2001 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF Recalls, Complaints & Safety

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.

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.

POWER STEERING FAILURE WHEN STARTING CAR WITH WARNING LIGHT . NOT IN MOTION.

PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG AND PASSENGER SEAT SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AFTER RUNNING OVER A CURB, ~1' HIGH.

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 BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON CONTINUOUSLY INDICATING A MALFUNCTION. *TR

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

VW 2001 GOLF TDI SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED WHILE DRIVING. AUTO WAS A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO FIRE. *TR

Fire 1 injured

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 injured

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

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

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

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

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

COMPLETE FAILURE OF ENGINE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *NM

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

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