Heater problem 2018 A5 Sportback

[AndyW60]

My heater has stopped working. Car is currently at an Audi specialist - they have diagnosed a known software problem which has possibly damaged, or stopped working one of 7 fans behind the dash - they tell me it’s like a Christmas tree light thing - one stops working and that stops them all working. I’ve had to purchase an Audi software download (£260) so that they can fix/diagnose the problem further. They tell me if one (or all) of the fans need replacing they are £260 each. If a fan is on the passenger side they are easy to get to - if on the drivers side the whole dash has to come out. The garage was supposed to get back to me to give me an update this afternoon but haven’t. I’m pulling my hair out and worried sick - this potentially could cost thousands. Has anyone else had a similar issue. 

[Steve Q]

My concern here is why ha e you had to pay for the Audi software. Surely as an Audi specialist they should have this already, or make the investment voluntarily. Technically you've invested in the business as they can use that software on other cars too. 

[AndyW60]

Yes that was my thought too and I will challenge them on it but I was so shocked and taken aback on what I was being told about the potential cost I didn’t immediately cotton on.  Basically what he told me though is that Audi treat it as though you are buying a part - sounds like an easy way to make money out of something that isn’t tangible.  I’d have thought if Audi know they have a software issue that can potentially cause serious problems then it should be the subject of a recall.

[Steve Q]

Please keep us posted on how you get on 

[AndyW60]

Will do Steve

[AndyW60]

Well not the best news this morning. Apparently there are 12 server motors that work the flaps on the air vents.  These are known by Audi to be a poor part that fails and they now use a different motor. The software I mentioned yesterday is an update for the vehicle, not diagnostics, hence why I have to pay for it.  They have now done the software update but there is a problem with the settings so it’s going to have to be run again. However, what they do know for sure is that at least 2 motors have failed behind the heater box so they will have to be changed at £261 + vat + labour.  Audi recommend that when 1 fails all 12 should be replaced which means dash out and many hours of work - the Specialist is not recommending that at this point.  Fingers crossed when the software runs again it still finds only the 2 fans actually need replacing (apparently these can be accessed by taking glove box off and a panel near foot pedals).  My estimated bill is currently £1350 subject to nothing else being found. I find I staggering that a manufacturer like Audi have allowed the use of clearly substandard parts - car has only done 36k, has been well cared for and is not really that old.  As soon as job is done it will be sold.

[Steve Q]

Well at least that answers the software question. Hopefully it's the easily accessible ones that they've mentioned. Unfortunately it doesn't surprise me and all manufacturers are like this other than Toyota, lexus and honda. 

The German, french, Italian brands plus ford and vauxhall have cottoned on to the fact they can earn more money from parts than the vehicles themselves. 

[AndyW60]

Got car back this afternoon, 2 fans replaced £1400. Just been out in car and just as bad as before - feel sick! 

[kh904]

Just seen this topic!

I don't think they replaced the fans  (I think there is only one fan), but they replaced the servo/flap motors.

I had mine fail when I purchased my car second hand (it went just after the 3 year warranty period expired- typical)!!!

The bad news was that it was a driver side servo motor that failed so it's not as easy to get to.

The independent specialist did manage to replace it without removing the whole dash after showing them a youtuber video who replaced the same part by removing the bottom part of the dash and some tight manouvering. 

The final bill was around £450 iirc. £110 of that was for a new servo motor!

It could have been worse of the whole dash had to come out!

 

I agree that it's extremely disappointing quality for a German brand!!!

[AndyW60]

Hi Harminder - yes this was all very disappointing, stressful and costly - £1400 for zero result was hard to swallow.  I had to let the car go at a significant loss - I won’t be buying another Audi or indeed VAG group car in the future - this was a known fault and a ticking time bomb - as you say, very disappointing from a German brand.

[kh904]

To be fair, i've not had any significant issues so far other than that replacement part and the brake servo sensor (a very common sensor that fails). 

Audi really need to do more long term testing of their parts before they go into production. It really isn't good enough for money to buy such a car!

[AndyW60]

No mine was fine up to a point but shouldn’t be hit with a probable £7k + bill on a ‘Prestige’ car with just 30k miles on clock - what really bothered me though is that the Audi specialist told me that Audi had known they were fitting a sub-standard part for quite some time before they apparently changed it. 

[cliffcoggin]

The days of regarding Audi as prestige cars have gone. The company is just another manufacturer fighting to gain market share by any cost cutting means possible.