Audi claims that the timing chain on those vehicles are lifetime and does not need to be service. Unfortunate the timing change tensioners are made of plastic which the wear out at about 50K miles, causing a start up rattle and eventually engine explosion from the chain coming of the guides and destroying the entire engine and causing a massive accident at high speed. Hundreds of problems like this one are reported online from thousands of people even youtube videos. Not to mention that every time you bring your vehicle and complaint to Audi the claim that the rattle is normal; just to find out that is the first clue of future engine failure.

- Hamden, CT, USA

I own a 2004, Audi, S4 which I purchased used from my brother, who bought it new. I bought this car from him with 45,000 miles on it. At 55,000 miles the car had catastrophic engine failure. 5,000 miles over the warranty period! the mechanic that is repairing the damage said if one more component would have broke it could have caused me to lose control of the vehicle and crash. The engine and transmission had to be removed from the vehicle to be repaired. I contacted Audi of U.S.a. to,1. alert them of this problem and possible safety issue, 2. because the car is only 5,000 miles over the warranty and it had such massive failure I believe it only reasonable to ask for some help in the cost of repairs. The repair cost are going to be between 4,000 and 5,000 dollars. 3. I work in quality assurance for a company and I really wanted to speak with their quality assurance and alert them to this big problem. It is crucial they (Audi) understand the problem. The reps at Audi of U.S.a. that I spoke with would not help (except to listen, they are good at that), and were not cooperating with me in the process of trying desperately to alert their quality people of this failure that occurred to my car. I believe I was completely ignored and I need to find out how I can effectively report this. Not only to Audi but also other people who own the same vehicle. This is a major issue that needs to be made public. Thank you.

- Danville, IN, USA