2009 Volkswagen Tiguan complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED A LOUD NOISE, NO COMPRESSION, AND A METALLIC METAL TO METAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V441000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND 13V569000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V235000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,310.

67,000 MILES ON AN 8 YEAR OLD TIGUAN MAJOR FAILURE OF THE REAR MAIN OIL SEAL, FOLLOWED 3 DAYS LATER BY THE FAILURE OF THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER. BOTH THE SEAL AND THE TENSIONER ARE NOTED POINTS OF FAILURE AND VWOA IS NOT STANDING BEHIND THE KNOWN ISSUE AND OR QUALITY ISSUES REGARDING THESE PARTS. REAR MAIN SEAL BROKE DURING A HIGHWAY DRIVE, NO CHECK ENGINEER LIGHT APPEARED, OIL WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY DRAINED FROM THE CAR AND NO LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON. THE ONLY INDICATION OF THE FAILURE WAS THE POOL OF OIL UNDER THE CAR WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED. AFTER REPAIR OF THE REAR MAIN SEAL, CAR RAN FINE FOR 3 DAY AND THEN THE TIMING CHAIN SLIPPED CAUSING SEVER ENGINE SHAKE. CAR WAS STATION ARE WHEN THIS OCCURRED AND CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY TOWED TO THE DEAL FOR DIAGNOSTIC. FAILURE OF THE TENSIONER ON THE TIMING CHAIN WAS THE CONTRIBUTING FACTOR AND LOW OIL PRESSURE CAN CAUSE THE FAILURE ACCORDING TO RESEARCH OF THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE. THE FAILURE OF THE REAR MAIN SEAL COULD HAVE CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND WITH NO WARING LIGHTS OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS THE DRIVE IS UNAWARE OF THE CONDITION. IN DISCUSSION WITH VWOA THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN STANDING BEHIND THE QUALITY OF THE ENGINE AND OFFER NOT ASSISTANCE TO HELP COVER THE COST OF THE DEFECTIVE, INTERNAL PARTS, THAT A CONSUMER WOULD HAVE NO UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO CHECK OR CONFIRM CONDITION WITHOUT EITHER THE MANUFACTURER OR THE DEALER MAKING A POINT TO CHECK DURING NORMAL SERVICE INTERVALS. THE TENSIONER HAS

THE TIMING TENSIONER WENT BAD AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE WHICH NOW NEEDS REPLACED AT AROUND $7K-$8K. THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE BY VW AND THERE ARE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS OUT THERE. I CALLED VW OF AMERICA AND THEY REFUSED TO EVEN HELP WITH THIS ISSUE DUE TO THE FACT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. HOW COULD THERE BE NO RECALLS ON A CAR THAT THEY KNOWINGLY HAD ISSUES WITH THE TIMING TENSIONER? I CANNOT FIND ANYTHING ON THE NHTSA SITE THOUGH ON SOME FORUMS OTHERS HAVE STATED A FILE NUMBER FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I JUST THINK VW SHOULD STAND UP AND TAKE CARE OF A PROBLEM THEY KNEW ABOUT A LONG TIME AGO.

TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER IS DEFECTED. THE TIMING CHAIN LOST TENSION WHILE VEHICLE WAS ON ALLOWING THE CHAIN TO JUMP ONE TOOTH CAUSING DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS TO THE ENGINE.

WHIEL DRIVING ON A BUSY STATE ROAD, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AROUND 70,900 MILES. I HEARD RATTLING SOUND FROM ENGINE, FRONT END SHAKE. I PULLED OVER NEAR MY HOUSE AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. I THEN HAD TROUBLE STARTING THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY INFORMED ME OF THE FOLLOWING, "TECH FOUND THAT TIMING CHAIN ADJUSTER HAS REACHED ITS LIMITS. FOUND COOLANT FANS HAVE INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT. TECH RECOMMENDS TO REPLACE ALL TIMING CHAIN COMPONENTS AND TO REPLACE BOTH COOLNG FANS. TIMING CHAINS AND ALL COMPONENTS $2887.68 COOLING FANS $1252.16" THE TECH THEN TOLD ME HE WOULD NOT RECOMMEND ME DRIVING THE VEHICLE ANYMORE. I'M NOT SURE WHEN THE TIMING ADJUSTOR FAILED, BUT IF I WERE TO KEEP DRIVING THE TIGUAN, IT COULD HAVE CAUSED MY ENGINE TO SEIZE AT ANY TIME. I LATER BECAME AWARE FROM INTERNET RESEARCH THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER PROBLEM WAS COMMON AMONG VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDIS WITH THE 2.0T ENGINE SOLD FROM 2008 - 2011 AND IN NOV. 2011 VOLKSWAGEN ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) MAKING THEIR DEALERS AWARE OF THE DEFECT. HOWEVER, THE COMPANY NEVER INFORMED CUSTOMERS. THIS PROBLEM IS CURRENTLY THE SUBJECT OF AN ONGOING CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. VOLKSWAGEN HAS SO FAR REFUSED TO HELP ME IN ANY WAY, INSTEAD MAINTAINING THAT BECAUSE MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY (6 YEARS OR 60,000 MILES) THEY ARE UNABLE TO HELP IN ANY WAY AND THAT I WOULD BE FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE TIGUAN MANUAL SAYS NO MAINTENANCE SHOULD BE NEEDED ON THE TI

AFTER NOTICING EXCESS OIL LEAKAGE WE TOOK OUR "09 TIGUAN TO OUR ASE CERTIFIED LOCAL INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO SPECIALIZES IN EUROPEAN CARS. HE FOUND A REAR MAIN SEAL FAILURE. VW PASADENA FOUND THE FOLLOWING: TIMING CHAIN FAILURE, CRANK CASE BREATHER FAILURE, CARBON BUILD UP ON VALVES, REAR MAIN SEAL FAILURE, PRESSURE CIRCULATION VALVE (PCV) FAILURE. VEHICLE IS WITHIN POWERTRAIN WARRANTY AND VW REALDRIVER MECHANICAL FAILURE SERVICE CONTRACT WARRANTY BY MILES, BUT NOT BY TERMS (5 YR AND 3YR RESPECTIVELY). WENT TO LOCAL DEALER, ESCALATED TO VW AMERICA, AND DENIED CLAIM 1/26/17. AFTER OWNING 10+ VW'S IN THE FAMILY THIS IS IT. ESCALATING PAST CLAIMS MGR TOMORROW AND SEEKING A RESOLUTION.

THE ENGINE FOR MY PARTICULAR CAR IS VERY POORLY DESIGNED CAUSING IT TO HAVE SO MANY ISSUES ONE AFTER THE OTHER. AT ON 72K MILES I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE FOLLOWING JOBS DONE TO MY CAR: REPLACE PCV VALVE, DECARBONIZATION OF THE CAR, REAR MAIN SEAL LEAK REPLACEMENT.

TIGUAN. PURCHASED THE CAR IN DECEMBER 2015 REPLACED THE WATER PUMP IN FEBRUARY 2016 AND AGAIN IN JANUARY 2017. THE WATER PUMP ON THIS CAR HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES IN ITS LIFETIME. VW SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND OFFER EXTENDED WARRANTIES TO ALL OWNERS OF ITS CARS.

LARGE POOL OF MOTOR OIL UNDER THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. DEALER INSPECTED AND INFORMED ME OF A FAILED REAR MAIN SEAL CAUSED HIGH CRANKCASE PRESSURE BUILDUP DUE TO A STUCK (CLOSED) PVC VALVE.

THE WIRING INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS INSULATION THAT DEGRADES WITH THE HEAD GENERATED BY THE LOW BEAM/DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS. IT BECOMES BRITTLE AND FALLS OFF CREATING BEAR WIRE SHORTING HAZARD. THE LIGHT ASSEMBLIES ARE SUCH THAT THE WIRING CANNOT BE ACCESSED TO REPLACE WITH HIGH TEMP INSULATION. VW ONLY REPLACES W/ THE SAME ENTIRE ASSEMBLY WHICH DOES NOT CORRECT THE HAZARD & COSTS $800 TO REPLACE BOTH ASSEMBLIES. I CAUGHT THE DEFECT WHEN REPLACING A LIGHT BULB. THIS AFFECTS MORE THAN THE TIGUAN MODEL.

CAR WOULD NOT START OR EVEN TURN OVER. BATTERY WAS FINE AND FIRMLY CONNECTED. LIGHTS ALL CAME ON. NO ERROR MESSAGES. ON THIRD OR FOURTH TRY, IT STARTED RIGHT UP. I BACKED THE CAR OUT OF DRIVEWAY ONTO MY STREET WITH DISTANT APPROACHING TRAFFIC. I SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AND THE CAR BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD AND LEFT, THEN WITH A LOUD CLUNK IT DIED COMPLETELY, ENGINE OFF, ALL LIGHTS DARK. NOW IN DANGER FROM THE NOT-SO-DISTANT ONCOMING TRAFFIC, I TRIED TO RESTART. SAME TROUBLE AS BEFORE---NO REPONSE BUT THE ALL LIGHTS CAME ON. TWO OR THREE TRIES AND THEN IT STARTED. THE SAME THING OCCURRED THE FOLLOWING MORNING. NO OIL DUMP OR ANY OTHER FLUID. UNKNOWN CAUSE. VW DEALERSHSIP UNABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM AND THUS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE. THE DYING WHILE IN MOTION PROBLEM IS A POTENTIALLY INJURY-CAUSING OR EVEN FATAL HAZARD.

WHILE DRIVING THE REAR OIL SEAL FAILED CAUSING SUDDEN LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE THAT REQUIRED AN IMMEDIATE TRIP TO THE MECHANIC. NO WARNING LIGHTS EVER CAME ON TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. HAD OUR VEHICLE STALLED OR ENGINE FAILED DUE TO LOSS OF OIL WHILE WE WERE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED WE COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. ALMOST A YEAR LATER WHILE PARKED THE ENGINE FAILED TO TURN OVER AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO MECHANIC. TIMING TENSIONER HAD FAILED CAUSING DAMAGE TO ENGINE REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM LEADING UP TO THIS INCIDENT. HAD WE BEEN DRIVING AND THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED WE COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THESE ARE BOTH KNOWN PROBLEMS BY VW YET THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO REPAIR OR MAKE THEIR CUSTOMERS WHOLE DUE TO THESE DEFECTS. NOW I HAVE AN $7,000 PAPER WEIGHT BECAUSE I HAVE TO REPLACE A BLOWN ENGINE IN A CAR THAT HAS 90,000 MILES AND IS 7 YEARS OLD.

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR FROM WV TO NY, I BROKE DOWN IN PA. MY CAR WAS MAKING AN ODD NOISE AND RUMBLING FEELING WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH AND WOULD WORSEN DURING ACCELERATION. I WAS VERY CONCERNED, SO I PULLED OFF TO A GAS STATION. AT THIS POINT NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS WERE ON. AFTER I FILLED UP ON GAS, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. IT WAS TOWED TO VW DEALERSHIP IN NORTHERN PA, WHERE I WAS TOLD AN AIR HOSE WAS BROKEN. 10 DAYS LATER, MY CAR BEGAN MAKING THE SAME NOISE AND DRIVING POORLY AGAIN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESS IN LONG ISLAND, AND WAS EXACERBATED BY ACCELERATING. MY CAR COULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 30 MPH, SO I PROMPTLY TOOK MY CAR TO THE MECHANICS, WHERE I WAS TOLD THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER AND GUIDE, EXHAUST VALVES, GASKET HEADS AND SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY IN 1400 MILES, MY CAR HAD CONSUMED ALL OF THE ITS OIL AND WAS ON RUNNING ON FUMES. APPARENTLY MY CAR CONSUMES OIL AT AN ABSURD AND UNACCEPTABLE RATE. THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILING HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM AMONGST VW 2.0TSI ENGINES AND CURRENTLY THERE ARE MULTIPLE LAWSUITS FILED AGAINST THIS TYPE OF ENGINE, AS IS THE CONSUMPTION OF OIL. MY CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THESE FAILURES, BUT THAT IS ONLY BECAUSE I PULLED OVER TO A SAFE LOCATION AS SOON AS I FELT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. AGAIN A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME PRIOR TO BOTH MECHANIC VISITS. HOWEVER THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND MAY CONTINUE TO CAUSE ONE IN OTHER VEHICLES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS BEFORE THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

I WAS ON A CITY STREET IN NOVA SCOTIA WITH THE FAMILY IN VACATION, I WAS DRIVING LIKE 50 KM/H AND EPC LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ON THE DASH BOARD IT SAID ENGINE FAULT WORKSHOP . MY CAR WAS STARTING TO ACT WEIRD , NOT TAKING SPEED , NOT CHANGING GEARS MY ACCELERATION PEDAL WAS PUSHED AT MAX AND IT SEEMS LIKE THE CAR WAS LOOSING SPEED. I PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TURN ENGINE OFF AND WAIT FOR 4-5 MIN , WHEN I STAR CAR AGAIN EPC LIGHT WAS OFF ONLY ENGINE LIGHT REMAIN ON AND NO MESSAGE ON THE BOARD. CAR SEEMS TO BE GOOD FOR DRIVING. I REACH AT THE CAMP GROUND WHERE WE WORE AND PARK THE CAR. 20-30 MIN LATER MY WIFE WANT TO TAKE A LOAD OF LAUNDRY TO THE CAMP LAUNDRY PLACE AND WASH THEM, I GIVE HER THE KEY FOR CAR AND WHEN SHE TRIED TO START , THE CAR WASN'T STARTING. I UNPLUG BATTERY PUG IT BACK IN NOTHING WAS WORKING. I CALL A TOE TRACK TO TAKE THE CAR TO A VW SHOP IN TRURO (VANTAGE MOTORS). THEY TOLD ME THEY FIX THE PROBLEM, THEY HAVE TO CHANGE A RELAY 460 UNDER THE DRIVER DASH AND MOVE A FUSE #5 TO #7 UNDER THE HOOD AND THEY TOOK THE CAR FOR A TEST DRIVE AND EVERYTHING WAS GOOD, NOW I CAN COME AND PICK THE CAR FROM THEM 279$ BILL. BECAUSE I WAS IN A SUCH A HURRY TO GET BACK HOME IN NEW BRUNSWICK I DIDN'T CHECK TO SEE IF CAR IS FULLY OPERATIONAL, AND I DIDN'T HAVE TO, BECAUSE THEY TOLD ME THEY TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE. NOW ON MY WAY DOWN TO HOME I REALIZE MY FANS ARE NOT WORKING,CIGARETTE PLUGS,WINDSHIELD PUMPS ON FRONT AND BACK, AND WINDSHIELD WIPER ON THE BACK A

TURNED CAR ON AND STARTED TO SHAKE AND IDLE WILDLY, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TIMING CHAIN JUMPED WAS THE DIAGNOSIS, WENT TO GET 2ND OPINION SAME RESULT. MECHANIC WORKING ON VEHICLE, DONT HAVE EXACT EXTENT OF DAMAGE BUT HAVE AN ESTIMATE OF COST.

WATER LEAKS INTO ROOF AND A PILLAR DOWN THE DOOR INTO THE FLOOR ON BOTH SIDES OF VEHICLES. WAS WASHING THE VEHICLE AND SAW WATER DRIPPING IN THROUGH THE DOOR INTO THE VEHICLE. NOTICED WATER POOLING UP IN HEAD LINER ABOVE THE A PILLAR, DOWN THROUGH THE TRIM OF A PILLAR, DOWN THE DASH BETWEEN DOOR AND FRAME OF CAR, INTO THE FLOOR. SINCE THIS VEHICLE HAS CURTAIN AIRBAGS IN THE A PILLAR AM WORRIED ABOUT CORROSION AFFECTING THE AIRBAG OPERATION OR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OF SOME KIND. WATER POOLING CAN CREATE AN UNSAFE MOLD/MILDEW ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THIS VEHICLES HAS A PANORAMIC SUN ROOF. HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OF WATER DAMAGE, WATER LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE.

CAR AT 55,000 MILES HAD COIL FAILURE. CAUSED ENGINE TO RACE AND STALL ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. LUCKILY, IT WAS ONLY AT 25 MILES PER HOUR IN MY DEVELOPMENT.

I BOUGHT MY CAR JULY 6 2015 THE FIRST WEEK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SO THEN 2 WEEKS LATER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN THIS TIME CADILLAC CONVERTER WENT OUT THE THE HEAD LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. NO ITS IN THE SHOP FOR THE TIMING THIS CAR HAS BEEN A NIGHT MARE SINCE I GOT IT.

TIMING CHAIN FAILED AT 90,000 MILES.

MY CAR WAS PARKED IN A LOT AND WOULDN'T START. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THE TIMING CHAIN HAD JUMPED AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE BEYOND REPAIR. THEY QUOTED MY $8K TO PURCHASE A NEW ENGINE.

TIMING CHAIN ISSUE: ON NOV 18 2015 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING FROM WORK WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED. CAR WAS TOWED TO VW DEALERSHIP IN IRVING TX,WHERE THEY DID DIAGNOSTICS AND CONCLUDED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN SLIPPED OUT AND BROKE THE CYLINDER HEAD. THE TOTAL COST WAS FIXING THAT WAS AROUND 5000$. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE NO RECALL ON THE TIMING CHAIN ISSUE AND I SHOULD CALL VW OF AMERICA, WHICH I DID. I ASKED THEM WHY THE DEALERSHIP WHENEVER I TAKE THE CAR FOR SERVICE DIDNT NOT REQUEST I CHANGE THE TIMING CHAIN. ACCORDING TO THEM TIMING CHAIN IS NOT PART OF THE ROUTINE SERVICE BECAUSE ITS SUPPOSED TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR. THE VW REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME I SHOULD GO AHEAD AND FIX THE CAR AND WHENEVER THEY HAVE A RECALL ON THE ISSUE THEY WILL REFUND ME THE FIXING COST. NOW I AM STUCK WITH VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THE VEHICLE. AND VW WILL NOT COVER THE COSTS EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE SELLING A VEHICLE WHICH THEY STATE THE TIMING CHAIN DOESNT NEED TO BE CHANGED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V441000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 07/01/16*LJ UPDATED 11/21/2017*JS

THE WATER PUMP FAILED AT 106,246 MILES, IT WAS REPLACED. THE PUMP FAILED AGAIN AT 109,802 MILES, IT WAS REPLACED. THE PUMP FAILED AGAIN AT 135,473 MILES. ON ALL THREE OCCASIONS, THE PUMP FAILED ON START UP, THE CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION.

DRIVER SEAT BACK SUPPORT FAILURE. I WAS AT THE INTERSECTION OF ALAMEDA AND CHAMBERS, IN AURORA, CO. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL TO PROCEED FORWARD, A BICYCLIST DARTED OUT IN FRONT OF ME SO I QUICKLY HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL TO AVOID HITTING HIM. AT THAT MOMENT MY BACK SUPPORT DROPPED BACK INTO A FLAT RECLINE POSITION. MY VEHICLE DID NOT TRAVEL 3 FT, NOR DID I REACH ANY SPEED OVER 3 MPH. I MADE A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT TO SEE IF I COULD LIFT THE SEAT BUT IT APPEARED TO BE LOCKED INTO THE FLAT POSITION. I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE VW DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. I WAS TOLD THAT MY SEAT OPERATED CORRECTLY AND THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO GET IT UPRIGHT AGAIN. BUT WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE SEAT FELL BACKWARDS OR FAILED. I'M CONCERNED THAT THERE IS A MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH SEAT AND THAT IF I'M IN AN ACCIDENT THAT THE SEAT WILL FAIL AND THAT I COULD BE SEVERELY INJURED OR WORSE.

TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILURE: MY TIGUAN HAD BEEN RUNNING PERFECTLY AND WAS A GREAT CAR SINCE PURCHASING IT 7 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. I DROVE IT 250 MILES AND AT THE END OF THE TRIP AS I WAS PULLING INTO MY DESTINATION, I NOTICED BACK-AND-FORTH ROCKING AND THE ENGINE SOUNDING A BIT CLUNKY. I PLANNED TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER I PURCHASED IT FROM TO GET CHECKED OUT AND WASN'T GOING TO DRIVE IT IF I NOTICED THE BACK-AND-FORTH ROCKING AGAIN, BUT I DIDN'T. APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES BEFORE MAKING IT BACK HOME, I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION FOR A REST STOP. I CAME BACK OUT TO MY CAR TURNED THE KEY, AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THE BATTERY WAS AT FULL CHARGE, BUT THE ENGINE HAD THE STARTER WANTED TO FIRE UP THE ENGINE, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY LOCAL VW DEALER AND WAS EXTREMELY SURPRISED UPON RECEIVING NEWS THAT MY ENGINE AND TURBO WERE BLOWN AND BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER NOTIFYING THE USED CAR LOT I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM, I WAS MADE AWARE OF MY VEHICLE BEING ONE MONTH BEYOND THE 6-MONTH WARRANTY. I CALLED VW WHO SAID THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS WELL OVER THE WARRANTY MILEAGE. I HAVE SINCE PERSUADED THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED FROM TO COVER THE INSTALLATION OF A REPLACEMENT ENGINE, BUT PURCHASING THE NEW ENGINE AND TURBO(UPWARDS OF $9K FOR OEM) HAS FALLEN ON ME.

WHILE DRIVING WITH MY FOUR YEAR OLD IN THE BACKSEAT OF THE CAR, THE CAR SUDDENLY MISFIRED AND THE ENGINE ROUGH IDLED. THE CAR STALLED AT INTERSECTIONS AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. WE ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT AS WE WERE DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET, AS CARS BEHIND US HAD TO SWERVE OUT THE WAY WHEN OUR ENGINE STALLED. WE TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC IMMEDIATELY, AS IT WAS CLEARLY HAZARDOUS TO HAVE ON THE ROAD, AND FOUND THAT A PISTON HAD MISFIRED AND STRETCHED THE TIMING CHAIN. THE CAR, A VW TIGUAN FROM 2009, WAS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD WHEN THIS EVENT OCCURRED.

ON OCT. 24, 2015 WHEN I TRIED TO START MY CAR, IT SHOOK, IDLED ROUGHLY AND STALLED. I TRIED AGAIN AND IT WOULDN'T START. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY VOLKSWAGEN DEALER. THEY CHECKED IT AND TOLD ME THE TIMING CHAIR HAD BROKEN CAUSING CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS WAS $4952.29. AND IF THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED, IT WOULD BE $6500. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA GROUP WOULD PAY NOTHING TOWARD THE REPAIR CLAIMING IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. (THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY WAS 5 YEARS/60,000 MILES.) THE CAR HAD 49,000 MILES, BUT WAS OVER THE 5 YEAR TIME PERIOD. BUT A TIMING CHAIN SHOULD BE GOOD FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR; UNLESS THERE IS A DEFECTIVE PART. YOU HAVE A TSB (TB-15-12-01 -NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10045560) ON THE "TENSIONER" WHICH CAUSES THE CHAIN TO BECOME LOOSE, SKIP AND BREAK. MOREOVER, THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON YOUR SITE ABOUT THIS EXACT ISSUE. VOLKSWAGEN FAILED TO NOTIFY CUSTOMERS OF THIS DEFECT AND THERE WAS NO RECALL. THIS IS A TICKING TIME BOMB THAT CAN RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE DAY BEFORE THIS HAPPENED, I WAS TRAVELLING ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE FOR 8 HOURS AT THE POSTED SPEED OF 70 MPH. IF THE CHAIN HAD BROKEN DURING THAT TIME, IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FATAL ACCIDENT INVOLVING ME AND/OR OTHERS. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL? WHY SHOULD VOLKSWAGEN BE ALLOWED TO PUT MY LIFE AND THE LIVES OF OTHERS AT RISK? WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY FOR VOLKSWAGEN'S NEGLIGENCE WHEN THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE FOR ALMOST 3 YEARS? THIS DEFECT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO

ON A CROSS COUNTRY ROAD TRIP, MY 2009 VW TIGUAN WAS RUNNING PERFECTLY. STOPPED AT A REST STOP, AND WHEN TRIED TO RESTART CAR, IT RATTLED SEVERELY AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO VW SERVICE, AND I WAS TOLD I NEEDED AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT, DUE TO A FAILED TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. IT COST ME $5800, ALONG WITH 5 DAYS OF LODGING WHILE WAITING FOR REPAIR. THE VW DEALER SUPPORTED THE FACT THAT I SHOULD GET REIMBURSED BY VW. MY VEHICLE HAD A PERFECT MAINTENANCE RECORD. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE MANUAL PERTAINING TO MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENT FOR TIMING CHAIN/TENSIONER. ALL IT TAKES IS A QUICK SEARCH ON THE INTERNET TO SEE THE UNBELIEVABLE AMOUNT OF CASES AND COMPLAINTS, EVEN TO VEHICLES WITH AS LOW AS 10,000 MILES. THERE IS APPARENTLY A NEW TENSIONER SERVICE KIT AVAILABLE TO AVOID THE CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE, BUT VW HAS NOT NOTIFIED CUSTOMERS. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY A SAFETY ISSUE. MY WIFE OR I COULD HAVE BEEN TRAVELING IN A REMOTE AREA WITH NO CELL RECEPTION, WHICH IS OFTEN THE CASE. IT IS ALSO UNACCEPTABLE TO PUT THE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON CUSTOMERS WHEN IT COULD BE AVOIDED. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. THIS IS A CANADIAN VEHICLE, BUT THE BREAKDOWN OCCURRED IN NY STATE. THIS SHOULD BE A NORTH AMERICAN RECALL.

VEHICLE STARED TO RUN RUFF AND STALL CAUSING A DRIVING HAZARD. VW DEALER REPAIR FACILITATE CLAMMED THAT IT WAS FRONT CRANK SEAL P/N 06L-103-085-B COST OF PART $11.30. AFTER REPLACING THE SEAL THE DEALER THEN CLAIMED THAT THE PVC VALVE WAS BAD ALSO P/N 06H-103-495-AC $201.30. IT IS KNOWN THAT WHEN THIS PART FAILS THAT IT WILL CAUSE THE SEAL TO FAIL AS WELL. TOTAL COST OF REPAIR WAS $774.07. THIS VEHICLE HAD 66,973 MILES. THIS IS A MAJOR FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE A DANGEROUS CONDITION. THE TYPE OF FAILURE SHOULD NOT OCCUR ON AN ENGINE WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE.

VW 2009 AIRBAG ISSUE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE 2010-2014 TIGUANS. OUR CAR HAS THE SAME AIRBAG ISSUE HOWEVER THE 2009 MODEL IS NOT COVERED. SINCE THE 2009 MODEL IS THE SAME AS THE 2010-2014 MODELS THERE SHOULD MOST LIKELY BE A RECALL FOR THE 2009 MODEL.

WHILE DRIVING ON ROAD APROX. 40MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING-HAD TO COAST TO SIDE AND TOW IT.WHEN TOWED TO VW DEALER -THEY SAID TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED AND IT'S COMMON PROBLEM.THEY EVEN HAD TSB FOR THAT.WHY THEY DON'T RECALL THIS SINCE THEY ARE AWARE OF IT.IF I WAS AT HIGHER SPEED ON INTERSTATE,I WOULD BE IN BIG TROUBLE.

THE VEHICLE HAS A FAULTY DRAINAGE SYSTEM. THE ORIGINAL PIPING THAT WAS PUT INTO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE YEARS HAS EXPERIENCED WEAR AND TEAR AND HAS NOT HELD UP TO ORIGINAL VOLKSWAGEN STANDARDS. OTHER VEHICLES BY THIS BRAND NAME HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS LEAKING ISSUE. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO DISTRACTIONS WHILE DRIVING AND MAKE A DRIVER LOSE CONTROL.

WAS TRAVELING JUST OFF I270 OUTSIDE OF COLUMBUS OH ON FRIDAY 7/17/2015 WHEN THE REAL MAIN ENGINE SEAL FAILED CAUSING A DUMP OF THE ENGINE OIL AND A WARNING TO IMMEDIATELY STOP THE ENGINE DUE TO LACK OF OIL PRESSURE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING AT ALL. IF HAD BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE COULD HAVE PUT US AT RISK DUE TO THE ABRUPT FAILURE. HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE AND ENGINE (2.0 TSI 2009 ON) IN OTHER VW'S THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE RANGE OF 80 TO 100K MILES. FINALLY HAD TO HAVE THE CAR FLATBEDDED TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE THE ENGINE WAS DECLARED UNREPAIRABLE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED OUT OF WARRANTY AT A COST OF OVER $7,000.

I HAVE A 09 TIGUAN. THE POWER STEERING FAILURE FIRST HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING FROM SEATTLE TO SPOKANE, WA. IT'S A 300-MILE, 5-HOUR DRIVE. I STOPPED ABOUT HALF WAY AT A REST STOP AND WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR AGAIN, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING RAPIDLY BACK AND FORTH. THEN THE RED LIGHT OF POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE CAME ON. I RESTARTED THE CAR SEVERAL MORE TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. SO I HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR WITHOUT POWER STEERING. FORTUNATELY THE ROAD IS PRETTY MUCH STRAIGHT FROM THAT POINT ON. JUST IMAGINE WHAT IF THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN THE CAR'S STILL RUNNING. WHEN I REACHED SPOKANE, IT WAS KINDS LATE. MY PLAN WAS TO GET THE CAR TO A DEALER FIRST THING NEXT DAY, BUT WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THE NEXT DAY, THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARED AND IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN DURING MY 5-DAY STAY IN SPOKANE. HOWEVER, WHEN I DROVE THE CAR BACK TO SEATTLE, THE SAME PROBLEM APPEARED AGAIN. I FINALLY TOOK THE CAR TO A VW DEALER. THEY TOLD ME THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM STORED IN STEERING RACK AND IN ORDER TO FIX THIS, THE WHOLE STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE JOB WAS QUOTED ABOUT $1,900. ALSO THE DEALER THINKS VW NEEDS TO AT LEAST COVER PART OF THE FIX, SO THEY FILED THE PAPERWORK. BUT VW DENIED ANY KIND OF COVERAGE. I ENDED UP PAYING FOR EVERYTHING. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, I FOUND DOZENS OF OTHER TIGUAN OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. I'M NO CAR EXPERT, BUT THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE TIGUAN AND CAN EVEN BE A DESIGN FLAW FROM VW. VW NEEDS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. UPON TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE, IT SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, BUT FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 08V235000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 14V441000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

I HAD PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE NEW AND FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING SHAKING, STALLING AND THEN ENGINE LIGHTS COMES ON. MY VEHICLE NOW HAS 59900. MILES ON IT AND ON YESTERDAY THE SAME THING OCCURRED. WHEN I CONTACTED VW THEY SAID MY VIN # IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST BUT IT NEEDS TO BE BECAUSE I HAVE PAID FOR A FUEL PUMP FLUSH I HAVE HAD IT DONE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY ALSO AND I'M HAVING THE SAME RESULTS WHERE THE VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY AND SHUTS OFF WHILE IN TRAFFIC SO THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE AND ACCIDENT COULD OF OCCURRED STOPPING UNEXPECTEDLY. ONCE ATTEMPTED TO BE DRIVEN VEHICLE DID NOT START AGAIN.

ALL OF A SUDDEN EPC LIGHT CAME ON, ALONG WITH CHECK ENGINE SERVICE NOW MESSAGE FLASHED ON DASH. I WAS GOING APPROX. 45 MPH. I COULDN'T ACCELERATE MORE THAT 5-10 MPH! I PULLED OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD. ENDED UP GETTING IT TO MCDONALD VW DEALERSHIP, IN LITTLETON. - WASN'T COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. VW SAID THERE WAS NO RECALLS ON THE EPC-THROTTLE BODY! - TOTAL COST? $817.66 PRETTY SCARY!! THANK GOODNESS I WASN'T ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, OR CONGESTED AREA; AT THE TIME. VERY UPSET!!! *TR

NOTICED OIL LEAK ON OTHERWISE SPOTLESS DRIVEWAY A FEW DAYS AFTER 100K SERVICE AT VW DEALERSHIP. RETURNED TO DEALER WHERE REAR MAIN SEAL WAS IDENTIFIED AS THE SOURCE. ESTIMATE WAS $1400 TOTAL COST TO REPAIR ALONG WITH OIL HOSES TO TURBO. DISCUSSED DETAILS AND FREQUENCY OF RMS REPAIR WITH TECH, SINCE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REMOVED. ALSO RESEARCHED VW FORUM THREADS ON RMS FAILURE TO FIND THAT 2008+ MODEL VWS ARE MOST AFFECTED, 2009 TIGUANS IN PARTICULAR. OF THE 13 COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA SITE REGARDING FAILED REAR MAIN SEALS ON VWS, MORE THAN HALF (7 OF 13 = 54%) ARE FROM OWNERS OF 2009 TIGUANS. (3 OF 13 COMPLAINTS WERE FOR 2009 PASSATS, WITH 1 EACH FOR A 2009 CC, A 2011 TIGUAN, AND A 2012 JETTA.). EVEN WITH THIS SMALL SAMPLING, HAVING 54% OF THE RMS FAILURES AFFECTING THE SAME MODEL (TIGUAN) OF THE SAME MODEL YEAR (2009) IS MORE THAN A COINCIDENCE. IT SHOWS A TREND. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA ACKNOWLEDGES NO SUCH TREND, AND VW CUSTOMER CARE REFUSES ANY RESPONSIBILITY BEYOND WARRANTY. *TR

THE MAIN REAR SEAL OF THE ENGINE FAILED. ENGINE GUSHING OIL AND LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE ENGINE SEAL SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

I HAVE HAD OVER THE COURSE OF 3 YEARS ONE OF THE 4 ENGINE COILS GO OUT ON MY CAR RIGHT AFTER THE VEHICLE STARTED. MY CAR HAD 41K MILES WHEN THE FIRST WENT OUT AND NOW THE THIRD IS AT 53K. THE MECHANICS AT VW KNOW IT IS A PROBLEM AND THEY EXPECT IT. THERE IS EVEN A NEW PART WITH A NEW PART NUMBER WHICH INDICATED VW KNOWS OF THE ISSUE AND THEY REDESIGNED THE PART. ITS INSANE TO ME THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THIS PART. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

COOLANT PUMP WENT OUT JAN 25 2015. I HAD PURCHASED CAR USED FROM A NON VW DEALER BUT TOOK TO IT TO A VW DEALER TO REPAIR. THEY REPLACED FOR $750.00. I RESEARCHED FURTHER ON CARFAX AND FOUND THE PUMP HAD BEEN REPLACED ALREADY BY ANOTHER VW DEALERSHIP WITHIN THE PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS. I CONTACTED VW AND HAD TO FIGHT WITH THEM TO COVER MY REPAIR WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF THE WARRANTY WITH PREVIOUS REPAIR. THEY DID REFUND MY MONEY. IT IS NOW 2 MONTHS LATER, 3/25/2015 AND I AM AGAIN EXPERIENCING A COOLANT LEAK. *TR

ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILURE. STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING AND SHARPLY TURNED RIGHT BEFORE RETURNING TO NORMAL AND ALL INDICATIONS OF FAILURE SUBSIDED. I HAVE HAD THREE INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING IN ONE YEARS WORTH OF TIME.

THE COIL, THE FUEL PUMP AND THE REAR SEAL ARE DEFECTIVE. THEY ARE COVERED FOR REPAIR UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE ISSUE IS THAT THIS IS THE 3RD ENGINE FAILURE THIS YEAR, ANOTHER IN THE PAST. IF YOU GOOGLE 2009 TIGUAN REAR SEAL, YOU WILL FIND MANY MANY VW OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS SAME ISSUE AT THIS EARLY AND EARLY MILEAGE ON THIS VEHICLE. THERE IS AN APPARENT MANUFACTURERS DEFECT THAT IS BEING OVERLOOKED. *TR

A LIQUID WAS ACCIDENTALLY SPILLED ON THE PARKING BRAKE, WHICH IS LOCATED NEXT TO THE CUP HOLDERS. NOW THE CAR IS SAYING THERE IS A "PARKING BRAKE FAILURE", INDICATING THIS ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT IS NOT SEALED FROM SPILLS EVEN THOUGH IT IS LOCATED NEXT TO THE CUP HOLDERS. *TR

I BROUGHT MY TIGUAN IN DUE TO AN ENGINE LEAK AND TO HAVE AN ENGINE DIAGNOSTIC. THEY INDICATED THE MAIN REAR MAIN SEAL WAS LEAKING. 700 PLUS DOLLARS. REPAIRED THE SEAL THE LEAK STOPPED BUT THE LOW ENGINE PRESSURE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF. THE THEN INDICATED THAT THE TENSIONER ARM WAS BAD AND THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I RECEIVED A CALL THE NEXT DAY THAT THE TENSIONER WAS BAD BUT THE TENSIONER CHAIN HAD WALKED OFF THE ROCKER ARM AND THAT THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I CALLED MULTIPLE TIMES TO VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER CARE MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEY RESPONDED THAT THEY CANT HELP WITH ANYTHING. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE TENSIONER ARM THROUGH GOOGLE AND FOUND PAGES AND PAGES OF BLOGS WITH PEOPLE THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE TENSIONER ARM FAILING RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON ROLLING ROAD (NORTH) TOWARD OLD KEEN MILL ROAD IN SPRINGFIELD, VIRGINIA AROUND 4:05 PM ON NOVEMBER 4, 2014 (TUESDAY). I SAW THE SMOKE COMING OUT NEAR THE HOOD IN THE FRONT WHILE WAITING FOR TRAFFIC LIGHT, SO I PULLED OVER TO THE PARKING LOT NEAR A GAS STATION. I SAW PEOPLE WAVED TO ME, AND YELLED AT ME TO STOP, I GOT OFF MY CAR AND THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WAS ON FIRE AT THE BOTTOM, WE BEND DOWN AND LOOKED THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE, AND SAW THE FIRE BURNING ON THE MATERIAL HANGING DOWN. FORTUNATELY, A DRIVER RAN OVER CARRYING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM HIS CAR, AND A PERSON FROM THE GAS STATION ALSO BROUGHT ANOTHER FIRE EXTINGUISHER, THEY SPREAD THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. I COULD NOT WAIT FOR THE TOW TRUCK, SO I CAREFULLY DROVE THE CAR TO THE VW DEALERSHIP IN FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA. THE MECHANIC LIFTED UP THE CAR AND TOOK DOWN THE BURNED LOWER ENGINE COVER, AND FIGURED THAT IT WAS BECAUSE MANY DRIED LEAVES STUCK NEAR THE ENGINE AND THE HIGH HEAT NEAR THE ENGINE CAUSING THE LEAVES TO FIRE UP AND BURN THE LOWER ENGINE COVER. I'VE SAVED THIS LOWER ENGINE COVER IN MY TRUNK, AND HAVE REPORTED THIS SAFETY INCIDENT TO THE VW CUSTOMER SERVICE. THE CASE WAS DOCUMENTED AND A CASE # [XXX] WAS ASSIGNED. I REPORT THIS INCIDENT TO NHTSA FOR THE SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE THIS NON-FIRE-RESISTANT MATERIAL CAN CAUSE THE LIFE OF THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN DOWN INTERSTATE THROUGH CONSTRUCTION AREA. LOUD POP WAS HEARD FROM REAR END. AFTER A SHORT DISTANCE, REAR OF CAR STARTED TO SHUTTER THEN LOCKED UP COMPLETELY. CAR SKIDDED TO A STOP ON. CHECKED TO SEE IF IT WAS BRAKES ONSITE AND IT WAS NOT. HAD TOWED TO VW DEALER IN HOMETOWN AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE GEARS IN THE REAR END HAD COME APART AND SEIZED THE REAR WHEELS. **IF THIS HAD OCCURRED AT NORMAL INTERSTATE SPEEDS I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED WORSE RESULTS UP TO DEATH. WHEELS WERE COMPLETELY LOCKED UNTIL CAR WAS PUT INTO REVERSE TO UNBIND THE AWD SYSTEM. *TR

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION CONTINUES DESPITE RECALL FIX IN MAY 2008. I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THIS RECALL BY VW CORPORATE OR THE DEALER. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN AUG. 2008 - 3 MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS DONE. WHEN I COMPLAINED ABOUT UNEXPECTED SURGES NUMEROUS TIMES TO THE DEALER, VW CORPORATE AND NHTSA NOT ONE PERSON MENTIONED THE 2008 RECALL WHICH EXACTLY DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM I WAS EXPERIENCING. I HAD THREE SERIOUS NEAR COLLISIONS BECAUSE OF THIS UNINTENDED SURGING BEFORE I MYSELF DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM. I DID THIS BY KEEPING A 2-YEAR LOG OF WHEN THE SURGES OCCURRED AND UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES. I FOUND THAT THE ONLY COMMON DENOMINATOR IN THE INCIDENTS WAS THE USE OF AIR CONDITIONING. IT ONLY SURGED WHEN THE A/C WAS ON 3 OR 4. TODAY - AFTER VISITING YOUR NEW SAFERCAR.GOV I LEARNED ABOUT THE 2008 RECALL FOR THE FIRST TIME. IT DESCRIBES EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING WITH THIS CAR AND IT CITES THE A/C AS THE DIRECT CAUSE. AFTER DRIVING IN DANGER FOR SIX YEARS - I WANT THIS FIXED NOW AND I WANT TO KNOW WHY I WAS NOT INFORMED OF THIS RECALL AFTER MY NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO BOTH VW AND NHTSA. *TR