Audi
A7

When I have a passenger riding with me the passenger airbag cuts on and off the whole time while I’m driving. This is a major safety concern especially when I have passengers all the time. I’m concerned the airbag will not deploy during an accident.

Component/System Malfunction: The engine control unit fails, causing the engine to shut off unexpectedly while driving. This component is available for inspection. Safety Risk: The sudden shutdown poses severe risks. It happened on local roads and highways at speeds over 65 mph, creating immediate danger. Reproduction and Confirmation: The problem has been reproduced but not resolved by Audi Columbus. Inspection: Inspected multiple times by Audi Columbus, but not by police or insurance. Warning Lamps/Symptoms: No warning lamps or messages before the engine shuts off; the failure is sudden. Detailed Timeline of Incidents: •[XXX]: First incident; the engine shut off on a local road. Paid $1,500 for repairs, but the issue persisted. •[XXX]: Engine shut off again, preventing going to office due to lack of loaner vehicles. •[XXX]: Engine shut off on the highway, causing extreme fear and distress. Vehicle towed to the service center. The engine shut off in a high-crime area. Restarted vehicle message came on, Vehicle towed from work place. Service Center Issues: •Shutdowns prevent work due to no loaners. •Service advisor Ellis declined services without permission and acting like he has no idea why the vehicle is there even though he is the same service advisor dealing with the constant issue. •No effective resolution despite multiple visits. Impact: The repeated issues severely affect my mental health and safety. Request for Resolution: I seek either a replacement vehicle or a full refund. I urge NHTSA to investigate this defect to prevent accidents. Supporting Evidence: I can provide once contacted Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to your response. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2016 Audi A7. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel stopped operating and the "Do Not Drive Vehicle, Steering Defective" message was displayed. The vehicle was pulled into a parking lot where the vehicle restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the vehicle needed to be taken to the dealer as soon as possible. The contact discovered an unknown Technical Service Bulletin however, the vehicle was not included. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with an electrical power steering failure. The vehicle was not covered under warranty. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 130,036.

In five years I have had my windshield chip or crack four times. Replacement is a pain and expensive. It seems the design is far too susceptible to breakage and is unsafe.

Gas smell while AC/HEATER is on and car is sitting idle. My car is not included in the 2019 safety recall 24DP although it should be.

Flat tire on highway 255/40 R19 100H. I thought it’s a nail or a sharp object. After further inspection, the tire was ripping from inside out. Please see attached picture. My speed was very low at higher speeds or could have been a complete tire blow out.

Around 36k miles the vehicle had some dried coolant residue and required coolant topups every 2-3k miles. Two different dealerships performed comprehensive inspections between then and now and did not notify me of any problems. The residue was explained away in a service bulletin stating that it was normal for the water pump to weep some coolant. Now at 44k miles, I brought the car in when I saw dried coolant residue and it seemed to require coolant more frequently. Dealer notified me that the engine water pump has failed and requires replacement.

I have reached a gas station and I am unable to open the fuel filler flap. Apparently this is a known issue to Audi Service departments on Audi’s of this generation not just the A7 model. The problem is apparently intermittent, and apparently worse during winter months. In the next generation vehicle the ful filler flap housing has been redesigned to solve the fuel filler flap not opening problem. Since the car cannot go with our gas, this is clearly a design error, and could leave people stranded mid-winter. Not good here in the North-East.