Seven problems related to starter have been reported for the 1996 Audi A4. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
: the contact stated the vehicles starter completely failed on two occasions. The first time, the vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop, who replaced the starter. The vehicle was driven back to the contacts residence with no problems. That same day, the contact attempted to start the vehicle and the starter failed again. The vehicle was pushed to the nearby independent repair shop, who determined that the ignition switch was defective, and was the cause for the burnt starter. The contact researched the problem online, and noticed an NHTSA recall #00v317000 regarding, electrical system: ignition: switch. On 10/13/06, the manufacturer was contacted, who confirmed the vehicle was included in the recall, but the period to have the recall work performed had expired.
(1) I received a recall notice (le recall) from Audi of America on the ignition switch on my 1996 A4 sedan. The recall work was performed on 10/10/02. At that point in time the original ignition switch had been performing correctly for 69 months but I had it replaced because of Audi's recommendation; not because it had a malfunction. (2)in October of 2005 the replacement ignition switch failed after exactly 36 months of service. I had problems with the wiper blades and the a/c. Because of the failure I experienced previously on the 1997 Audi I turned the motor off then opened the car door and restarted the motor. I heard what sounded like the starter motor still engaged so I turned the motor off and had the car towed to reeves Audi. (3)reeves Audi replaced the ignition switch and billed me about $661 but after I complained they gave me a 15% discount so I ended up paying about $571 (4)I called Audi of America. They were able to pull up my earlier complaint about the 1997 A4 and created a new file for the 1996 A4 (50407850). However, their final word on the subject was that they stood behind the 15% discount offered to me by reeves Audi. (5)bottom line is that for 2 Audi automobiles I had good ignition switches that had served 59 and 69 months be replaced because of an Audi of America recall and then had the replacement ignition switches fail after 18 and 36 months. I am out of pocket over $2500 for a problem identified by Audi of America and supposedly corrected by reeves Audi of tampa. How can a car manufacturer identify a problem (was it a safety recall), identify corrective action, put out a recall notice and then have the improved part fail in such a short time span. My original ignition switches never did fail. (6)my contention is that Audi did not correct the problem when they performed the recall, in fact they made the problem considerably worse. Audi should bear the responsibility of repairing these ignition switches a 2nd. Time.
There were no crashes and no injuries related to this incident. I purchased a 1996 Audi A4 quattro, VIN wauea88d0ta303087, used on February 7, 2004. On the incident date the ingition switch failed causing damage to the starter motor. The vehicle was taken to our service dealer, midwestern auto group, dublin, ohio where the problem was diagnosed as a failure of the ingition switch housing. This is the exact same failure that initiated a recall campaign, NHTSA campaign id# 00v317000 (Audi campaign code le). The dealer researched the Audi database and discovered that the recall campaign was completed on this vehicle in 2001. Subsequently, the Audi manufacturers representative, to the displeasure of the dealer, has denied any claim on this incident pertaining to the recall. The representative stated that it is Audi's policy that once a recall has been completed on a vehicle, it will not honor any further claims even if the problem is exactly the same. A call to the Audi consumer advocate department confirmed this policy, incident # 40398516. Two issues surface because of this incident. The first issue is the adequacy of the solution to the initial recall. The second issue is Audi's response and policy concerning identical failures of components addressed in a previous recall campaign. The parts are being replaced at my cost and will be retained along with the service invoice.
When trying to start the vehicle, the ignition would not turn. The starter failure was a direct result of the ignition switch. Recall# 00v317000. This was confirmed by the dealer.
Ignition switch was still on when consumer started vehicle. Also, starter didn't return back when engaged from the switch, and air conditioner was blowing slowy and there was a smell coming fron the air conditioner. Consumer took vehicle to the dealership. Mechanic told conssumer that he needed an evaporator , and it was leaking coolant.
Ignition switch failed and caused starter to go. Vehicle wouldn't start at all. Dealership was aware of problem.
Ignition switch did not return from starter engaged position, starter stayed engaged which lead to its failure after problem occured several times. Also, headlights, turn signals and a/c system did not work. Apparently other models of Audis were subject to a safety recall for the same problem. Why not the A4? repair cost: $800. 00.