
David of Washington, DC on Jan. 23, 2006
In early December I bought a new Audi A3. I thought the A3 was exactly what I was looking for, and I was excited when I drove it home. That is where my love with Audi has started to go downhill. The very first night, a check engine light came on, so I had to schedule an appointment to have the car come in, not a big deal because they had to install the in-dash CD player, so I wasn't concerned. Then, about a week later, the car wouldn't start. So, I called Audi Roadside service, they came out and towed the car to the dealership. Well, in that process, because they used a standard tow and not a flat bed, a piece of protective plastic was broken under the front driver’s side.
I was on my way to my parent’s house for Christmas when this was discovered, so, that Monday, I took the poor car from Southern MD back to the dealership. Now, I will commend the service guy, he has been great to work with, but once I got the car in, it took about an hour (which is pretty good considering they were busy). I was told everything was fixed, and I was on my way back to DC. I got to the 14th street bridge, and lo and behold, I heard that awful thumping noise and knew there was still a problem. So, back AGAIN I went to the dealership.
This time, the crew removed whatever the damaged piece was and they put in an order for a new one. The service guy also informed me to call and file a claim, which I did that day. So, finally I thought things would get better......I thought wrong. The next episode, I get a call that the part is in, so my partner took the car to get the part replaced. When he gets there, he then finds out that Audi Roadside hasn't made payment arrangements, so while the part is in, it cannot be installed on the car. Oh, and it gets better. I begin calling Audi Roadside to find out what the delay is and they tell me that the dealership on Gallup Road has no idea what I am talking about. I kindly informed them that the dealershop was not located there, they are on Mt. Vernon.
For the last two weeks, they have been calling the wrong dealership! Now, to add further insult to injury, as we were driving down to visit our parents on Saturday, we hear this noisy grinding sound coming from under the car. I'll give you a chance to guess what it was. It wasn't the driver’s side; it was the identical piece on the passenger’s side! Apparently, when the dealership removed the driver's side, there were some bolts that held the passengers side in place. Now that side is ruined and will need replaced. So, again, I call Audi Roadside but this time, I can't file a claim with them, I have to file it with the dealership! Do you have any idea how frustrated and upset I am with Audi at this point in time?
I traded in a 2004 Saturn and a 2003 Passat. Two cars that I never had any problems with at all. I love my A3, I really do, but, I am not sure if I can handle anymore problems with it. If it were up to me, I would bring the car back and demand a replacement immediately. I wouldn't even care if I had to go to arbitration or the courts. I spent a lot of money for a brand new car. New… not pre-owned, pre-certified, not used....a brand new 2006. I would have expected not to have a single problem with a new car.
Now, I think that there is an easy and simple way to rectify this situation. Fix my car ~ All of it. And, I shouldn't have to wait for Audi to pay Audi. It is not my fault that the car wouldn't start; the keys "lost their memory". Again, something that shouldn't happen with a new car. It was an Audi contractor that towed the car, not me. I simply want to be able to enjoy my new car. It has spent more time either parked because it is broken, or at the dealership trying to be fixed. I would just like someone to call me, tell me to bring the car in, and I don't want it back until it is 100% complete and fixed as it should be. I am just afraid that if it comes back again, something else will break on it.