Audi voiding transmission warranty over wheel spacers...

[LilRobb]

So – Audi CPO warranty strikes again…


Here the course of events;

Took my car in the shop for the 45k miles service (40k miles on the clock) in December of 2019 – complaining about a leaking rear differential.
Was informed by Audi Marietta that my car (2016 S6) does not have any regularly scheduled differential oil changes and that they would need to perform an "oil change" on my dime.
After complaining that leaking should be covered under warranty – the shop graciously comp’ed the refill (no rebuild, reseal or anything).
Fast forward to September 15th – dropped the car off because the differential was leaking (again), and the transmission was shuddering on downshifts + a blown motormount.

They “fixed” the leaking differential (as per the invoice they presented to me) by “wiping oil from previous repair”. SMH – after continuous complaints that wiping oil doesn’t constitute a “fix” – they promised to “monitor the situation” (as my car sits motionless on their lift – I doubt it will leak there, cold and unused…)

After initially finding the motormounts to be “in perfect working order” – I had to show them the VCDS readout of the failed mount, at which point they were able to “reproduce the issue – and found fluid leaking from mount”.

But my personal favorite is the shudder, it’s covered in TSB 2059303/1 from May 2020.
As per (again) Audi Marietta – my car (2016 S6) wouldn’t be covered by the TSB – while it clearly states “ALL VINs” for 2016 S6…
After further pressure and a call to AoA they sent oil samples to AoA and were told from the engineering team that the mechatronic did fail and that a replacement is needed.

Now the kicker – AoA denied to cover this due to “modifications to the suspension” (I replaced the stock plastic air links with aluminum ones, when one original one snapped – ride height was NOT altered) and put 15mm spacers front and 20mm spacers rear on.
Plus added an aftermarket exhaust.

That’s the full list of modifications aside mirror caps and other optics.

I am waiting for their letter to me, above was a phone call – my attorney is going to have a field day…


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[Cayo71]

Subscribed and popcorn ready. I feel for you and wish you the best.

[Audisthesia]

Any time you change out an OEM part, pretty much any factory warranty will get voided on you. Not exclusive to Audi. Standard dealer tactics. Sure, you can go hire a lawyer and sue them under Magnusson-Moss, but that will cost you more than simply paying for repairs.... And they all know this fact, so they deny warranty claims.

[LilRobb]

Any time you change out an OEM part, pretty much any factory warranty will get voided on you. Not exclusive to Audi. Standard dealer tactics. Sure, you can go hire a lawyer and sue them under Magnusson-Moss, but that will cost you more than simply paying for repairs.... And they all know this fact, so they deny warranty claims.

Planning on - that’s what my legal insurance is for.


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[FoxyFez]

Wow, tough.

I've heard of shops not wanting to touch wheels with spacers on them. Once took a track car to a shop that had spacers on it for an alignment and they wouldn't touch it.... until I brought it back without spacers.

I wonder if they see the aluminum air links as a 'non oe performance upgrade' what a pain.

Subscribed, and hope it works in your favor.

[bajan01]

Damn...some dealerships are more flexible than others. I one had a service manager ask me if I had my ECU flashed as if so he wouldn’t scan with the official scanner so as not to tag me with a TD1. He was a cool guy...also many of the techs there had modded cars.

Where in VCDS do you look for the motor mounts? I suspect that mine are gone on the S4...88k miles.

[prestige.phantom]

This is why its crucial to have a good relationship with your dealer/service advisor. If the dealer is going to be a dick about it, then go somewhere else.

My service advisor is great, and extremely helpful. He gives me free oil top offs, helped adjust my aftermarket exhaust, and repaired an exhaust hanger issue for me rather than recommending I replace it (saving me ~$50) among other things.

The point of going to a dealer for service is to get that "premium" Audi experience and top notch repairs. If your not getting top notch service, then find another dealer or independent shop. Period.

[PEM]

This is why its crucial to have a good relationship with your dealer/service advisor. If the dealer is going to be a dick about it, then go somewhere else.

My service advisor is great, and extremely helpful. He gives me free oil top offs, helped adjust my aftermarket exhaust, and repaired an exhaust hanger issue for me rather than recommending I replace it (saving me ~$50) among other things.

The point of going to a dealer for service is to get that "premium" Audi experience and top notch repairs. If your not getting top notch service, then find another dealer or independent shop. Period.

Yup. My original SA when I first got my car is now the director of the service deptarment. I always made sure to pop my head in and have some laughs with him during my annual audicare services. He's been awesome and has always hooked me up with the upper teir loaners. Luckily I haven't had anything to go bad on my car to complain about, but I'm sure he wouldn't leave me out in the rain if I did have any issues.

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[gta7]

Good luck and fight it for sure.

That’s why I avoid mods completely. I went heavy on my A7 and regretted it, worried something like this would happen. Wonder how that car is doing?

[Audisthesia]

Planning on - that’s what my legal insurance is for.


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I'd love to see you stick it to them with a lawyer for that shit. Legally they are supposed to have to prove your mods caused the problem, which of course they didn't.

[flyfishing]

Any time you change out an OEM part, pretty much any factory warranty will get voided on you. Not exclusive to Audi. Standard dealer tactics. Sure, you can go hire a lawyer and sue them under Magnusson-Moss, but that will cost you more than simply paying for repairs.... And they all know this fact, so they deny warranty claims.

The dealer I went to used to be cool. Then a corporate group bought them. Denied my warranty work b/c of "exhaust mods." I have a milltek exhaust.

They don't care. They know that you won't hire an attorney or most likely won't fight it. They were correct for me. I said screw it and went stage 3 instead haha

[LilRobb]

The dealer I went to used to be cool. Then a corporate group bought them. Denied my warranty work b/c of "exhaust mods." I have a milltek exhaust.

They don't care. They know that you won't hire an attorney or most likely won't fight it. They were correct for me. I said screw it and went stage 3 instead haha

Sadly stage3 won’t fix my transmission issues.
I plan on fighting this - let’s see how far the legal insurance is willing to take this.

Spacers cannot be attributed to mechatronic failure. I see no way they can technically link the two.
The differential between axle and transmission would (if there even were
any) equalize all RPM differences.


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[gk1]

Spacers cannot be attributed to mechatronic failure. I see no way they can technically link the two.
The differential between axle and transmission would (if there even were
any) equalize all RPM differences.


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They are off their rocker. Would they not warranty engine and trans work if you had aftermarket wheels. You can easily get aftermarket wheels with an offset equivalent to any spacers you might have used and they would never know. They cannot say anything about different wheels without proving it caused a problem.

[Hofahome]

Hold up. They are denying it even with a tsb (which is evidence of a common issue) and without a mechanical link? Wow that’s dickish.


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[LilRobb]

Hold up. They are denying it even with a tsb (which is evidence of a common issue) and without a mechanical link? Wow that’s dickish.


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Yup - and just checked the flag status of the car:

T26 - exhaust (expected)
T50 - body (expected - louvered hood)

No other flags - yet they claim my spacers are causing the warranty denial...


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[Bigfoot003]

Yup - and just checked the flag status of the car:

T26 - exhaust (expected)
T50 - body (expected - louvered hood)

No other flags - yet they claim my spacers are causing the warranty denial...


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And that’s why I never use those folks. If you need a good Indy in the area, let me know.

[Alabama]

So – Audi CPO warranty strikes again…

But my personal favorite is the shudder, it’s covered in TSB 2059303/1 from May 2020.
As per (again) Audi Marietta – my car (2016 S6) wouldn’t be covered by the TSB – while it clearly states “ALL VINs” for 2016 S6…

The TSB says it is valid for four years/50,000 miles. CPO should extend that if in fact the dealer registered the car. CPO is supposed to cover "transmission control module". I assume that's the same as the "mechatronic unit" in the TSB?

[LilRobb]

The TSB says it is valid for four years/50,000 miles. CPO should extend that if in fact the dealer registered the car. CPO is supposed to cover "transmission control module". I assume that's the same as the "mechatronic unit" in the TSB?

Yeah - my VIN is not part of “ALL VIN”... go figure.

But Audi confirmed the mechatronic failed while under CPO - but denied to honor the warranty (not even considering that there’s ALSO a TSB) because of the spacers.
How they can link spacers and a mechatronic and/or transmission is beyond me.


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[eurospek]

Subbing

[430hps4]

My experiences with dealers and warranties...

I had a clutch go out on a new car after 8k miles. I had the dealer try to tell me that I voided my warranty because I modified my car (stereo stuff, head unit, subs, amps). I was completely floored by this. I basically asked the service manager, "If you can explain to me how my stereo could cause a clutch to fail, I'll pay for the clutch." He eyes rolled and said he would do me a favor and cover it, THIS time.

Flip side of that... I had another car, full APR Stage 3 build. Had a cam follower failure. I had to pay for the massive repair bill up front, but AoA sent a check to reimburse me.

[hackths]

Absolutely amazing the scams some dealerships will push though. Subbing so I can follow this

[core5]

You do have options. I'm in the same area and Jim Ellis Audi and Audi North Atlanta might be more accommodating.

[LilRobb]

You do have options. I'm in the same area and Jim Ellis Audi and Audi North Atlanta might be more accommodating.

I regret not driving the extra 20min to Audi Atlanta...
It’s now in the hands of AoA after the sobering experience with JE Marietta...

Got the car back - unfixed, as AoA is “investigating my case”...


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[Nosferatu]

Good luck. Sounds like my friend with his Ferrari 458. Transmission failed and he had to pay out of pocket for new transmission with warranty declined because of...you guessed it...spacers.

[MrA6]

How did you get in touch with AoA? Been trying to reach a higher up there. Audi North Atlanta, Gwinnett, and Atlanta have all tried to fix my issue and nothing. Kind of annoying that neither tried to open a TAC ticket either even after I requested from last two.

[LilRobb]

How did you get in touch with AoA? Been trying to reach a higher up there. Audi North Atlanta, Gwinnett, and Atlanta have all tried to fix my issue and nothing. Kind of annoying that neither tried to open a TAC ticket either even after I requested from last two.

Call them - their Customer Relations Team
Is actually pretty good.
Number is on the web


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