The contact owns a 2004 Audi A6. While driving on a gravel road, the gravel was lodged into the rims. The contact washed the vehicle; however, the gravel remained in the rims. The dealer stated that power washing the rims would remove the gravel or manually wash them by hand. The manufacturer stated that this will not occur if the contact is driving on a paved road. The current and failure mileage were 30,000.

- Woodstock, VT, USA

During the first 18 months, I have experienced 4 flat tires on my Audi A6 2.7T S line. One on the rear passenger side and 3 on the front driver's side. I have driven for over 25 years and have only experienced about 3 flat tires in that entire period before the purchase of this vehicle. The flat tires were replaced with three different brands. Regardless of the tire manufacturer, there continues to be flats. This is a very serious problem and the public should be made aware of this problem.

- Lumberton, NJ, USA

I would like to bring to your attention a very serious and dangerous issue I am having with my 2004 Audi A6 2.7T S line. The issue is the 18 inch rims and tires delivered with the car. After approximately 10,000 miles, I noticed while traveling at 35 miles per hour the car shakes, vibrates and drives rough. In addition, I experienced 3 tire failures including 1 blow-out while driving at 45mph on a local highway (luckily, I did not lose control of the vehicle). I have now been in contact with 4 New York city metropolitan area Audi dealers and the head engineer of the tire manufacturer in the United States, Continental tire company, supplying original equipment tires for the A6 2.7T S line. All the dealers and the tire manufacturer have indicated there is a major problem with these 18 inch rims in the northeast area. Specifically, 60-70% of the tires fitted on these 18 inch rims are typically damaged and returned to the tire manufacturer and the majority of these 18 inch rims (equipped on the A6 2.7T) typically become bent because they can not withstand winter road conditions (I.e., potholes caused from the cold weather and snow) in the northeast United States. They all indicated these 18 inch rims should have not been delivered with the A6 2.7T in the northeast United States market. Instead, they suggested I change to 16 inch rims as was the case in earlier year A6 2.7T models (2000-2002), when the A6 2.7T came with 16 inch rims as standard equipment. I have been in contact with Audi in germany and the U.S. they refuse to help in any way. This issue poses a serious threat to the public as tires on these rims in the northeast United States are susceptible to blow outs, which could cause major traffic accidents and associated fatalities and/or injuries. To protect the public's welfare and safety, I believe the NHTSA should force Audi to recall the vehicles with these 18 inch rims and replace them with safe equipment (I.e., 16" rims and tires).

- Upper Saddle River, NJ, USA