The timing chain (not the timing belt, which had been changed well before the recommended time) broke. This caused the engine to seize immediate resulting in the car coming to a rapid and abrupt stop. Fortunately for me, it occurred at low speed on a very quiet street. Had it occurred on a freeway, serious injury or death likely would have resulted since the car decelerated so quickly I would not have had time to coast into the breakdown lane. Apparently failures of these timing chains occur commonly; Audi apparently has an extended warranty program for some cam follower wear problems (that may or may not involve a timing chain failure). But they do not list the chain or the follower as maintenance or inspection items, and give owners no hint that they should inspect the follower, or replace the chain periodically. Timing chain failures on zero clearance engines (VW has the same engine and apparently the same problem), will kill folks if they occur on freeways or other roads where an inability to coast to a safe stopping point will leave motorists at incredible risk.

- Hudson, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Audi A4 2.0T. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle suddenly lost power with no power brakes or power steering. The contact coasted to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the cam shaft broke and the entire engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact called the manufacturer who offered to cover a percentage of the repair. The VIN was unavailable when the complaint was filed. The current and failure mileages were approximately 70,000.

- Delmar, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Audi A4. The contact received a notice stating that the vehicle was running on three cylinders. The dealer stated that there was no reason for concern and that the vehicle would be fine. The dealer replaced the engine coil in order to reduce the amount of gasoline that was being used. Three months later the turbo failed and the engine malfunctioned. There were no warning lights illuminated when the failure occurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 62000.

- Lewisville, TX, USA

Prior to stalling, the engine was making a low noise, which I have heard before as a norm on cold days to warm up.

- Lafayette Hill, PA, USA

2005 Audi A4 avant is currently still under warranty but the Audi dealership and Audi of America will not replace a cracked coolant reservoir. The onboard computer came on, indicating a problem, but there was no leak. However, the crack was very visible and will most likely spread further resulting in a leak. The crack was most likely caused from the excessive heat under the engine hood. I believe this was a serious flaw in materials used to manufacture the reservoir.

- Hayward, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Audi A4 2.0 liter turbo engine. The non linear acceleration, it will bog and surge while in traffic. While pressing hard on the gas, it will suddenly surge forward, causing drivers behind him to constantly apply the brakes. Also, the low speed power steering will not come on. It was limited and very hard to steer. This problem with the power steering started intermittently. The contact's vehicle was involved in an accident. But because of the lack of power steering acceleration prevented from being hit. The vehicle has been at the dealership five times for the accelerating problem, and once for the power steering problem. The dealership has not corrected the acceleration problem. The dealership started a diagnostic test on the power steering. The contact contacted the manufacturer many times, and they were cooperative. The repairs are being delayed because the dealership forgot to order the parts. The numbers of failures were 100 times at least. The problems first began 10 days after purchase of the vehicle on April 4, 2005, and it was in for service on April 14, 2005. The consumer was told the bog and surge was within Audi's specifications and no corrective action would take place. 11/15/05.

- Rockford, IL, USA