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.
Bought used VW from a dealer. Dealer was doing brakes/inspection, and on picking up the vehicle stunk of burnt electric smell. Vehicle would not start. This was around 50,000 miles. Check engine light remains on although numerous codes continue to come up nothing is found. Dealer sent car to authorized VW dealer to fix - light still remains on. Around 87,000 miles car began to drain battery and would not start even after new battery. Took to authorized VW car shop. Seems something with fuses/electrical system. Again many codes but nothing seems wrong, accept for the whole not starting. Ignition switch was replaced - light still on. Lighter socket no longer works. Now around 89,000 miles and it is now early 2008.
Problem with engine control module which caused electrical failure throughout vehicle, in particular, disabled all door locking systems, trunk and gas door buttons, overhead lights and heating/cooling pannel lights. This caused serious issue as owner was unable to manually open gas door to fill vehicle due to button on the door being diabled and was unable to set vehicle alarm system due to locking system being disabled. Issue was traced to comfort covenience module, and traced to main wiring harness that was causing a short and blown fuses. To merely find and diagnose the problem took dealer over 11 hours to replace $2.88 worth of parts---an extremely excessive amount of time. Volkswagon usa stands by dealer and refused assistance even though customer service reps acknowledged that repair time seemed extremely excessive in nature. Have seen similar complaints regarding VW electrical system issues and will be filing complaints with oag's in MA and nh.
Date of first known problem provided. Have already been through BBB autoline regarding most of the defects listed and thought manufacturer had fixed them. Now vehicle has the same problems plus more. All work being done at dealership is at manufacturer's expense, however, this car is a major inconvenience due to unreliability. Electrical problems aren't solved with replaced wiring harnesses, unsafe door hinges and window regulators make for hazardous driving conditions, airbag sensor problems, and quick to wear out rear brakes are all very dangerous defects for a new car owner to suffer with.
My car is nightmare of failures. Cruise control light (dealer claims the car doesnt have one - but you can see it if you use a flashlight at an oblique angle) failure, ABS module switch failure (according to dealer) causing cruise control to unexpectedly disengage. I also learned from other motorists that the same switch controls brake light illumination (all bulbs and other signal lights work). Fuel injection module over injected gas causing excessive pressure. Relief valve failed to open causing turbo overpressure to +120psi. Failure caused hoses to blow sending hose clamps as projectiles. This week, the front passenger side window unexpectedly dropped into the door. Dealer has literally taped the window up until a part arrives. Dealer admits to mfg design defect - no voluntary recall. No dealers will voluntarily replace clips until they fail. Volkswagen position is that they know there is a design flaw, but wont replace known bad clips until there is a failure. Window failure could cause objects (stones kicked up by tires of other cars) to hit passengers. Infant / child safety risk. Window integrity questionable in an accident if it fails when driving 15mph. Help!
Dealers openly acknowlege problems with their map sensors on gas and diesel engines, but Volkswagen of America internally refuses to recall this item. The same complaints are made about the very common relay 109 fuse failures, which volkswagenw is likewise putting off. Please force them to recall these two items that have cost me plenty of out of pocket money, even though my car is under warranty. This is a rip-off of all consumers by VW of America and they need to be held accountable for their ignorance of these obvious problems!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Beaver Meadows, PA, USA