2000 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF Recalls, Complaints & Safety

I HAD JUST GOT ON THE FREEWAY ABOUT 5MINS. ON THE CAR SHUT DOWN AND THEN THERE WAS A BACK FIRE THEN I SEEN A SYMBOL OF A CAR WITH A KEY UNDER IT LIT IN THE DASHBOARD, THE CAR WOULD NOT START BACK UP I HAD IT TOWED TO THE HOUSE AND THEN THE CAR STARTED BUT NOW IT HAS A PUTTER NOISE I CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS THE WIRES AND O2 SENSORS AND IT STILL HAS THE PUTTERING NOISE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM PUMP NEEDED REPLACING.THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V154000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED THE MATERIAL THAT WAS USED TO INSULATE THE VEHICLE RELEASED A TOXIC ODOR THAT CAUSED THE CONTACT TO HAVE HEADACHES, AND A RASH. THE MANUFACTURER FILED COMPLAINT 110328029 AND ADVISED HIM TO HAVE THE DEALER DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,909 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,236.

1 injured

2000 GOLF GLS. REPLACED CLUTCH IN MARCH 2008 AT 135K MILES. REPLACED CLUTCH FAILED IN NOVEMBER 2009 AFTER 15K MILES ON HIGHWAY! CAR TOWED TO NEAREST VW DEALERSHIP. CLUTCH REPLACED. VW REFUSED TO PAY FOR COST OF REPLACING CLUTCH SAYING NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH FAILURE ONLY AFTER 15K. *TR

2000 VW GOLF 2.0L ENGINE; DRIVING TO WORK ON FREEWAY (65-70MPH). HEARD "POP" AND A HISSING NOISE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE. SLOWED DOWN AND PULLED OVER TO SHOULDER, SAW COOLANT LEAKING. ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, FOUND INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE TO VALVES AND PISTONS. CAUSE WAS A FAULTY WATER PUMP: VW USES A PLASTIC IMPELLER ON THE WATER PUMPS WHICH FREQUENTLY BREAK AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT VERY QUICKLY. AFTER THE DAMAGE, A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH ON VW FORUMS REVEALED NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM I HAD. THE END RESULT WAS THAT I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE, RADIATOR, TIMING BELT, WATER PUMP ($6000 REPAIR BILL). SADLY, VW PUT IN THE SAME TYPE OF WATER PUMP WITH THE PLASTIC IMPELLER, SO I HAVE LITTLE CONFIDENCE THAT IT WILL LAST LONGER THAN ANOTHER 60000 MILES. I WOULD HAVE CHANGED IT WITH THE TIMING BELT, BUT VW SAYS THE BELT IS NOT DUE TO BE REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE UNTIL 105,000 MILES (JUST OUTSIDE THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY, CONVENIENTLY!) CAR HAD ONLY 60,000 MILES ON IT, VW CLAIMS IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO AGE OF VEHICLE. *TR

THE ABS PUMP & MODULE ARE DEFECTIVE. SUPPOSEDLY, A SHORT ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD CAUSES THIS MALFUNCTION AND NOW ABS AND ASR ARE NOT FUNCTIONING. REGULAR BRAKES ARE STILL WORKING. THIS SYSTEM PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE COMMON WITH VW AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

ERROR CODE P1128. MANY OF THE VW 2.0 ENGINES GET IT AND END UP CHANGING MANY PARTS. THEN AFTER THEY CHANGE THE WHOLE INTAKE DOES THE PROBLEM GO AWAY. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS BECAUSE THIS ISN'T POOR DRIVING OR POOR CARE FOR A CAR ITS POOR QUALITY. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO SPEND 1500 TO REPLACE SUCH A THING ON A VEHICLE THAT'S KNOWN TO LAST FOREVER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT HEARD A SINGLE KNOCKING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE NOISE BECAME MORE FREQUENT AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP. SHE WAS INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V280000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM). THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR TWO DAYS. THE CONTACT IS CURRENTLY WAITING FOR A CALL BACK FROM THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 79,500.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACES FUEL INTO THE FUEL TANK, GASOLINE FLOWS BACK OUT. THE DEALER CLEANED THE OVERFLOW FUEL HOSE, BUT GASOLINE CONTINUES TO POUR OUT. THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO PLACE LESS FUEL INTO THE TANK. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR CORRECTING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,472. UPDATED 09/29/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED NO ONE WAS WILLING TO RESEARCH WHY THE FUEL SHUT FAILED. UPDATED 09/29/08. *JB

WE OWN A VW GOLF . WE HAVE AN 18 MONTH OLD. WHEN MY WIFE STOPS DRIVING HER CAR AND GETS OUT OF THE CAR AND CLOSES THE DRIVER'S DOOR THE CAR WILL AUTOMATICALLY LOCK ABOUT TWO THIRDS OF THE TIME. THIS HAPPENS WHETHER HER KEYS ARE IN THE IGNITION OR NOT. IF HER KEYS ARE IN THE IGNITION AND SHE CLOSES HER DOOR OR IT HAPPENS TO CLOSE WITH HER KEYS IN THE IGNITION AND OUR SON IN THE CAR THIS CAUSES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. HER CAR IS NOT SUPPOSED TO AUTOMATICALLY LOCK AS IT DOES - IT IS SOME KIND OF AN ELECTRONIC MALFUNCTION. *TR

I OWN A 2000 VW GOLF WHICH I PURCHASED BRAND NEW FROM A VW DEALER. IN JANUARY OF 2007 I HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT AIRBAG AND WIRING HARNESS FOR A COST A LITTLE OVER $600. ON 7/14/2008 MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I NEED TO HAVE THE MAIN DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG AND WIRING HARNESS REPLACED. MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, YET THIS IS THE SECOND AIRBAG I'VE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP, IF I DO NOT REPLACE THE AIRBAG, IT MAY NOT DEPLOY IF I AM IN AN ACCIDENT, OR IT COULD DEPLOY WHEN I AM JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I FEEL AS THOUGH AN AIRBAG SHOULD LAST THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE, OR ONLY NEED TO BE REPLACED WHEN IT IS ACTUALLY DEPLOYED. *TR

CAR WAS HARD PULLING TO RIGHT SIDE DUE TO CRACKED TIRE ON RIGHT SIDE FRONT, THIS IS THE THIRD FAILURE ON THIS SET OF TIRES THEY HAVE LESS THEN 4,000 MILES ON. ALL TIRES CRACKED ON SAME PLACE ON THE OUTER EDGE AIR LOSS IS FAST. 1ST CRACK WAS RIGHT REAR TIRE ( I DID THINK THAT I RUN OVER SOMETHING I GOT NEW TIRE DIFFERENT MANUFACTURER AS THEY DID NOT HAVE SAME TIRE AND I DO NOT LIKE FIXED TIRES) 2ND CRACK WAS ON LEFT REAR TIRE ABOUT WEEK LATER I DID TRY TO HAVE IT FIX BUT WAS TOLD AND SHOWED THAT TIRE JUST KEPT ON CRACKING MORE 3RD CRANK HAPPEN MONTH LATER RIGHT FRONT TIRE. ALL CRACKS ARE ON SAME PLACE OUTER EDGE TIRES ARE ULTRA HP MADE BY REPUBLIC. *TR

DRIVING ON THE HWY ,65 MPH THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE BLEW OUT ON THE SIDE WALL. *TR

2000 VW GOLF GLS. AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH DIAGNOSED BY VW AS AN OPEN CIRCUIT - PASSENGER SIDE. AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED, NEVER CRASHED. VW WANTED $500 FOR REPAIRS. NUMEROUS SIMILAR INCIDENTS REPORTED BY VW OWNERS INVOLVING RANGE OF AIR BAG SYSTEM FAILURES, SPURIOUS DEPLOYMENTS, ETC. VW CHARGED ME $45 FOR THE DIAGNOSIS.*AK

2000 VW GOLF. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS STUCK ON. THERE IS NO WAY FOR ME TO KNOW IF THE BAG WILL DEPLOY OR NOT. IN ORDER FOR THE DEALER TO LOOK AT IT IT WOULD COST ME $100 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND BETWEEN $500 AND $700 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THEY WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. SO AFTER I PAY $500 OR $600 THEY STILL WONT GUARANTEE THE BAGS ARE SAFE. HOW DO I GO ABOUT FIGURING THIS OUT. IT SEEMS LIKE A VERY BIG SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF VOLKSWAGENS AND TO PUT ME AND MY FAMILY IN DANGER IS UNACCEPTABLE. DO I PAY THE MONEY AND JUST HOPE IT IS FIXED? NO ACCIDENTS YET BUT WHAT IF. I NO LONGER TRUST THE ABILITY OF THE CARS SAFETY. THIS IS MY COMPLAINT. I FEEL I WAS SOLD A CAR AND NOW THE SAFETY FEATURES OF THE CAR HAVE BECOME COMPROMISED. HELP! *NM

EVERYTIME IT RAINS, I GET AN INCH OR TWO OF WATER IN MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AND REAR FOOT WELL OF MY 2000 VW GOLF. IT BEGAN LAST RAINY SEASON WITH A LARGE RAIN EVENT. SINCE THEN, IT HAS HAPPENED WITH EVERY RAIN EVENT. *JB

1. THIS FAILURE IS A RANDOM SHUTTING OFF OF THE ENGINE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. 2. ENGINE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THIS HAS OCCURRED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS IDLING AS WELL AS WHEN I AM TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON A HIGHWAY. ENGINE SHUTTING OFF WHEN TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY IS A GRAVE SAFETY CONCERN AS DRIVERS FOLLOWING ARE NOT EXPECTING SUCH A SHARP DECELERATION FROM MY VEHICLE. 3. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED YET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A VW DEALER BUT THE WERE UNABLE TO PINPOINT A SOLUTION. MY OWN RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET LED ME TO A FAILURE OF AN ELECTRIC RELAY SWITCH. I WILL PROCEED TO CHANGE THE RELAY IN QUESTION (RELAY 109)*JB

THE FIRST TIME THE MIDDLE REAR SEAT BELT WAS USED IT GOT JAMMED IN THE OUT POSITION AND WOULD NOT RETRACT. THIS WAS IN OCTOBER OF 2005. PULLING HARD SEVERAL TIMES RELEASED IT SO THAT IT WOULD RETRACT BACK INTO THE SEAT. IN JULY OF 2006 THE SEAT BELT GOT STUCK AGAIN BUT THIS TIME AFTER THE REAR SEAT WAS LOWERED. THE JAMMED SEAT BELT IS PREVENTING THE RETURNING THE REAR SEAT BACK TO AN UPRIGHT POSITION. THESE ARE THE ONLY TIMES THAT THIS SEAT BELT HAS BEEN USED SINCE PURCHASE. VW REFUSES TO ADMIT THAT THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE FROM THE START. SINCE IT GOT JAMMED ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT TO USE IT, I SAY IT WAS DEFECTIVE. NOW THE SAFETY BELT IS STILL JAMMED AND I CAN'T RAISE THE REAR SEAT. *NM

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED. LUCKILY A KIND DRIVER BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION. REPLACED WITH NEW ONE AND IT FAILED AGAIN! GOING ON MY THIRD SWITCH! *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE GRAB BAR SCREWS LOOSENED AND THE GRAB BAR FELL OFF IN THE PASSENGER'S HAND. THE GRAB BAR WAS ALWAYS USED TO POSITION THE PASSENGER GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE OR IN TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT DETERMINED THE GRAB BAR SHOULD BE REPLACED.

RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT REPEATEDLY BURNS OUT (APPROX 3 TIMES IN 1 YEAR). *NM

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AT 38247 MILES. THE NOTES ON THE VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE INVOICE STATED: "TESTED MODULE RESPONSE AND WIRING. ALL OK PERFORMED GUIDED FAULT FINDING. DETERMINED THAT THE AIRBAG IN THE DRIVERS SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ESTIMATE $443.43". I ASKED THEM TO EXPLAIN WHY THE AIRBAG HAD TO BE REPLACED. RESPONSE: "A WIRE GOT TO HOT AND FRIED A COMPONENT IN THE AIR BAG." THEN I ASKED HOW A "HOT WIRE" WAS NOT A MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND WHY IT WASN'T COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. RESPONSE: "IT JUST ISN'T COVERED AND IT'S NOT OUR FAULT". THE END RESULT WAS THEY DIDN'T WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITH OUT CHARGING ME THE FULL PRICE, THE BEST THEY COULD DO WAS CHARGE ME HALF PRICE ON THE LABOR TO FIND THE PROBLEM. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30MPH THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED BY THE OCCUPANTS OF BOTH VEHICLES. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEATBELT. THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS DETERMINED TOTALED BY THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP.

Crash 2 injured

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED. DEALER STATED THAT CAR WAS OUT WARRANTY AND I MUST PAY $102.00 TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND MAYBE MORE TO HAVE IT FIXED. DEALER STATED THERE WAS A NEW POLICY AGAINST FIXING EVEN SAFETY DEFECTS OUT OF WARRENTY UNLESS CUSTOMER PAYS. CAR HAS 36.000 MILES ON IT. NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT. DEALER WARNED IT MUST BE FIXED OR AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. *NM

2000 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF CV JOINTS FAILED, RIGHT FRONT CALIPER FROZE, FAULTY STEERING HOSE. *TS THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED TWICE AND THE WHEEL BEARING FAILED AT AN UNUSUAL LOW MILEAGE. THE FRONT SEAT HAD A PIECE OF METAL THAT WAS MOLDED. *JB

LOOSE AIRBAG IGNITER CONNECTION UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING THE AIRBAG SYSTEM TO DEACTIVATE. THIS INCIDENT IS FREQUENT AS REPORTED BY MANY OWNERS ON VARIOUS ONLINE FORUMS (AUDIWORLD, VWVORTEX, USENET NEWSGROUPS, ETC). AN INTERNET SEARCH ON "AIRBAG IGNITER: DRIVER SIDE RESISTANCE TOO HIGH" ON GOOGLE RETURNED NUMEROUS REPORTING ON THIS ISSUE. IN MY PARTICULAR INSTANCE, THIS HAS HAPPENED ON BOTH A 1999 VW PASSAT 1.8T/20V AND A 2000 VW GOLF 1.9L TDI. *NM

2000 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF FRONT AXLE SHAFTS WERE REPLACED DUE TO CV JOINT FAILURE. THE RIGHT FRONT CALIPER FROZE, POWER STEERING HOSE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO LEAKAGE LOCATED NEAR THE REAR OF THE HOSE. *TS ***NAR RECEIVED 10-20-05*** DUE TO THE CALIPERS BEING REPLACED, THE ROTORS HAD TO BE TURNED AND THE BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED. THE FRONT SEAT HAD A PIECE OF METAL THAT WAS MOLDED BREAK WHEN THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 36,600 MILES ON IT. *JB

2000 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI WAS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE FOR A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THERE EXISTS A RECALL ON THIS MODEL FOR A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP CRACKING DUE TO A DESIGN FAULT. THIS RECALL WAS NOT HONORED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN MEXICO. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA DOESN'T DEAL WITH ANY VEHICLES NOT PURCHASED IN THE UNITED STATES OR CANADA NOR DO THEY ATTEMPT TO DEAL WITH ANY OTHER SEGMENT OF VOLKSWAGEN WORLDWIDE.

WHEN ANY ELECTRIC OR ELECTRONIC COMPONENT ON MY 2000 VOLKWAGEN GOLF TDI FAILS, THE TRANSMISSION LOCKS IN 3RD GEAR, MAKING ACCELERATION VERY DIFFICULT. RECENTLY, THESE COMPONENT FAILURES HAVE ALSO BEEN RESULTING IN COMPLETE POWER FAILURES AT SPEED.

VEHICLE IS A 200 VW GOLF TDI. AT APPROX. 40K MILES ENGINE DEVELOPED EXCESSIVE CARBON BUILD UP IN THE EGR SYSTEM AND REQUIRED CLEANING. VW PERFORMED THIS SERVICE AT NO CHARGE. AT APPROX 60K MILE EXCESSIVE CARBOIN BUILD UP AGAIN NOTED. VW CONTENDS THAT THIS IS A MAINTENACVE PROBLE CAUSED BY EXZCESS SULFER IN THE FUEL. CUSTOMER REQUESTED VW TO PERFORM CLEANING AND PROVIDE PERMANENT REPAIR OR OTHER MITIGATION TO PREVCENT RE-OCCURANCE. CUSTOME BELIEVES THAT THE TDI ENGINE IN GOLF 200 MODELS WAS NOT PROPERLY DESIGNED OR TUNED FOR DISIEL FUEL IN USE AND THAT VW EITHER SHOULD PROVIDE CORRECTIVE ACTION OR PAY ON-GOING COSTS THAT WILL BE NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN PROPOER ENGINE PERFORMANCE. VW IS NON-RESPONSIVE. VW CASE NUMMER IS 501-830-79. COMPLAINT INITIATED WITH VW ON 6/3/05.

THE HAZARD BUTTON ON THE 2000 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF APPEARS TO BE IN WORSE STATE AFTER THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. *MR RECALL CAMPAIGN# 04V584000. *SC THE CONSUMER STATED THE PART NEVER PUSHED BACK TO NORMAL.*JB

RATTLING IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER/EXHAUST SYSTEM. *JB

OIL PAN ON MY 2000 VW GOLF IS MADE OF CAST ALUMINUM OR MAGNESIUM, VERY BRITTLE. BY DESIGN, THE CAR HAS MINIMAL GROUND CLEARANCE. A HOLE WAS PUNCHED IN THE OIL PAN BY CONTACT WITH THE ROADWAY ON PASSING OVER A SMALL BUMP. LED TO DISCHARGE OF ALL ENGINE OIL ONTO THE ROADWAY, POSING A HAZARD FOR OTHER MOTORISTS. WHILE VISITING THE VW SHOP FOR MAINTENANCE ON MY CAR, I HAVE HEARD THE SERVICE MANAGER DEALING WITH OTHER OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. BELIEVE NHTSA SHOULD QUERY VW ABOUT RATE OF OIL PAN DAMAGE ON CARS WITH CAST ALUMINUM OIL PANS, AND IF STATISTICS WARRANT, REQUIRE VW MAKE AVAILABLE STURDIER OIL PANS, PERHAPS OF STEEL. I HAVE INSTALLED A STEEL SKIDPLATE ON MY VW (COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE, WHICH TELLS YOU SOMETHING ABOUT WHAT THE MARKETPLACE FEELS ABOUT THE ISSUE OF VW OIL PAN TOUGHNESS) TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE. I AM CONVINCED IT HAS SAVED MY ENGINE MANY TIMES OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS IN NORMAL DRIVING ON PAVED ROADS. *JB

1) ROLLING DOWN PASSENGER WINDOW 2) WHOLE WINDOW FELL IN 3) CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE MECHANIC AND ALL INSIDE DOOR PANEL HAD TP BE REPLACED SINCE PLASTIC PIECE HOLDING THIS WINDOW BROKE. *NM

AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORT CAUSED VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. *AK

Fire

DRIVER'S SEAT SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WHEN FAULT CODES ARE SCANNED AND CLEARED. VW APPARENTLY KNOWS ABOUT PROBLEM WITH AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE. TECHNICIAN INJURED WHEN AIRBAG FORCED HIS ARM INTO STEERING WHEEL.

1 injured

WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 VW GOLF, WITH 78000 MILES, I SQUIRTED MY WINDSHIELD WITH FLUID TO CLEAR IT, AND THE WIPERS, INSTEAD OF THE USUAL 2-WIPE CYCLE SLOWED DOWN, STRUGGLED AND THEN, WITHOUT WARNING, CEASED TO OPERATE, STOPPING HALFWAY ON THE UPSWING. I WAS UNABLE TO PHYSICALLY MOVE THE WIPER BACK TO REST POSITION. LUCKILY, IT WAS NOT RAINING AND I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY ROAD WHERE I COULD PULL OVER SAFELY TO THE CURB. I DID DRIVE THE CAR HOME THAT DAY, AS IT WAS CLEAR, BUT WAS UNABLE TO USE THE CAR FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS, AS RAIN THREATENED, AND OBVIOUSLY I COULD NOT AFFORD TO BE DRIVING IN EVEN A LIGHT RAIN AS THE FRONT WIPERS WERE NON-OPERATIONAL. I HAD THE WIPERS REPAIRED AT MINUTEMAN VW, BEDFORD MA, ON SEPTEMBER 14. THEY FOUND THAT THE WIPER LINKAGE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS COMPLETELY IN A BIND AND WERE PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO MOVE IT, WHILE THE DRIVER'S SIDE MOVED FREELY. THEY REPLACED THE WIPER LINKAGE, PART # 1J1-955-603-B, AT A TOTAL COST OF $169.64. THEY FOUND NO SIGNS OF EXTERNAL INFLUENCE, AND HAVE NOTED SUCH IN WRITING ON MY SERVICE SLIP. I AM IN POSSESSION OF THE OLD PART. I CONTACTED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND WAS TOLD THAT "VW DOES NOT CONSIDER WIPER OPERATION TO BE PART OF THE SAFETY OPERATION OF THE CAR",AND THAT I WAS TOO FAR OUT OF WARRANTY. I DISAGREE. I FEEL THAT THE MECHANICAL OPERATION OF THE WIPER IS DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTING TO SAFE OPERATION, AND SHOULD LAST THE LIFETIME OF THE CAR. HAD I BEEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN A RAIN STORM, HAVING THE WIPERS BECOME SUDDENLY INOPERATIVE WOULD WELL HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT WITH LOSS OF LIFE OR SERIOUS INJURY. *NM

BOTH REAR OUTSIDE BRAKE PADS WORE DOWN TO THE METAL BACKING, WHILE ALL OTHER PADS WERE STILL SERVICEABLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. *AK