Cruise Control problems of the 2004 Audi A4

I was driving my 2004 Audi A4 (1. 8, convertible) on a local road at approx 30mph, when the accelerator suddenly dropped from under my foot and the car accelerated very rapidly. It felt like the cruise control had come on by itself (the cruise control was completely off at the time). I put the car in neutral and pulled over. When I shut the car off, the gas pedal popped up and felt normal. When I turned the car back on several times, it continued to immediately accelerate all the way with the gas pedal dropping to the floor. The car is now being towed to a mechanic. Had I been in a tighter situation at the time, it could've been ugly.

On three separate occasions over the past 3 years, we have lost control of acceleration in our 2004 A4. I have pressed my accelerator to pass on a highway and the accelerator continues to go down increasing speed of car against my will. . . . On first two occasions I was able to pump breaks and kick gas pedal for release (and assumed it was a mat issue, however I started to question that issue on the second occasion after inspection of my mat and I also felt like the pedal pressed away from my foot all its own, like on cruise control even thought my cc was not on). . . . However tonight my husband was driving and the same thing happened accelerating from a red light, since I had experience with this problem I knew to flip it into neutral. . . However engine continued to rev at high rpms once we got to the side of the road, turned car off and on. . . Still rev'd up. Finally on the second time turning car off and on again we proceeded home and car drove fine. This is the car I drive my children in and I have come across many similar incidence online which is how I found this site. . . I want to get rid of car but have reservations about selling it to someone else. All incidences online that I come across Audi dealerships does nothing, I plan to take my car in tomorrow as I now know for sure it is not a mat issue. Did we not just deal with this same issue with Toyota.

1. On November 4th, I traveled early in the day from pittsburgh to altoona, PA using my cruise control often on the highways and roads. I returned to pittsburgh after work and I picked up my daughter at school around 5 pm. We drove and went to dinner. We drove and attended an event at 7:30 pm. 2. Following the college admissions event around 9:00 pm, we drove several miles to our home. As we were leaving downtown pittsburgh, and one mile from our home, the car's accelerator pedal remained down on its own, pushing the car forward. I stood on the brake to stop the car as we came to a stop light. I took my foot off the brake and the accelerator pedal remained in the down position with the car accelerating on its own. I once again stopped the car by standing on the brake. I then tried to lift the pedal physically with my hand and foot, believing that would help. I also tried moving the mat. The car had been inspected two weeks earlier and the mat lock was not put back on. The car was moving on its own. I stopped the car by standing on the brake, put it in park and the engine revved very high and I quickly turned off the engine. This had never happened before in the nearly 2 year history of owning the car. For one mile, the car's accelerator was stuck to the floor of the vehicle. 3. In the morning, I called the dealership that services the car and had conducted the inspection two weeks earlier. I used my aaa service to tow the car into the dealership. The tow truck driver did start the car and the pedal was no longer stuck. The dealership was unable to recreate the event and returned my car in one week stating they had opened a file, contacted the manufacturer, and that I could come and take my car back and drive it. It appeared they drove it 35 miles in that time period. I am driving the car and I have not used my cruise control. I remain concerned for the safety of myself, my family and my community. I am not sure what I should do.

Driving south on NJ turnpike at approx 65mph. Attempt to pull to left lane and pass, driver presses on gas pedal and the pedal drops completely to floor and car accelerates out of control. Through heavy brake application car is slowed and pulled to shoulder and stopped. Ignition immediately turned to off. After chance to calm down, driver restarts car and gas pedal now operates normally. This situation has occurred 5 times in the 5 years car has been owned to 2 different drivers. Last episode occurred only 3 weeks after previous instance. In all cases, cruise control lever was in on condition but not activated, car was being driven by manual gas operation. This is not the 1980s Audi sudden acceleration at start up. Crash was avoided because passenger is a certified high performance driving instructor and was able to calmly issue instructions. This issue was reported to dealer when car was under warranty but nothing was done. It has been intermittent but increasing in frequency. It is most likely a electrical flaw (wiring?) in the cruise control system. As well as a certified instructor, owner is an electrical engineer. First time it happened October 2006 and car had less than 40500 miles.