Hi Livia,

I'm sorry to hear that you have experienced this problem as well.

I will be getting my car back today from the garage that I use in Bromsgrove. They have been really good so far and at a fraction of the cost. It's taken a month to dry out naturally and sort out the electrics. 

When the water was removed from inside the car they then put it on a ramp they removed the grommets from the longtitudal section underneath the car and gallons more water poured out, the grommets have now been left out completely. Water doesn't travel up and the holes are protected anyway by an underbody shield The situation has not been made better due to the weather we have had obviously. They water tested when things had been dried out and still couldn't see how the water was getting in.

So they have also followed the TSB issued in the usa and sealed the insulation as per the TSB.

I haven't tried to push Audi UK as previously others have tried and it does appear to be a non-starter. My thinking is to compile as much information as possible and then have a go at Audi in Germany where the cars are made.

Audi are aware of this issue which is clearly a design fault.

Please get back to me if I can help you with more information.

Regards Mark 

Edited February 27Feb 27 by MarkW57

I think the water ingress occurs from the OSF wheelarch - the TSB covers this. Then it has no way of draining.

@MarkW57  Audi have replacement self draining bungs. It might be worth asking your garage whether then can source them.

@Livia - I got lucky as I noticed it immediately after buying the car so the garage I bought it from offerred to fix it. They basically had to do it otherwise I would have just given the car back. Must have been a £6k job as they had the car on the ramp drying out for nearly 2 weeks, replaced the carpets, ensured the electrics were OK etc. As well as following the TSB.

It isn't really acceptable that they won't fix this as it is clearly an issue across a lot of models (not just the A6) and the fact that they have a TSB means that they know of the problem, have identified a fix and train their techs on it.

As I said on my original post, I had problems with my A4 that I had before the A6. High oil usage due to incorrect piston rings. There was a TSB on that too and a US class action lawsuit, but my local garage still had to go to Audi UK to get the work authorised. It was out of warranty, but I had always had it serviced at the main dealer, so they felt some obligation.

I have been lucky, but also persistent. I wish you luck - keep pushing. Ultimately even if you do have to pay something, it will be better than being stuck with a car that you cannot sell.

Another possible option - you could tell them that you want to trade in your car for a different one. Then, when they discount the trade-in price because of the water ingress you can use that to argue that they should fix it?

Edited February 27Feb 27 by NelsonP

Hi all,

I have an update......as soon as the garage send me the photos and videos I will post on here for all to see. There is a video of the cabin area filling up from the sills through the sealing tape on the floor! That's now been sealed! Obviously the sills fill up then the water runs across the latitude member with nowhere to go except the cabin. The garage now sealed the area suggested by the TSB. Plugs taken out so the longtitudal member can drain should any water get into it in the future. Total bill was £1203. (A bit of a difference to Audi quoting £6k)

 

 

 

@MarkW57 I moved my car to an independent workshop to have the water drained immediately. Otherwise, the dealer would likely have taken no action while the dispute is ongoing, and the damage could have worsened. The independent garage has provided a quote of around £1,000, including repairs to the electrics, and I will go for it. 

@NelsonP You advice is very sensible. I'll get my car repaired at a lower cost at an independent garage. As a consumer, my current priority is my mobility. I have no doubt that they are fully aware of this issue. Even the warranty team advised me to reference the relevant TSB when submitting my complaint to Audi UK. Furthermore, although they have not specified the root cause of the water ingress, they clearly know how to rectify the problem promptly, as outlined in the inspection report I received. All of this indicates that they are familiar with the issue. I do not accept that I should be held liable for any portion of repairs necessitated by a documented manufacturing defect. However, they have now confirmed that no further support will be offered towards my vehicle, and that this is their final position. I am planning to escalate the matter to the Motor Ombudsman. The outcome may still be disappointing, but I would like to give it a try. 

@Paddy755 Your posts were very helpful when I was preparing my complaint to Audi UK. May I ask whether you ultimately took your case to the Motor Ombudsman?  

 

Hi all,

I have just contacted my independent garage again to provide the videos and photos that they have regarding my vehicle, and will upload as soon as I get them to support anyone who opens a case with the ombudsman, I am happy to help!

I didn't see the point contacting the Audi dealership I bought from or Audi UK as clearly they are just not interested.

It has been my intention to compile all the information I can and then make contact with Audi Germany to see what they have to say with regard to this issue affecting customers across the globe. 

With regard to the TSB my garage followed this and reported they were unable to get a finger into the hole to spread around sealer, so they sprayed in sealer instead to seal the area. 

There is also video of water coming in through the floor sealing tape, obviously taken before the underbody plugs were removed and the water emptied from the longtitudal section.

Livia

The quote you have seems very fair.

(See my attached bill)

Regards Mark 

 

 

 

Hi Mark

Thank you for explaining all the above. I only found this thread today as I now have the same problem on my 2020 A6. Rear footwell behind drivers seat flooded but I have already dried out the carpet and foam myself and have no electronic problems luckily. But when i took it for a spin today, water entered the rear footwell again (while i had the carpet lifted still). So this sounds to me that water is still trapped inside somewhere. I am wonderkng about the gromments mentioned in a thread above. Are these gromments under the plastic panel that protects the fuel filter? Must this panel be removed to access these gromments? And are these gromments located towards the centre of the car or are they located towards the sill?  I think i will remove these gromments also. 

 

Appreciate your help

 

Hi LT

Sorry to hear that you are suffering from the same issue.

I am lead to believe that there are about 5-6 rubber grommets underneath that need to be removed to allow water to drain out of the sills. I believe they are hidden under the underbody protector. The water is getting in to them from the front offside wheel arch (see the TSB from Audi u.s.a as mentioned by others) I will attach it to this note if I can.

You will need a borescope/laparoscope to see inside the area that is shown, I got one from Amazon for £23.

The electrics you need to concern yourself with are under the drivers seat under a plastic plate (See my pictures in earlier posts) Be careful as the yellow one is the airbag!

If I can be of anymore assistance get back to me.

Good luck Mark 

MC-10178440-0001.pdf

Thanks Mark, TSB received. I will try this and hopefully it fixes it. It amazing Audi UK or Audi Ire have not owned up to this issue. I would have thought a TSB would cover both sides of the atlantic. 

I will keep an eye on this thread in case anyone has further info. 

Rgds

Lee

Hi Lee,

No problem buddy, glad to help, keep an eye on these posts for further pictures and videos.

How many miles has yours covered? I have had to have new discs and pads at 32k and considering I'm not heavy on brakes I wasn't too pleased about it. Another £800.

Never mind service and MOT in two weeks. Not so easy when you are on a state pension.

I have also had a quote for a gearbox service which Audi recommend at 30-60k that's another £410.

The joy of motoring eh.

Regards Mark 

Edited March 2Mar 2 by MarkW57

Hi Mark, im at about 130k kms so i have a bit more road done. But regardleaa of mileage, this water issue should not exist. Thanks for the help

Lee

NelsonP

Please keep me informed and in the loop if you go to the ombudsman as I would be happy to help.

Regards Mark 

 

Hi all,

As promised previously I have further videos to share with you. The garage I used sent these to me and I hope they help others suffering from the same thing. This was a water test before the members were drained and the TSB acted upon.

NelsonP 

If you do escalate to the motor ombudsman please let me know, I will be glad to help.