30K service, reported to dealer that steering wheel shakes when applying brakes...asked dealer to check on alighment problems. Dealer no alignment needed, but brakes were worn down 50% & also needed new rotors. Dealer insisted car ok to drive & advised to come back @ 35K service to have new brakes & rotors installed @ aprox. $600. After service, I drove home about 50 mi. & problem got worse, including a loud rumbling noise. I called dealer & they referred me to a dealer closer to my home, 3 days & 300 miles later, 2nd dealer asked how many times I had changed the brakes, because I now, needed rotors, and worse, all my tires were "cupped" & I also needed a whole new set of tires...I asked 2nd dealer if it was safe to drive my car. They said it was ok to drive, but recommended changing brakes, rotors & tires @ a cost of $1,100. Dealer also explained that the lack of rotating & balancing tires could have contributed to the uneven wear (aka: Cupped tires). I was also told that the loud rumbling noise, would eventually go away, since the tires had been rotated. The 2nd dealer invoiced the 1st dealer for this service charge. 3 days later, I went to Goodyear tire shop (for 3rd opinon) because I thought the tires may be defective. Goodyear advised me that cupped tires result from uneven wear (usually recommend rotating & balancing tires every 10K mi.), if not, problems w/brakes & rotors. Goodyear couldn't determine why the problem occurred @ only 30K mi. Such a problem could occur at about 60K miles, but not rotors. Goodyear balanced & rotated my tires & also discovered that the driver's side tire was rubbing against the wheelwell, causing a large gash in the wheelwell. In the interest of consumer protection, I seek your professional assistance in bringing a positive resolve to this matter. My car has spent a lot of time @ dealer service shop. Volkswagen must be held accountable for bad craftsmanship & poor service advice. Please help!!

- Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA

This car was purchased new in July 2000. It is the newly redesigned Jetta. Since it's purchase the car has been in the shop 9 times for water/air leaks, twice for failed drivers side front suspension steering failure, namely the shock, bearing, spacer, retainer (struts). In addition several pieces of the inside molding have detached. One of the largest safety issues for me, other than the strut, is the poorly designed floor mats which pop loose, slip forward, and catch the gas petal causing accerlaration. The air conditioner has molded over twice. I have informed both the seller and the manufacturing of my complaints and have demanded a refund or a lemon law take back. I am not sure what to do but feel VW hasn't been honest about all the problems the "new" VW has had. I just wanted to file this complaint in case other owners out there are experienceing the same problems I am and have not received any help from VW also.

- San Leandro, CA, USA

Front bumper has been pulled loose twice in less than two years while backing from driveway. There is also transmission guard scratches. First incident 10/29/99, current incident 10/09/00.contacted VW U.S. customer care center (1-800-822-8987) case # 732875, was told this is not a "defect" problem. I disagree. Front suspension and bumper design problem.

- Metairie, LA, USA

The car bottoms in the front-right side out when 4 passengers are in the car and you travel over relatively small bumps in pavement. This has happened 3 times over the life of this new car (approximately 4 months). The weight of the occupants was no more than 600 pounds, and the speed at the times of incident were all under 30mph. At the cars 10,000 checkup, I asked the dealer to inspect, and he reported that substantial damage has resulted to the sub-frame. Since that time, it has happened again. At all times, the car was operated under normal driving conditions (daylight, low speed, within vehicle weight limits, and on normal pavement). I now am scared to drive with 4 passengers. Is this possibly because the car is a diesel and therefore weighs more" have you heard of this complaint" thank you.

- Amherst, MA, USA