This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Our instrument panel went completely black. It wouldn-??t display any information and wouldn-??t fix itself. We took it to the dealer and it was replaced on our dime for $2300
At red light the auto stop start won't turn the car back on. The battery drains in less than 5 minutes and needs a jump. Or sometimes it won't "auto start" and I have to move the selector to Park and push the start button. This also happens when the engine is off, but the accessories are on. Just listening to the radio for 5 minutes seems to drain the battery and the car won't start and needs a jump. After a jump, the battery does charge back up when driven and holds its charge. I now try to remember to disable the auto stop start as this behavior is unacceptable. I recently had a new battery put in, and a new BCM and ECM, and this problem still happens. The car is at the dealer now.
The digital instrument cluster does not work, and the vehicle is not drivable due to safety features failing and an inability to know the vehicle's speed. The instrument cluster does not display speed, vehicle status, or safety information. The dealership cannot identify why this has happened. In addition, the car's electronics are failing, such as blinkers not working and the rear lights and safety features not working. The vehicle is not drivable, and the part is unavailable for an unknown period to fix the digital instrument cluster. VW refuses to resolve the failure of their electronics and wants to charge us $1700 to fix their problem with their electronics. We cannot safely use the car for an unknown period and are harmed by its broken manufacturing process. VW should fix this safety issue and warn other consumers about this safety issue. As I am sure you can appreciate, I rely on my car for transport, and apart from the inconvenience, this problem may also cause me to incur additional costs. I ask you to investigate this safety issue and ask VW fix the problem at their own cost.
This incident has occured on multiple occasions & can be replicated with the "auto stop/start" engine feature active. The vehicle can be inspected. I will describe the last occurrence. I was parallel parking on a slight incline. I pulled forward past the available parking spot before backing in. I came to a complete stop. The parking sensors on the vehicle engaged due to a nearby sign/light pole. The "auto stop/start" engine activated & shut off the engine. I put the car in reverse. The car did not start. I started rolling backward downhill into the parking spot with no power steering. The engine was off. The car had to be put back into park to be restarted. I was finally able to parallel park. A prior incident occured while attempting to attach a boat trailer. I backed up & was misaligned to the trailer coupler. It engaged parking sensors on vehicle. I put vehicle in drive. I sat still for a second which allowed auto stop/start to activate. I let off brake and pressed gas. I rolled backward into trailer. The risk is a crash due to no power steering and no engine power. This could be very dangerous for a new inexperienced driver. This has not been replicated at a dealership. I have just recently figured out why this happened and have not taken the vehicle in. It has been inspected by no one. There are no warning lamps or messages other than the auto start/stop activated message. Normally, the car will start the engine if the vehicle is put in reverse or my foot is coming off the brake pedal. This does not happen if the parking sensors are activated simultaneously. I've had separate issues with the front warning sensors activating at random while driving city and highway speeds. The warning comes on with no obstruction ahead. Luckily, I have the automatic braking turned off. Otherwise, I'm afraid the car would automatically brake at random and I would be rear ended. Dealership has not replicated this issue, but they have been notified by myself of the issue.
- Holly Springs, NC, USA
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For 12 months, the windshield wipers, while in the off position, will turn on by themselves. Typically occurs when on the freeway in clear, sunny conditions, and occur as a result of hitting bumps in the roadway while traveling at speeds between 60 and 80 mph. They may go off once or multiple times over the course of a drive. Dealership was asked last summer and again this July to look into the issue with no resolution; was advised they could not replicate the error, they did not see any fault codes associated with the wipers and all electrical wires were in good condition with no damage. Being distracted by my wipers randomly going off takes my attention away from the road; I turn the wipers on and/or spray windshield cleaner to try and -??clear-?? the error - neither of these solutions actually work. With no help from Pignataro VW, we-??ll be seeking help from an independent VW mechanic. No warning lamps or other symptoms indicated an issue. Other than the dealership, no other individuals have inspected the car. The car is available for inspection though if needed.
There is a great danger to the lives of passengers due to a defect in the safety system. So far, every time I call the manufacturer, they say the repair is unavailable. ! How long is the wait" And in the event of an accident or danger to the passengers, who is responsible"
Have been able to start vehicle without issues. Yesterday I attempted to start vehicle. Car lights came on, but unable to start. car battery "appeared to be dead", a 12 volt battery low message appeared on the infotainment center screen, There was not a red battery light warning, once vehicle was jumped, was able to continue to drive home in stop and go traffic, the automatic car start and stop turned vehicle off, and I could not restart vehicle, left stranded on interstate during rush hour. Diagnostics indicated that the problem is the alternator regulator switch, battery checked out ok. Unable to use navigation system on vehicle. I have not taken vehicle in for repairs since this just happened.
While driving on the highway, a warning flashed on the dashboard- FAULTY BRAKE BOOSTER. The pressure of the brake pedal was significantly diminished and was accompanied by a clicking sound. The red brake warning light illuminated. After 5 minutes, proper brake functioning was restored. Within a period of 20 minutes, the above sequence of events was repeated 3 times. After stopping and parking, the warning light went out. Upon start up later in the day, the same Faulty Brake Booster warning sounded and the brakes again were spongy and choppy. The following day, when driving to the VW dealership, the same message flashed on the dash multiple times and brake functioning was impaired.
ABS and Brake warning light come on dash making the break pedal click, causing the car to break abruptly or lock. Usually happens while at a complete stope or if driving below 30 to 20 miles an hour.
Vehicle emergency break activates, unable to release, or when teleased after multiple attempts the light continues flashing on the break button and warning alert on the dasboard. The first time it happened i arrived to destination and parked, when parked as i am waiting it activated when the door was opened. It has not been inspeacted yet, it fist started about 1 week ago. Its unpredictable when it will happen.
Started with entertainment center reboot itself and dash navigation. Dealer did an software update. then front collision warning would go off-?? NO ONE AROUND. No cars on road. dealer did another software update to resolve issue. Then Remote start stopped working acc light ecc on dash. Code cleared software update agin. Few months later. At a light car running Car then turned off on incline.. was in light snow. Didn-??t know as auto start stop was on. Car began to slide backwards. Had to quickly put car in park and start manually. Went to dealer they found nothing wrong. Car seemed to be always turning off in park or right after remote start was used and car or when placed in park at incline. Dealer could never replicate car turning off. few months later entertainment center began to reboot and so did dash navigation. Took it into dealer again and they did another software update again and also did and update for recall on emissions. This is when rear emergency braking began. It would would activate all the time. No ONE around says check your surroundings then the Emergency braking will kick on locking up all 4wheels. Now front collision warning going off now again with No ONE around. Went back to dealer they once again could not reproduce emergency braking turning or check your rear surroundings warning. they said known issue with emergency braking activating but don-??t have a fix yet.
My vehicle has completely just shut down atleast five times since owing it. I have a special needs son who is in the vehicle with me all the time. The vehicle engine will shut down with no warning and not restart. Traffic behind me not aware that my vehicle has shut down after the light has turned green. It has shut down at various times in the middle of traffic. I-??m fearful for myself and child that an accident is just a matter of time. I read complaints from others who state they have experienced the same problem. I-??m concerned for the SAFETY of others and me and my son. No warning is given before it just dies. I don-??t feel safe in this vehicle. This vehicle needs to be FIXED immediately. My vehicle has approximately 38,000 miles on it currently. This occurred either when I have stopped completely at a light, or when trying to start up the vehicle. Respectfully, VAP
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request" -?? Full Electrical system failure. Yes, car is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Car became inoperable while driving, parking brake auto engaged and cannot be manually disengaged. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The problem, believed to be caused by the wiring harness being soaked in water in the driver side door panel, occurred 3 weeks later after initial inspection. After sealing and a car wash to reproduce, the dealer was not able to get water to enter the area again. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Vehicle was only inspected by the dealer technicians. I called VW but they did not follow up. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear" It appeared that all the warning lamps appears on during the failure. A day or so earlier, the Cruise Control would not activate, I suspect this was related.
Every display ECM warning light has come on. Yes, it is reproducible. All ADAS failed at once. Normal system such as brakes, steering, electrical & head unit display becomes random.
While driving( multiple scenarios ranging from 10 mph, 70 mph, 30 mph and even while car was parked) alarm would go off and message displaying -??brake booster faulty-?? while also illuminating the -??brake-?? light on dashboard. Brake pedal then becomes stiff and/or spongy, while not working properly. Once car is turned off and back on, -??ABS-?? light is also illuminated. Could not brake my car today with 2 children in backseat. Very dangerous.
On two occasions the Auto Start/Stop system has engaged and turned off the engine at a stop light (performing correctly), but then failed to restart the vehicle. The vehicle did not provide any error message, it just did not try to restart and began rolling forward when the brakes were disengaged. The vehicle was then required to be placed in park and manually restarted. This presents a safety concern at a stop light as you could be rear ended if the car behind you is anticipating you to start driving.
Error Airbag keeps coming on and dealership cant find issue and cant replicate problem but it happens every time we get in car and are driving. This is very dangerous if we get in a accident and airbags dont deploy. Also There has been some weird electrical issues with vehicle that cause lights to flicker and turn on and off inside car dash. Dealership cant figure it out due to not replicating issue. Last issue is with brakes. Something in the electrical system is causing brakes to fully engage slamming us into the dash board and windshield. Has happened 3 times since owing vehicle. Dealership again said they cant replicate issue. This is getting to be the worse car we have purchased. First time owning a Volkswagen and probably the last time.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Edmond, OK, USA