NHTSA Complaint #10342562 — 2004 AUDI A4

2004 AUDI A4 1.8L TURBO - THE CAR SUFFERS FROM A PROBLEM THAT BEGINS WITH A FLASHING OF THE GEAR SELECTOR RANGE (PRNDS). THIS OCCURS CONSISTENTLY, EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED. WHEN PRNDS IS FLASHING THE VEHICLE POSSESSES A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT HAS OCCURRED (3) TIMES SINCE THE ONSET OF THIS CONDITION. WHILE THE GEAR SELECTOR RANGE WAS FLASHING I PULLED OVER TO RE-FUEL AT A LOCAL GAS STATION. AFTER PURCHASING GAS I RETURNED TO THE CAR, STARTED IT UP, AND THE FLASHING PRNDS CONDITION PERSISTED. WHEN I ENGAGED REVERSE TO EXIT THE GAS PUMP AREA THE CAR VERY SUDDENLY LUNGED BACKWARDS WITH SUCH TREMENDOUS FORCE THAT THE VEHICLE BREAK SYSTEM COULD NOT CONTAIN THE JOLTING FORCE OF THE BACKWARDS MOVEMENT. IF ANYONE HAD BEEN STANDING BEHIND ME......THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. I HAVE MADE EFFORTS TO CONTACT THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER (AUDI OF AMERICA) AND THEY FAIL TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE.... ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT THE COMPANY HAS FULL KNOWLEDGE OF THIS DEFECTIVE AND THREATENING VEHICLE CONDITION. THERE ARE MANY OTHER AUDI A4 OWNERS THAT HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM, AND IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON AUDI FORUMS ON THE INTERNET. THE HEART OF MY CONCERN: INSTEAD OF VOLUNTEERING TO REPAIR THIS SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD, AUDI OF AMERICA HAS ADVISED THAT I NEED TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE REPLACED AT A PERSONAL COST TO ME OF APPROXIMATELY $3,000.00, WHICH I FIND APPALLING. THE CAR CONTINUES TO EXHIBIT THIS DRIVING CONDITION, AND LUNGING REVERSE CONDITION CAN BE REPLICATED. I WOULD LIKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CALL THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE NHTSA FOR REVIEW BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. I WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ELEVATE MY CONCERN ASAP. *TR