutch when picking away (obviously the dealer cant find any fault) and the rear disks and pads are now "corroded and scored and need to be replaced as it could be causing the handbrake problem", at a cost of £385.

I doubt this will fix the issue.

Anyone managed to find out a fix for the handbrake issue?

 

[wab172uk]

I am still having problems with my handbrake sticking on. Now there's an intermittent shudder from the clutch when picking away (obviously the dealer cant find any fault) and the rear disks and pads are now "corroded and scored and need to be replaced as it could be causing the handbrake problem", at a cost of £385.

I doubt this will fix the issue.

Anyone managed to find out a fix for the handbrake issue?

I've just had my rear discs and pads replaced due to corroding and scoring. They said it was due to lack of use !!!!!

I've found in the past. If you hand the car over to a dealer to find a fault, they won't. Insist on going out with a mechanic, and sure as s*** they'll find it. He can't say otherwise if you're sat right next to him.

 

[Fatbloke]

They have seen the fault. It wouldn't release while in their car park. It was a while ago and they still couldn't fix it.

Did you have to pay for the disks and pads or was it done under warranty?

They have had 2 years to fix it and haven't. The warranty runs out at the end of October. I think Audi just fob you off until the warranty runs out.
Skoda on the other hand give fantastic customer service and fix issues.

 

[Pook]

I think it’s important not to generalise. I’ve had 3 Audi’s now including one (successful) car rejection, and the dealership and service department could not be better in any regard. My wife’s VW experience however, polar opposite, dreadful. And ironically enough both part of the same group. Sorry to hear your specific dealer/service dept has not lived up to expectation. I have stuck with the brand myself because of the good treatment.

 

[Audi Ashley]

Have you spoken to Audi UK about it, I contacted them and got a complaint ticket logged and they where on the ball and chased the dealership daily.

 

[AlS3BE]

I think it’s important not to generalise. I’ve had 3 Audi’s now including one (successful) car rejection, and the dealership and service department could not be better in any regard. My wife’s VW experience however, polar opposite, dreadful. And ironically enough both part of the same group. Sorry to hear your specific dealer/service dept has not lived up to expectation. I have stuck with the brand myself because of the good treatment.

I totally agree with this.
Some dealers are great regardless what brand and some are just a pain even the premium brand ones.
It’s like arny Clark gets slated a lot. I bought 3 cars from them previously, used and new, and never had an issue with warranty or service. They even help me get a new gearbox when my car was 6 years old. Then there’s the other end of the scale where they say they will call back about an issue and 6 months on not a squeak from them even though you have chased it up daily/weekly till you log a complain with Audi then they call back and still fail to resolve the issue.

 

[wab172uk]

I think it’s important not to generalise. I’ve had 3 Audi’s now including one (successful) car rejection, and the dealership and service department could not be better in any regard. My wife’s VW experience however, polar opposite, dreadful. And ironically enough both part of the same group. .

Tried rejecting my Golf GTI. VW and the dealer didn't want to know. Sold it and took a huge hit

I'm just about to phone the dealer who's had my car for the last 6 weeks. Found both rear alloys have been chipped. Not kerbed. Looks like something has been dropped on them.

Unfortunately I didn't inspect the alloys before I drove off. £50 they'll not be interested.

 

[wab172uk]

They have seen the fault. It wouldn't release while in their car park. It was a while ago and they still couldn't fix it.

Did you have to pay for the disks and pads or was it done under warranty?

They have had 2 years to fix it and haven't. The warranty runs out at the end of October. I think Audi just fob you off until the warranty runs out.
Skoda on the other hand give fantastic customer service and fix issues.

Discs and pads are down as wear & tear items. You'll never get them replaced under warranty unless something goes wrong very quickly with them.

 

[Pook]

Tried rejecting my Golf GTI. VW and the dealer didn't want to know. Sold it and took a huge hit

I'm just about to phone the dealer who's had my car for the last 6 weeks. Found both rear alloys have been chipped. Not kerbed. Looks like something has been dropped on them.

Unfortunately I didn't inspect the alloys before I drove off. £50 they'll not be interested.

That sucks

 

[Ron240]

Found both rear alloys have been chipped. Not kerbed. Looks like something has been dropped on them.
Unfortunately I didn't inspect the alloys before I drove off. £50 they'll not be interested.

As above that indeed does suck big time!
You just cant trust anybody to do a competent and honest job nowadays....which is a shame for the good ones out there that get tarred with the same brush.
Unfortunately as you know, you have no proof now that the damage hasn't occurred since you left the dealership.

 

[AlS3BE]

Discs and pads are down as wear & tear items. You'll never get them replaced under warranty unless something goes wrong very quickly with them.

Disc and pads is 6 months or 6000 miles. Outside that you are on your own.

 

[wab172uk]

As above that indeed does suck big time!
You just cant trust anybody to do a competent and honest job nowadays....which is a shame for the good ones out there that get tarred with the same brush.
Unfortunately as you know, you have no proof now that the damage hasn't occurred since you left the dealership.

photo's sent to dealer this morning. Will await the response.

 

[Adam14]

photo's sent to dealer this morning. Will await the response.

Fingers crossed, I had a similar issue where a wheel place scored the outside of my alloys when fitting tyres. My word against theirs. I now take dated photos before services, tyre changes etc and walk round with the mechanic/fitter as well to ensure any damage falls solely on them.

 

[Fatbloke]

Have you spoken to Audi UK about it, I contacted them and got a complaint ticket logged and they where on the ball and chased the dealership daily.

Tried that at the start and complained for months. Not interested. It's also been in a different dealership and they couldn't fix the handbrake either. At the time they also checked out the very notchy/clunky gear change especially into 2nd. Their opinion was " its notchy to stop it jumping out of gear". I wonder why all of the courtesy cars with smooth gear changes don't keep jumping out of gear????

Its booked back in to the nearest dealer again in a couple of weeks for the handbrake (been sticking on for last few days but ok today) and the notchy gear change. I suspect they will just blame the corroded and scored rear disks and pads for the hand brake. A run with a mechanic a while ago actually got a comment that the notchy gearbox could have a syncro issue and he would write up a report. No report done or at least that's what the tell me now.

It will just be fob off until October when the warranty runs out although it's been in umpteen times for the same unresolved issues.

 

[Ron240]

It will just be fob off until October when the warranty runs out although it's been in umpteen times for the same unresolved issues.

This shouldn't be a problem, because if there is a genuine unresolved issue during the warranty period they cannot simply disregard it when the warranty expires.

 

[Fatbloke]

This shouldn't be a problem, because if there is a genuine unresolved issue during the warranty period they cannot simply disregard it when the warranty expires.

You would think that but going by the way they have been so far......

 

[HOGG]

Just take the car back and hand them the keys. Get a full refund and buy another car.....

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[RichardT]

It’s nearly 3 years old, so he can’t do that unless it’s come to the end of it’s finance agreement.

 

[Adam14]

Might be in VT territory as an option

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