Failure of engine ignition coils, causing vehicle to lose power, and creates surging and shaking of vehicle, making it unsafe to drive. Happened suddenly while driving. Dealer diagnosed as failure of 2 of 4 engine coils. These were previously replaced under recall. Contacted Audi, but did not receive satisfactory answer. They will not cover repair, and they claimed that it was not a part that required regular replacement and will not state what the life of the coils should be.

- Englewood Cliffs, NJ, USA

- the contact stated that there was a bad ignition coil in his 2002 Audi A4 causing the vehicle to vibrate violently resulting in his not being able to go over 20 mph without losing control of the vehicle. The contact has experienced this problem 4 times since 2003 and has either towed the vehicle into the dealer or has driven it to the dealer no faster then 20 mph. At the dealer they have replaced the ignition coils on the vehicle. The contact can provide copy of invoice repair if needed. The failure mileage was 40000 and the current was 70000 miles.

- Newark, NJ, USA

After driving about a block after cold start, the engine began to hesitate. Problem got worse. After driving a total of about 3 blocks, the engine died. There were wisps of smoke coming out of grill. Upon opening the hood, discovered a small fire on top of the engine. Dealer reports that the fire started because of a coil failure. Damage was limited to plastic manifold cover, because fire was put out early.

- Denver, CO, USA

Two failed coils in less than 1 month. May invoke MA lemon law on next failure if Audi refuses to replace remaining two defective coils. **dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis**770864

- Bedford, MA, USA

Email fm anne signorile (NY) re defective #4 coil which caused the vehicle to stall. The consumer requested that all the coils be replaced but the dealer refused.

- New York, NY, USA

1/10/2003--took the car in to have it checked because of a rough idle and trouble starting. The dealer found no initial problems. 2/5/2003--received notice in the mail from Audi concerning the possibility of bad coil packs on 2002 A4's. 2/7/2003--the car stalled on us at night, in the rain, in the middle of a busy intersection. It took me at least a minute to get it restarted--that may not sound like much, but you should try turning off your car in the middle of an intersection and wait 60 seconds before restarting & taking off. See how may people start honking and/or almost hit you before you move.... 2/8-2/11/03--the dealer checks the car over. They say the coil packs are fine, but the mass air flow sensor was bad, so they replaced it. I don't believe they have fixed the problem, since the car still idles rough, and still has trouble starting. Luckily, it hasn't died on us again (yet).

- San Antonio, TX, USA

First ignition coil pack failed on 3.0 A4 avant, I was distressed to discover that this is a known fault that has happened to a large number of owners with no plans to replace more than the units that fail when the problem occurs. This is unacceptable for a $35,000 car that has less than 3000 miles on the clock, it does not make you feel very comfortable to know that it could happen at least another 5 times. The dealer was very efficient and courteous, but that does not cut it with such a fundamental problem that could strike at any time. With so many customer complaints, Audi should be forced to issue a recall notice.

- Phoenixville, PA, USA

Through articles in the boston (MA) globe newspaper 1/26 and 2/1 2003, I have become aware of a potential dangerous situation with my 2002 Audi A4 1.8T automobile. It seems that the ignition coils are defective and Audi has not issued a recall to replace them.

- Newton, MA, USA

Audi A4 (1.8T) was "missing" on startup, shaking, severe loss of power. I tried driving to the dealership but had to turn around and park it at home, for safety. Was towed to the dealership, where I learned it was a failed ignition coil pack, and I soon learned I was in good company: Technician there estimated there were at least 85 cars -- all 1.8ts of Audi and VW -- in several nearby lots waiting for replacement ignition coils. German production was on 3 shifts to crank them out, worldwide. I enjoy this car but can no longer rely on it until all of the original ignition coils -- ending with an "-H" part-number suffix -- are replaced with the current, updated ones ending with a "-J." I'm extremely disappointed (as are U.S. Audi dealers, I've since learned) that VW won't recall all 1.8ts to replace the bad coils, which are destined to fail at some point. Unless there's a recall, I'll never buy another Audi or VW and warn as many people as I can to avoid them. This is shoddy customer care at best, and a disregard for my safety at worst.

- Yardley, PA, USA

Failed coil pack on Audi A4. Safety issue since auot stalls on highway. Dealer indicates Audi will not replace more than 1 coil (4 in the car) and I can expect furtehr failures. This is major system-wide failure problem, that Audi simply will not deal with. I urge a mandatory recall immediately before accidents ensue.

- Weston, MA, USA

The ignition coil made the vehicle ride rough. While driving, the vehicle lost power and cut off. The dealer stated they would only replace 1 out of 6 coils. The service technician had driven the vehicle five miles and the a second coil failed. Audi replaced all six coils then the remaining five were "J" coils. The engine warning light had come on. The vehicle had been serviced repeatedly by father's & sons, but they had not completed the repair. All of the oxygen sensors and the catalytic converter had been replaced. (some twice) the other emission parts were replaced. The service dealer did not give the consumer the paper work because Audi did not pay the full cost for repairs. The vehicle was still under warranty.

- Haydenville, MA, USA

1st coil pack failure, 12/24/02; 2nd coil pack failure, 01/17/03.

- Newtown, PA, USA

1st failed coil pack 12/24/02 2nd failed coil pack 01/17/02

- Newtown, PA, USA

While driving the engine misfired and decelerated. Consumer could not get car to travel over 40mph. Dealer diagnosed that the ignition coil failed. Informed consumer that manufacturer is aware of defect but will not replace component until fails.

- Rosemont, PA, USA

Left stranded by ignition coil failure on 2002 Audi A4 1.8T - this is the second time stranded by this failure

- Henrietta, NY, USA

2002 Audi A4 1.8 T: experienced three ignition coil failures within the past 20 days. When failure occurs the vehicle cannot be driven and requires towing on a flat bed trailer. Personal experience and internet research, see audiworld.com A4 (B6) forum and search "coil pack", indicates a virtual certainty that the coil pack will fail, yet Audi will not replace/recall until failure has occurred. This will leave the vehicle and motorist stranded on the road side until towed. Present winter conditions of 20 degrees F with snow poses an unnecessary risk. An immediate recall is necessary to replace defective coil packs before failure on the highway.

- Baldwinsville, NY, USA

Consumer stated the ignition coil constantly failed while driving, which resulted in no acceleration beyond 2nd gear. Problem has occurred 3 times within last 3 months.

- Grand Junction, CO, USA

I am one of the many Audi owners that have experienced a problem relating to the ignition coils of my 2002 A4 quattro. Like other drivers, I was operating my vehicle on an interstate highway when my engine began to loose power, while simultaneously the entire care began vibrating vigorously. After one flatbed trip to the local dealer, and I was informed of a malfunction of one of the four ignition coils on my car with a total of 12,000 miles of use. This problem was not nearly as aggrivating as the information which I have learned from the service tech at two separate dealerships and 3 Audi enthusiast websites: This is a problem well-known to Audi, this is a problem that has been occurring with frequency for about a year, this is a problem that Audi has yet to sucessfully solve. I have been told by my dealer that after replacing just one of the four coils per warranty agreement, with a coil identical to the one that has failed (a replacement is not ready/available) that I am left to operate my vehicle with the full prospect of future failure from the other three coils that Audi refuses to replace. This solution strickes me as illogical, unsafe and unfair to the consumer. Audi has certainly prided itself as a manufacturer of premium automobiles. The decision to provide consumers such as myself with minimal service solutions, as well as a fundamental lack of information in regards to this apparently widespread problem is contradictory to this firm's intentions of acquiring, retaining and satisfying customers.

- North Andover, MA, USA

I have a 2002 Audi A4 quattro 3.0{6 cylinder} with its second coilpack problem. There is one coilpack per cylinder.the first one failed at 8750 miles the second one at 9250 miles. Audi needs to recall the vehicle and replace all the coilpacks. Currently they will only replace the failed part.

- Portland, OR, USA

Ignition coil failure while driving resulting in a shaky vehicle, loss of power and a red-hot glowing catalytic converter. Audi is refusing to replace defective coils until each one fails. Audi even refuses to replace the defective coils at the customer''s expense.

- Wanaque, NJ, USA