Car stuttering. Depresses throttle to attempt to alleviate problem. Gas pedal stuck at full acceleration and maximum RPM. Set car into neutral and coasted to decelerate. After numerous attempts to disengage accelerator pedal, it finally sprung back from full throttle.

- Etna, NH, USA

I drove my Audi A6 from the train station carpark on to the interstate ramp and accelerated on to the highway. The accelerator pedal stuck to the floor and could not be prised up with my foot. I applied the brake but the engine continued to rev at full throttle. I was in busy traffic and could not move over to the hard shoulder so had to swerve in and out of traffic trying to avoid collision. I continued to pick up speed, while pumping the brakes and eventually cut through the traffic to the hard shoulder where I pumped the brakes until the car eventually stopped. At one point the car was doing well North of 100 mph and cars were tooting their horns as I swerved in and out of traffic. I am lucky not to have crashed the car and killed myself or other motorists. After the car came to a halt, I turned off the engine and checked the accelerator pedal to ensure nothing was jamming the arm of the pedal, which was not the case. The accelerator pedal had released. I continued to drive on the back roads at a very slow pace of about 20 mph and the issue did not repeat itself. I called Audi to tow the car for inspection. They mentioned that this issue had never happened before but would investigate. After surveying, they could not find any issues and decided to bring another investigator to the dealership. The findings were that nothing was wrong with the car. This whole incident is extremely disturbing and could have resulted in death. The dealership asked me to return my loaner car and pick up my vehicle due to their findings. I will not accept return of this vehicle and am awaiting some a call from corporate headquarters to discuss. I will also not accept them redistributing this vehicle to another owner as I do not want someone to have the same experience as me. I am writing to you as I am concerned that this design defect will result in a serious if not fatal accident and would like the issue to be investigated further.

- Stamford, CT, USA

During driving epc light illuminates, rpms soar and car will not accelerate. Severe safety issue. This has occurred more than 4 times in 13 months--car was purchased brand new 13 months ago. Vehicle had to be towed to dealership for repairs three times. Two separate dealerships have "repaired" the car and returned it to me--the problem continues to occur. The most recent failures occurred within 2 weeks of each other. The car has in no way ever been repaired. Computer was re-set, and updated. Physical parts replaced as per dealer invoice throttle valve, gasket. Vehicle is defective and unsafe to drive and is currently at the dealership for repair.

- Lake Oswego, OR, USA

On the night in question, the vehicle spontaneously went into 'full throttle mode'. the car raced ahead and was brought to a stop only with extremely heavy application of the brake pedal. While stopped and the automatic transmission in drive, the engine pulled strongly at nearly 3000 RPM. I shifted the car into park and the engine instantly raced to redline (7500 RPM). I depressed the 'engine stop' button and the car would not shut off. This, needless to say, scattered any nearby pedestrians---thankfully. I moved the shifter to 'neutral' and the engine still raced at redline. I was only able to end this by frisking myself for the physical key and inserting it into the ignition and finally shutting the car off. My next step was to call Audi's roadside assistance and have the car towed to the dealership. It is nearly brand new and describe to them the incident that occurred that Friday night. They kept the car for nearly a week and informed that they were unable to determine the cause of the malfunction and having tested it, the car was operating properly, and that I was welcome to come and take possession of it again. I can only conclude that they either have no respect for the safety of the people that drive their cars after purchase..... or they think that I made it up. Neither of these is an acceptable position. My only request was that they return to me the car only after absolutely ascertaining the cause of the full-throttle condition and repairing it. They were unable to do so and now feel perfectly comfortable putting my family back in it. This vehicle should not be on the road without a 100% conclusive diagnosis and repair ---- if ever.

- Davidson, NC, USA