No events lead to this problem. The original battery in the vehicle was changed out due its age. Over the past 4 months I have changed out the battery twice. On more than at least 20 different times, I would go to my vehicle in the morning to start it up and the battery would be completely dead. No lights, radio or any other devices were left on in the vehicle, to drain the entire battery to nothing within the span of 10-12 hours. I have taken it the auto shop on several occasions to have a voltage test done on the battery, alternator and starter with negative results every time for a parasitic drain of the battery. The alternator is in perfect working order and does not need replacing. So far the has been nothing that can be done other than jump start the vehicle. During the 10 or so hours I am work and leave for the day, I have had absolutely no issues. If the vehicle is not driven over the weekend, come Monday morning it is dead. I have just recently changed out the battery and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it but yet its dead if left for more than 12 hours.

- Bristow, VA, USA

September 2002 - leased 2002 VW Jetta 1.8T. July 2003 - check engine light came on, ignition coils had to be replaced per recall. November 2003 - plumes of black smoke came out of tailpipe - they determined the oxygen sensor needed replacing. November 2003 - (a day later) smoke still coming out of tailpipe, they determined there was oil in the turbo, they had to remove and install new turbo charger and there was an oil leak, they had to remove and install oil line. November 2003- car making whoosing noise, had to rescure loose intake hose. May 2004 - replace breaklight switch per recall. July 2004 - drivers side window fell - had to have both windows and clamps replaced per recall. (if this had happened after hours, my car could have easily been vandilized, fortunately it was during the day and I was near the dealer so they were able to get them wedged shut before they could get the car in to be fixed.) July 2004 (a day later) - battery died, got jumped and was towed to shop, it was determined I needed a new battery. No problems for almost a year, thought I was homefree... May 2005 - clacking noise in engine, sludge on dipstick and in oil fill cap. No oil light or check engine light ever came on. Had to also have hazard switch replaced per recall. I am currently waiting to see if they will cover the repairs under my warranty. My car needs to have the oil pan removed to see if there is any further damage. I was never told to you use synethic oil in my car and that apparently is the cause of the sludge problem. From looking online, it seems many more people than just myself have had this problem. VW needs to recall this.

- Aurora, CO, USA