This car has had multiple problems since I first got it, but this specific problem occurred on a normal, random day and was the final end to my horrific journey with this headache of a car. Let me start by explaining that I had no idea or indication that there is/was/going to be a problem with the ignition of this car (ie, it worked perfectly fine up until the actual day that it broke). Usually when a part on any car that I have ever had in the past is wearing out or breaking down, it happens at a (sometimes) gradual rate to where you notice something is different about how the car is running, and you know that a part will need to be replaced soon... Not in this case.
This past Saturday, I was ready to go to work and went outside to get in my car to leave. I got in and tried to start the car, but (for some reason) could not get the ignition to turn over. I thought I was just having a problem because it was cold outside so I kept trying to start the car by jiggling the key in the ignition and by turning the steering wheel in case the wheel lock was engaged. No luck. I tried this for several minutes before I finally realized there was actually a problem with the car not starting, and hence, had to call my job and let them know I wouldn't be showing up to work that day because my car decided to randomly break down on me today. Believable story, I know, especially considering that I just drove it to and from work exactly the day before with no problem whatsoever! In fact, I had been driving it (despite all the other problems the car had going on all at once) everyday since I got it and not once did I ever suspect any issue was going to occur with the ignition. It was literally a case of waking up one day and the car just not working. No signs of wear and tear, no occurrences where this was a problem before, nothing. It just randomly happened to stop working on this given day at this particular time.
I attempted several other common things that could possibly fix my issue, including resetting the main computer by unhooking the battery and checking both fuse boxes for burnt fuses or relays. Nothing worked. Finally, I gave in and decided to get a mechanic to look into it. They gave me an "estimate" based on how I described the problem stating that it could be the ignition switch ($30), the ignition lock cylinder ($298), the computer chip in the steering column ($500+), or even possibly the chip inside the key ($110). Regardless, the mechanic told me that he would not service the vehicle unless the parts were ordered directly from VW, and since there could be multiple reasons as to why the ignition would not turn over, he would have to diagnose the issue (another $100), charge me more for labor and towing ($240), and that I would have to get a replacement key no matter what ($110). At this point it was going to cost me anywhere from $500 - $1000+ to fix this seemingly simple issue (at least with every other car I've ever owned), and even then the car still had engine and other mechanical issues that would still persist. I decided that fixing this piece of junk was not only well outside my budget, but that it's ridiculous that a car with less than 100k miles could already need thousands of dollars worth of work. I decided that it's just not worth it to keep kicking the can down the road and it would be just cheaper and easier to buy a new car.
As of now, I do not intend to put any money into the piece of sh*t and will NEVER pay anything for another VW as long as I live (and I strongly suggest you don't either). My plan is to scrap what's left of this hunk of junk and buy a Honda or a Jeep. Screw you VW; you know your cars are worthless trash and that there's absolutely no reason (other than to screw people out of their money) to make your cars as complicated as they are. There's absolutely no benefit to having a $500 computer chip to start your ignition, nor is there any reason for all the other bells and whistles that do literally nothing but break down and cost money. Would much rather give money to a company whose car is reliable and is easy and cheap to repair than a company who thinks their cars are actually "luxury" vehicles. Despite all else that was wrong with this car, I continued to keep it alive and was planning on getting some of the other issues fixed, but this was the icing on the 'f*ck you' cake that made me realize for the first time how great it feels to actually be free of a the endless pit of a vehicle that's always on the brink of collapse. You definitely just lost a customer for life and hopefully (if I have anything to do about it) you'll lose a lot more potential customers when I tell literally everyone that I come into contact with about the pain in the ass that is the trash you call a car.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
This car has had multiple problems since I first got it, but this specific problem occurred on a normal, random day and was the final end to my horrific journey with this headache of a car. Let me start by explaining that I had no idea or indication that there is/was/going to be a problem with the ignition of this car (ie, it worked perfectly fine up until the actual day that it broke). Usually when a part on any car that I have ever had in the past is wearing out or breaking down, it happens at a (sometimes) gradual rate to where you notice something is different about how the car is running, and you know that a part will need to be replaced soon... Not in this case.
This past Saturday, I was ready to go to work and went outside to get in my car to leave. I got in and tried to start the car, but (for some reason) could not get the ignition to turn over. I thought I was just having a problem because it was cold outside so I kept trying to start the car by jiggling the key in the ignition and by turning the steering wheel in case the wheel lock was engaged. No luck. I tried this for several minutes before I finally realized there was actually a problem with the car not starting, and hence, had to call my job and let them know I wouldn't be showing up to work that day because my car decided to randomly break down on me today. Believable story, I know, especially considering that I just drove it to and from work exactly the day before with no problem whatsoever! In fact, I had been driving it (despite all the other problems the car had going on all at once) everyday since I got it and not once did I ever suspect any issue was going to occur with the ignition. It was literally a case of waking up one day and the car just not working. No signs of wear and tear, no occurrences where this was a problem before, nothing. It just randomly happened to stop working on this given day at this particular time.
I attempted several other common things that could possibly fix my issue, including resetting the main computer by unhooking the battery and checking both fuse boxes for burnt fuses or relays. Nothing worked. Finally, I gave in and decided to get a mechanic to look into it. They gave me an "estimate" based on how I described the problem stating that it could be the ignition switch ($30), the ignition lock cylinder ($298), the computer chip in the steering column ($500+), or even possibly the chip inside the key ($110). Regardless, the mechanic told me that he would not service the vehicle unless the parts were ordered directly from VW, and since there could be multiple reasons as to why the ignition would not turn over, he would have to diagnose the issue (another $100), charge me more for labor and towing ($240), and that I would have to get a replacement key no matter what ($110). At this point it was going to cost me anywhere from $500 - $1000+ to fix this seemingly simple issue (at least with every other car I've ever owned), and even then the car still had engine and other mechanical issues that would still persist. I decided that fixing this piece of junk was not only well outside my budget, but that it's ridiculous that a car with less than 100k miles could already need thousands of dollars worth of work. I decided that it's just not worth it to keep kicking the can down the road and it would be just cheaper and easier to buy a new car.
As of now, I do not intend to put any money into the piece of sh*t and will NEVER pay anything for another VW as long as I live (and I strongly suggest you don't either). My plan is to scrap what's left of this hunk of junk and buy a Honda or a Jeep. Screw you VW; you know your cars are worthless trash and that there's absolutely no reason (other than to screw people out of their money) to make your cars as complicated as they are. There's absolutely no benefit to having a $500 computer chip to start your ignition, nor is there any reason for all the other bells and whistles that do literally nothing but break down and cost money. Would much rather give money to a company whose car is reliable and is easy and cheap to repair than a company who thinks their cars are actually "luxury" vehicles. Despite all else that was wrong with this car, I continued to keep it alive and was planning on getting some of the other issues fixed, but this was the icing on the 'f*ck you' cake that made me realize for the first time how great it feels to actually be free of a the endless pit of a vehicle that's always on the brink of collapse. You definitely just lost a customer for life and hopefully (if I have anything to do about it) you'll lose a lot more potential customers when I tell literally everyone that I come into contact with about the pain in the ass that is the trash you call a car.
- crandle87, Waycross, US