NHTSA Complaint #10544012 — 2011 AUDI A4 AVANT

I HAVE HAD TWO INSTANCES OF "SUDDEN CLUTCH FAILURE", THE FIRST AT 4,800 MILES, THE SECOND AT 31,000 MILES. I WAS TRAVELING ON I-80 WHEN SUDDENLY THE CLUTCH STARTED SLIPPING AND THEN BURNED OUT, LEAVING ME STRANDED ON THE SHOULDER. ACCORDING TO AUDI OF OAKLAND, THE CLUTCH FAILURE HAS RESULTED IN THE CLUTCH BEING IN A "MOLTEN STATE" AND THE HEAT WAS SO EXTREME THAT THE CLUTCH RELEASE BEARING IS FUSED TO THE TRANSMISSION SHAFT. I HAVE INSPECTED THE PARTS AND HAVE PHOTOS FROM THAT INSPECTION. AUDI OF AMERICA REPAIRED THE CLUTCH AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE AFTER THE FIRST INSTANCE, BUT IS DENYING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS SECOND OCCURRENCE. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING STANDARD SHIFT VOLKSWAGEN'S AND AUDIO'S FOR 40 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER NEEDED TO REPLACE A CLUTCH BEFORE THESE TWO INSTANCES.