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.
For some time now I've been aware that if I pull to far up to a tire bumper anywhere, my front end will catch and pull part of my front bumper off. As I live 120 miles from a VW dealership, I let my fiance fix the bumper each time it fell off. Recently, I made the mistake of pulling up to far again and my bumper pulled off partially on the front right side of car. I was on my way out of town. While driving I heard a knocking noise and pulled over to investigate. Found that front right tire was rubbing on plastic tire guard due to bumper problem. I turned around and headed slowly back home as this could cause car to loose control if tire pushed to hard. Tire has since worn through tire guard and bumper still hanging as screws are stripped! the low bumper guard is obviously a misjudgement in the manufactuers make on this particular model and should be fixed at no charge as it happens to many people with this particular vehicle.
Parking on a curb stone or parking cement block with front of car near the cement stop. (2) plastic front bumber clips over any block higher than 4 inches and like a lobster trap, when reversing, rips the bumper from it's fastening. Bumper could fall off and go under the moving car causing an accident. (3) remove front bumper.
One week after purchasing my 2001 Jetta, my front bumper was almost entirely ripped off after backing out of a parking space. It caught on the parking curb and subsequently ripped off. Upon contacting VW I was told it was my driving and it would cost over $300 to repair. It turns out that this has happened to thousands and thousands of vehicles. Two years later, now my car is paid off and I was told by another VW dealership to bring it in and they would fix the bumper. I did and to my surprise they wanted $237 to fix it. Then they asked what I did to it. I explained this is a problem with these particular vehicles. They stated they were not aware of this problem. Upon picking up my car I brought an article regarding the bumpers, they didn't even look at it, they stated, "we know, we have seen all the articles, but we have no clout with VW, only the consumer". so, I need to file a complaint. There are numerous other defects, but this is a major one that VW is not willing to repair. The others they have at least attempted to fix.
Front bumper of vehicle has been pulled off 10 times due to when you put the car in reverse the bottom of the front bumper gets stuck on any parking block which results in the bumper being pulled away from the car and having to be replaced or reattached. We have spoke to other Jetta tdi owners and have found that they have experienced the same problem. The dealers we have spoke to are also aware that this is a problem with this type of vehicle but because there has not been a recall nothing they will not do anything and we continually have to pay to have it fixed. 8jb
The front bumper assembly on my Jetta partially detaches whenever it scrapes against a curb or parking block. I have had it repaired three times and tried to repair it myself three times. I have spent over five hundred dollars in the first year of ownership and now it has happened again. This is obviously a much more wide spread problem than is being reported. Volkswagen should be made to repair the bumpers at no charge or recall all effected vehicles and strengthen the bumper assembly. **dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12-12-02 cut over to artemis**770127
Front bumper assembly tore off vehicle when backing out of parking space. Bumper skipped on top of portable concrete curb at extremely low reverse speed (less than 1 mph).
The front bumper is too low to the ground. When parking, the front bumper passes over standard concrete 'tire stoppers'. when reversing out of the stall (even at very slow speeds), the front bumper assembly detaches from the vehicle. I have contacted Volkswagen about this problem. Volkswagen's suggested solution is "not to pull so far into the parking space". unfortunately, due to the design of the vehicle, it is impossible to tell if you are too "far in" until it is too late and the damage has occurred. I have personally observed this problem occur on at least four other Jettas (both here in honolulu and on the mainland). On our Jetta alone, this has occurred on three occasions. Although the dealer has been helpful in making cosmetic repairs to the bumper, complete replacement of the bumper assembly would cost approximately $1,000. I believe that this is a design defect which the manufacturer should be required to correct. I am concerned that in the event of an accident, a partially detached bumper assembly could be a safety hazard.
Consumer states that when starting the vehicle the alarm sounds and horn goes off and lights flash on and off for about 10 minutes. This also happens when opening doors to exit the vehicle. Also the illuminated entry and the power door locks were not working. The dealer has replaced wiring and relay in the doors, the radio ignition switch, and door lock, however the problem still exists. The dealer now states that there is nothing further they can do. Nlm front bumer pulled loose. Bumper and lower facia reinstalled.
Front bumper ground effects are obviously designed too low. Besides scraping in driveways, the bumper has been pulled off several times when leaving a parked space with a concrete 'tire bumper'. these were obviously meant to stop the tires of the car, and not pull the whole bumper off. The dealer charged me to replace the plastic lining, which was pulled from the bumper and had worn against the tire. The bumper is no longer securely fastened as the parts are wearing down. Corporate was of no help and would not reimburse or suggest a course of action to avoid future problems. I will not be keeping this car through the term I expected and will not recommend one to anyone shopping. Too big of a hastle to deal with. Fortunately I didn't get the sport suspension, which would have the bumper even lower to the ground. It's not a farrari, for pete's sake.
When I parked in a parking space with a concrete tire bumper, the bumper got caught when I pulled out and caused the parking light grill covers to pop out. The serv. Dept. Replacxed them, no charge. The second time it happened they accused me of "running over the top" of something, and damaging the car, which I did not do. The manufacturers refuse to fix it saying it is an insurance issue, even though the ser. Dept. Told me they have had the same complaint with other cars, and even the manager of the serv. Dept. Said it happened to her Jetta! I believe they should fix it without charge, since it is obviously a design defect.
I pulled into a parking spot with a concrete tire bumper. I just rolled into the spot waiting for my tires to hit the bumper but my bumper hit and when I tried to pull out, my whole bumper just pulled right off of the car. Umper
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Cape Girardeau, MO, USA