NHTSA Complaint #10348997 — 2002 AUDI ALLROAD

2002 AUDI ALLROAD 2.7T. THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AIR SUSPENSION. THE PUMP ASSEMBLY IS LOCATED UNDER THE CAR IN BETWEEN THE REAR WHEELS AND HAS A PROTECTION COVER. THIS CAR IS ALLWHEEL DRIVE AND INCLUDES STANDARD AMENITIES SUCH AS A SKIBAG. ONE WOULD EXPECT THIS CAR TO HOLD WELL IN COLD CLIMATE. AFTER 8 YRS OF USE, THE PUMP ASSEMBLY IS CORRODED TO THE POINT WHERE IT HAS SEPARATED FROM ITS SUPPORT. IT IS STILL OPERATING, BUT NOW APPEARS TO REST ON THE PROTECTIVE COVER, WHICH ITSELF IS HELD BY THREE FASTENERS ALSO CORRODED AND DISINTEGRATING. A CONCERN IS THAT THE ASSEMBLY FALLS OFF AND PRESENTS A HAZARD FOR FOLLOWING VEHICLES, AS WELL AS A HAZARD FOR HOW THE CAR HANDLES AS THIS PUMP FEEDS THE AIR SUSPENSION. PICTURES OF THE CORRODED ASSEMBLY AND COVER FASTENERS ARE AVAILABLE. A SEARCH ON AUDI-FORUM SHOWS THAT THERE MIGHT BE OTHER INSTANCES OF THE SAME FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE AT ABOUT THE SAME AGE. *TR