Timing Belt Recall - Are We Getting Screwed
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 34
Timing Belt Recall - Are We Getting Screwed
I took my 2001 TT with 45,000 miles on it to the local dealer because the check engine light was on. Also it was time for an oil change.
Got a call from the dealer that the car would be ready by 5:00 and they said they performed a timing belt inspection per the Audi timing belt campaign (Audi speak for recall)
The lady said the timing belt needs to be changed because it's more than 7 years old. I asked her what was wrong with the belt. Was it cracked or something. She said it was old. I told her that timing belt settlement will cover against any damage caused by a broken belt for 105,000 miles regardless of time. She then changed the story slightly to " the technician said the belt shows signs of wear." Again I asked, is the belt cracked or damaged? "The techician recommends that the belt be replaced." was her response.
I sent an e-mail to Audi of America via their website. The next day Ross called. We talked for about 25 minutes. I asked Ross what criteria the dealer uses to determine if the belt is eligible for the extended warranty. Ross said they have no criteria and rely on their dealers since the dealer's technicians are train to work on Audis.
I told Ross how my dealer had changed there story once they found out I was aware of the lawsuit. I asked if he would trust the opinion of someone who has a financial interest in the ramifications of that opinion. Like the good company man Ross is he re-iterated. " we trust our dealers."
I asked "If I get a second opinion from another dealer will you use that opinion?" "Yes" says Ross. "Will you put that in writing?" Ross: "let me put you on hold a second." He came back on line and says "we will stand by the opinion of the dealer that participated in the campaign" (again Audi speak for recall)
Three different times (in three different ways) I asked Ross what percentage of vehicles that participated in this recall were told they needed a new timing belt?
Answer #1) I don't know
Answer #2) We don't keep that information
Answer #3) That's internal information. If they won't tell me they certainly won't tell you.
But maybe they'll have to tell the court - if enough people raise a sink about this.
This smells to high heaven.
I would like to hear from anyone who had their timing belt inspected under this "campaign" to respond. Did your car pass or fail? and what was the reason given by the dealer for the failure?
Myself, I am writing to the Settlement Administrator. In my opinion this is nothing more than a way for Audi to walk away from a problem.
The address for the Settlement Administrator is on the letter you received.
Thanks in advance for the responses.
Got a call from the dealer that the car would be ready by 5:00 and they said they performed a timing belt inspection per the Audi timing belt campaign (Audi speak for recall)
The lady said the timing belt needs to be changed because it's more than 7 years old. I asked her what was wrong with the belt. Was it cracked or something. She said it was old. I told her that timing belt settlement will cover against any damage caused by a broken belt for 105,000 miles regardless of time. She then changed the story slightly to " the technician said the belt shows signs of wear." Again I asked, is the belt cracked or damaged? "The techician recommends that the belt be replaced." was her response.
I sent an e-mail to Audi of America via their website. The next day Ross called. We talked for about 25 minutes. I asked Ross what criteria the dealer uses to determine if the belt is eligible for the extended warranty. Ross said they have no criteria and rely on their dealers since the dealer's technicians are train to work on Audis.
I told Ross how my dealer had changed there story once they found out I was aware of the lawsuit. I asked if he would trust the opinion of someone who has a financial interest in the ramifications of that opinion. Like the good company man Ross is he re-iterated. " we trust our dealers."
I asked "If I get a second opinion from another dealer will you use that opinion?" "Yes" says Ross. "Will you put that in writing?" Ross: "let me put you on hold a second." He came back on line and says "we will stand by the opinion of the dealer that participated in the campaign" (again Audi speak for recall)
Three different times (in three different ways) I asked Ross what percentage of vehicles that participated in this recall were told they needed a new timing belt?
Answer #1) I don't know
Answer #2) We don't keep that information
Answer #3) That's internal information. If they won't tell me they certainly won't tell you.
But maybe they'll have to tell the court - if enough people raise a sink about this.
This smells to high heaven.
I would like to hear from anyone who had their timing belt inspected under this "campaign" to respond. Did your car pass or fail? and what was the reason given by the dealer for the failure?
Myself, I am writing to the Settlement Administrator. In my opinion this is nothing more than a way for Audi to walk away from a problem.
The address for the Settlement Administrator is on the letter you received.
Thanks in advance for the responses.
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 811
From: South Florida
I assume that they want you to pay for a replacement. The problem with the recall is that it is only effective upon failure. Being that your dealer has warned you of a potential problem, I doubt you will now be covered upon failure. Seems to me that should a belt issue be noticed upon inspection, it should be covered, by recall, up to 105,000 miles. Dealers are reimbursed through Audi, so I don't know why it is so hard for them to do warranty/recall work.
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 34
Lenny:
It's my understanding that Audi will cover any damage caused by the broken "timing belt system." But they don't cover the timing belt.
What year/model/mileage is your Audi?
What Dealer did you use? I took mine to the Audi dealer in Wilmington DE.
Beachchair:
They said it would cost $850.00 to change. If it breaks I'm screwed because they said it needed to be changed. So I'm not eligible for 105,000 mile warranty.
It's my understanding that Audi will cover any damage caused by the broken "timing belt system." But they don't cover the timing belt.
What year/model/mileage is your Audi?
What Dealer did you use? I took mine to the Audi dealer in Wilmington DE.
Beachchair:
They said it would cost $850.00 to change. If it breaks I'm screwed because they said it needed to be changed. So I'm not eligible for 105,000 mile warranty.
Last edited by stuck amals; Sep 8, 2008 at 08:11 PM.
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,678
From: Colchester, VT
are you being screwed?
probably, its the dealer.
Now, suck it up, and replace it yourself, or at an independent shop for a half to a quarter the cost.
Belts (by enthusiast standards) should be changed every 5 years or 60K miles. If you're over that, you're asking for trouble.
probably, its the dealer.
Now, suck it up, and replace it yourself, or at an independent shop for a half to a quarter the cost.
Belts (by enthusiast standards) should be changed every 5 years or 60K miles. If you're over that, you're asking for trouble.
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 59
From:
I've been thinking about replacing my timing belt, heck if I mess it up I can just tell the wife it was known issue. I work on everything else (minus my recent mishap striping the drain plug on my oil pan.)
How hard could it be if you took it slow?
How hard could it be if you took it slow?
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,198
From:
How hard could it be if you took it slow?
BTW my local VW mechanic (who told me the above^) charges $500 for materials+labor to do a timing belt/water pump/tensioner.
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 811
From: South Florida
Has he done a TT before? That's a great deal, as materials are easily $250. If you were to do it yourself you would have to buy a kit, a few new sockets, fluids etc. You'd be @$300 for materials before turning a wrench.
