2000 Volkswagen Passat complaints

FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARM NEEDS REPLACEMENT BECAUSE BALL JOINT IS LOOSE. THIS CAUSES SEVERE RATTLING WHEN DRIVING OVER EVEN LITTLE BUMPS. *JB

HAD A REAR TIRE BLOW UT A WHILE BACK AND NOW MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING A SIGNIFICANT SIZE GAS LEAK( IN THE REAR LEFT PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR), WHICH IS THE SUMMARY AND CONSEQUENCE OF THE VW PASSAT RECALL ISSUED JAN 23, 2002. I, HOWEVER, JUST RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE 2 WEEKS AGO. I DID REPORT MY TIRE BLOW OUT WITH NHTSA BECAUSE I WAS CONCERNED I HAD A DEFECTIVE TIRE. IT APPEARS THE REMEDY FOR THIS RECALL IS TOO LATE FOR ME, I ALREADY HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENCE OF VW'S DEFECT. I ONLY HOPE VW RECTIFIES THIS PROBLEM ASAP.*AK

(2000 VW PASSAT) MECHANIC INDICATED EXCESSIVE TIE-ROD-END WEAR DUE TO SEAL FAILURE -- IDENTICAL TO FAILURE SUBJECT TO RECALL IN 1999 MODEL. VW WAS NOTIFIED ON 7/7/2003 AND DECLINED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR.*AK

I OWNED A 2000 VW PASSAT. MY CAR FAILED SEVERAL TIMES UPON ACCELERATION DURING PASSING OR ACCELERATING ONTO THE EXPRESSWAY. I HAD IT INTO THE SHOP AT LEAST EIGHT TIMES. THE VW REP INSINUATED THAT I WAS DOING SOMETHING TO THE VEHICLE. THEY FINALLY ALLOWED ME TO TRADE FOR A 2003. THERE IS NOW A RECALL ON THE IGNITION COIL STARTING WITH 2001. I THINK YOU HAD BETTER INCLUDE 2000 ON THAT RECALL. *NLM

APPARENTLY THE FUEL INJECTORS IN MY 2000 VW PASSAT WAGON 4MOTION ARE DEFECTIVE. THE CAR HAS 63,000 MILES. STARTING AND IDLING PROBLEMS LED TO THE DISCOVERY OF EXCESS CARBON BUILD-UP IN THE VALVES AND THE FAILURE OF THE COMBINATION VALVE. THIS VALVE COST ME ABOUT $400 TO REPLACE. VW SAYS THE FUEL INJECTORS SHOULD BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY ARE A CERTAIN COLOR (OF MANUFACTURE), IMPLYING THEY ARE DEFECTIVE. REPLACING THEM WILL COST ME ABOUT $600, OR ABOUT $1000 FOR EVERYTHING. *NLM

THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND JERKED WHEN IT REACHED THE SPEED OF 40 MPH. *JB

ARM CONTROL BALL JOINTS AND BUSHINGS PREMATURELY FAILED ON VEHICLE. BALL JOINT FAILURE WAS SO SEVERE THAT IT COULD HAVE SEPARATED FROM THE RACK AND DISABLED STEERING OF VEHICLE.*AK

CONTROL ARMS ON THIS MODEL ARE CHRONICALLY FAILING. EVERY PASSAT OWNER I HAVE TALKED TO IS HAVING A SIMILAR PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE IS ONLY AT 40000 AND THE CONTROL ARMS ARE STARTING TO CRACK AND TEAR. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND CONSIDER A SAFETY RECALL. A CONTROL ARM FAILURE AT HIGH SPEED COULD BE FATAL.*JB

TIE ROD AND CONTROL ARMS ARE PRONE TO FAILURE, I.E. BUSHINGS BECOME WORN AND WILL TEAR AFTER TIME. THE BUSHINGS ON MY VEHICLE FOR BOTH UPPER CONTROL ARMS (CURRENTLY @ 48000 MILES) ON BOTH SIDES AND TIE RODS HAVE STARTED TO CRACK AND TEAR. *JB

I PURCHASED A NEW 2000 PASSAT IN FEB. OF 2000. ON NOV. 5, 2001 THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE DASH DISPLAYED EMISSION WORKSHOP.THE SYSMPTOMS WERE A JOLTING WHEN PLACING THE CAR INTO ANY GEAR AND THE CAR LOSING POWER FOR SEVERAL SECONDS WHILE DRIVING.I TOOK IT IN AND FOUND OUT THE "ENGINE CONTROL MODULE" NEEDED REPLACMENT & THE "MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR" NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IT WAS FIXED AT NO CHARGE. THEN, ON DEC. 23, 2002 I HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND TOOK IT IN AND HAD TOPAY $161.00 TO REPLACE THE "VACCUM LINE TO MANIFOLD". NOW YESTERDAY APRIL 28,2003 I HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND FOUND OUT THE "MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR" NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SEONCD TIME AND THE DEALER WILL ONLY PAY 50% AND THEY WILL STAND BEHIND THEIR DECISION BECAUSE THEY FEEL IT'S MORE THEN FAIR. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT IT IS VERY RARE FOR THIS PROBLEM TO HAPPEN. WELL IT HAS ALREADY HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE 3 YEARS I HAVE OWNED IT AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO GIVE ME AN ANSWER TO WHY THIS HAPPENS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MAY COMPLAINTS YOU HAVE RECEIVED ON CASE NUMBER:748685. I FEEL LIKE I PURCHASED A LEMON AND WILL BE DEALING WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM OVER AND OVER. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE OR RECOMMEND A VOLKSWAGEN TO ANYONE.

CONTROL ARM FAILURE LEADING TO SUSPENSION BREAKDOWN. SECOND OCCURRENCE IN 60000 MILES. FIRST OWNER. NOT HAPPY ABOUT VW'S INABILITY TO CLAIM FAULT FOR PROBLEM. *NLM

SEVEN OF THE EIGHT CONTROL ARMS ON MY 2000 VW PASSAT HAVE FAILED. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ISSUED IN EUROPE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. LIKEWISE, THE AUDI A4 SHARES THE SAME CHASSIS AND SAME FRONT END SUSPENSION. JUST LIKE THE VOG RECALLED THE PASSAT AOA HAS RECALLED THE A4. HOWEVER VOA HAS DECIDED TO NOT ISSUE A RECALL AND RISKING THE PASSAT CUSTOMER BASE INJURY OR EVEN DEATH. WHY IS IT THE EXACT SAME PARTS WERE RECALLED AND THE SAME CHASSIS, BUT VOA HAS NOT RECALLED THE PASSAT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME THAT IT WILL COST 1,400.00 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE CONTROL ARMS. NHTSA NEEDS TO QUESTION VOA ON THIS MATTER. MY CAR HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT AND IS BEING MAINTAINED BY A VOLKSWAGEN TECHNICIAN. THERE IS JUST NO REASON WHY A PART THAT IS DESIGNED TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR HAS FAILED AT 40,000 MILES. *JB

OUR VOLKSWAGEN DEALER (MARTENS VOLKSWAGEN) WAS INITIALLY CONTACTED FOR SERVICE WHEN AN ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON MY 2000 PASSAT GLS WAGON THAT SAID "EMISSIONS WORKSHOP". THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T TAKE A LOOK AT THE CAR FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS BECAUSE IT WASN'T A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND WE SHOULD JUST KEEP DRIVING IT. AFTER A FEW MORE DAYS OF DRIVING THE CAR, WE SMELLED GASOLINE FUMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT (WHILE DRIVING, NOT WHILE STARTING). WE THEN INSISTED THAT MARTENS LOOK AT THE PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT ALL FOUR FUEL INJECTORS WERE LEAKING FUEL THROUGH THE SIDE OF THE INJECTORS INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND NEEDED REPLACING. HE CLAIMED THAT SOMETHING IN THE GASOLINE WAS MELTING THE SEALS. THE CAR HAS ONLY 33,421 MILES ON IT. IT HAS HAD REGULAR SERVICE AT VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS AND WAS ONLY FILLED UP WITH 93 OCTANE GASOLINE BOUGHT IN THE US AS REQUIRED BY VOLKSWAGEN. IN ADDITION WE HAVE NEVER USED ANY FUEL ADDITIVES. I BELIEVE THAT THESE FUEL INJECTORS ARE DEFECTIVE AND THERE MAY BE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE ALSO BEING TOLD TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT ON WHO MAY IN FACT HAVE GASOLINE LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DUE TO LEAKING INJECTORS. THEREFORE WE RECOMMEND THAT NHTSA INVESTIGATE IF A SAFETY RECALL IS NEEDED TO PREVENT ENGINE FIRES THAT MIGHT RESULT FROM DEFECTIVE FUEL INJECTORS IN THIS MODEL VOLKSWAGEN. *NLM

INTERMITTENTLY CAR WILL NOT START. USUALLY I CAN MANEUVER THE AUTOMATIC SHIFTER FROM THE PARK POSITION DOWN THROUGH THE GEARS, (NEUTRAL, DRIVE, ETC...) THEN BACK TO THE PARK POSITION & THEN THE CAR WILL START. VW DEALER IS UNABLE TO ISOLATE THE PROBLEM BUT OFFERED TO REPLACE A PART FOR A FEE OF $400.00 BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. *JB

THIS IS REGARDING A 2000 VOLKWAGEN PASSAT. I HAVE READ THAT THERE IS AN "ACTION PLAN" BY VOLKSWAGEN FOR 2001 AND NEWER PASSATS FOR COIL WIRES. I FEEL THAT VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD INCLUDE THE 2000 AS WELL. ALTHOUGH MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED I HAVE ALREADY HAD TWO COIL FAILURES. UNLIKE CARS WHICH ARE COVERED BY THE RECALL I HAVE TO GET THEM REPLACED AS THEY FAIL. I BELIEVE VW IS JUST TRYING TO SAVE MONEY BY NOT INCLUDING THE 2000 CARS. *JB

I HAD TWO TIRES BLOW OUT WITHIN THREE WEEKS OF EACH OTHER. THE TIRES ARE ORIGINAL TO MY 2000 VW PASSAT GLS WAGON AND HAVE APPROXIMATELY 30000 MILES OF WEAR. THE TIRES ARE MADE IN GERMANY - MODEL: "195/65 R15 RADIAL 91H M+S ECOPLUS CONTITOURING CONTACT" *NLM

THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE A NOISE, AND THEN STALLED.*JB

THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD.*JB

WET WEATHER BRAKING...SAME AS OTHER COMPLAINTS. THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT DELAY IN BRAKING RESPONSE IN WET WEATHER. ONCE THE BRAKES 'GRAB' STOPPING IS NOT A PROBLEM; I'VE LEARNED TO BRAKE EARLY. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE REDUCED IF YOU TRY TO FREQUENTLY TOUCH THE BRAKES, I'M ASSUMING THIS CLEARS WATER BUILD-UP FROM THE ROTORS/PADS. IS THIS A PROBLEM WITH THE OPEN DESIGN OF THE ALLOY WHEELS OR IS THE DISC/ROTOR GUARD THAT SITS BEHIND THE WHEEL BECOMING FILLED WITH WATER? FYI, I HAVE A 2000 PASSAT 4MOTION GLX WAGON.

VW WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR OF THE CONTROL ARMS AND AFTER RESEARCHING THE WEB I FOUND THAT FAILURE OF THE CONTROL ARMS ARE NORMAL FOR THIS MODEL. *PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**770854

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE IGNITION COIL BROKE CAUSING LOST OF ACCELERATION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

I DRIVE A 2000 VOLKSWAGON PASSAT GLX 4MOTION. I HAVE FELT THAT I GOT A BAD CAR SINCE VERY EARLY ON IN MY LEASE (I NOW HAVE 8 MONTHS LEFT). ON THIS PARTICULAR OCCAISION, I HAD A SEVERE OIL LEAK. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN MY OIL PAN THAT MUST HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A ROCK (I DON'T RECALL FEELING ANYTHING HIT THE CAR HARD ENOUGH TO PUT A HOLE IN ANYTHING). I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT A WARRANTEED ITEM, RATHER NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I HAVE OWNED 5 OTHER CARS AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS SHAKING WHEN THE BREAKS ARE APPLIED. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS IS DUE TO WARPED ROTORS. I ONLY HAVE 20,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ANY KIND OF BREAK PROBLEMS WITH THAT FEW MILES. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTEE EITHER, AGAIN, NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE OTHER 5 CARS THAT I OWNED EASILY HAD OVER 20,000 MILES ON THEM AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH BRAKE ROTORS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A TREND WITH THIS VEHICLE. EARLY ON IN MY LEASE, I HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR NOT STARTING. EACH TIME IT WAS DUE TO CARBON BUILDUP ON MY SPARK PLUGS. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED THERE WAS ONLY 2,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND THE DEALER HAD THE NERVE TO TELL ME THAT SPARK PLUGS WERE STANDARD MAINTENENANCE ITEMS AND I MUST NOT BE TAKING CARE OF MY CAR PROPERLY. 2 YEARS LATER, THERE WAS AN EMISSION CONTROLS RECALL WHICH FIXED THIS PROBLEM, WHICH THE DEALER INITIALLY CALLED DRIVER ERROR, NOT A VEHICLE PROBLEM.

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. THIS RESULTED IN DRIVER BEING SERIOUSLY INJURED. CONSUMER IS CURRENTLY ON DISABILITY AS THE RESULT OF THE INJURIES OBTAINED BY THIS ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE PRESSURE OF THE DRIVER IMPACTING THE CONSOLE, CAUSED THE CONSOLE TO TWIST AND ACTIVATE THE SEAT BELT RELEASE BOTTOM. THIS RESULTED IN THE DRIVER BEING THROWN FROM THERE SEAT, WHICH CAUSE THEM TO HAVE HEAD INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

THERE ARE FOUR OIL PACKETS LOCATED INTO HER VEHICLE. CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL AND THE ENGINE LIGHT APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS

NAR 1/15/2003. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED AT A LOW MILEAGE. THE FIRST SIGN OF A PROBLEM WAS THE AIR BAG LIGHT WHICH HAD COME ON AND DID SO SPORADICALLY. THE PROBLEM PROGRESSED TO THE TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER WHICH BEGAN MOVING ERRATICALLY, TO THE POINT THE VEHICLE BEGAN STALL. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED AGAIN AND THE MECHANIC THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE IGNITION. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AND AFTER PERFORMING A DIAGNOSTIC THERE WAS A READING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STARTER. AS OF NOW THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *JB

WHILE DRIVING THE MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. IN THE OWNER MANUAL IT STATES WHEN THIS LIGHT COMES ON DON'T DRIVE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE SERVICE. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THEIRS A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH COIL, AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM PER DEALERSHIP. TS

VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND EMISSIONS WORKSHOP INDICATOR HAVE BEEN COMING ON 2-3 MINUTES AFTER START UP. VEHICLE TAKEN IN FOR 40,000 MILE SERVICE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DIAGNOSTIC. VISIT # 1) REPLACED OXYGEN SENSOR ON EMISSIONS SYSTEM. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BACK ON NEXT DAY. VISIT # 2)RESET CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BACK ON NEXT DAY. SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT FOR FULL DIAGNOSTIC NEXT WEEK. VISIT #3) REPLACED VACUUM LINES, THOUGHT 40,000 MILE SERVICE WAS STRESSING OLDER PARTS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON NEXT DAY. VISIT # 4) RESET CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON NEXT DAY. SCHEDULED ANOTHER FULL DIAGNOSTIC. VISIT # 5) ORDERED AND REPLACED SECONDARY AIR PUMP, LEFT VEHICLE OVERNIGHT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AT PICK UP. NO ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE, AGREED TO RETURN VEHICLE NEXT DAY. VISIT # 6) REPLACED RELAY FOR SECONDARY AIR PUMP. PLAN TO RETURN VEHICLE TO ME AFTER 3 MORE DAYS. HOPING 6TH REPAIR ATTEMPT IS SUCCESSFUL (11/22/02) DT

THE BOOT COVERING THE BALL JOINT FOR THE TIE ROD ENDS AND BOTH FRONT AND REAR UPPER CONTROL ARMS HAS FAILED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE BOOT FAILING HAS CAUSED THE BALL JOINT TO FAIL CAUSING EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE WHEELS. THIS IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. VOLKSWAGEN RECALLED THE PARTS DUE TO THE SAME FAILURE FOR 1998 & 1999 PASSATS, SO THEY SHOULD ALSO INCLUDE THE 2000'S. DT

BRAKE PAD SENSORS FAILED BY CRACKING DOWN THE MIDDLE PREMATURELY, SETTING OFF BRAKE LIGHT SNESOR ON DASHBOARD. DT

ENGINE OCCASSIONALLY STALLS WHEN SHIFTING FROM A GEAR INTO NEUTRAL (FOR THE PURPOSE OF BRAKING). TODAY IT HAPPENED 3 TIMES STOPPING AT STOP LIGHTS, AND 2 TIMES IN PARKING LOTS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING, OFTEN, ALL WEEK (ONCE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, SLOWING FOR AN EXIT RAMP - ENGINE STALLS, POWER STEERING AND BRAKING GOES OUT, NOT GOOD). THIS PROBLEM WAS 'FIXED' AT AROUND 40K MILES WHEN A 'WASTE SOLENOID GATE' AND A 'TURBO VALVE' WERE REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP OVER 3 SEPARATE VISITS. THE STALLING WAS GONE FOR ABOUT 6000 MILES, BUT NOW IT HAS RETURNED. THIS MAY BE CONNECTED WITH THE 'CHECK ENGINE LIGHT' WHICH WAS ON AT THAT TIME, AND HAS FLASHED ON RECENTLY. I'M PLANNING ON TAKING IT TO A LOCAL VW SHOP SOON TO GET THIER OPINION. DT

THE BELLY PAN BECAME DISLODGED FROM THE FRONT UNDERCARRIAGE AS I ACCELERATED ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY. WHEN I STOPPED FOR ASSISTANCE AT THE NEAREST GAS STATION. THE TWO MECHANICS ON DUTY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD SEEN EIGHT SIMILAR INSTANCES THAT WEEK, ALL INVOLVING VOLKSWAGENS. TO MY KNOWLEDGE, I HADN'T RAN INTO ANY CURBS OR BELGIAN BLOCKS WITH THE FRONT OF MY CAR RECENTLY. I BELIEVE THAT ALL THE SCREWS/BOLTS THAT HAD HELD UP THE PAN HAD FALLLEN OUT OVER TIME. THREE DAYS LATER, I TOOK THE CAR TO A VW DEALER, BECAUSE ONLY A DEALER HAD THE RIGHT FASTENERS TO SECURE THE PAN. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PAN WAS SCRAPED IN THE FRONT, THAT I MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING FOR THE PAN TO FALL OFF. I DISAGREE I THINK THE SCREWS FELL OUT OVER TIME. THE MECHANICS HAD THE OPINION THAT THE DESIGN OF THE SCREWS/BOLTS IS FLAWED, SINCE THEY HAD SEEN THIS SITUATION HAPPEN ON SO MANY RECENT MODEL VWS. I'D LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS A TREND OF VW BELLY PANS COMING LOOSE OVER TIME. I WAS TOLD THAT THE BELLY PAN SERVES TO DEADEN ROAD NOISE. ISN'T IT PURPOSE ALSO TO PROTECT THE UINDERCARRIAGE? IF SO, IT SHOULD BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND SCRAPING UP AGAINST CURBS OR SURVIVNG ASSAULT FROM OTHER REGULAR ROAD DEBRIS. THE FACT THAT THE BELLY PAN MAY FALL OFF WITHOUT WARNING AT ANY TIME IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. DT

I BOUGHT MY 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT FROM GEORGIA AUTO SQUARE IN ATHENS, GA. IT WAS BRAND NEW WITH NO MILES. I HAVE HAD ALL SERVICE REQUIREMENTS & RECOMMENDATIONS DONE AT THIS DEALER. MY CAR HESITATES & LOSES POWER WHEN TRYING TO PASS OTHER CARS ON TWO LANE ROADS, ACCELERATING ONTO THE EXPRESSWAY OR ACCELERATING WHILE ON THE EXPRESSWAY. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER ONE HOUR AWAY SIX TO SEVEN TIMES OVER A YEAR (NOT INCLUDING THE TIMES IT WAS IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE). THEY HAVE KEPT MY CAR OVER 50 DAYS TRYING TO FIND THE PROBLEM, WHICH THEY CLAIM, IS A WET AIR FILTER. THEY TOLD ONCE THAT THEY HAD TO REMOVE THE SNOW GUARD, WHICH WORKED WITH OTHER CARS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM (OBVIOUSLY I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE). THIS SEEMS BIZARRE SINCE IT DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE WEATHER RELATED. HOW DOES WATER GET INTO AN AIR FILTER (IF THAT IN FACT IS THE PROBLEM) AND WHY AFTER ALL THIS TIME HAVEN'T THEY BEEN ABLE REMEDY IT? I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS CLOSE CALLS INVOLVING MY FAMILY & OTHER DRIVERS UNFORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE NEAR ME DURING THESE POWER FAILURES. BEING IN SEVERAL LIFE THREATENING SITUATIONS AFTER BEING ASSURED THAT MY CAR WAS FIXED, THEIR SERVICE MANAGER APOLOGIZED FOR "MY INCONVENIENCE". THREE WEEKS AGO WHILE DRIVING TO A FUNERAL, MY CAR STALLED WHILE MERGING AT I-985 & I-85. AFTER SUDDENLY LOSING POWER & TERRIFYING ME AND THE DRIVER BEHIND ME, WHO SAW THAT I EXPERIENCING TROUBLE, THE CAR FINALLY STARTED JERKING, LET OUT A BILLOW OF SMOKE & FINALLY (AND THANKFULLY) CAUGHT & DROVE ON.

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE AIR BAG SENOR LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. VEHICLE RAN OVER A SMALL ROCK AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. WHICH CAUSE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. REPLACED AIR BAG, SENOR LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND STAYED ON. *MR

IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS, I HAVE HAD THE WINDOW REGULATOR IN MY VEHICLE REPLACED 4 TIMES. UPON RESEARCHING, THERE APPEARS TO BE (LITERALLY) HUNDREDS OF CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF REPLACEMENT PARTS, THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. WILL VOLKSWAGEN DO NOTHING UNTIL SLAPPED WITH A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT BECAUSE SOMEONE DIES FROM A WINDOW MALFUNCTION IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT?*AK

SECONDARY AIR INJECTION PUMP USED FOR IGNITION HAS FAILED. WHEN STARTING VEHICLE IT MAKES A LOUD WINING NOISE. HARD PART REPLACED 3 TIMES, BUT PROBLEM REOCCURRED. *AK

RIGHT FRONT SEAT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHEN CONSUMER HIT A POTHOLE, DAMAGE TO RIGHT WHEEL AND TIRE, VEHICLE NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT, CLAIM 13-7212-517. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 5MPH, LIKE THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED. CONSUMER PRESSED ACCELERATOR, HOWEVER VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT GEARS. DROVE VEHICLE AT 15 MPH. VEHICLE DECELERATED AT 5 MPH, AND MASHING THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR DID NOT INCREASE THE SPEED. BOTH HAPPENED IN A DURATION OF 5-7 MINS. THE VEHICLE THEN RESUMED AT NORMAL OPERATION. CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, NO PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED. DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE VW FACTORY CONTACT HAD NO RECORD OF ABERRANT ACTION AND HAD NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. *SCC

FIRST PROBLEM 07/2002 DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, CAR DECELERATED AS THOUGH BRAKES APPLIED TO ABOUT 5MPH. TRANSMISSION (AUTOMATIC) DROPPED TO LOW GEAR. RESPONDED BY DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR ALL THE WAY DOWN WITH NO INCREASE IN SPEED. CAR ACTED LIKE THERE WAS EITHER A TRANSMISSION OR FUEL FEED PROBLEM. A SECOND SIMILAR OCCURRENCE TOOK PLACE 08/2002 EXCEPT THIS TIME CAR EXHIBITED SIMILAR TRAIT AFTER HAVING BEEN PARKED. ON BOTH OCCASIONS, THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM LASTED APPROXIMATELY FIVE TO SEVEN MINUTES AND THEN THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. AFTER THE SECOND EPISODE, CONTACTED VW DEALER, THE IMPORTED CAR STORE, 1432 S HARBOR CITY BLVD., MELBOURNE, FL WHO PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TESTS, BUT COULD FIND NO CAUSATIVE FACTOR. WHILE IN THE DEALER SERVICE WAITING ROOM, AFEMALE OWNING A VW JETTA, SPOKE OF HAVING A VERY SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH HER 2001 0R 2002 MODEL. HAD WE BEEN TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND HAD THESE PROBLEMS, THE ACTION OF THE VEHICLE COULD VERY LIKELY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. EVERY TIME I OPERATE THE CAR, I FEEL AS THOUGH A REPETITION OF HTE BEHAVIOR COULD HAPPEN AND I FEEL THE SAFETY OF ANY OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR ARE IN JEAPORDY. *AK

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLES SUN ROOF SUDDENLY SHATTERED, CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY STATED IT PROBABLY WAS A ROCK.*JB *JB

ONLY THE DRIVERS DOOR AND TRUNK LID HAVE A DASH LIGHT AND CHIME INDICATOR TO LET THE CONSUMER KNOW THAT THESE DOORS ARE OPEN, ON ONE OCCASION THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WITH THREE SMALL CHILDREN WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHT WAS ON, ONLY THEN DID THE DRIVER REALIZED THAT A REAR DOOR WAS AJAR, THE CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. NLM

CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLAMP DID NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD PROPERLY, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEADLAMP WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED.*JB

VEHICLE WAS ENTERING HIGHWAY AND DUE TO TRAFFIC SPEEDING UP CONSUMER HAD TO ACCELERATE FASTER. ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK BY SLAMMING DOWN ON IT. CONSUMER HAD TO REACH DOWN AND PULL PEDAL UP WHILE DRIVING. VOLKSWAGEN WILL BE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

THE CONSUMER STATES THE PROBLEM IS THE CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS BECAUSE THE CAR CREAKS OVER BUMPS AND WHEN BEING DRIVEN AROUND CORNERS ALSO WHEN YOU SIT DOWN IN THE CAR IT CREAKS. *JG

DRIVER'S SIDE POWER DOOR LOCK UNLOCKS ITSELF WHILE CAR PARKED. INTERVALS VARY. *AK

CONTROL ARM FAILURES ARE VERY COMMON ON THIS SUSPENSION DESIGN, PLEASE INVESTIGATE FURTHER BEFORE THERE ARE FATALITIES. *AK

RACK AND PINION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM STARTED DIRECTLY AFTER 40,000 MILE TUNE UP AT DEALER. I HAVE HEARD STORIES OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH SAME PROBLEM OF WHEEL STICKING WHEN TURNING. FEELS LIKE RACK IS NOT ALIGNED WITH RACK AND PINION. HAVE HEARD OF ONE INSTANCE WHERE STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT. PLEASE CORRECT THIS PROBLEM SO MYLSELF AND OTHER ARE NOT IN DANGER OF LOOSING STEERING WHILE DRIVING.*AK

MIDDLE REAR SEAT, WHEN BACK SEAT IS FOLDED DOWN SEAT BELT WILL GET STUCK.DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS CANNOT BE ADJUSTED, VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY DEALER 3 TIMES INDICATING THAT THE LIGHTS DO NOT EXTEND OUT FAR ENOUGH. NLM

THE SHIFT LEVER CANNOT BE SHIFTED PAST REVERSE DUE TO FAULTY GEARBOX. NLM