A6 fuel gauge malfunction lawsuit

[Mullen, Shaun]

A consortium of Philadelphia, PA-area law firms specializing in so-called
lemon law litigation have filed a class action lawsuit against AoA.  The law
firms' news release follows.

Shaun Mullen
Wilmington, DE

AUDI A-6 QUATTRO OWNERS LEFT STRANDED ON THE ROAD; 
CLASS ACTION SUIT FILED  
Fuel Gauge Problems Reported In 1998, 1999, and 2000 Quattro Models
 
Philadelphia, PA  The law firms of Kimmel & Silverman, P.C. and Monheit,
Monheit, Silverman & Fodera, P.C. have filed a class action suit against
Audi of America, Inc. and its parent company, Volkswagen of America, Inc,
alleging fuel gauge malfunctions in certain 1998, 1999, and 2000 Audi
Quattro models.
            According to court papers filed in the Court of Common Pleas,
Montgomery County, many Audi Quattro owners have found their cars running
out of gas despite the fact that their fuel gauge reads at least half full.
According to an Audi corporate representative and certified mechanic, the
fuel tank sensors are the culprit and admittedly no repair has yet been
devised to effectively repair the problem.
            Montgomery County, Pennsylvania resident Andrew Fox is the lead
class representative; court documents show his vehicle has been subject to
repair for the problem several times, without resolution. It is estimated
that the problem affects several thousand people in Pennsylvania and many
more nationally.  Audi Quattro owners with the problem can participate in
the class action by contacting the plaintiff's counsel.
            "I'm fed up," says Fox, a contractor from Villanova.  "I hope
Volkswagen realizes how potentially dangerous this problem can be.  The
gauge will go from full to empty and back to full within minutes."  Fox has
had his gauge replaced four times in less than a year.  "This is completely
unacceptable for a car worth over $40,000."
 
Court papers further allege that Audi officials have known about this defect
for years, by citing testimony taken under oath in a previous case that "the
amount of fuel in the tank is not actually reflected by the position of the
fuel gauge."  Audi suggests drivers measure the distance driven in their
Quattros rather than rely on their gas gauge until the problem can be
corrected, a measure consumers are finding unacceptable.  Audi believes the
problem is limited to Quattro vehicles which have different fuel tank
designs than other models, due to the all-wheel drive powertrain
configuration which takes up additional space where the fuel tank normally
resides.  Audi has not however notified all owners of the concern.
"This is a serious problem that has left unsuspecting people stranded on the
road, at all times of day and under frequently dangerous circumstances.,"
says consumer attorney and advocate Craig Thor Kimmel of Kimmel & Silverman,
P.C.  "The fact that Audi officials have known about the problem and have
been unable to resolve it in over 20 months is outrageous to anyone, let
alone those who spend the money for a luxury vehicle."
            "The fuel gauge defect in these automobiles threatens the safety
of all Audi Quattro drivers," says Peter Kohn, co-counsel from the law firm
of Monheit, Monheit, Silverman and Fodera, P.C. "That this situation hasn't
been solved or disclosed to consumers is ludicrous and unacceptable." 
            Owners and lessees of 1998, 1999, and 2000 Quattro models who
have experienced similar problems can log onto www.lemonlaw.com
<http://www.lemonlaw.com/> or call Craig Thor Kimmel at 1-800-Lemon-Law
(800-536-6652) for more information.