Following AUDI/VWUSA instructions, provided A4 to dealership for software upgrade. Letter (and dealer) warned that some reprogramming of Gateway Module might destroy module. Dropped vehicle off noon Sat 18 Dec 2021. I was provided a loaner vehicle and told to return before 5. Upon return, was told attempt to upgrade SW did indeed destroy vehicle Gateway Module and module would have to be ordered from Jacksonville regional parts bistro center on Monday Dec 20. It being Xmas week, I was told to expect delay and repair might take until after Xmas.
Checked on order status on Tuesday Dec 21 and was told 100 of part were available but holiday week might delay receipt by dealer and execution of R&R. Checked again on Monday Dec 27; was told parts were NOT available in Jacksonville and were"being ordered." Checked again on January 3 and was told parts were NOT AVAILABLE IN U.S> and were being RUSH ORDERED from Germany, expected by January 15-18. Was provided assurance loaner car was mine at no charge for duration of repair.
Since that time I have been told: "No ETA--call Michigan" Called Michigan AUDI Customer care 2/4, was told "NO ETA but Germany is shipping 600 parts.Due by "Valentine's Day week" (10 days hence).
On February 14, was told by AUDI Customer Care that due to length of time I could pursue a "buyback through AUDI Customer. Retention." Was given complex procedure to file Buyback application, which was received and acknowledged with a 20 day drop dead (Feb 24). Was told that because of time at dealership and fact that repair was AUDI_initiated service program, car was on a "Red List" of high priority and was declared a "down car" (not drivable, not in customer possession). On February 25 I received letter by email from AUDI CR&R stating that all documents in Buyback application were inaccessible and required resubmission.
Resubmitted full buyback package to AUDI CR&R on February 27. Received email acknowledgment of receipt of new set of buyback materials (a VW form, original dealer invoice, registration, loan note, payment history, proof of citizenship, vaccine record and recent urine specimen) on Feb 28.
I was at dealership 3/2 checking with parts department on status of Gateway Module part, and was told parts had to be shipped by boat because Gateway Module has onboard lithium battery, and cannot be shipped by air. Parts manager stated it was "possible that shipment of Gateway Modules" was cargo on car carrier that burned and sank in North Atlantic last week!! But, on texting his "Source in Michigan" he was told some quantity parts had an ETA to dealerships of "next week"(week of March 7). On March 3, I also received letter by email from AUDI CR&R that they declined to provide any remedy under their Repurchase/Replacement program, and directed me to the BBB AutoLine program. Upon completion of initial application to BBB as a Florida vehicle, was told by BBB case manager that vehicle was not eligible under Florida's program, because it was purchased by me from a Virginia dealer. Upon reapplying using Virginia criteria, was told vehicle was ineligible under Virginia lemon law, because statute requires compliant within 18 months of owners purchase, a statute of limitations which expired in October 2021.
So I have a loaner car which I am not legally permitted to take out of the State of Florida and a down car AUDI at an AUDI dealership for an AUDI_directed service program repair for which AUDI can not forecast any likely completion date. Short of suing AUDI in Federal court for the value of my vehicle and tortious damages for negligent infliction of emotional distress, I am not quite sure how to proceed.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Following AUDI/VWUSA instructions, provided A4 to dealership for software upgrade. Letter (and dealer) warned that some reprogramming of Gateway Module might destroy module. Dropped vehicle off noon Sat 18 Dec 2021. I was provided a loaner vehicle and told to return before 5. Upon return, was told attempt to upgrade SW did indeed destroy vehicle Gateway Module and module would have to be ordered from Jacksonville regional parts bistro center on Monday Dec 20. It being Xmas week, I was told to expect delay and repair might take until after Xmas.
Checked on order status on Tuesday Dec 21 and was told 100 of part were available but holiday week might delay receipt by dealer and execution of R&R. Checked again on Monday Dec 27; was told parts were NOT available in Jacksonville and were"being ordered." Checked again on January 3 and was told parts were NOT AVAILABLE IN U.S> and were being RUSH ORDERED from Germany, expected by January 15-18. Was provided assurance loaner car was mine at no charge for duration of repair.
Since that time I have been told: "No ETA--call Michigan" Called Michigan AUDI Customer care 2/4, was told "NO ETA but Germany is shipping 600 parts.Due by "Valentine's Day week" (10 days hence).
On February 14, was told by AUDI Customer Care that due to length of time I could pursue a "buyback through AUDI Customer. Retention." Was given complex procedure to file Buyback application, which was received and acknowledged with a 20 day drop dead (Feb 24). Was told that because of time at dealership and fact that repair was AUDI_initiated service program, car was on a "Red List" of high priority and was declared a "down car" (not drivable, not in customer possession). On February 25 I received letter by email from AUDI CR&R stating that all documents in Buyback application were inaccessible and required resubmission.
Resubmitted full buyback package to AUDI CR&R on February 27. Received email acknowledgment of receipt of new set of buyback materials (a VW form, original dealer invoice, registration, loan note, payment history, proof of citizenship, vaccine record and recent urine specimen) on Feb 28.
I was at dealership 3/2 checking with parts department on status of Gateway Module part, and was told parts had to be shipped by boat because Gateway Module has onboard lithium battery, and cannot be shipped by air. Parts manager stated it was "possible that shipment of Gateway Modules" was cargo on car carrier that burned and sank in North Atlantic last week!! But, on texting his "Source in Michigan" he was told some quantity parts had an ETA to dealerships of "next week"(week of March 7). On March 3, I also received letter by email from AUDI CR&R that they declined to provide any remedy under their Repurchase/Replacement program, and directed me to the BBB AutoLine program. Upon completion of initial application to BBB as a Florida vehicle, was told by BBB case manager that vehicle was not eligible under Florida's program, because it was purchased by me from a Virginia dealer. Upon reapplying using Virginia criteria, was told vehicle was ineligible under Virginia lemon law, because statute requires compliant within 18 months of owners purchase, a statute of limitations which expired in October 2021.
So I have a loaner car which I am not legally permitted to take out of the State of Florida and a down car AUDI at an AUDI dealership for an AUDI_directed service program repair for which AUDI can not forecast any likely completion date. Short of suing AUDI in Federal court for the value of my vehicle and tortious damages for negligent infliction of emotional distress, I am not quite sure how to proceed.
- Michael A., Palm Beach, US