131 consumer complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Volkswagen Golf. Click any complaint to view the full owner description.
AIR BAGSApril 21, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED VOLKSWAGEN OF FORT MYERS (14060 S TAMIAMI TRAIL, FORT MYERS, FL 33912, (844) 283-1823) AND WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 109,223.
STRUCTURENovember 29, 2020
THE DOOR LATCHES ON ALL FOUR DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS OFTEN MALFUNCTION. MOST THE TIME YOU HAVE TO PRESS ON THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE UNTIL YOU HEAR A SOFT CLICK BEFORE THE THE DOOR HANDLE WILL WORK. OTHERWISE IT IS AS IF IT WERE LOCKED WHEN IT IS UNLOCKED. ALSO MY CAR WILL LOCK ITSELF IF I UNLOCK IT WITH THE KEY FOB AND GET IN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WITHOUT STARTING IMMEDIATELY. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO RECOGNISE I'VE ENTERED THE VEHICLE.
STEERINGMay 20, 2017
POWER STEERING FAILURE WHEN STARTING CAR WITH WARNING LIGHT . NOT IN MOTION.
AIR BAGSJune 9, 2015
PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG AND PASSENGER SEAT SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AFTER RUNNING OVER A CURB, ~1' HIGH.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITYJune 2, 2015
HELLO, I NOTICED A RECALL DONE ON THESE VW VEHICLES. (HTTP://HDHTEX.COM/INDEX.PHP/VOLKSWAGEN-BRAKE-LIGHT-AND-TURN-SIGNAL-RECALLS-AFFECT-MORE-THAN-1000000-VEHICLES/) THE RECALL IS DUE TO THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND BLINKER LIGHTS NOT WORKING TOGETHER. IF I AM SIGNALING LEFT AND I PUT MY BRAKES ON, THE SIGNAL SWITCHES SIDES AND THE LIGHTS START BLINKING. THIS HAPPENS WITH BOTH DIRECTIONS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFTEY ISSUE AND ITS NOT DUE TO ANY AFTERMARKET TINKERING. I CALLED VOLKSWAGON TO HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM AND THEY DECLINED ANY ASSISTANCE TO ME. IT MAKES SENSE FOR THEM TO FIX THIS IF IT WAS A RECALL AT ONE POINT. THANK YOU
AIR BAGSAugust 31, 2014
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON CONTINUOUSLY INDICATING A MALFUNCTION. *TR
EXTERIOR LIGHTINGMay 21, 2012
WHILE I HAVE NO INCIDENT TO REPORT, I WOULD LIKE TO PREVENT FUTURE INCIDENTS. MY CAR, LIKE LOTS OF OLDER VEHICLES, SUFFERS FROM UV CLOUDING OF THE HEADLIGHT LENSES, WHICH DIMINISHES THEIR EFFECTIVENESS IN ILLUMINATING THE ROADWAY AT NIGHT. SURELY THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. EQUALLY SURELY, THE MANUFACTURERS ARE AWARE OF IT. SO WHY IS THIS DEFICIENCY OF DESIGN OR MANUFACTURE NOT THE SUBJECT OF RECALLS? *TT
SEATSNovember 17, 2010
2001 VW GOLF TDI, 9 YEARS OLD WITH 173,000 MILES. DRIVER SEAT MOUNT (WELDED TO SLIDER) BROKE AND NOW THE SEAT TILT TOWARD THE REAR ON IT'S REAR PIVOT POINT. THIS METAL BRACKET IS ABOUT 1/8" THICK. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS AND CAN BE DANGEROUS IF IT OCCURS WHILE DRIVING. I SPOKE WITH VW CUSTOMER CARE AND THE REPLY IS; CAR IS BEYOND WARRANTY AND THEREFORE CAN'T HELP WITH REPAIR COST, TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY WILL DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND REPAIR AT MY COST. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITYSeptember 20, 2010
A PLASTIC BURNING SMELL IN CABIN WAS NOTED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. UPON EXITING THE HIGHWAY, SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE HVAC CONTROL PANEL. RECIRCULATION FAN WAS SWITCHED FROM HIGH SPEED SETTING TO OFF. THE SMOKE CONTINUED TO INTENSIFY, UNTIL ALL DC POWER WAS REMOVED FROM THE CAR. MAINTENANCE FOUND THE HVAC CONTROLLER, ROTATORY FAN SPEED SWITCH TO HAVE MELTED IN THE OFF POSITION DUE TO THE HEAT OF THE ELECTRICAL ARCHING IN SIDE THE SWITCH. DAMAGED LIMITED TO THE HVAC CONTROL PANEL P/N 1J0 820 045F MANUFACTURED BY VALEO. *TR
Fire reported
NHTSA #10356703ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICJuly 23, 2010
2001 VW GOLF WITH 192285 MI EXPERIENCED LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER TO SYSTEMS THAT ARE MOUNTED ON THE REAR HATCH BACK DOOR, (THIRD BRAKE LIGHT, REAR DEFROSTERS, AND WIPER). UPON INSPECTION OF THE WIRING HARNESS FOUND THE WIRING CHAFFED AND OR BROKEN AT POINT WHERE THE HARNESS PASSES THROUGH THE HARNESS SHIELD. (WHERE THE HARNESS PASSES FROM THE CAR BODY TO THE LIFT GATE) *TR
SEATSMay 5, 2010
2. DRIVER'S SEAT LOCK MECHANISM (FORWARD & AFT MOTION) FAILED TO ENGAGE 1. DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE SEAT FORWARD TO USE THE CAR FOR AN ERRAND, AND THE SEAT WOULD NOT LOCK IN PLACE. ANY PRESSURE ON BRAKE PEDAL RESULTED IN THE SEAT MOVING BACK, PUTTING THE FOOT CONTROLS OUT OF REACH. DRIVER IS 5' 3" TALL. 3. LOCAL DEALER LOOKED AT THE CAR, DETERMINED THAT "DUST AND DEBRIS" JAMMED THE UNDER-SEAT MECHANISM. TECH CLEANED AND LUBED THE PISTON MECHANISM, RESULTING IN A TEMPORARY FIX. "IF IT EVER FAILS AGAIN," THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID, "WE MIGHT HAVE TO REPLACE THE PART." IT SHOULD NEVER HAVE FAILED AT ALL! THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE 100% FAIL-SAFE. THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE SUCH DEFECTIVE UNITS FOR FREE. INSTEAD, THE DEALER SAID THE PART IS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND THUS CHARGED $90+TAX TO REPAIR A SAFETY DEFECT. OUTRAGEOUS! THE PROBLEM REALLY STEMMED FROM THE ORIGINAL LUBRICANT GELLING IN THE "PISTON IN BARREL" MECHANISM, PREVENTING THE PISTON FROM ENGAGING THE CENTRAL SEAT LOCK RAIL. THE CONSUMER HAS NO EASY WAY TO UN-JAM THE COMPLEX MECHANISM. IF THIS HAD JAMMED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, ON A HIGHWAY, THE DRIVER WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL AND LIKELY BEEN INJURED OR KILLED. LUCKILY NOT IN THIS CASE. THE DESIGN IS DEFECTIVE WHEN IT RESULTS IN EVEN ONE FAILURE. NO OTHER MANUFACTURER USES SUCH A COMPLEX, VULNERABLE SEAT LOCK MECHANISM THAT IS PRONE TO FAILURE. THEY ALL USE A SIMPLE SYSTEM OF LEVERS, METAL RODS AND SPRINGS TO ACCOMPLISH A RELIABLE SEAT LOCK. PLEASE ASK VW TO RECALL CARS WITH SUCH PISTON IN SLEEVE SYSTEMS TO INSURE 100% RELIABILITY...BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR
POWER TRAINMarch 15, 2010
2001 VW BORA VR6. VIN [XXX] , 79,999 MILES. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION JUMPS INTO GEAR GOING FORWARD OR BACKWARDS FROM A STOP. THE GEARS JUMP FROM ONE TO THE OTHER CAUSING CAN TO PUSH YOU BACK IN THE SEAT. IF IT WERE NOT FOR HEAD RESTS YOU WOULD HAVE WHIP LASH. BEEN TO VW OF ORANGE PARK, FL 32073 TWICE. I HAVE NO MORE MONEY TO HAVE IT FIXED HAS THERE BEEN ANY RECALLS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
VISIBILITYJanuary 19, 2010
I HAVE A 2001 VW GOLF GLS. ONE DAY MY CAR'S TRUCK DOOR CAN NOT BE LOCKED, I TOOK IT TO VW DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. INITIALLY I THOUGH IT WAS JUST SOME WIRING PROBLEM, BUT AFTER THE CERTIFIED VW TECHNICIAN CHECKED EVERY POSSIBLE THINGS THAT CAUSED THE TRUCK LOCK MALFUNCTION, IT WAS SO CALLED "COMFORT CONTROL MODULE" NOT SENDING SIGNAL AND ELECTRICITY TO THE TRUCK LOCK. NO BIG DEAL, IT'S JUST A TRUCK LOCK, NO NEED TO WORRY, SO I REFUSED THE $900 ESTIMATED REPAIR AMOUNT FOR A NEW COMFORT CONTROL MODULE (CCM) REPLACEMENT. THE VW TECHNICIAN FURTHER EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS OK NOT TO REPLACE IT IF IT IS JUST THE TRUCK LOCK MALFUNCTION, BUT IF ANYTHING THAT IS ACTING FUNNY SUCH AS WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT MOVING, DOORS LOCK BY ITSELF, POWER WINDOWS CAN NOT ROLL DOWN, OR DASHBOARD LIGHT GOING ON AND OFF BY ITSELF, THEN IT IS IMPORTANT TO REPLACE IT. NO MAJOR PROBLEM FOR A YEAR, THEN SUDDENLY DRIVING IN THE RAIN AT NIGHT, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTION, THEY WILL NOT MOVE AT ALL. I CAN BARELY SEE WHAT WAS IN FRONT OF ME IN HIGH SPEED ON FREEWAY IN THE RAIN. I TRIED TO OPEN THE WINDOWS SO I CAN SEE BETTER SO THAT I CAN PULL OVER SAFELY. I TRIED TO LOWER THE WINDOWS , BUT THE WINDOWS DIDN'T COME DOWN. I SLOWED DOWN AND PULLED OVER BY GUESSING, LUCKILY NO CAR WAS BEHIND ME OR NEXT TO ME. I GOT OUT AND CHECKED IF THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG OR WHAT OBSTRUCTING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. I FOUND NOTHING, IT JUST SIMPLY STOP WORKING ALONG WITH MY POWER WINDOWS. I WENT TO THE DEALER AFTER THE RAIN AND AGAIN THEY WERE CAUSED BY THE MALFUNCTION CCM. SINCE IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE A CAR WITHOUT A PAIR OF FUNCTIONAL WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WINDOWS, I WAS RECOMMENDED TO HAVE THE CCM REPLACED. I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND THAT MANY VW OWNERS HAVE SOME SIMILAR CCM COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS AND I PERSONALLY THINK THAT THE CCM IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN, THIS IS WHY I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT TO SEE IF IT CAN MINIMIZE THE DANGER AND SAFETY. THANK YOU FOR READING. *TR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGDecember 31, 2009
VW DEALER PERFORMED 2ND REQUIRED TIMING BELT/WATER PUMP CHANGE AT 154626 MILES, 5400 EARLIER THAN REQUIRED, AT APPROX 183600 MILES, 30K MILES LATER WATER PUMP FAILED UPON REMOVAL OF WATER PUMP FOUND PLASTIC IMPELLER SLIPPING / NOT ATTACHED TO METAL DRIVE SHAFT. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILED WATER PUMP, THE ENGINE OVER HEATED. DUE TO DEFECT HISTORY DID NOT INSTALL NEW VW MANUFACTURED WATER PUMP, PLASTIC/COMPOSITE IMPELLER,. REQUIRED AN AFTERMARKET OEM BUILT WATER PUMP, WITH METAL IMPELLER ASSEMBLY TO BE INSTALLED ON VEHICLE. THE REMOVED DAMAGE WATER PUMP IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *TR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGOctober 14, 2009
EXPERIENCE TWO EXHAUST SYSTEM FAILURES ON TWO DIFFERENT 01 TDI VW GOLFS. EXPERIENCED SEPARATION THE OF THE EXHAUST PIPE/DOWN PIPE ASSY AT THE WELD OF THE CAT EXIT. ONE CAR WITH 179800 MILES AND THE OTHER WITH 73000 MILES. AS A RESULT A STRONG EXHAUST SMELL WAS NOTICED IN THE CABIN DURING CITY DRIVING. BOTH CARS EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM WITHIN THE SAME WEEK. *TR
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINESeptember 15, 2009
MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF WAS MANUFACTURED ON 12/2000. THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY LINE NIPPLE CRACKED AND HAD BEEN LEAKING GAS UNDER THE REAR SEAT. IT WAS TAKEN TO CAMELBACK VOLKSWAGEN IN PHOENIX ARIZONA WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AS A NEW. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ACKNOWLEDGED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT THEY REPLACE A LOT OF THE FUEL PUMPS DUE TO NIPPLE CRACKS BUT VOLKSWAGEN DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THIS AS A RECALL OR SAFETY ISSUE DESPITE A RECALL NOTICE FOR GOLFS MANUFACTURED THE SAME YEAR WITH THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE AS MY VEHICLE. THE FUEL LINE TENSION CAUSED THE NIPPLE TO CRACK OFF. VOLKSWAGEN REFUSED TO REPAIR THIS AS A DEFECT. THE OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. *TR
AIR BAGSFebruary 10, 2009
DEAR SIR/MADAM, I HAD AN ACCIDENT A FEW DAYS AGO WHERE I CRASHED INTO A CAR INFRONT OF ME. I HAD MY MOTHER ON IN THE PASSENGERS SEAT , AND MY SISTER AND BROTHER IN THE REAR SEATS. MY AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE THE PASSENGERS AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY , NOTE THAT THE CRASH WAS MAINLY ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE. I RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES WHILE MY MOTHER WAS SEVERELY INJURED AND IS STILL IN HOSPITAL. *TR
Crash reported4 injury(ies)
NHTSA #10258182ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGSOctober 27, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED LOW POWER, ROUGH IDLING, AND HESITATION. THE CHECK ENGINE AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATORS REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURES WERE RELATED TO THE COIL PACK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES WITH NO RESOLUTIONS. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY IS INOPERABLE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSeptember 5, 2008
VW 2001 GOLF TDI SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED WHILE DRIVING. AUTO WAS A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO FIRE. *TR
Fire reported1 injury(ies)
NHTSA #10241011ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGAugust 26, 2008
THE DEALERSHIP SOLD ME A VEHICLE WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT IT HAS PROBLEMS WITH OIL LEAKS AND OIL CONSUMPTION (AS WELL AS OTHER PROBLEMS) EXPERIENCED WITH THE PREVIOUS OWNER. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICING 4 DAYS AFTER PURCHASED AND HAVE MADE 8 REPAIR ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WILL BE RETURNED, FOR THE SECOND TIME, TO THE DEALERSHIP AND RESOLD TO ANOTHER UNSUSPECTING PERSON UNLESS IT IS PROPERLY NOTED TO AUTOCHECK AND CARFAX THAT IT IS A LEMON AND HAS BEEN BOUGHT BACK TWICE. *TR
AIR BAGSDecember 10, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS, INCLUDING THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAGS, DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60-65 MPH AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE NORMAL AND THERE WAS NO SUDDEN IMPACT OR CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,100 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,350. UPDATED 03-05-08 *BF
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEJuly 16, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT SMELLED GAS FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LIFTED UP THE REAR SEAT AND UNCOVERED THE ACCESS COVER TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. HE NOTICED FUEL SPILLAGE ON THE FUEL TANK DUE TO A LEAK IN THE FUEL LINE. THE CONTACT CLEANED UP THE SPILL WITH A RAG. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE FUEL SPILLED ONTO THE GROUND. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 150,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGJuly 5, 2007
WHILE DRIVING 2001 PASSAT 1.8 TURBO ON INTERSTATE WHEN STOPPING ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TURNED CAR OFF, AND HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER, WHO INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL SLUDGE PROBLEM, AND ENGINE WILL NEED TO BE TORN DOWN AND REBUILT. PURCHASED CAR IN MARCH 2005 ,AND HAD OIL CHANGED BY DEALER, WHO NEVER INFORMED ME OF LETTER ISSUED BY VOLKSWAGEN, MODIFYING INFORMATION IN OWNERS MANUAL ABOUT DECREASING TIME BETWEEN OIL CHANGES AND TYPE OF OIL TO USE.*AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGJune 15, 2007
THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WENT ON, I HAD TWO HOSES REPLACED, AND WAS TOLD NOTHING ELSE WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. HOWEVER, A DAY LATER, THE LIGHT WENT BACK ON. I WAS TOLD THE AIR FILTER NEEDED CLEANING AND ALL WAS WELL. A DAY AFTER THAT, THE LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN, AND THE CAR WAS HAVING PROBLEMS AT IGNITION, IT WAS STALLING AND JUST TURNED OFF. THIS TIME I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED AN IGNITION COIL. THAT WAS FIXED. AS I WAS DRIVING HOME, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN! THE NEXT MORNING BEFORE THE DEALER OPENED, I TRIED TURNING ON THE CAR, AND NOW HAD A SECOND LIGHT THE EPC (ELECTRONIC CONTROL PANEL). THE CAR TURNED ON, BUT GEARS AND THE WHOLE SYSTEM WAS DOWN, AND I COULDN'T EVEN SWITCH GEARS. THAT WAS HARD TO GET IT ON A TOW TRUCK TO DRIVE IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THAT WAS REPLACED, AND AT THAT POINT I WAS TOLD OF A RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED FOR THE CAR, SO IT STAYED AT THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE RECALL. A RECALL I WAS NEVER TOLD ABOUT, BY MAIL OR OTHERWISE, ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT MOVED IN 2 YEARS, AND PRIOR TO THAT I LIVED WITH MY PARENTS. ANYTHING SENT TO ME TO EITHER ADDRESS, DOES GET TO ME. AFTER THE RECALL WAS FIXED, THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP FOR OVER 2 WEEKS AND THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WAS IS WRONG WITH IT. *AK
EXTERIOR LIGHTINGJune 15, 2007
I HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE THAT REQUIRESD ME TO BRING THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. I HAVE NOT CONFIDENCE THAT THE DEALERS IN MY AREA WILL PERFORM THE REPAIR WITHOUT DAMAGING THE CAR IN OTHER NON COVERED AREAS. THEREFORE, I WILL NOT BRING THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. SAFETY RECALL N4 VOLKSWAGEN. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLMay 9, 2007
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED WHILE CAR URGED/STALLED/SURGED/STALLED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, CODED CATEGORY NON PERFORMANCE. CAT REPLACED WITH O2 SENSORS AT $900. LIGHT/ SURGED/STALLED AND RETURNED TO MECHANIC IMMEDIATELY. HE REPLACED GENUINE VOLKSWAGEN PLUGS, WIRES, AND IGNITION COIL. NO CRACKS WERE FOUND, BUT REPLACED ANYWAY AT $300. LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE, T AND REMAINED LIT WITHIN 40 MILES OF RESET, CODES CATEGORY, BANK 1. RAN ROUGH AND SMELLED OF RAW GAS ONCE LIGHT WENT ON. RECALL DID NOT COVER THIS MODEL ALTHOUGH THE FAILURE WAS IDENTICAL. ONLY 2.0 AEG MOTORS COVERED NOT 2.0 AZG TO 120000. QUIRKY OPERATION WILL RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. SELF LIMITING USE OF VEHICLE UNTIL PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED- O2 SENSORS AT $187 EACH X 2 IN EXHAUST WERE NEXT. *AK
AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTSMarch 20, 2007
TL*-THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2001 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAG SENSOR. ONCE SHE TURNED ON THE IGNITION AND PUT ON THE SEAT BELT THE DASHBOARD AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT STAYED ON. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND THAT HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS OF THE SEAT BELT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS WHAT INDICATED IF THE AIRBAG SENSOR BECAME ACTIVATED OR NOT. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD MAKE BETTER PARTS FOR THEIR VEHICLES. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VEHICLE, AND WAS GIVEN CASE# 70098165. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000. *AK UPDATED 04/11/07. *JB
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEMNovember 19, 2006
MULTIPLE ISSUES REGARDING VEHICLE RELIABILITY: REPLACEMENT (TWICE) OF OIL TRANSMISSION LINES, REPAIR TO TURBO SYSTEM, AND NOW REPLACEMENT OF DIESEL "GLOW PLUGS", CABLING AND FAILURE OF STARTER MOTOR. *NM
POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTINGOctober 25, 2006
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I BUMPED THE SHIFTER WHILE REACHING FOR MY SODA. THE SHIFTER WENT INTO NEUTRAL AND WOULD NOT COME OUT UNTIL I FORCED IT BACK INTO DRIVE. I PULLED OVER INTO A GAS STATION. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TRIED TO SHIFT BACK INTO DRIVE, BUT THE SHIFTER WOULDN'T BUDGE. I FINALLY GOT IT TO GO INTO PARK AFTER A TOW TRUCK DRIVER SUGGESTED THAT I TURN THE IGNITION TO DIFFERENT POSITIONS WHILE PUMPING THE BREAK AND PULLING ON THE SHIFTER. IT FINALLY RELEASED AND I DROVE IMMEDIATELY TO THE NEAREST VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP. THE MALFUNCTION WAS IN THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH SO I HAD TO GET IT REPLACED. I WAS CHARGED $40 FOR THE PART ITSELF AND $230 FOR THE WORK. I FEEL THAT SINCE THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 1998-2002 VW BEETLE AND THE 1999-2001 VW JETTA THAT THERE SHOULD BE ONE ON THE 2001 VW GOLF AS WELL. *NM
AIR BAGSOctober 16, 2006
WHILE DRIVING HOME ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED LEAVING BRUISING AND SCRAPES ON PASSENGER. NO OTHER VEHICLE OR OBSTRUCTION IN WAY. *NM
1 injury(ies)
NHTSA #10170980AIR BAGS,EQUIPMENTOctober 4, 2006
SECOND TIME THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG HAS MALFUNCTIONED -- WARNING LIGHT COMES ON THAT AIRBAG IS NOT PROPERLY FUNCTIONING. NOVEMBER 2005 AND SEPTEMBER 2006. DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THEN AS NOW. VW ORDERED REPAIRS AND REPLACED BAG AND HARNESS IN NOVEMBER 2005. ALL AIRBAGS WILL NOT FUNCTION IF A PROBLEM WITH HARNESS. THIS WILL BE THE SECOND HARNESS, IGNITER, ETC TO BE INSTALLED. PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE UPON REPAIR THIS TIME ( A QUITE COSTLY VENTURE). VW WILL NOT ADMIT A SERIOUS PROBLEM, BUT NON-VW REPAIR CENTERS KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM. *NM
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESSeptember 21, 2006
GOT TRANSMISSION WORK DONE ON 9/19/06. PICK CAR UP THAT EVENING AND DROVE HOME ON CITY STREETS. ON 9/20/06 GOT ON FREEWAY TO GO TO WORK AND ACCELERATED TO 55 MPH AT WHICH TIME THE HOOD SNAPPED BACK AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THE SERVICE WORK WAS DONE. SAID THE PROBLEM WITH THE HOOD WAS DUE TO A FAULTY/FAILED HOOD LATCH. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE HOOD AND INSTALLED A NEW HOOD LATCH. *NM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGSeptember 19, 2006
CATALYTIC CONVERTOR FAILURE AT 82,000 REPLACED CONVERTOR. *JB
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMAugust 3, 2006
I OWN A 2001 VW GOLF. LAST YEAR I HAD REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR (FAILURE) AT GUNTHER VW DEALERSHIP (IN COCONUT CREEK, FL), THE DATE IS 07/21/2005. I HAVE PAID FOR THE SERVICE AND PARTS. I WANT TO MENTION THAT IN SPITE OF THE FACT I HAVE PAID FOR A NEW PART THEY INSTALLED A RE-MANUFACTURED ONE. THIS YEAR IN JULY THE ALTERNATOR SEEMED TO GIVE ME PROBLEMS ONCE AGAIN. IT HAPPENED ON JULY 17 2006. THE NEXT DAY 7/18/2006 I CALLED GUNTHER VW TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. I WAS ASKED WHAT IS THE PROBLEM AND I TOLD THEM IS THE ALTERNATOR (I HAVE THE EXPERTISE, HOLDING A BS AND MS IN ENGINEERING WITH AN AUTOMOTIVE MAJOR). THEY COULD NOT SCHEDULE THIS APPOINTMENT EARLIER THAN JULY 29, 2006. ON THAT DATE (7/29/06) I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CONFIRMED IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR, BUT THEY COULD NOT REPLACE IT UNDER WARRANTY (1 YEAR FROM 7/21/06) BECAUSE THEY CLAIMED THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND SUGGESTED TO CALL VW - THE MANUFACTURER. THEY DENIED THE WARRANTY. THE FACT IS THAT SPECIFIC PART (THE ALTERNATOR FAILED PRIOR THAT DATE AND I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP PRIOR THE EXPIRATION DATE, BUT BECAUSE OF THE SCHEDULING AVAILABILITY THEY TOLD ME TO BRING THE CAR AFTER ALMOST 2 WEEKS). I EXPLAINED THIS ISSUE TO VW, BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS THE SAME POSITION (BECAUSE THEY BACK UP THE MANUFACTURER). I CONSIDER THAT THIS TREATMENT IS ABSOLUTELY NO FAIR, AND I FEEL ROBBED (PAID OVER $700 FOR THAT SERVICE + RE-MANUFACTURED PART, THINKING IS VW DOES QUALITY), AND NOW BECAUSE THEIR OWN SYSTEM I AM TURNED DOWN, WHEN I ASK FOR THAT PART REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY. PLEASE HELP ME TO OVERCOME THIS INJUSTICE, AND HAVE MY VEHICLE RESTORED TO A SAFE CONDITION. *JB
EXTERIOR LIGHTING,EQUIPMENTJuly 5, 2006
I OWN A 2001 VW GOLF. SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS FAILED ONCE PER YEAR. THUS, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THIS FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FOUR TIMES IN FOUR YEARS. THE FAULTY SWITCH HAS CAUSED MY EPC LIGHT TO COME ON WHILE I AM DRIVING, AND TO STALL THE VEHICLE AND PREVENT IT FROM SHIFTING GEARS. VW ISSUED A RECALL FOR FAULTY BRAKE SWITCHES IN THE 1999-2002 JETTA AND 1998-2002 BEETLES, SO I DON'T KNOW WHY A COMPARABLE FIX HAS NOT BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO 2000-2002 GOLF OWNERS. THIS PROBLEM IS RAMPANT. A SEARCH OF ANY VW CHAT BOARD WILL REVEAL NUMEROUS OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. VW SHOULD RECALL THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES ON THE OLDER GOLFS AS IT HAS DONE WITH OTHER MODELS, OR IT MAY POSE A SAFETY HAZARD TO THE MANY GOLF OWNERS OUT THERE (WHO ARE NOT LIKELY TO PURCHASE ANY TYPE OF VW AGAIN). THERE ARE NO SIGNS TO INDICATE THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WILL FAIL BEFORE IT FAILS. EACH TIME IT FAILS, THE CAR MUST BE BROUGHT TO A DEALER OR SERVICE SHOP FOR SWITCH REPLACEMENT. I HAVE RECORDS OF MY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACEMENTS OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS I HAVE OWNED MY GOLF, AND CAN SEND YOU COPIES IF YOU NEED THEM. THANK YOU. *JB
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMMarch 13, 2006
I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR VW GOLF FOR IGNITION COIL. I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THAT LAST YEAR AND I TOOK IT TO A DEALER BUT INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE COILS THEY REPLACED MY BATTERY AND STARTER... EXACTLY A YEAR AFTER THAT THE SAME THING HAPPEN (THIS JANUARY). I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED AND TOOK IT TO A GARAGE CAUSE IT WAS CLOSE TO MY HOUSE. MY IGNITION COILS HAD TO BE REPLACED. SO I WAS WONDERING IF THERE IS A WAY I CAN BE REIMBURSED FOR WHAT I PAID, AT LEAST FOR THE PARTS. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THEY DIDN'T REPLACE THE COILS AT THE DEALERSHIP CAUSE EXACTLY THE SAME THING HAPPENED, EXACTLY YEAR AFTER. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO? THANK YOU JANA. *JB
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFebruary 26, 2006
I HAVE NO HEADLIGHTS OR WIPERS ON THIS 2001 EUROVAN. IT SEEMS TO BE THE IGNITION SWITCH. I HAD NOTICED THE 1996 PASSAT WAS RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM. SEEM TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WHICH IS UNSAFE SINCE YOU HAVE NO LIGHTS OR WIPERS. WHY HASN'T THIS PROBLEM BEEN RECALLED FOR ALL OF THE SAME TYPE OF IGNITION SWITCHES???? BY VW.??? PLEASE INFORM ME IF THERE ARE ANY INVESTIGATIONS ON THIS PROBLEM. *NM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFebruary 25, 2006
COMPLETE FAILURE OF ENGINE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *NM
AIR BAGSFebruary 2, 2006
MY 2001 VW GOLF REPEATEDLY HAS WARNING LIGHTS POPPING UP IN ERROR. THIS WEEK MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON, EVEN THOUGH THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER NEEDED TO BE DEPLOYED. RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE SHOWS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND ANNOYANCE AMONG VW USERS. THE ONLY REMEDY OFFERED BY TWO DEALERSHIPS I WENT TO IS TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS AT A COST OF MORE THAN $750/$900 PER (THERE ARE 4 OF THEM). THE REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS ONLY HAVE A 6,000 MILE WARRANTY, WHICH MEANS I COULD CONCEIVABLY HAVE TO PAY $3000 EVERY 5-6 MONTHS TO HAVE NEW AIRBAGS INSTALLED, EVEN THOUGH THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM AND THE REAL PROBLEM IS THAT THE WARNING LIGHT KEEPS GOING OFF IN ERROR. HELP! *JB
POWER TRAINDecember 20, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATES VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE IS NOW AT A PRIVATE MECHANIC. REPAIRS WILL BE MADE AT CONTACT'S EXPENSE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. *AK
AIR BAGSDecember 16, 2005
2001 VW GOLF TDI. MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND CONTINUES TO REMAIN ON. I HAVE HEARD OF SOMEONE ELSE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME MODEL CAR. *JB
AIR BAGSSeptember 29, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. THE SPEED WAS ABOUT 45 MPH. CONTACT DID NOT LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS NOT ON PRIOR TO THE DEPLOYMENT, BUT IT WAS ON NOW. THERE WAS SOMEONE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND WAS WEARING THE SEAT BELT. CURRENTLY, THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. IT WAS STILL THE SAME WAY AS IF SOMEONE WERE SITTING IN THE SEAT. ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES, HAD BURN MARKS ON HER ARMS. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS THIS INCIDENT ON FILE. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT SINCE CONTACT DROVE VEHICLE AWAY FROM THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT, IT WOULD BE CONSIDERED A DO IT YOURSELF PART, AND SHE HAD NOT GOTTEN A CHANCE TO DO SO YET. *AK *NM
1 injury(ies)
NHTSA #10126125EXTERIOR LIGHTINGSeptember 27, 2005
DT: THE CALLER SAID BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS FAULTY. HE HAD NO BRAKE LIGHTS. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE CALLER SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SAME BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THE JETTA, BUT NOT ON THE GOLF.*AK
EXTERIOR LIGHTINGSeptember 22, 2005
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE 2001 VOLKSWAGEN WAS HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE SWITCH. THE BRAKES WERE NOT COMING ON WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHED. THERE WAS A LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD THAT RED GLOWING PLUG WARNING. THIS INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN, AND THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. THEREFORE, THEY COULD NOT HELP THE CONSUMER WITH THE PROBLEM. THIS STARTED ON 9-22-2005. THE CONSUMER HAD NO BRAKE LIGHT OR CRUISE CONTROL. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED , AND THEY STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE.*AK
VISIBILITYSeptember 9, 2005
WINDOW REGULATOR MADE OF PLASTIC CLIP IS KNOWN TO BREAK AND VW EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 7 YEARS. HOWEVER, THEY ONLY SPECIFIED FOR AUTOMATIC WINDOW, WHEN BOTH USES SAME PLASTIC REGULATOR CLIP THAT IS DEFECTIVE ON BOTH AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL. WHEN I CONTACTED VW DEALER HQ, THEY BOTH DENIED ON WARRANTY. HQ STATED THAT BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED ENOUGH COMPLAINTS, THEY WILL NOT COVER MANUAL WINDOW REGULATOR, EVEN THOUGH THEY USE SAME DEFECTIVE PLASTIC CLIP. *JB
EXTERIOR LIGHTINGAugust 26, 2005
I HAVE A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF TDI. THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS FAILED CAUSING NO BRAKE LIGHTS TO BE LIT WHILE BRAKING. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHERE THE CAR COULD EASILY BE REAR-ENDED. THE ODD THING IS THAT VW HAS RECALLED THEIR OTHER MODELS BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT, BUT NOT THE GOLF. MY GOLF EVEN USES THE IDENTICAL PART TO THE ONE THAT WAS RECALLED. IF OTHER MODELS ARE RECALLED BECAUSE OF THIS PART DEFECT, WHY WASN'T THE GOLF RECALLED?*JB
AIR BAGSAugust 19, 2005
I BOUGHT A USED 2001 VW GOLF IN APRIL. THE AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A VW DEALER AND PAID $85 FOR THEM TO TELL ME THAT THE AIRBAG HAD HIGH RESISTANCE AND MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THEY SAID THE HARNASS OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG NEED TO BE REPLACED AND IT WOULD COST ME $700. THIS IS NOT A WEARABLE PART OF THE CAR, AND IS A DESGIN FAULT THAT MAY ENDAGER THE LIFE OF THE DRIVER. I AM WONDERING WHY I SHOULD PAY FOR THIS. SHOULDN'T IT BE THE RESPONBSIBILITY OF VW TO ENSURE THAT NON-WEARABLE PARTS REMAIN WORKING FOR QUITE A LONG TIME? ESPECIALLY IF IT IS SAFETY RELATED?
AIR BAGSJuly 15, 2005
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. CALLER HAS BEEN TO DEALER THREE TIMES, AND SOON AFTER THEY REPAIRED IT, IT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER REIMBURSED THE CONSUMER FOR FIXING THE PROBLEM. *AK *JB
VISIBILITYJuly 8, 2005
I PURCHASED THIS CAR BACK IN THE FALL OF 2001. IT WAS A "DEMO" CAR AND ONLY HAD 7000 MILES ON IT. THE NEXT SUMMER MY BACK DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WOULD NO LONGER WORK. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS WINDOW TO NOT WORK. IT WAS NOT DAMAGED BY ANYONE. MY WARRANTY HAD RUN OUT SO I DIDN'T BOTHER TO CALL THE DEALER. I'M NOW LEARNING THAT VOLKSWAGEN IS AND HAVE BEEN HAVING SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THEIR WINDOWS. THE DEALER DOESN'T WANT TO FIX IT FOR FREE AND I CALLED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE HOT-LINE FOR VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY DON'T WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE EITHER. THEY BOTH ADMITTED TO ME THAT YES THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOWS ON MANY OF THEIR VEHICLES.....UPDATED 07/23/15 *BF
POWER TRAINJune 20, 2005
DT: CONSUMER STATED AT 51000 MILES TRANSMISSION BUSTED. CONSUMER SOME TIMES VEHICLE DID NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE AND E BACK FIRED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SOMETIMES HESITATED OR BOGGED DOWN. VEHICLE HAS BEEN ACTING THIS WAY SINCE APRIL. CONSUMER SAYS THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN FLORENCE, KENTUCKY. . VEHICLE WAS CHECKED OUT BY DEALER, BUT TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED BY ANOTHER GARAGE. *AK
SUSPENSIONJune 3, 2005
MY 2001 VW GOLF HAS HYDRAULIC BUSHINGS IN THE REAR AXLE AND ONE OF THEM LEAKED FLUID. UNFORTUNATELY, THE BUSHINGS ARE INTEGRAL TO THE AXLE AND CANT BE REPLACED WITHOUT REPLACING THE ENTIRE AXLE. AS A MATTER OF FACT, VW HAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON IT (C 42-99-01). I REQUESTED FROM THE DEALER THAT VW PAY FOR REPLACING THE REAR AXLE BUT VW FEELS IT IS NOT A SAFETY RELATED ISSUE. BASED ON MY LIMITED KNOWLEDGE OF HYDRAULIC BUSHINGS, I WOULD EXPECT SOME PLAY IN THE REAR AXLE WHICH WOULD AFFECT THE HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS OF MY VEHICLE AND THUS ITS SAFETY. YOUR COMMENTS WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICMay 20, 2005
DT: BRAKE PADS IN THE REAR WORE OUT. HAD CHANGED BRAKE PADS AT LEAST 3 TIMES IN 4 YEARS. DEALER SAID THIS WAS NORMAL WEAR. SEAMS ON THE DISCS WORE OFF. SINCE OCTOBER UNTIL NOW THE INSIDE OF THE DISCS WORE OUT AT LEAST 1/8 OF INCH.*AK
POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLMay 16, 2005
VW GOLF 2001 UNABLE TO SHIFT FROM PARK OR NEUTRAL WITH IGNITION "ON". POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. FORTUNATELY THIS TIME CAR WAS NOT IN A DANGEROUS LOCATION. THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (AND AUTOMATIC SHIFT LOCK SWITCH) IN THIS CAR WITH ONLY 30588 MILES. REPLACED AT DEALER. I HAVE THE FAILED SWITCH AND (AS AN ENGINEER) CAN SEE MANY FLAWS IN THE DESIGN, LEADING TO ARCS AND CONTACT STICKING OR NON-OPERATION. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET SHOWS THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM, SOME OVER 6 TIMES. APPLICABLE OVER A RANGE OF VW MODELS AND YEARS. CANADA HAD A RECALL FOR SOME VW MODELS. VW SHOULD REPLACE THE SWITCHES WITH A BETTER DESIGN UNDER A LIFETIME WARRANTY AS A DANGEROUS DEFECT. MY WIFE OR ONE OF THE MANY OTHERS COULD HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET OFF A TRAIN TRACK WHEN THE THING LOCKED.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMApril 26, 2005
2001 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH GLOVE COMPARTMENT LOCK, DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW, IGNITION COILS, AND INSTRUMENT PANEL.*MR THE GLOVE BOX LOCK AND DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS NOT REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE DUE TO THE AGE AND MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. *NM
VISIBILITYApril 7, 2005
NICE DAY, HAD WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN. WAS ABOUT TO GET ONTO THE HIGHWAY SO I HIT THE WINDOW UP SWITCH AND THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW SLAMMED INTO THE DOOR. OBVIOUSLY CAME OFF TRACK, TAKING TO THE DEALER TODAY TO SEE IF WINDOW SMASHED AS WELL.*AK
EXTERIOR LIGHTINGMarch 30, 2005
NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V584000; VOLKSWAGEN ISSUED A HAZARD SWITCH RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN, BUT HAS THE HAZARD SWITCH LIGHTS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. *AK
AIR BAGSMarch 23, 2005
VEHICLE WAS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD (BUT BEYOND WARRANTY MILEAGE) WHEN AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER DIAGNOSTICS INDICATED RT SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR, AND AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $770. WITHOUT REPLACEMENT, DEALER SAYS ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE.*AK
EXTERIOR LIGHTINGMarch 8, 2005
THE HAZARD LIGHT FLASHER MALFUNCTIONED. THE FLASHER BEGAN FLASHING RAPIDLY, THEN WOULDN'T FUNCTION AT ALL. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE FLASHER HAD TO BE REPLACED. HAZARD SWITCH RECALL 04V584000 WAS ISSUED, BUT THIS VEHICLE WA SNOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EXTERIOR LIGHTINGFebruary 11, 2005
TURN SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING. THEY DO NOT COME ON AT ALL. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS. *AK THE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO A LEAKING RECIRCULATION VALVE. *NM
AIR BAGSFebruary 10, 2005
THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITH NO IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT SOMETHING HIT THE FLOOR OF THE TRUNK, AND THAT SET THE AIR BAG OFF. ALSO, DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO.*AK
AIR BAGSFebruary 7, 2005
CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM ON THE 2001 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED 5 TIMES YET THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ON. *TT *NM
EXTERIOR LIGHTINGFebruary 4, 2005
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED TO OPERATE ON MY CAR AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SINCE OWNING THE CAR, I NOTICED HAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ONLY CAME ON IF THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR AT STOP LIGHTS (PROVIDED I SLOWED DOWN) WITHOUT EVER HAVING THE BRAKE LIGHT COME ON. I REALIZED THIS WHEN SOMEONE ALMOST HIT ME. A FRIEND VERIFIED THAT THE LIGHTS DIDN'T COME ON UNLESS I PUSHED THE PEDAL DOWN TO THE FLOOR. I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE THIS WAS NORMAL FOR THIS CAR. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED WHEN I NOTICED A BULB BURNT OUT, BUT THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY SWITCH AT THE PEDAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AS SOON AS IT WAS REPLACED (FOR 90.00), THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON IMMEDIATELY WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I THEN REALIZED THAT THE PART WAS PROBABLY DEFECTIVE FROM DAY ONE. I ALSO REALIZE THAT I WAS LUCKY NO ONE HIT ME BEFORE. THE DATE I HAD IT FIXED IS BELOW - THERE WAS NO PARTICULAR "INCIDENCE."
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESJanuary 6, 2005
POSSIBLE TO REMOVE ENTIRE DOOR LOCK CORE WITHOUT SETTING OFF THE CAR ALARM IN VW GOLF. *BF *SC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGDecember 8, 2004
2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON. ENGINE FAILURE, VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT REPAIR EVEN THOUGH IT IS UNDER WARRANTY. CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED 13 TIMES IN 14 MONTHS. *AK
VISIBILITYNovember 22, 2004
MY REAR PASSENGER WIDOW WILL NOT ROLL DOWN BECAUSE OF A FAULTY WINDOW REGULATOR. VW KNOWS THE PROBLEM EXISTS BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT WINDOW REGULATORS THAT HAVE A SIMILAR DESING USING PLASTIC WINDOW CLIPS. *JB I HAVE CHILDREN THAT TRAVEL IN THE CAR FREQUENTLY AND IF WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN AND GET OUT OF THE CAR. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. I REALIZE THAT THE GTI VERSION OF MY CAR DOESN'T HAVE WINDOWS THAT ROLL DOWN IN THE BACK BUT I DIDN'T BUY THAT CAR BECAUSE I HAVE KIDS THAT NEED TO RIDE IN THE CAR. THEREFORE I NEED WINDOWS THAT ROLL DOWN TOO. I TOOK THE CAR TO A VW DEALER BECAUSE THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD FIX IT UNDER THE EXTENDED SERVICE THING THAT THE FRONT WINDOW ARE FIXXED UNDER. AFTER THEY TOOK THE CAR, THEY CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THAT IT DOESN'T COVER THE REAR WINDOWS. SO, I DECLINED GETTING IT FIXXED BY THEM AND WILL REPAIR IT MYSELF. THE PART COSTS $120 FOR THE REAR WINDOWS. THE FRONT WINDOW HAVE A REPAIR KIT THAT SELLS FOR ABOUT $20 (IT JUST REPLACES THE FAULTY PART, NOT THE WHOLE UNIT AS THE REAR WINDOWS DO). AT A MINIMUM THEY SHOULD SELL A REPAIR KIT FOR THE REAR WINDOWS.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,EXTERIOR LIGHTINGAugust 30, 2004
WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH NO INDICATION OF STOPPING, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DEACTIVATED. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT HE WOULD BE REAR ENDED DUE TO THE FAILURE. *AK THE VEHICLE EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DETERMINED FROM THE TROUBLE CODES THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED ALONG WITH THE FUEL PUMP RELAY, OXYGEN SENSOR, ECT AND PURGE VALVE. *NM
UNKNOWN OR OTHERJuly 12, 2004
THE HINGE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE GLOVE BOX BROKE OFF. *LA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESJuly 12, 2004
THE LATCH FOR THE DOOR ON THE CENTER CONSOLE BROKE OFF. *LA
AIR BAGSJune 26, 2004
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE SIDE AIRBAG IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I HAD IT REPLACED FOR ABOUT $327.00. *JB
AIR BAGSJune 1, 2004
1. NO EVENT APPLICABLE (I.E. NO ACCIDENTS, CRASHES OR IMPACTS) 2. AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON 3. VW CHARGED $90 TO TELL ME THAT IT WOULD TAKE $715 TO REPLACE THE PART; MY VEHICLE IS ONLY A 2001. VW STATED IT SUFFERED MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN; THE PART IS NOT A WEARABLE PART!!!*AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICJune 1, 2004
HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKES AROUND 38000 MILES. FRONT BRAKES WERE FINE BUT HAD TO HAVE THE REAR REBUILD. WAS TOLD THAT THE PADS WENT OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND HAD TO BE RE-SHIMMED. I DO THINK THAT THIS IS A DEFECT THAT VW SHOULD COVER.*AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGMay 26, 2004
UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE CONSUMES ENGINE OIL AT A RATE THAT LEAVES THE RESEVOIR EMPTY BEFORE IT WOULD BE REFILLED DURING AN OIL CHANGE (ALL THE OIL IS CONSUMED WITHIN 5000 MILES, THE RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGE INTERVAL). VOLKSWAGEN MAINTAINS A POLICY THAT USING ONE QUART OF OIL PER 1000 MILES IS NORMAL FOR A 'MODERN ENGINE,' AND REFUSES TO REPAIR VEHICLES WHO DO NOT MEET THE CONSUMPTION REQUIREMENT. THIS ISSUE IS KNOWN BY THE COMPANY TO AFFECT A NUMBER OF THE 2.0L ENGINES ON THEIR GOLF AND JETTA MODELS, WITH THE CAUSE BEING ATTRIBUTED TO PISTON RINGS BEING INSTALLED UPSIDE DOWN. REINSTALLATION OF THE RINGS IS THE RECOMMENDED SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, DEALERS ARE RELUCTANT TO EVEN PERFORM THE CONSUMPTION TESTS ON SUSPECT VEHICLES, MUCH LESS PERFORM THE REPAIRS. FURTHERMORE, THEY FALSIFY FINDINGS WHEN REPORTING TO THE CUSTOMER, UNDERESTIMATING OIL CONSUMPTION.
VISIBILITYMarch 30, 2004
DRIVER'S DOOR WINDOW "EXPLODED" WHILE PARKED - TOTALLY FRACTURED AND A SECTION "BLOWN OUT" WITH THE GLASS ON THE GROUND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE.*AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGMarch 29, 2004
VEHICLE CONSUMES OIL AT AN ALARMING RATE. THE RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGE INTERVAL IS EVERY 3000 MILES, HOWEVER IN THAT TIME THE VEHICLE WOULD CONSUME MORE THAN ITS OIL CAPACITY, RESULTING IN THE CAR RUNNING WITHOUT OIL. VW IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND PERFORMS "OIL CONSUMPTION TESTS" ON VEHICLES, BUT MANY DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENTS ARE RELUCTANT TO DO SO AND ALWAYS CLAIM THAT 1 QUART OF OIL CONSUMPTION PER 1000 MILES IS "NORMAL" AND REFUSE TO PERFORM ANY SERVICE UNLESS THE CONSUMPTION EXCEEDS THAT AMOUNT.*AK
SEAT BELTSMarch 29, 2004
REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT LATCH BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENTMarch 3, 2004
SWITCH USED TO VERIFY BRAKE IS ENGAGED BEFORE VEHICLE IS ABLE TO GO INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE HAS FAILED TWICE. FIRST TIME 10-08-02 AT 13,691 MILES AND 03-02-04 AT 36,695 MILES. DOES NOT ALLOW VEHICLE TO BE DRIVEN, MOVED OR GO INTO OPPOSITE DIRECTION IF NEEDED WHILE DRIVING.*AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLFebruary 28, 2004
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILURE, PREMATURE REAR BRAKE PAD FAILURE, AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK MALFUNCTION, WATER PUMP FAILURE, THIRD BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE.*AK
VISIBILITYFebruary 18, 2004
PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FELL OFF ITS TRACK ON TWO OCCAISIONS. RENDERS WINDOW TOTALLY INOPERATIVE. FAILURE FIRST OCCURED AROUND 40000 MILES AND THEN AT 50000. *AK
SUSPENSIONFebruary 7, 2004
AT THE 30,000 MILE DEALER SERVICING, DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE CREATING A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD. *AK
AIR BAGSJanuary 15, 2004
THIS IS A COPY OF MY LETTER TO VOLKSWAGEN, PLS HELP ME. HELLO VW, TO MAY IT MAY CONCERN. RECENTLY I PURCHASED AT VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 2001 USED MODEL. IT HAS ABOUT A YEAR WARRANRTTY LEFT WITH 25,000KM ON IT. PRACTIXCALLY BRAND NEW. I WAS IN A MAJOR CAR ACCIDENT REAR ENDING SOMEONE HARSHLY, AND MY AIRBAG S DID NOT GO OFF, MY GIRLFRIEND WAS INJURED FROM THIS INCIDENT. WE WERE ABOUT 50KM PER HOUR WHEN THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED. BUT FAILED TO PROTECT HER FACE FROPM HITTING THE DASHBARD. PLS EXPLAIN THIS INCEDENT, TO ME.
Crash reported
NHTSA #10071388ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGJanuary 6, 2004
SEALS TO TURBO CHARGER IN 2001 VW GOLD TDI ARE LEAKING OIL INTO AIR INTAKE AND ONTO GROUND. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICNovember 16, 2003
I HAVE A 2001 VW GOLF. I HAD TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKES REPLACED AT AROUND 36,000 MILES. BUT THE FRONT BRAKES LOOK LIKE THEY'RE BRAND NEW. I FEEL THAT VW HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND WON'T ADMIT IT. I DON'T FEEL TO SAFE KNOWING THAT THE CAR IS ONLY STOPPING ON THE REAR BRAKES. *LA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMOctober 21, 2003
I HAVE A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF WITH THE TDI ENGINE (ENGINE CODE ALH). LAST NIGHT AND THIS MORNING I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ECU POWER RELAY ("RELAY 109"). SYMPTOMS ARE SUDDEN STALLING OF THE ENGINE WITH THE INABILITY TO RESTART FOR 3-5 MINUTES. THIS MORNING DURING MY MORNING COMMUTE MY ENGINE STALLED 4 TIMES, 3 OF WHICH WERE ON AN EXTREMELY BUSY FREEWAY DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THIS IS A KNOWN AND WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH THE TDI ENGINE. THERE HAVE BEEN A LARGE NUMBER OF REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM (SEE HTTP://FORUMS.TDICLUB.COM AND SEARCH FOR "RELAY 109" FOR EXAMPLES). VOLKSWAGEN HAS RELEASED AN UPDATED RELAY WHICH FIXES THIS FAILURE MODE. LUCKILY I WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM SO I WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT AND INSTALL IT MYSELF. VW KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE... THE ENGINE WILL STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING AND MAY NOT BE RESTARTED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. LUCKILY THIS MORNING I WAS ONLY TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH WHEN THE FIRST STALL HAPPENED. I RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM AND AFTER I WAS ABLE TO RESTART MY ENGINE AND CONTINUE ON, I GOT INTO THE RIGHT-HAND LANE, ASSUMING THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 55 MPH, AND FORTUNATELY I WAS PREPARED TO STOP THE CAR SAFELY. THIS HAPPENS TO VWS WITH TDI ENGINES UP TO AND INCLUDING THE 2001 MODEL YEAR. THE OLD RELAY PART NUMBER IS 357906381A AND THE NEW REPLACEMENT IS 1J0906381A. THIS SITUATION MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED SERIOUS SINCE THE REPLACEMENT PART IS ONLY ABOUT $25 AND INSTALLATION TAKES LESS THAN 10 MINUTES, BUT I FEEL THAT IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *LA
AIR BAGSSeptember 21, 2003
2001 VW GOLF 2.0L WITH 59K MILES AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON AT STARTUP AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. CALLED VW OF AMERICA AND WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY REPORTED THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WAITING FOR VW OF AMERICA RESPONSE TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS TO TAKE PLACE. *JB
AIR BAGSSeptember 5, 2003
AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON SIDE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. NO DAMAGE DONE TO VEHICLE OTHER THAN SLIGHT SCRATCH ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE. IT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED WHETHER OR NOT THE SCRATCH WAS THERE BEFORE OR AFTER THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGE, AND THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE.*AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGAugust 19, 2003
MY VW GOLF 2001 WITH 2.0L GASOLINE ENGINE HAS A O2 SENSOR PROBLEM. BUT DEAR COULD NOT FOUND ANY RECALL ON MY CAR. SINCE THERE IS A MASSIVE RECALL ON O2 SENSORS AND MY CAR FIT IN THE CATEGORY, AND IT BROKEN DOWN RIGHT AFTER THE WARRENTY EXPIRES, IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. ALSO THE MASSIVE AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILS AFTER THE WARRENTY, WHICH IT IS NOT FIXED UNTIL IT HAS BEEN IN THE DEALER FOR 3 TIMES!*AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGAugust 1, 2003
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE ENGINE RUNNING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE OXYGEN SENSOR WOULD LEAK CARBON MONOXIDE THROUGH OUT THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SERVICE DEALER AFTER INSPECTION AND HAD A FAULTY O2 SENSOR REPLACED. *AK *CB
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMJuly 29, 2003
THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW FAILED TO RESPOND, THE HAZZARD LIGHTS WOULD FLASH WHEN THE DEFROSTER WAS TURNED ON, THE GAS TANK COVER WOULD OPEN WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED, THE REMOTE CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK... A BUNCH OF RANDOM PROBLEMS WERE INTERMITTENT AT FIRST -THEN BECAME PERMANANT. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT BARRY VOLKSWAGON (DARTMOUTH MA) INSISTED THAT IT WAS NOT RELATED TO AN ADVISORY REPORT ON WINDOW CLIPS BUT OFFERED TO FIX IT FOR $1000. TRACY VOLKSWAGON (HYANNIS, MA) TOOK A LOOK AT THE SAME CAR AND FIXED THE PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY. IT WAS THE WINDOW CLIPS SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 640101. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGJune 16, 2003
CAR CONSUMES TOO MUCH OIL. OIL CONSUMPTION TEST IN PROGRESS FROM MANUFACTURER. 3RD TIME WITH TEST. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE MANUFACTURER 3 TIMES AND THEY TELL ME THAT THEY NEED TO DO THE TEST 3 TIMES IN ORDER TO GUARANTEE THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG. THE CAR JUST EATS UP OIL LIKE CRAZY AND IT ONLY HAS 39K MILES. *NLM
SEAT BELTSJune 6, 2003
SEAT BELT FAILURE. WHEN PULLING ON FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT TO BUCKLE UP, SEAT BELT "JUST CAME OUT" TO FULL LENGTH. NO TENSION AT ALL, LOOSE. DRIVER REPORTED HEARING A NOISE AS BELT WAS COMING OUT, AND IT CAME OUT TOTALLY SLACK. WON'T GO BACK IN NOW. *AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLJune 6, 2003
MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR FAILURE HAS CAUSED INTERMITTENT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHICH MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD, AND REPEATED FAILURES ARE OCCURRING WITH MANY DIFFERENT OWNERS. CARS AFFECTED ARE DIESEL ENGINE MODELS.*AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICJune 5, 2003
NAR 06/05/2003 *MR THE CONSUMER HAS HAD ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR ROTORS AND BRAKES PADS ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS. * CB
AIR BAGSMarch 29, 2003
MARCH 2, '03 WHILE TRAVELING ON A SECONDARY ROAD WITH 5 OCCUPANTS, IN A NON-ACCIDENT EVENT, THE SUBJECT VEHICLE PASSED OVER A LARGE METAL PLATE THAT IS USED TO COVER ROAD WORK FOR THE EVENING OR WEEKEND. WITHOUT WARNING THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG SYSTEM DEPLOYED THE PSGR SIDE AIRBAGS! NO DAMAGE OR IMPACTS WERE NOTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE BODY. HOWEVER, A SMALL SCRATCH WAS NOTED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE BETWEEN THE DOORS (RIGHT SIDE) AND WHAT APPEARED TO BE A THUMB PRINT IN THE UNDERCOATING UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. NEITHER OR BOTH MAY BE RELATED TO THE INCIDENT. VW INDICATED THAT THEY BELIEVE THAT ONE OR BOTH OF THE MARKS, BEING LOCATED VERY NEAR TO THE SENSORS, CAUSED THE DEPLOYMENT. ALTHOUGH UNKNOWN FOR CERTAIN, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT A BOLT OR SOME OTHER OBJECT MAY HAVE BEEN LYING ON THE METAL PLATE AND MAY HAVE BEEN PINCHED BY A TIRE - CAUSING IT TO STRIKE THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. IN NO WAY AN INCIDENT THAT SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. VW HAS ADVISED THAT "AN OUTSIDE INFLUENCE" CAUSED THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY AND STATED TO THE VEHICLE OWNER THAT "THE SENSORS CANNOT DETERMINE WHETHER A STONE IS HITTING THE VEHICLE OR IF A TRUCK IS HITTING THE VEHICLE." A STATEMENT THAT ALSO INDICATES A DEFECTIVE SYSTEM . WHILE IT'S UNDERSTOOD THAT SENSORS ARE TO "SENSE" THAT SOMETHING HAS OCCURRED, THE "AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE" SHOULD INTERPRET THE INFORMATION BEING SENT BY THE SENSOR AND BE ABLE TO MAKE A MORE REASONABLE ASSESSMENT. IN ANY EVENT, IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT GENERALLY VEHICLES ARE NOT STRUCK BY OTHER VEHICLES FROM UNDERNEATH. VERY IMPORTANT NOTE AS OF 3/28/'03 - VW OF AMERICA HAS REFUSED TO COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY - A $3,775 REPAIR!!!!! IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE NHTSA INVESTIGATE THIS VERY SERIOUS DEFECT AND ORDER A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED SERIOUSLY OR KILLED. *NLM
CHILD SEATJanuary 27, 2003
CAR SEAT HANDLE UNSNAPS AND BABY FALLS FORWARD. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMJanuary 13, 2003
THE IGNITION COIL FAILED, WHICH RESULTED IN VEHICLE LOOSING POWER. DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED AND REPLACED THE COILS.*JB
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMDecember 17, 2002
2001 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GLS 1.8T ON MONDAY, DEC 2, 2002, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FLASHING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (INDICATING THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN), ENGINE STUTTERING, AND LOSS OF POWER. UPON INSPECTION BY THE DEALER THE CAUSE WAS FOUND TO BE A FAULTY IGNITION COIL. A REPLACEMENT WAS ORDERED BUT DUE TO THE NATIONAL SHORTAGE OF IGNITION COILS FOR VW/AUDI 1.8TS IT WAS NOT KNOWN WHEN THE PART WOULD ARRIVE. THE REPLACEMENT IGNITION COIL WAS RECEIVED AND INSTALLED BY THE VW DEALER ON THURSDAY, DEC 5, 2002. DUE TO THE PARTS SHORTAGE ONLY ONE OF FOUR IGNITION COILS WAS REPLACED. AFTER REPLACEMENT ALL PREVIOUS SYMPTOMS WERE GONE AND THE VEHICLE RAN NORMALLY. ON THURSDAY, DEC 12, 2002, THE SYMPTOMS (FLASHING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, STUTTERING ENGINE, AND LOSS OF POWER) RETURNED. AGAIN THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS AN IGNITION COIL FAILURE BY THE SAME VW DEALER. ONE OF THE IGNITION COILS THAT HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS FAULTY. I AM VERY PLEASED WITH THE DEALERS HANDLING OF THE SITUATION. I AM NOT PLEASED WITH VW'S USAGE OF A PART THAT HAS SHOWN TO BE AS FAILURE PRONE AS THESE IGNITION COILS. TS
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGDecember 6, 2002
VW SAYS WORKING ON IT, KNOWS COILPACKS ARE BAD. WILL ONLY REPLACE BAD ONES. ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL THE OTHER'S WILL FAIL. VW WILL NOT REPLACE THE BADLY DESIGNED ONES THAT HAVE NOT GONE BAD YET. RECALL SHOULD BE DONE. SITUATION OF FAILED COIL PACKS CAN POTENTIALLY BE DANGEROUS. DT
SEAT BELTSSeptember 18, 2002
SEAT BELT WILL NOT RELEASE FOR MORE ROOM, AND IT WILL CAUSE SEAT BELT TO CUT CONSUMER'S NECK, CAUSING DISCOMFORT FOR CONSUMER WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGSeptember 5, 2002
THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, WHILE MAKING A TURN, SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP OR DURING ACCELERATION FROM A STOP POSITION. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON EIGHT OCCASIONS AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB
VISIBILITYSeptember 3, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
AIR BAGSAugust 12, 2002
WHILE DRIVING, ONE OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, THERE IS NO DAMAGE WHATSOEVER TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE, CLAIM 55-S451-201. *SLC
AIR BAGSAugust 12, 2002
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE HIT A POTHOLE, AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN, CLAIM 28-3091-943. *SLC
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLJuly 12, 2002
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE IN PARK, RESULTING IN LIMITED PROPERTY DAMAGE AND PASSENGER INJURY. *TT
1 injury(ies)
NHTSA #566663SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLJuly 6, 2002
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE IN "PARK" IN TWO OCCASIONS (CAR ACCELERATED AND JUMPED FORWARD WHILE BEING ON "PARK" AND WHILE DRIVER WAS BRAKING) . JAN 2002 LIMITED DAMAGES// JUNE 2002 SIGNIFICANT DAMAGES.*AK
Crash reported1 injury(ies)
NHTSA #763871AIR BAGSJune 10, 2002
WHILE DRIVING THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON 4/16/01, AND THREE DAYS LATER DRIVERS SIDE BAGS DEPLOYED ALSO WITHOUT APPARENT REASON. *AK *YH
AIR BAGSJune 10, 2002
PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON 4/16/01, AND THREE DAYS LATER DRIVERS SIDE BAGS DEPLOYED ALSO WITHOUT APPARENT REASON. *AK
AIR BAGSMay 29, 2002
PASSNGER SIDE COLLISION AT 15 MPH, AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES, DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN.*AK
Crash reported
NHTSA #8010646SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEMMay 4, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICApril 22, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT SUDDENLY STOPPED AND CONSUMERS VEHICLE HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE IN THE REAR BECAUSE BRAKES FELLED TO STOP PROPERLY. CONSUMER FEELS THIS PROBLEM IS RELATED TO THE RECALL 02 V 031 000 FOR THE ABS SYSTEM. CONSUMERS VEHICLE ID# WAS NOT INCLUDED.PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
Crash reported
NHTSA #8008227AIR BAGSApril 11, 2002
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND WITHOUT COLLISION OCCURRING PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. AFTER INSPECTION OF VEHICLE, BLACK BOX INDICATED A CRASH CODE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE REASON FOR DEPLOYED BAGS WAS THAT THE LATERAL MOTION LIMIT WERE EXCEEDED. *JG*AK IE04-078*PO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICApril 9, 2002
1ST INCIDENT IN 6/2001. ABS LIGHTS ON. SENT TO DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICING. INDICATED THERE WAS NO INTERNAL MALFUNCTIONING. CHECKED THE SYSTEM AND CLEARED THE FAULT. BLED THE ABS SYSTEM. DURING 1ST SERVICE, ALSO COMMUNICATED GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL. DEALERSHIP FOUND BAD SPIRAL SPRING. CAR SENT BACK TO DEALERSHIP FOR 2ND TIME ON 6/15/01. ABS LIGHTS ON AGAIN. DEALERSHIP INDICATED NO COMMUNICATION IN DATA BUS CIRCUIT SPORADIC. FAULT IN ENGINE. IMMOBILIZER AND GATEWAY NO COMMUNICATION WITH ABS. CHECKED DATA LINK RESISTER VALUE IN ENGINE ECU WITH BREAK OUT BOX. ORDERED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER & REPLACED CLUSTER. CLEARED FAULTS. 3RD INCIDENT ON 6/20/01. ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS WENT ON AND OFF. DEALERSHIP FOUND POOR GROUND AT GROUND CONNECTION # 65. INCIDENT # 4. CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP ON 10/2/01. BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES UPON STARTUP. RED ORDER PLACED. ABS CONTROL UNIT ORDERED FROM GERMANY. WITHOUT CAR FOR 2-WEEKS. INSTALLED NEW ABS CONTROL UNIT. BLED BRAKES, CODE ECM, CLEARED FAULTS, GOT & CODED IMMOBILIER; SET READINESS CODE. 5TH INCIDENT. CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP ON 4/6 AFTER ABS & BRAKE LIGHTS STAYED ON FOR 15 MINUTES DURING EMISSIONS INSPECTION. SHUT ENGINE AND RESTARTED CAR. ABS LIGHT ON FOR A FEW MINUTES.*AK
SUSPENSIONApril 9, 2002
HAVE EXPERIENCED SQUEAKING SOUNDS IN CAR FOR MONTHS FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF CAR WHILE GOING AROUND CORNERS. 2/26/02 WENT TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP TEST-DROVE CAR. APPLIED HELOCOPTER TAPE TO ALL 4 DOORS. ADJUSTED R/F DOOR STRIKER PIN. CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP ON 3/22/02. SQUEAKING AND RATTLING PERSISTED. DEALERSHIP THOUGHT MIGHT BE DRY LATCHES. LUBED ALL DOOR LATCHES AND DOOR SEALS. *AKY
AIR BAGSFebruary 6, 2002
WHEN CONSUMER GOT INSIDE OF VEHICLE AND TURNED ON ENGINE, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, BRUISING CONSUMER'S ARM, DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. *AK *YH
1 injury(ies)
NHTSA #8003655ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,UNKNOWN OR OTHERJanuary 7, 2002
MAIN AIRFLOW SENSOR WENT OUT 4 TIMES. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WOULD COME ON, AND VEHICLE WOULD LOSE ALL POWER. POWER RELAY( RELAY109) WOULD SHUT DOWN. CONTACTED DEALER, AND INFORMED TO BRING IN VEHICLE.*AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGJanuary 6, 2002
THE ENGINE DIED 3 TIMES AND IT WAS FIXED. THEN THE CRUISE WASN'T WORKING AND IT WAS FIXED. ALSO PERIODICALLY THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND BRAKE LIGHT BLINKS WHILE DRIVING, DEALER TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG FOUND. ON 12/31/2001 AFTER STARTING CAR ENGINE LIGHT WAS BLINKING, TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, I ASKED THEM TO RECHECK IT MAYBE THE DASHBOARD IS DEFECTIVE(SHORT CIRCUIT).
STRUCTUREAugust 28, 2001
THE GLOVE BOX DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. *YH
VISIBILITYAugust 28, 2001
THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR SHOWED SIGNS OF DISCOLORATION, THE DEALER INSTALLED A NEW MIRROR, AT THAT TIME THE DEALER INSTALLED THE WRONG TYPE OF MIRROR AND THEY REPLACED IT. THE KNOB USED TO ADJUST THIS SAME MIRROR BROKE AND WAS REPLACED AS WELL, ALSO THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP OR DOWN.*YH
UNKNOWN OR OTHERAugust 28, 2001
THE CENTER ARMREST WAS BROKEN. *YH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICAugust 28, 2001
CONSUMER STATES THE REAR BRAKES WERE NOISY.*YH
VISIBILITYAugust 28, 2001
THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR SHOWED SIGNS OF DISCOLORATION, THE DEALER INSTALLED A NEW MIRROR, AT THAT TIME THE DEALER INSTALLED THE WRONG TYPE OF MIRROR AND THEY REPLACED IT. THE KNOB USED TO ADJUST THIS SAME MIRROR BROKE AND WAS REPLACED AS WELL, ALSO THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP OR DOWN.*YH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICAugust 28, 2001
CONSUMER STATES THE REAR BRAKES WERE NOISY.*YH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGAugust 1, 2001
DEALER REPORTED THAT TIMING BELT EXPLODED. *AK
AIR BAGSJuly 5, 2001
AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE THE FIRST DAY THAT WE HAVE HAD THE CAR. WE KEEP TAKING IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT FIX BUT IT IS STILL NOT FIXED. THEY GIVE US BACK THE CAR AND WITH IN ONE TO TWO WEEKS THE LIGHT KEEPS COMING BACK ON. *AK
VISIBILITYJuly 3, 2001
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
VISIBILITYJune 15, 2001
WIFE'S 1999 VOLKSWAGEN GETTA ALSO HAD A WINDOW REGULATOR FAIL AND THE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGMay 21, 2001
ENGINE SUDDENLY QUIT WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. *AK
POWER TRAINMarch 22, 2001
WHILE DRIVING COULD HEAR A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION, LIKE GRINDING WHEN SHIFTING GEAR. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID THAT PROBLEM WAS CONSTANT VELOCITY SHAFT.*AK
AIR BAGSMarch 14, 2001
AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED ON DASH PANEL AFTER VEHICLE IS STARTED AND IS MOVING. DEALR HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
AIR BAGSJanuary 8, 2001
AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE. *AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLNovember 12, 2000
DEALER HAS UNNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTED TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE SENT THE VEHICLE TO REPAIR AND HAD IT PUT ON THE COMPUTER. INDICATIONS WERE THAT THE THROTTLE VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE. THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT. GOT THE VEHICLE BACK- DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN- 3TIMES. STILL THE LIGHT COMES ON. I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW - LEASE. I AM NOT ACCEPTING THIS VEHICLE AS IT IS NOT WHTA I EXPECTED IN A BRAND-NEW VEHICLE HELP!! *AK
AIR BAGSOctober 16, 2000
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATED PROBLEM, DEALER HAS HAD CAR FOR 4 WEEKS TRYING TO REPAIR OR OBTAIN PARTS. CURRENTLY BACKORDERED, SEVERAL CARS AWAITING SAME PARTS, ACCORDING TO DEALER.