This review covers my experience with the Service department at Audi of Seattle. We own a 2015 Audi A5 S-line Premium Plus with the alcantara sport seats. We also purchased Audi Care with said vehicle to cover it under a longer period of time should something go wrong. As far as the car's reliability goes it has been perfectly fine. However, there has been a problem with the driver's side seat jolting back and fourth under acceleration and braking. We deduced that the seat bottom is loose and it jolts back and fourth. This is documented fairly well on Audi forums, but isn't really a "known issue," that the dealers want to address. The first time we brought it in, the issue was immediately dismissed as normal behavior without them even looking at it. They were very condescending, and stated that the "seat has millions of different settings and adjustments that the customer can make and that is the reason for the seat movement." That answer was unacceptable. They performed maintenance covered under the Audi Care and give the car back. Low and behold seat issue continues. We bring it in for the next service, and mention the seat again. They say again It's normal, but we'll look at it. They return the car having done nothing about the seat so the issue still persists. THIRD time bringing the car in for the SAME problem as well as a recall. The service advisor brings out the "shop foreman," who starts going on and on about how he has worked for Audi for over 25 years, and that they all have some play in the seat. The shop foreman then proceeds to demonstrate on another customer's older S5 that was sitting there for service. He indicated that "the seat moves way more than your car does." What he failed to recognize was that the S5 had a VASTLY different seat design, and was older so therefore it was no surprise the seat had more play in it. He was also quite rude, and lacked any customer service skills whatsoever. And they still weren't understanding of the actual issue, and NOT ONCE did they offer to go out on a test drive with us to duplicate the issue and see the problem. Also, when they returned my car to me they had said that they removed the drivers seat and reinstalled it, and that it should've been resolved. Not only was it not resolved but it was now 10 times worse, and now the seat back had considerable more play in it than it did before. Honestly, with this experience I considered getting rid of the car because of the less than average service experience I've had with it. I've had better experience at a Kia dealership, and they aren't a premium brand like Audi is. That is saying A LOT.
Fast forward to a few months later. I have been in contact with Audi of America's customer service to get the issue resolved. They said they were documenting the case and would follow up with Audi of Seattle to see if my concerns could be better addressed. The problem was getting an appointment with a loaner at Audi of Seattle. At the times I looked they were more than a month out, and I don't have time to keep returning to their service department for their incompetence. So, finally I scheduled a service appointment for Audi of Bellevue. Not only was it easier to get an appointment with a loaner, but the dealership is way nicer, and has a nicer waiting area. The staff from the moment I pulled into the service bay was courteous, kind, welcoming, and evident of a premium brand. I had mentioned my dissatisfaction briefly with Audi of Seattle, but I did not mention that I had been in contact with Audi of America. The comparison between Audi of Seattle and Audi of Bellevue was like night and day. The service advisor first off apologized about the issue I was having, and aligned with me too. Something that NEVER happened at Seattle. Second he compared the driver's seat with the passenger seat. He mentioned that they both have movement, so we told him that it's not just that movement, but it was more of a jolting under acceleration or breaking. He immediately summoned his shop foreman, who promptly went out on a test drive with me in my car and he immediately discovered the problem. They gave me no issues, no attitude, and above all were polite, professional, and delivered the level of customer service evident of a premium brand. They ordered the part for me, and it will be here in a few weeks, and it will be taken care of under warranty as it should be. There will be a separate 5 star review for Audi of Bellevue, but lets get to our bottom line.
Bottom Line:
Audi of Seattle is one of the WORST dealerships I have ever dealt with in my entire life. The dealership even after a remodel feels cramped, and doesn't really offer the amenities of what a premium brand should offer. This dealership tarnishes the reputation of the Audi and the Volkswagen brands, and frankly changes need to be made. I will NEVER visit this dealership again despite the fact that it is 2 miles from my house. Instead I will be taking my car to Bellevue read more