Questions and Answers

Audi Recall Q. Dear Teri: I recently read your article about the history of Audi. In it you failed to mention the gear problems Audi had with their cars in the 80s and 90s. Since I am doing a project on Audi, I was wondering if you could provide any information about this recall?

What happened?
How many cars were recalled?
How did Audi combat the problem (e.g.new marketing campaign, ect.)?

Any information would be helpful.
John

A. The only recall Audi had that was transmission related was issued on 1/14/87. It concerned the shift interlock system.

From the recall bulletin:

Sudden acceleration from a stationary position may occur, when shifting from park to reverse or drive. Unexpected sudden acceleration without prior warning could result in a vehicle crash, causing injuries. Install an automatic shift lock to prevent the transmission shift lever from being moved from park to reverse or drive unless brake pedal is applied at the same time.

This recall applied to all Audi vehicles with an automatic transmission.

This recall came about when several General Motors car owners were killed due to "Unexpected Sudden Acceleration" (USA). This pertained not only to Audi, but most vehicle manu factors recalled their vehicles to have a shift interlock system installed. Since then all cars with an automatic transmission have a shift interlock system. Cars with manual transmissions have a clutch interlock system which requires the clutch pedal to be depressed before the engine will start.

As far as "combatting the problem" goes, manu factors generally do not make a big deal about something like this. it's just plain bad press that would dissuade potential customers. So all that is done is a letter is sent to the owners of the affected vehicles informing them of the problem and how to go about having the recall performed.

Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA