I purchased a new 2008 VW Rabbit with sunroof Sept '08. Sunroof repaired 10/'09. Jan '10 roof damaged by tree branch. Entire roof replaced 'but' body shop advised not to install sunroof. The shop emailed photo's of existing roof showing structural alterations I.e. the oem roof beams attaching body to roof were cut and removed. A bracket replaced the beam and 3 sheet metal screws fastened the bracket to the body. The VW engineered structural integrity of the roof is compromised and dangerous in a rollover likely to collapse into the seating area. In addition the side impact strength of the car has been weakened and airbag deployment maybe affected, per body shop owner mike chilton. I did not have a new sunroof installed. I contacted VW of America, my vehicle was shipped as a hardtop with no sunroof. Because this was an unapproved after-market sunroof VW excepts no liability, no warranty, no nothing! I contact winn VW dealership about this undisclosed after-market sunroof and the safety related issues. The dealer email response: "hello [xxx], I spoke to my sales manager and was told that their was a addendum sticker on display on the car the car at the time of purchase." The arrogance of the response says it all. They are not disputing my findings. Evidently posting a phantom addendum sticker makes all of the above ok! I have the window sticker. I have all the signed documents. There is no mention of sunroof. There is no mention that the structural alterations do not comply with VW safety standards. The safety compliance sticker is intact but basically meaningless. It's meaningless because the brand new car I drove off the lot did not meet the applicable motor vehicle safety standards. How many other unsuspecting car owners are in a similar situation? the department of motor vehicles cited winn VW of newark with a misdemeanors under section 11713.1 for non disclosure. Nothing else has been done. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Loma Mar, CA, USA