| Components - Details | |
|---|---|
| NHTSA Complaint Number: 999095464 | Incident Date: Nov, 09 1999 |
| Consumer's City: ROCKVILLE | Consumer's State: MD |
| Vehicle Transmission Type: MAN | Manufacturers Name: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. |
| Model Name: A4 | Model Year: 1997 |
| Vehicle Involved in a Crash: No | Component's Description: Power train:manual transmission |
| Vehicle Involved in a Fire: No | Persons Injured: 0 |
| Vehicle's VIN#: WAUEA88D1VA | Date added to File: May, 23 2021 |
| Date Complaint Received: Nov, 30 1999 | Complaint Type: IVOQ |
| Incident Reported To Police: No | Purchase Date: Feb, 28 1997 |
| Was Original Owner: Yes | Anti-lock Brakes: Yes |
| Number of Cylinders: 0 | Date of Manufacturer: - |
| Was Vehicle Towed: - | Description of the Complaints: Operation of this a4 configuration at speeds lower than 8 m.p.h. requires either that the operator lug the engine (i.e., run at less than the recommended 1500 r.p.m. in first gear) or not close the clutch completely. this design defect has lead to excessive clutch wear, requiring two replacements in less than 52,000 miles and two incidents of clutch overheating, with smoke. a potential fire hazard exists if the vehicle is operated at less than 4 m.p.h. for an extended period (e.g., more than 30 minutes) as may be expected in certain metropolitan traffic jams. the clutch design is also unsuitable for dynamic braking, showing excessive wear, thereby contributing to premature failure and the fire hazard. the a4 is otherwise a very fine automobile. the manufacturer should correct this design defect asap through provision of a low gear, six-speed option, adjustment of ratios or similar remedy. *ak |
