Has anyone exprienced the Tow Hook Covers to pop off on it's own? I already lost it once.. and replaced it at $105 + tax... and lost it again. they just keep falling off the car... maybe this is a flaw in the design?

 

Now, although a small paint chip came off the bumper (thank you, Audi) when I popped one cover to see how the tow hook would install. And then found out, there apparently IS no right rear tow hook socket on the 2014 Q5. There's a cover, but the manual doesn't tell you, you can't screw a tow hook into anything there.

Complain to Audi-US about that, there's no reason it shouldn't fit properly and stay in place. And perhaps, use a dab of clear silicone seal under the next one to encourage it to stay in place.

 

Yes I plan to silicon that crap on... I'm never going to be installing Tow Hooks on that vehicle... heck if my vehicle needs to be towed.. it will be on a flat bed truck.. not a two truck.

I'll definitely complain to Audi about it.. I'm sure if enough of us complain they might do something about it.

 

I have a 2014 Q5 and both of my tow covers fell off in the car wash - Audi says the carwash is responsible but the car wash will not pay to replace them. Audi won't pay to replace them either. I believe they are a defect in the car. I'm afraid if they have fallen off once they will again.

 

"Audi says"
Audi-US? Or Audi, your dealer?

Rashly assuming you are here in the US, you might want to email, not call, so everything is documented. Remind them that normal use of a car in the US includes running it through car washes, and that if they want to go on record as saying the Q5 is unsuitable for ordinary use on the US market, there are federal and state laws regarding the sales and marketing of goods specifically as fit for ordinary use--or unfit.

Let them wonder which of the warranty statutes you're referring to, but remind them that if their official position is that the Q5 is unfit for ordinary use, the FTC and other agencies may be interested in hearing a longer explanation of that.

What nonsense, car washes are fast to warn you about antenna whips and other things that might get fouled in their works. But bumper skins are on every car, and no car wash seems to post notices saying you need to take them off.

Especially nonsense because they are not tow covers. If you have no trailer hitch, there is only one tow point behind one of them. If you have a trailer hitch, they delete the remaining tow point and you have no tow points in the rear at all. Those are access covers for the lower rear light strips now, that's all.

Diplomatically. Documented in emails. Remind them, do they really want to go on record as suggesting Audis are unsuitable for ordinary use?

And, it is their responsibility to prove that your unreasonable or improper actions caused the product failure. Under warranty laws, again. They say you broke it? OK, they're required to prove that it really was your fault. I'd suggest the entire bumper cover was defective, and they might consider recalling ALL of our Q5s for that defect.

Offer one carrot, then use the stick. :-)

 

Dealer will not help you unless there is a bulletin from Audi informing them about this issue and the only way Audi will put the bulletin is by enough of us complaining. You have to send an e-mail or contact Audi directly via Audi usa website. I did complain and they offered to work with the dealer and they replaced my tow hook cover at no charge (one time deal). So go complain to Audi usa not your dealer.