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.
My O2 sensor was replaced and now two need to be replaced again. I was told that I have to pay for this to be replaced again. This has caused my catylytic convertor to go bad.
Brake pads went callipers went and rotters went with brakes. VW used the wrong callipers for the car. Ac went did not go cold. Starter went had to replace with new one that was the other. Paint staring chipping part of the cost was a key scratch. Engine light came on had to replace massive air flow meter.
- Clyde Hill, WA, USA
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My air conditioner went out on my 2000 VW Jetta. I figured it was something simple. I took it in to the dealership and they said that the compressor needed to be replaced. They said it was going to cost $1,400+ to fix it! I don't understand how something this major could happen on a car that is only 3 years old!
This car has literally come unscrewed since I purchased it 2.5 years ago-parts inside and out! most recently the axle "came unscrewed" for no reason and the bolts snapped. The windows have malfunctioned and the rear suspension had to be screwed back together shortly after I bought it. The plastic covering underneath also fell off for no reason-also while I was driving. The windshield wipers have come unscrewed twice and ceased to function once on the highway at high speed during a rain storm. The glove compartment and cup holders have all fallen out. I bought this car new 2 1/2 years ago and I know fear for my life every time I get into it. I have reported this to both the dealer and to Volkswagen. Neither have expressed any concern whatsoever.
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.
Seatbelt would not release tension; 6 year old daughter was sitting in the front passenger seat and was trapped in the seatbelt. My husband attempted to pull the seatbelt to get release the tension but it was unsuccessful. This action just made the seatbelt tighter. The seatbelt had to finally be cut off of my daughter.
Both rear door panels vibrate--dealer unable to fix. Engine light illuminated--temp. Sensor replaced by dealer. Problem re-occurred two days later--dealer replaced temp. Sensor. Passanger front window went down and wouldn't go up--dealer fixed. Three months later, window went down again--dealer fixed. Air conditioner eminates musty smell--dealer says problem is due to a plugged drain hole in A/C unit--will no fix. Rear passanger door leaks a thick, greasy substance. B-pillar trim vibrates on driver side.
Engine check light and emissions work shop warning keeps coming on. Each time I take the car in the dealership tells me that its a different reason the light is coming on. To date they have made three different repairs to the car and none of them have worked. I received the last check engine/emissions workshop on 4/10/01 and car is in the shop being fixed.
Oil light came on approximately 3000 miles after consumer had oil changed in vehicle. Private mechanic informed consumer that engine was burning oil, and was about ready to blow up. There was a gap in between pistons that were causing this defect. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
Oil light will come on whether vehicle has oil in it or not. Consumer changes oil every 2500 miles. Contacted dealer, and dealer said that there was nothing that they could find wrong with vehicle.
Each electrical problem was annoying for a brand new car but they were fixed. My concern is the oil burning for no apparent reason. No one at the dealership took me seriously until I threatened them with legal action but my car is still burning oil. I can't seem to make anyone understand that a car only one year old should not consume oil like this car is doing now. Twice I have been stranded with my 9 month old son in the cold weather because the red warning light for low oil has come on and both times I had no oil in the engine. There is obviuosly something wrong with this car but the dealer keeps telling me that their mechanics say there is nothing wrong.
Engine check light came on. Car was 14 months old, but out of warranty by mileage. The dealer replaced the coolant sensor for $175!! now two months later the "check engine" light is on again. There appears to be water/coolant in the oil! now the car is about 16 months old. Volkswagen of America refused to pay for the prior repair, and did not pay for the failed interior lights, either.
When shifting from 1st into 2nd gear, transmission grinds, 1st,2nd, & 3rd gear sincro's have been replaced w/ only 5000 miles on new car. Still shifts hard into 2nd gear & sometimes will not shift at all into 2nd gear. Apperantly Volkswagen is now saying that synthetic transmition fluid is going to fix the problem. Dash indicator lights will sometimes go bright and then dim, makes it hard to see insturment panel at night
- Eugene, OR, USA
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Covington, KY, USA