16th Jun 2005, 16:23
How much were your repairs for damage to the engine due to the broken timing belt?
25th Jun 2005, 10:08
You can get more information about the class action law suit by calling 1-877-451-2124, or by email to the Class Counsel at AudiA4settlement@bm.net.
24th Jul 2005, 11:45
More than 2 years ago a class-action lawsuit alleging defective timing belts on all 1997-1999 Audi A4s with 1.8-liter turbo engines had been filed in New Jersey. The company chose not to warn its customers about the potential danger until a preliminary settlement was reached in May.
Edward "Ted" Millstein, a lawyer with Berger & Montague in Philadelphia who helped file the class-action case against Audi.
19th Oct 2005, 15:29
Hello there I was wondering if you faced the same problem I am facing with the gear ratios? They’re a bit too long with my automatic transmission. At times it'll go up to 5000 rpm before the next gear change. Just want to know if this is normal or should I get it checked out?
Thank you.
12th Dec 2005, 05:05
The timing belt on my sister's '00 a-4 snapped. Dealer told her $4k for repairs. She went way beyond the change interval. Is anyone familiar with the associated engine damage? Is the damage to the exhaust valves only or can I expect the pistons to be scrap too? Probably need to bore scope to see the extent of the damage.
Sister can't afford the repair. Cheaper to trade in. I can get the car for the trade in value, whatever that is.
I drive a Volvo 850 and the last time I put a timing belt on that car it took me about an hour and twenty and that's with a coffee break. Are the Audi's that much more difficult?
Tight clearances on engine components (interference fit) increases performance. As a rule of thumb, don't keep them (timing belts) on longer that 80% of their recommended service life.
TTFN, Carl.
26th Dec 2005, 13:28
In 2001 I purchased a 1998 Audi A4 1.8T. I checked consumer reports and asked lots of questions to Audi owners. I also asked dealers about the overall satisfaction on Audi A4’s. I was never informed of any problems at that time or ever. I found out from my own problems that this car is a pocketbook nightmare. I have had so many problems with my Audi that I decided to sell the car and cut my losses. While giving a test drive to a prospective purchaser, he asked if I ever had problems with the timing belt or if I was involved in the class action lawsuit against Audi. I did not have a clue what he was talking about. When I returned home I decided to investigate the issue. I found many related stories and thousands of owners with similar or the same problem (typically a timing belt breaking and causing more that $2,500+ in damages). I am still in the process of finding information about the class action suit and continuing to pay for the repairs on my car. Oil leaks are also a common problem after repairs. I have had my car in 3 times since the new belt. In my opinion this car has been the worst investment I have ever made. If anyone out there has more information about the Audi class action suit I would appreciate it.
4th Jan 2006, 09:41
Mr. AUDI MECHANIC, you have obviously been indoctrinated in the AUDI way of blaming customers for AUDI’s quality shortcomings. I have the same problems (timing belt) with my car and so have numerous others in NJ and other states. I have not abused my car and it has been maintained diligently. A class action suit has actually been settled in NJ. You and whoever wrote, “If you can’t afford to have the car repaired you shouldn’t own it” obviously are ignorant of this (and probably many other things in this world). It is not about the MONEY, it is about the principle of paying for a product’s perceived quality and being shortchanged. It is about standing behind the quality of your product and not giving in to corporate greed. AUDI had a terrible problem in the 80’s with their shortcomings in quality and they apparently have not learned from their mistakes. It is time for AUDI to stand behind the quality of their product and do the right thing and pay for ALL damages related to their products’ failings. It is also time for you both to buy an AUDI and get stuck with thousands of dollars in repair bills.
4th Jan 2006, 22:45
I also have timing belt problem. It broke and the engine died when I was driving at 65mph on the highway. Audi needs to address this issue immediately. They simply cannot ignore this problem. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will look into this problem if we can provide them documentation. Otherwise, Audi and the dealers, like my Audi dealer in Tyson's Corner, VA, will continue to ignore this problem.
24th Jan 2006, 21:32
Why is such a big deal (NJ lawsuit etc) being made out of the timing belt failures? When the tensioner on my 98 failed at 55k miles killing the belt, Audi replaced both for free even though it was well out of warranty, no argument needed at all. How could they refuse to fix all these other cars if a belt broke before its recommended replacement time?
27th Jan 2006, 10:31
I think that the big deal with the belt failures is that after the NJ class action lawsuit, AUDI sent out a recall letter and with that action, basically wants to wash their hands off any occurrences after the letter was sent. AUDI rejected my claim vehemently and had my car sitting in a shop for 3.5 weeks after the belt broke. The only way I got them to shoulder the repair costs on the car was when I called my state attorney general’s office. A day after my state AG office called, repair on my car was “magically” approved by AUDI corporate and I had the car back in a day and a half. To anyone and everyone who had to pay for repairs or are staring at repairs due to timing belt failure before its 90K recommended service, CALL YOUR STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL’s office, ask for the LEGAL INVESTIGATOR in charge of AUTO, tell them about your situation send them the website for the NJ Class action lawsuit and have them call AUDI. Give them all the information they need (AUDI contacts-both corporate and local dealers, numbers etc and make it easy for them). This should trigger action from AUDI. Please forward this to any AUDI website, blog etc that concerns this issue. Spread the word please….the more repairs they have to shoulder, the more it hurts their pocket…
There’s a reason why the advertising for AUDI says, “never follow”…that’s because their cars might just break down at any time.
13th Jun 2005, 12:21
I have a 2001 A4 1.8T and I am now told that the timing belt needs to be changed at 60k miles. During the 60k service, they noted oil on my timing belt which indicates a leak or bad seal. The oil will weaken the belt. They must know they have a problem with it.
Anybody have more info on the class action?
Henry.