DRC action against audi, please contribute!

[RichRS6]

Anyone here an RS6.com Member who wants to help out get a thread going on that Forum.

The more exposure we can get the better !!!!!!!!!!!

[Rilla]

I am a RS6.com member but they are US based i belive. I will post on their forum this afternoon though, see if they respond.

[langstone]

I am a RS6.com member but they are US based i belive. I will post on their forum this afternoon though, see if they respond.

There are quite a lot of UK members there as well that is how I found this forum originally.

I have posted a link to this thread in the DRC sticky at the top of RS6.Com forum.


Mark

[RichRS6]

I have posted a notice on Audiforum.us too.

[MalcolmSu]

I’ve just finished an exercise to go back through all the posts in this RS6 forum trying to collate a list of all those who have ever had RS6 DRC suspension problems.

I didn’t read every single post (!) but I took a judgement from the post header. Those with DRC were obvious, but I also looked at all those that mentioned DRC type symptoms or noises; all those that mentioned warranty claims; all that mentioned 3rd party suspension solutions and every newcomer to the forum when they told us about their ‘new’ car.

At first it was fairly easy with very few posts – the first real mention of DRC failures is on Feb 2005, but then as I got to the more recent posts DRC failures were mentioned more and more frequently.

This thread for the moment has stopped at 30 notified DRC failures. Well the good thing is I found all of them – but I also found a few more. Another 115 to be precise! I’ll list them in a post following this.

I believe the majority of them if not all to be UK based – I did exclude a couple from the USA and Dubai. It’s also true that not every UK RS6 owner uses this forum. Not every owner will be on any of the other forums either.

There might be some duplication in the list as some cars have passed from forum user to forum user but I reckon that to be less than a handful

Not everyone on here might have owned up to having any DRC failures either.

The other thing I noticed is that there have been many similar threads to this in the past were people have tried to get Audi, Watchdog, etc interested in this subject but without fail they all fizzle out with no resolution. There’s a challenge Rilla!

What I’d dearly love to find out is how many RS6’s were sold in the UK.

There is a thread here –

http://rs246.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB ... light=sold

that highlights how many were manufactured and sold in 2004 but I couldn’t find any UK specific or UK totals.

Over on RS6.com there are some figure that suggests that just over a 1,000 in total were sold in the USA and Canada. Given the size of the markets would that not suggest there might be less in total in the UK?? If that was the case we could be looking at a reported 5-10% failure rate in this forum. Given the comments above about not everyone being on this forum and not everyone reporting failures here that figure’s only got to be greater?

To get Audi to own up to a model wide problem, it’s my belief we’ll have to prove the quantum of the problem.

Now that I’ve got that out of the way my next job is to write to Watchdog, VOSA and Which?

I’d encourage everyone else on the list of 145 failures to do so too….

[MalcolmSu]

As in the previous post these are all the RS6 owners in this forum that have reported DRC failings or having moved over to alternative 3rd party suspension products since the start of the RS6. Those with two asterisks after their name are the 30 who have already listed their names above.

I’ve mistakenly included your user name just shout.



4ngcrcs
996C4
A4BOJRS6
Adamski
Alexo
AllBlack
AndrewWilson8
Andy71_LH
AndyT **
Arsy **
ATARS6
Bayliner
Bazza **
Bbigman2000
Bepton
BestCarEver
BigH
BigMo **
Caleyboy
CallumMcCulloch
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Cas **
ChrisB
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Condor24
CornishMoocher
Cthroop
Dave500
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DJB
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DrB **
Duffs
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ElginEdition
ells109 **
Estrop77
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Godfather
Gorwanvfr **
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GregRS6
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Hartge **
HungryPigeon **
HyOctane
ImolaS4UK
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Jambon
Jamesharfoot
Jani
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Jess
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Kbee
KFWSparky
Langstone
LedZep
LIG **
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LondonRS6 **
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Mac-Logotech
MalcolmSu **
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nrf
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Paul_23
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Pedro **
PeterB
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Philt
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rachaeljf **
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Rek
Rich C
RichH
RichRS6 **
Rilla
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Rupert **
S4Woody
ScoobyLaw
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Shopinit **
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Stuart6587 **
Stupidog
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WeaselRS6Saloon **
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Wolverine
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ZimZZimmer

[RichRS6]

Wow I'm glad someone else did that ! My computer skills aren't up to that sort of effort.

There have been as You say a few efforts to get satisfaction but perhaps what is needed is a real co-ordinated group effort and continued pressure.

I have replaced my DRC and the car is now as it should have been from new so I no longer have to worry every time I hit any rough road surface but why the hell should I have been forced to do this myself ?

It still winds me up that Audi have sold a defective product and basically stuck Two fingers up to all the owners and said F*%£ You.

If doing this on the 30th doesn't produce results then we need to be persistent and do the whole thing over again next week.

I think a co-ordinated letter writing campaign to Top Queer may also be a good thing.

I am going to try and draft a letter to post on here with all relevant Addresses which owners can copy and send to the T.G. office.

All that we really need is for Watchdog to mention this on air and I'm sure the numbers of complainants will rise and even if we get nothing from Audi it will certainly tarnish their reputation which considering the current economic climate they can do without.

[Rilla]

Great work Malcolm thanx for compiling that list up. Really will be helpful in my discussions with jeremy hicks/richard starkey.

I do know the total number of RS6's sold in NORTH America was 890 units sold with 12 units used as display/test drive cars.
I don not know if that includes Canada, or if its just the US but either way its a very small amount of sales considering Audi USA seem to be addressing the problem and trying to do something about it.

Lets hope the watchdog front will get us somewhere, VOSA & Which are also good avenues to consider, as it Auto Express magazine as I know they also fight cases for people with regard to serious safety issues, I believe we all fall under that category!!!

Stuart

[Rilla]

Quick update with regard to the Jeremy Clarkson/Top Gear angle.

I have just left this post on the jeremyclarkson.co.uk web site forum where they claim to be able to a message to him directly. lets see if they are telling the truth!:

Dear forum owners.

Can you really get a message to JC himself as you claim???

I and many other Audi RS6 owners would desperately like the help and assistance of Jeremy/Top Gear in our plight with Audi UK in regard to the suspension fitted to the RS6 and the RS4.

Despite numerous correspondence from many RS246.com forum members, Audi refuse to admit there is a SERIOUS safety issue with the suspension that has resulted in a couple of instances of peoples suspension EXPLODING at motorway speeds.

We are now trying to get some publicity/backing from the TV networks to help us fight our cause, and we all concur that somebody with the motoring 'clout' and wisdom of JC could be just the sort of 'celebrity' we could do with on our side.

So if you could get a message to JC himself, then please could you ask him to contact me or any member on the RS246.com forum website with regard to this issue we face.

Regards

Stuart Hurd

[HyOctane]

Here is the letter Audi sent to the USA customers and service managers..

Hopefully, it will help you in your plight.. I know how you all feel. Its been 5 freaking frustrating hells kitchen years for me..

RECALL/ DRC/ Upcoming Service Action 2003 RS6/ 43A8/J4
Upcoming Service Action Campaign Announcement

Service Action 43A8/J4 - 2003 Audi RS6

Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) Suspension Service


This is to inform you that Audi will be notifying customers of a Service Action later this summer that requires the installation of improved shocks to 2003 RS6 vehicles.

What is the problem?
The affected vehicles may have shock leaks in the Dynamic Ride Control suspension.

What does the repair involve, and when will the repair be available?
Audi will install improved shocks on the affected vehicles. Unfortunately, the necessary parts stock to complete this repair will not be available until August. Once the necessary parts are available in the market, we will send a second notification that the Service Action is now available and can be completed.

Parts Allocation Information
Once the parts are available in August, you will receive an initial allocation of parts for this campaign prior to the initiation of this Service Action.

Interim Repair Instructions
In the event of a customer complaint on the DRC suspension system prior to the initiation of this Service Action, please create a ticket with the Technical Assistance Center (TAC) for further instructions.

Any customers with questions unable to be answered by this announcement should be directed to Audi Customer CARE at 1-800-253-2834.

Thank you for your help in this matter.

Frequently Asked Questions for Upcoming Service Action 43A8/J4

This FAQ provides supplementary information on the 43A8/J4 Service Action. For additional information, please refer to the upcoming 43A8/J4 dealer letter that will be posted on Service Net in February 2009.



What vehicles are affected?
The following summarizes the affected vehicles for the United States and Canada:

United States - Model year 2003 Audi RS6 vehicles

Canada - Model year 2004 Audi RS6 vehicles


How many vehicles are affected?

* 1,437 vehicles are affected in the United States
* 90 vehicles are affected in Canada


What is the problem and what can happen?
The affected vehicles may have shock leaks in the Dynamic Ride Control suspension.


Can I drive the vehicle until it is repaired?
Yes, the vehicle can still be driven as usual.


What exactly will be repaired on the vehicle?
Audi will install improved shocks on the affected vehicles.


What was redesigned in the DRC system?
The shock absorbers received a redesigned seal package and shaft guide bushings.


Will the Central Valves be replaced during the repair?
As a first step, the central valves will be replaced as part of the repair process. Going forward, Audi will use a newly designed special tool to recharge the existing central valves, which will increase the repair efficiency. Once this special tool is available to the Dealers, the replacement of central valves will not be necessary.


What if the vehicle has been modified from original factory intent? (i.e., aftermarket suspension)
If post-sale modifications to the vehicle prevent dealer technicians from conducting repair work under this Service Action, the vehicle may require additional work to bring it back to factory specifications. Any such additional work will be at the customer's expense. Please see Campaign Quick Reference Guide on page 23 for further details.


Is a loaner vehicle being offered under this Service Action?
No, a loaner vehicle is not offered under this Service Action.


When will this repair be available?
This is a pre-announcement notice for this Service Action. PLEASE NOTE: repair parts will not be available until August 2009. Once the necessary parts are available, we will notify you that the Service Action is now available and can be completed.


What if a customer has an issue with the Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) now?
In the event of a customer complaint on the DRC suspension system prior to the initiation of this Service Action; please create a ticket with the Technical Assistance Center (TAC) for further instructions. The interim claiming instructions will be added to the FAQs sometime next week.


Can only RS6 authorized dealers perform this repair?
No, all authorized Audi dealers can perform this repair.

BTW.. I find it kind of humorous that you are dealing with a fellow named Richard Starkey..
Ask him if he knows Paul, John and George.....


__________________

[Rilla]

Thanks for the info hyoctane, By the description of the parts it would seem they are getting a slightly different fix to the 'boot fix' the UK received. I will put this information to Audi UK to see if i can get any response.

Do you have a copy of the letter (original) as apposed to just the text??. If so could you pls post a scan of it so i can send it forward to Audi UK.

Many thanks

Stuart

[HyOctane]

Rilla..
I dont have the letter as it was sent to the Service dept's here in the USA. However, here is a copy of the letter Audi sent to individual users informing them of the upcoming campaign..

http://forums.audiworld.com/picture.php ... eid=212573


Sorry. Dont know how to post an attchment of it in here..

[MalcolmSu]

It was also posted here already...

http://www.rs246.com/index.php?name=PNp ... ic&t=75777

[RichRS6]

HyOctane thanks for that info, good news for You so long as the new parts will fix it.

I think the problem always was poor seals on the pistons.

We are still in the position of getting Audi U.K. to admit there is a problem with the DRC so You Guys seem to be getting somewhere.

I think You sent me a copy of the Audi self help guide for the DRC a while ago which made interesting reading.

Do You have any idea of the failure rate of the DRC in the U.S. as we are fairly certain of the total that were originaly shipped over and it would be interesting to see that.

I dont know if I'd really want the "whole new much improved DRC super MK2" now as I have totaly lost any faith in the Audi Brand and I'd just be waiting for it to fuc* up again, at least with the coilovers I have stopped waiting for the clunks to start reappear.

Keep us posted Cheers, Rich.

[HyOctane]

HyOctane thanks for that info, good news for You so long as the new parts will fix it.

I think the problem always was poor seals on the pistons.

Our source in Germany states that Audi have known for a good while about this DRC problem but the delay in offering a fix was due to the fact that Kayuba, the company that manufactures the DRC system maintained that it wasnt their fault that the things were failing since they were accurate to blueprint specs.. It took alot of back and forth until they finally agreed to redesign them.. Then there has been months of testing to ensure that they are indeed roadworthy.. Since Kayuba is the sole manufacturer of the system it was not possible for Audi to have another firm redesign and manufacture replacements sooner... They had to wait for Kayuba..


We are still in the position of getting Audi U.K. to admit there is a problem with the DRC so You Guys seem to be getting somewhere.

One of our US owners is a lawyer and had enough of this .. so he started a thread asking all to sign up for a class action suit.. Apparently, Audi reads the boards as the next day they contacted this lawyer and informed him of the plan to replace all USA DRC's..

I think You sent me a copy of the Audi self help guide for the DRC a while ago which made interesting reading.

Yep That was me..

Do You have any idea of the failure rate of the DRC in the U.S. as we are fairly certain of the total that were originaly shipped over and it would be interesting to see that.

Every owner except one I ahve had contact with has suffered at least one failure.. As noted in the letter from Audi, they say "some RS6 owners have reported leaks with their DRC systems..."
then the letter above states

"How many vehicles are affected?

* 1,437 vehicles are affected in the United States
* 90 vehicles are affected in Canada

Which is all of them..


I dont know if I'd really want the "whole new much improved DRC super MK2" now as I have totaly lost any faith in the Audi Brand and I'd just be waiting for it to fuc* up again, at least with the coilovers I have stopped waiting for the clunks to start reappear.

Well, when it worked it was great.. I'm perfectly happy to let them do all the work at their expense.
I have to believe they are taking their time to make sure they dont have to go thru this again..

Keep us posted Cheers, Rich.