Ever since childhood, a fascination with automobiles, particularly those embodying refined power, has been a driving force in my life. This passion culminated in the purchase of a 2020 Audi A8L, a vehicle that initially promised the zenith of driving pleasure. Boasting a twin-turbo 4.0L V8 engine generating over 450 horsepower, coupled with features like four-wheel steering, massaging seats, and an opulently comfortable interior, both in the front and rear, this car seemed to be the perfect embodiment of automotive luxury. As my third Audi, and by far the most expensive, the A8L delivered a truly sublime ride, setting high expectations for its successor, the performance-oriented S8 variant.
The anticipation of bringing this vehicle home was immense. Detailed financial planning, accounting for every cost, preceded a months-long search to find the exact model I desired. Finally locating it at Audi of Gulf Coast in Alabama, I reserved the car, sensing shared excitement from the dealership. The sales interaction even humorously labeled me a “Hot Lead,” and then “Hot Lead x2.”
Driven by eagerness, I embarked on a road trip in my reliable Audi A6, heading south through Houston and eastward. The purchase process was seamless, the car precisely as advertised. Intending an overnight stay, a severe storm warning with potential hail prompted an immediate westward return journey to avoid damage.
Despite an ominous start – a nail puncture on the drive home and a week-long tire replacement delay attributed to COVID-related supply chain issues – initial impressions of the Audi A8 Car were overwhelmingly positive. The Sport Plus Package, with rear axle steering and road-reading suspension, delivered an exceptional ride. For a blissful year, ownership was a delight.
The Onset of “General Electrical” Issues in My Audi A8
In June 2022, subtle yet concerning electrical malfunctions began to surface, marking the beginning of a protracted ordeal with my audi a8 car.
The first sign was a drastically reduced range of the garage door opener, requiring near-contact with the door for operation. In contrast, my older A6 and my wife’s vehicles opened the garage from the street without issue. Multiple dealership visits failed to resolve this. A costly new garage door opener installation ($1,600) temporarily improved things, but the problem recurred within a month. Frustration led to a simple clip-on LiftMaster opener – a stark contrast to the expected luxury experience. Concurrently, the power steering motor malfunctioned, necessitating a dealer “reset.” This marked my introduction to the dealership’s explanation of “General Electrical” issues.
Escalating Engine Overheating Problems
The situation took a serious turn after two years and under 20,000 miles. The engine began to overheat – an anomaly in my experience with previous Audis. An initial warning appeared, suggesting a minor issue. A quick dealer visit resulted in a dismissive assessment, labeling it a potential “fluke.” Regrettably, I accepted this explanation.
The following day, a more urgent overheating warning emerged, advising immediate attention while disabling the air conditioning and blowing hot air into the cabin. Forced to pull over with my young daughter in 108°F Texas heat, the breakdown became a frightening experience for her, stranded and worried about getting home. Audi roadside assistance eventually towed the car to the shop.
After a week or two, the car was returned, seemingly repaired. However, a mere five days later, the overheating recurred, again with my daughter present, and in even hotter weather. This time, the warning was stark: pull over immediately to avoid “frying” the engine. Roadside assistance response was delayed by days. Another tow, another family disruption.
Further complicating matters, a malfunctioning left front strut was also discovered and “fixed” during one of these service visits. Ironically, as of December, the car was back in the shop for the same strut issue.
Extended Repair Times and New Issues
The car was towed to the dealer just before July 4th. The repair duration stretched so long I spent over 20 days vacationing in Europe before the audi a8 car was supposedly fixed.
Text exchanges with the dealer across continents eventually led to an agreement to deliver the car upon my return. Screenshots were sent as “proof” of ongoing work.
Delivery occurred on August 12th, by which point I was on a first-name basis with the service manager. However, the next day revealed a new problem: a broken door seal, causing misalignment.
An apology and promise to fix it followed, but the part was backordered – another indefinite wait. As of late December, the door seal remained unfixed.
The Relentless Return of “General Electrical” and System Failures
Just three days after the car’s return, “General Electrical” resurfaced. An initial “subsystem malfunction” seemed minor, perhaps just sensor issues.
The service manager was perplexed, especially since sensors had just been aligned.
Three days later, a cascade of warnings erupted: “Presence disabled,” “Air suspension malfunction,” and “Vehicle may not start.” The air conditioning failed, the air suspension deflated, turning the luxury ride into a bumpy, lowrider-esque experience.
Another dealer visit ensued. Loaner cars, consistently provided with broken Bluetooth, added to the inconvenience. The car was “fixed” again, only to fail on the very day of pickup, September 5th.
Two days later, a terrifying incident occurred: proximity sensor malfunction triggered emergency braking and seatbelt tightening at highway speed, a potentially dangerous safety flaw.
Returned again, the sensors were supposedly realigned. Pickup on September 22nd was followed by – predictably – more failures the next day.
By this point, a buyback request was initiated with Audi. Yet, even after another week in the shop in November, familiar warnings reappeared.
Then, new problems emerged, including electromechanical parking brake failure.
As of December 23rd, 2023, the car was back in the shop for: coolant/ammonia-smelling AC, recurring “General Electrical” failures, parking brake failure, unresolved door seal, broken automatic cruise control, front suspension knocking (again, the left strut), and a jammed rear cupholder. The audi a8 car had spent more time at the dealership than with me since May.
The Buy Back Process: A Disappointing Offer
Driven to resolve the endless issues, a buyback request was initiated with Audi of America. Following online searches for “audi buy back” and “audi lemon law,” and navigating lawyer advertisements, the official Audi of America line was contacted on September 25th. A case was opened, but the process, requiring extensive paperwork and potentially taking 45 business days, was daunting. Document collection was tedious, especially obtaining the original purchase agreement.
After 47 days, contacting Audi again revealed the “45 days” meant “45 business days,” with a promised resolution by December 6th. December 6th passed with no response. A follow-up call on December 7th led to defensive customer service and another promise of leadership involvement within 5 business days. Eventually, an email arrived from “Steve Z” with a settlement offer: $5,000.
This offer was deemed insulting, failing to account for the time wasted, constant inconveniences, unreliable loaner vehicles, and the anxiety of driving a perpetually failing luxury car. A call with Steve Z was unproductive and dismissive, ending without resolution.
Conclusion: An Audi Ownership Experience Gone Wrong
In a fitting 2023 manner, ChatGPT was used to visualize “General Electrical,” the personification of the audi a8 car’s problems.
The experience fell far short of expectations for both the vehicle and Audi of America’s response. Repeated repair attempts failed, and customer service proved unhelpful and dismissive. The “truth in engineering” slogan seemed a distant memory, especially in light of past scandals. Sharing this experience aims to inform potential luxury car buyers about the potential for significant product quality and customer service issues, regardless of brand reputation.
Update – December 27th: Lemon Law and Resolution
Within days of sharing this story, widespread online attention and supportive responses emerged.
Audi increased their settlement offer to $8,000, still considered inadequate. State Lemon Law consultation revealed missed deadlines for full protection. Filing a complaint with the Texas DMV led to state intervention. Following state involvement, the dealership claimed the car was “fixed.” However, trust was eroded. The car was sold immediately after this supposed final repair.
A new Mercedes purchase brought immediate relief and satisfaction. This experience serves as a cautionary tale for luxury car ownership and the importance of understanding Lemon Law protections. The hope is this narrative informs others and aids in navigating similar challenges.
#AudiExperience #CustomerService #LuxuryCars
