My 2012 S4 (1600 miles) was running flawlessly up until last Friday. I got in the car, pushed the engine start button, the engine started and then immediately shut off. I tried a few more times and the problem repeated itself. The car had to be towed to the dealer. The next day, the service writer was able to duplicate the issue. They gave me a loaner and said they wouldn't be able to look at it until Monday (today). I called today and was informed that the technician could not duplicate the issue, and the car did not throw any fault codes. I have been in communication with Audi customer relations about the issue, and they have been staying on top of it as well. I am extremely concerned. If they cannot find the issue, who knows when AND WHERE it will repeat itself. A new $55,000 car should not be doing this.

Any ideas as to what may be going on? I read somewhere that it could be an issue with the car recognizing the key, so I brought my other key with me on Saturday when I went to pick up the loaner. The same problem occurred.

 

I cant begin to express how pissed I would be if this happened to me.
Seriously feeling for you.

The key thing is the only thing I could see being wrong.

 

I agree it sounds like a theft prevention problem. Once the car is tried to start with the wrong key (aka chip in the key) multiple times it won't let any key start it for a while. Try only using your other spare key (that I assume you normally don't use) for a while and see if the problem comes back.

 

Audi Customer Relations called me and informed me that the dealer replaced the fuel pump control module last Tuesday, as senior Audi technicians had apparently heard of this issue happening a few times before. My car was FILTHY when I picked it up (supposedly the car wash was down), so I spent Wednesday morning giving it a full detail. I still don't understand how they road tested my car for 15 miles, and managed to make perfectly clean wheels when I dropped it off for service into brake dust covered filth.

Today, I spent some time playing around with the MMI. I went into the CAR settings, and clicked to see oil level. I got a weird message saying the engine must be warm and off and to wait two minutes...or something like that. I was so pissed. I called the dealer and they said they had seen it before and the car had to be sitting for flat and turned off for awhile to see oil level. That is not true. I never had that problem when I first got the car. Sure enough it started working a few hours later. I researched this online and apparently even when the hood is opened (which I did when I detailed the car yesterday), the oil sensor resets, and it can take a few days to reset on the MMI's oil indicator.

So, I'm cautiously optimistic that the problem has been resolved, and the car is running as it should. Audi Customer Relations said they were going to call me tomorrow to ask how they could make the experience up to me.

I spoke with my cousin who is also a car nut. He had two Audis, both A8 L models. He said he also had starting issues and MMI issues, but Audi would not take his car back, and it spent more of its lease in the shop than in his garage.

My family is good friends with the owner of the dealership, but we don't want to involve him unless the problem happens again. I really do love the car and want to have a positive experience.

Just wanted to keep you guys updated on the issue.

 

My car is also occur this problem,it will take me severl time to start it,at first I think there is proble of my engin so I bought a diagnostic tool Super VAG K+CAN to read the fault code,but I can not got the code,so I was puzzled where the problem is.for it last a long time,I used to it,what a pity...