2002 VOLKSWAGEN GTI Recalls, Complaints & Safety

DRIVING MY CAR FOR A WHILE, I START NOTICING THE SMELL OF BURNED RUBBER FROM THE ENGINE AND WHEN IS COOLING DOWN AND I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.

MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING OUT OF PARKING LOT, TURNING INTO THE MAIN STREET WHEN SUDDENLY WE HEAR A LOUD EXPLOSION AND INSIDE THE CAR WAS COVER IN A CLOUD OF SMOKE AND WHITE POWER. IT TOOK US FEW MIN TO REALIZE WHAT HAPPENED SINCE WE BOTH HAD RINGING EAR FOR A MOMENT. WE FINALLY WE WERE ABLE TO COME BACK AND THINK STRAIGHT AGAIN TO REALIZE THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AND SIDE-HEAD CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED, WE INSPECTED THE CAR TO SEE IF WE GOT HIT ANOTHER CAR, NO EXTERNAL DAMAGE INDICATION ANY TYPE OF CRASH. *TR

MY CAR AT HIGH SPEEDS (50MPH - 65MPH) THE GAS PEDAL "DIES" OR LOOSES AUTHORITY AND BECOMES UN-RESPONSIVE. AT TIMES AS THE GAS PEDAL GOES DEAD THE CAR ALSO SHUTS OFF AT 65 MPH CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION NOT ONLY FOR MY SELF BUT CARS AROUND ME. I HAVE TAKE MY CAR TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC BUT CAN NOT FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. MULTIPLE PARTS AND SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND INSPECTED WITH OUT A SOLUTION. THIS IS MY ONLY CAR THEREFORE I CONTINUE TO DRIVE MY CAR WITH HOPES THAT AN ACCIDENT DOES NOT OCCUR. I HAVE TAKEN THE ALL THE STEPS WITHIN MY CONTROL TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM BUT HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL. I HAVE NOT HEARD A RESPONDS FROM VOLKSWAGEN. THANK YOU *TR

THE AIRBAG WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON. THE DRIVER'S SEATBELT BUCKLE PART (1Y1858471G - "FCN BUCKLE") HAD FAILED. THIS PART ALSO FAILED 7/06 AT 45,900 MILES ALONG WITH THE COMPARABLE PART FOR THE PASSENGER'S SEAT. THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE WHEN THIS PART DOES NOT FUNCTION. IN 8/06 VW MADE A PARTIAL, GOODWILL WARRANTY ADJUSTMENT. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002.5 GTI DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 40MPH WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AND SEAT AIR BAGS WENT OFF. THE ROAD WAS STRAIGHT AND SMOOTH OTHER THAN NORMAL EXPANSION JOINTS. MY WIFE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND HAS BRUISING AND MINOR BURNS ON HER ARM. ONCE THE BAGS WENT OFF THE CAR SHUT OFF BUT I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER IT OFF THE ROAD WAY SAFELY. I HAVE CONTACTED VWOA ABOUT THE INCIDENT AND I HOPE THEY WILL SATISFACTORILY RESOLVE THE ISSUE. *JS

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2002 VW GTI VR6 COIL PACK FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ALMOST GOT REARENDED BECAUSE CAR SLOWED DOWN AND BUCKED. 3RD COIL PACK TO FAIL ON THIS CAR. THE 2ND TIME FAILURE DAMAGED MY O2 SENSORS WHICH HAD TO REPLACED DUE TO CAR RUNNING RICH, I BELIEVE. COIL PACKS ON VR6'S NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 5 MPH, I HIT A CURB AND THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND THE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE. I CALLED VW AND THEY SAID THAT REGARDLESS OF THE SPEED OF THE ACCIDENT IF THE CAR FEELS ANYTHING NEAR THE CRASH SENSORS THE AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO NEED AND ACTUALLY MADE THE SITUATION MORE DANGEROUS AND TROUBLESOME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THERE WAS NO CRASH OR IMPACT. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000. UPDATED 05/19/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED VOLKSWAGEN STILL HAS THE VEHICLE AFTER 3 MONTHS, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THE PARTS. UPDATED 05/20/08

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A MEDIUM SIZED POTHOLE, AND THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AND SIDE REAR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR CRASH INVOLVED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,580 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,570.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE DRIVING 75-80 MPH, THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE LOST COMPLETE POWER. AS OF DECEMBER 13, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 67,000. UPDATED 3/4/08 *CN THE DEALER DECIDED TO FIX THE VEHICLE AT THEIR EXPENSE.

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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FIXED THREE TIMES SINCE NEW. NOW TRANSMISSION DESTROYED AT 33K MILES WITHOUT WARNING.*AK

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN GTI WHEN SUDDENLY THE SIDE AND CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON AT ALL. I DID NOT HIT A POTHOLE, ROCK, OR ANY OBJECT OF ANY KIND. THE ENGINE THEN SHUT OFF BUT I MANAGED TO SAFELY MOVE MY CAR TO THE RIGHT LANE. AS A RESULT OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT I SUFFERED MINOR BURNS AND A SORE BACK. I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA AND THEY IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TELLING ME IT WAS NOT THEIR FAULT AND THAT I MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING. THEY ADVISED ME TO BRING THE GTI INTO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP TO CHECK FOR DAMAGE. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE CAR AND FOUND NO DAMAGE. THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE AIRBAGS TO HAVE DEPLOYED. HE THEN SENT THAT INFORMATION TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA. TWO DAY LATER THEY CALLED ME TO ASK ME TO ONCE AGAIN BRING THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP SO THAT A REPRESENTATIVE COULD INSPECT THE CAR. I WILL BE BRINGING THE CAR IN TOMORROW. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED OVER 400,000 TIMES. IT DOES NOT SEEM THAT VOLKSWAGEN IS GOING TO PAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM SINCE MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I AM NOW PURSUING A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA. I AM ABSOLUTELY STUNNED THAT VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA CAN GET AWAY WITH NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR MANUFACTURE DEFECTS. I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER VW AGAIN, AND I WILL DO ALL THAT I CAN TO DISCOURAGE ANYBODY I KNOW FROM PURCHASING A VOLKSWAGEN. THESE CLAIMS NEED TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY, AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT BEFORE SERIOUS INJURY, OR EVEN DEATH, OCCURS. *JB

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REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED CAUSING ALL REAR BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL. THIS CAUSED EXTREME DANGER AS IT CAN EASILY CAUSE A REAR-END COLLISION. PART SEEMS TO BE RECOGNIZED AS FAILURE-PRONE SINCE OTHER OWNERS ALSO HAVE REPORTED FAILURES. VW JETTA'S WERE RECALLED, GTI'S WERE NOT, EVEN THOUGH CHASSIS AND PART ARE THE SAME. SWITCH WAS REPLACED BY DEALER AT A COST OF APPROX. $110.00 *JB

AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM VISITING MY PARENTS IN LOUISIANA OVER THE HOLIDAYS. I WAS GETTING ONTO 45/75 GOING NORTH FROM INTERSTATE 30W HERE IN DALLAS, TX. AS I CROSS OVER THE LANES, I HEAR A REALLY LOUD POP. THERE WAS A LARGE FLASH AND THE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE. I WAS REALLY SURPRISED, WHICH CAUSED ME TO SWERVE TO MISS ANOTHER CAR. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WENT WRONG. MY FIRST ASSUMPTIONS WERE THAT EITHER I BLEW A TIRE OR THAT SOMEONE HAD SHOT A FIREARM AT MY VEHICLE. I PULLED OVER DOWNTOWN AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH THE EXTERIOR OF MY VEHICLE (TIRES WERE FINE AND I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING). FOR SOME REASON MY PASSENGER SIDE UPPER FRONT AND REAR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AS DID THE SIDE AIR BAG IN THE SEAT. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THIS HAPPENED AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THE AIRBAGS. I AM VERY HAPPY AND FORTUNATE THAT I DID NOT HAVE A PASSENGER IN MY CAR AT THE TIME AND THAT I DID NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. I AM REPORTING THIS TO VWOA. *NM

"SWITCHES" OR SENSORS IN BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT LATCHES FAILED AT THE SAME TIME REQUIRING THE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH LATCH MECHANISMS. ONE OF THE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT LATCH MECHANISMS WAS DEFECTIVE. THESE DEVICES COMMUNICATE WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AS TO WHETHER A SEAT BELT IS IN USE. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE AIR BAG(S) MAY NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY AS THE RESULT OF A FAULTY "SWITCH" OR SENSOR LEADING TO UNINTENDED INJURY OR DEATH (VIS-A-VIS A PROPER DEPLOYMENT) TO THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER.. *NM

I OWN A 2002 JETTA VR6 AND MY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS GONE OUT. I HAVE READ THE LATEST RECALL NUMBER 06V183000, HOWEVER, VOLKSWAGEN WANTED TO CHARGE ME FOR THE REPAIR STATING MY CAR WAS NOT FOUND TO HAVE ANY RECALLS ON IT. MY BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AND I DID NOT KNOW IT. SOMEONE ALMOST RAN INTO THE BACK OF MY CAR. *NM

DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, MULTIPLE FAILURES (4) IN GTI/GOLF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 06V183000 THE ABOVE RECALL SHOULD INCLUDE THE GOLF/GTI SINCE IT IS THE SAME PART THAT FAILS REPEATEDLY. *NM

BOTH DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS (POWER) "FELL" DOWN INTO THE DOOR. INDEPENDENT SERVICE STATION REPAIRED WITH A WINDOW REPAIR KIT. *NM

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, WHEN THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. *JB

LEFT WORK AFTER SUNSET. ON MY WAY HOME MY HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. I THEN NOTICED THAT MY TURN SIGNALS, WIPERS, AND DEFROSTER STOPPED WORKING AS WELL. LUCKILY I AM A MECHANIC SO I WAS ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM AS SOON AS I GOT HOME. THAT WAS AFTER DRIVING 5 MILES WITH NO LIGHTS AT ALL ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE CAR. THE PROBLEM WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. WHEN I TOOK EVERYTHING APART I NOTICED THAT THE WIRE AND CONNECTOR WAS MELTED. I REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH, MELTED WIRE, AND CONNECTOR. I HAVE THE OLD PART AND THE RECEIPT. MY ONLY CONCERN IS THAT MY CAR COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE. *JB

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CAR LOST POWER. I FIGURED IT WAS AN ENGINE COIL, BECAUSE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE, LAST TIME IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, #6 COIL. SINCE I WAS 30 MILES AWAY FROM DEALER, I TOOK MY 2002 GTI TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE # 5 IGNITION COIL. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT IF THERE WAS A RECALL OR EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS PART SINCE THIS WAS THE SECOND ONE TO FAIL. DEALER SAID "NO RECALL AND THE CHARGE WOULD BE ABOUT $200.00 SINCE THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. VEHICLE HAS 50,850 MILES AT THIS TIME. SINCE IT WASN'T COVERED, I HAD IT FIXED LOCALLY. GTI HAS THE 24 VALVE VR 6 ENGINE.*JB

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING DUE TO LINKAGE FAILURE AT 55,000 MILES. LINKAGE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *JB

I HAVE A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN GTI WITH APPROXIMATELY 42000 AND DISCOVERED MY MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING IN EVERY GEAR. AFTER BRINGING MY CAR TO LINDSAY VOLKSWAGEN IN STERLING, VA, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS BAD CLUTCH AND THAT THE REPAIR WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. AFTER SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, I HAVE DISCOVERED SEVERAL IDENTICAL SITUATIONS OF OTHER OWNERS OF 2002 VOLKS GTI 1.8T MANUAL AND THE COMPANY'S REFUSAL TO COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY OR INVESTIGATE WHY A CLUTCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT UNDER 45,000 MILES. ACCORDINGLY, I CAN ATTEST THAT I OPERATE MY VEHICLE IN A SAFE AND LEGAL MANNER AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH WHAT A REASONABLE PERSON WOULD CONSIDER COMPETENCE AND CARE. *NM

EARLY CLUTCH FAILURE. THE CLUTCH IN MY VW 2002 GTI FAILED AT 23000 MILES. *JB

FUEL RETURN LINE DEVELOPED A PINHOLE LEAK APPROXIMATELY 3 INCHES PAST THE EXIT OF THE PROTECTIVE CHANNEL ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE. *NM

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT (VELOUR NOT LEATHER) W/ VW COLD WEATHER PACKAGE (HEATED SEATS), WHEN HEATED SEAT WAS TURNED ON IT WOULD SHOCK ME, THE DRIVER. THIS HAPPENED OVER THE COURSE OF 3 OR 4 DAYS AND NOW IT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. *JB

SPONTANEOUS AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT 8-10-05 I WAS DRIVING ALONE DOWN A BOULEVARD AT 35 MPH WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE LIKE A GUNSHOT FROM MY RIGHT SIDE. THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE LEAVING ME WITH AN EAR ACHE, AS WELL AS INTERIOR FULL OF SMOKE AND DEBRIS. WORST OF ALL, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. I COASTED ABOUT 200 FEET THEN TURNED ONTO A SIDE STREET. I'M FORTUNATE THAT I DID NOT COME INTO CONTACT WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLES OR PEDESTRIANS. I DID NOT HIT A POTHOLE, RUT, CURB OR ANYTHING ELSE. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A WELL-TRAVELED SMOOTH ROAD IN DENVER (SOUTH BROADWAY). THE AIRBAGS JUST DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. AFTER GATHERING MY WITS AND AIRING OUT THE CAR, I RESTARTED IT AND DROVE DIRECTLY TO MY LOCAL VW SERVICE FACILITY. THE NEXT DAY, MY SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THE MECHANIC SAW EVIDENCE OF AN IMPACT ON THE SIDE OF THE FRAME. I EXPLAINED THAT THE CAR WAS ON SMOOTH PAVEMENT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I ALSO MENTIONED THAT 18 MONTHS AGO I HAD HIT A SQUARE-EDGED RUT IN THE ROAD THAT CAUSED SOME RIM DAMAGE TO THE FRONT-RIGHT WHEEL AND ALSO CAUSED A TIRE IMPACT SEPARATION (BUBBLE). PERHAPS THIS IS THE IMPACT MARK THAT THE MECHANIC DETECTED. I GAVE THIS STATEMENT TO VWOA AT MY ADVISOR'S REQUEST. I EXPLAINED THAT THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AS THE CAR IS LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD AND UNDER 50,000 MILES. MY LOCAL SERVICE ADVISOR CALLED ME BACK TO SAY THAT A SUPERVISOR WILL DETERMINE HOW TO PROCEED WITH REPAIRS. EVIDENTLY, THIS IS NOT AUTOMATICALLY A WARRANTY ITEM. VWOA NEEDS TO STEP UP AND FULLY INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER AND TAKE PREVENTIVE ACTIONS IMMEDIATELY. THERE ARE SEVERAL VW OWNERS IN MY IMMEDIATE FAMILY. WE ARE ALL VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIRBAG SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE EVEN AFTER REPAIRS ARE COMPLETED. *NM

I OWN A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. I WAS AT AFULL STOP ON AN INTERSECTION MAKING A RIGHT TURN, AND AS SOON I TURNED,MY PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG AND SEAT AIRBAG EXPLODED. THEY DID NOT EVEN DO WHAT IT SUPPOSE TO DO, THE AIRBAGS JUST EXPLODED! I TOOK IT TO HAMMER LANE VOLKSWAGEN HERE IN STOCKTON BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY FOUND A SMALL DENT UNDER MY CAR. THEY WERE TRYING TO TELL ME THAT IT WAS THE CAUSE WHY THEY DEPLOYED. THEY WERE TELLING ME THAT I RAN OVER SOMETHING AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. I SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT 107 COMPLAINTS TO NHTSA ON 2001-2003 GOLF, GTI, AND JETTA THAT SIDE-IMPACT AIRBAGS WERE ACTIVITED IMPROPERLY. I PRINTED THAT PAGE, SHOWED IT TO THEM AND ASKED THEM FOR AN EXPLAINATION, BUT COULD NOT GIVE ME ANY SPECIFIC ANSWER THAT I NEED. I WAS ALSO ASKING FOR AN EXPLAINATION WHY MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN I RAN OVER SOMETHING ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO BEFORE THE INCIDENT, ON THE DRIVER SIDE WHICH CAUSED A BIG DENT UNDERNEATH? THIS IS REALLY RIDICULOS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. THEY ARE TRYING TO CHARGE ME ABOUT $4,000.00 FOR THE DAMAGE AND LABOR. THEY SUGGESTED TO JUST CALL MY INSURANCE "MAYBE " THEY WILL PAY FOR THE DAMAGE. I HOPE THIS WON'T HAPPEN TO THOSE PEOPLE WHOSE DRIVING THESE CARS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME READING MY COMPLAINT.

THE CONSUMER WAS COMING OUT OF A TOLL BOOTH AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. *AK THE A/C WAS INOPERATIVE, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW DROPPED AND WOULD NOT CLOSE, THE COIL WAS A PROBLEM AND THE COOLING FAN HAD BROKEN. *SC

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THE CONSUMER WAS COMING OUT OF A TOLL BOOTH AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. *AK THE A/C WAS INOPERATIVE, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW DROPPED AND WOULD NOT CLOSE, THE COIL WAS A PROBLEM AND THE COOLING FAN HAD BROKEN. *SC

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THE CONSUMER WAS COMING OUT OF A TOLL BOOTH AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. *AK THE A/C WAS INOPERATIVE, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW DROPPED AND WOULD NOT CLOSE, THE COIL WAS A PROBLEM AND THE COOLING FAN HAD BROKEN. *SC

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THE CONSUMER WAS COMING OUT OF A TOLL BOOTH AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. *AK THE A/C WAS INOPERATIVE, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW DROPPED AND WOULD NOT CLOSE, THE COIL WAS A PROBLEM AND THE COOLING FAN HAD BROKEN. *SC

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THIS IS A COMPLAINT FOR A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN, PILLAR, AND SEAT AIRBAGS ALL DEPLOYED. THERE IS NO DAMAGE AT ALL TO THE VEHICLE. I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN TO REPAIR THE CAR UNDER THEIR WARRANTY BUT THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE WARRANTY SINCE THEY CLAIM THAT THERE IS CRUSH DATA STORED IN THE VEHICLE COMPUTER. MY WIFE WHO WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS HER LEG BRUISED BECAUSE OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES SINCE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT MADE A VERY LOUD NOISE,AND FILL THE CAR IN "WHITE POWDER". THIS ALMOST CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IN ITSELF BECAUSE OF THE NOISE AND THE RINGING IN MY EAR FOR THE NEXT MINUTE OR SO. THIS IS ALSO NOT THE FIRST CASE OF THIS KIND OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I RESEARCH ON THE WEB AFTER IN INCIDENT AND FOUND PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIMILAR EXPERIENCE IN A VEHICLE OF THE SAME MODEL AND OTHER VOLKSWAGEN VEHICLE. BELOW ARE THE LINKS FOR THEM HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ZEROTHREAD?ID=1558886 HTTP://TECH.BENTLEYPUBLISHERS.COM/THREAD.JSPA?MESSAGEID=104943&TSTART=0*JB

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MY CLUTCH PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR WHILE DRIVING AND NEVER CAME BACK UP. IT WAS FIXED (REPLACED THE MASTER CLUTCH CYLINDER) ONE MONTH AGO FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM.*AK

CLUTCH FAILED, ACCELERATION DIMINISHED, ONLY 63000 MILES WITH REGULAR TUNE UPS, OIL CHANGES. ALSO MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR AND OXYGEN SENSOR DEFECTIVE; CAR DOESN'T IDLE CORRECTLY, SOMETIMES DOESN'T START. STARTED AT 48000 MILES. *AK

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND I HEARD A LOUD BEEPING NOISE AND LOOKED AT MY DASHBOARD TO SEE THAT A RED LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND MY CAR WAS OVER HEATING AT MAX TEMP.. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS FOUND TO HAVE A "DEFECTIVE" WATER PUMP. I WAS WITHOUT A CAR FOR 2 DAYS, YIPPIE. *JB

THE CLUTCH PEDAL SINKED TO THE FLOOR GRADUALLY OVER THE LAST 3 DAYS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEES, THE ENGINE COLLAPSED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. *LA

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT INSTANCE. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA CLAIMED THIS WAS NOT THEIR ISSUE, AND CONSUMER SHOULD TAKE IT UP WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 55MPH ON I-65 IN KY SIDE AIRS BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT OR COLLISION. MANAGED TO GET TO EMERGENCY LANE WITHOUT ANY ACCIDENT. BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP. AT FIRST, DEALERSHIP DENIED FAULT, BUT AFTER SEVERAL INSPECTIONS CONCLUDED THAT NO COLLISION OR IMPACT OCCURRED. DEALERSHIP NEEDED APPROVAL FROM VWOA TO FIX UNDER WARRANTY. AIR BAG SPECIALIST SENT OUT FROM VWOA TO INSPECT. CAR IS CURRENTLY AT DEALERSHIP STILL WAITING ON DECISION. *AK

AFTER RUNNING UP A CURB IN MY 2002 GTI 337 WHILE TURNING LEFT AT AN APPROPRIATE SPEED, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAGS SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY FRONT-END COLLISION. THE DEPLOYMENT CAUSED BURNS AND BRUSING TO MY ARMS. THE AIRBAGS HAD NO REASON TO GO OFF, AS THERE WAS NO DAMAGE THE FRONT BUMPER OR HOOD. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE HELD UP AT PORT PRIOR TO DELIVERY DUE TO AIRBAG SENSOR ISSUES. THESE PROBLEMS SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED AND REPAIRED PRIOR TO DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE.*AK

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THE WHEELS/RIMS ON MY VW GTI 25TH YEAR EDITION (ONLY 1500 BUILT IN THE US) IS CORRODING BECAUSE OF THE EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF DUST BRAKE STICKING TO THE WALLS AND SURFACES OF THE "SPECIAL" OEM BBS WHEELS. THERE ARE AT LEAST 200+ CARS AFFECTED BY THIS DEFAULT. (SOURCE: HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ZEROTHREAD?ID=569321 ) VWOA DOESN'T OFFER ANY SOLUTION TO THAT PROBLEM AND "RECOMMENDS" TO CLEAR THE WHEELS MORE OFTEN. I CLEAR MY WHEELS EACH WEEK! *AK

2002 GTI-337 25 ANNIV MODEL ALLOY WHEELS DEFFECTIVE EXCESSIVE CORROSION FORMING AROUND SPOKES ON THE WHEELS. THE CLEAR COATING IS PEELING OFF AT CENTER HUB. BLACK SPOTS FROM EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST IS IMBEDDED INTO THE FINISH, DESPITE WEEKLY CLEANING BY HAND. *AK

RIM CORROSION VW WILL NOT HONOR WARRANTY. *AK

WHEELS ON MY 337 GTI ARE CORRODING MUCH LIKE OTHERS WHO HAVE COMPLAINED ALREADY. PITTING/ ROUGHNESS/ SPOTTING--ALL PROBLEMS ON THE BBS OEM WHEELS. MINE AREN'T AS SEVERE A CASE AS OTHERS, BUT I FEAR THEY WILL ONLY GET WORSE SINCE THE CAR IS ONLY 1 YEAR OLD.*AK

I HAVE A 2002 VW GTI SPECIAL EDITION 337, WHICH CAME WITH 18"X7.5" BBS RC WHEELS. WITH IN A FEW MONTHS OF OWNING THE CAR, I AND 200+ OWNERS HAVE NOTICED SOME CORROSION AND PITTING AROUND THE WHEEL. EITHER DUE TO THE CLEAR COATING OR THE BRAKE PADS. WE HAVE CONTACTED VWOA TO HAVE THE WHEELS REPLACED BY WARRANTY, THEY DENIED ANY ISSUES. OFFERED A $25 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO A CERTAIN FEW, NOW A FEW MONTHS BACK THEY DO ADMIT TO THE ISSUES AND ALSO ADMITTED TO REPLACING ALL1750 OWNERS BBS RC WHEELS. WE FILED WITH THE BBB TO EXPEDITE THE ISSUE AND VWOA REQUESTED FOR 30 DAYS TO FINALIZE THE DECISION. IT HAS BEEN WELL OVER 30DAYS AND NOW ARE ASKING FOR 30 MORE DAYS. WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS RESOLVED AND HAVE THE WHEELS AND BRAKE PADS REPLACED.*AK

ROUGHNESS,CORROSION, WHITE SPOTS ON MY CAR'S WHEELS. *AK