2000 Volkswagen Golf

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  MY 2000 VW PASSAT CAUGHT ON FIRE DEC 28, 2007. I HAD IT TOWED TO A NEARBY DEALER FOR SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY IGNITION COIL. THE FINAL COST TO REPAIR (IF IT CAN BE REPAIRED) IS STILL BEING INVESTIGATED. I FIND IT VERY PERTURBING TO FIND OUT THAT VW KNEW OF THESE (COIL) DEFECTS YET DID NOTHING TO INFORM OWNERS. I HAD TWO SMALL CHILDREN AGES 2 AND 4 IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE. FORTUNATELY, MY QUICK INSTINCTS PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH LIMITED ENGINE DAMAGE AND WITHOUT CASUALTIES. *TR

• 12/29/2004· VISIBILITY

  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

• 12/27/2002· SUSPENSION

  CONSUMER STATED THAT THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS RECALL #00V280000 FRONT CONTROL ARM. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR BECAUSE VIN# WAS NOT INCLUDED. TS

• 12/16/2005· AIR BAGS

  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

• 12/12/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT

  OUR VOLKSWAGEN GOLF ( CUTS OUT ON US WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR MOST OF THE YEAR. WE HAVE TAKEN OUR CAR TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER AT LEAST 7 TIMES SO FAR AND THE CAR STILL CUTS OUT DESPITE MANY DIFFERENT THINGS BEING DONE. OUR DEALER HAS TOLD US THAT THEY ARE STILL NOT SURE WHY, AND AFTER THE LAST VISIT, THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD FIXED IT. HOWEVER, I WAS JST DRIVING ON THE 1-9 IN NEW JERSEY AT SPEED AND THE ENGINE CUT OUT ON ME. THERE WAS NO WHERE TO PULL OVER AND I HAD TO PUT MY WARNING LIGHTS ON AND LET THE CAR COME TO A STOP. I ALSO LOST MY STEARING ALTHOUGH THANKFULLY I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE. ALTHOUGH THE VOLKSWAGON DEALER IS TRYING ITS BEST TO REPAIR OUR CAR AND HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH VOLKSWAGON FOR HELP, THIS KEEPS HAPPENING. THIS HAS JUST HAPPENED AGAIN AND I AM WRITING WHILE I AM STILL ANGRY. SINCE COLLECTING THE CAR FROM THE DEALER LAST WEEK WE THOUGHT THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE BEEN SOLVED AS THE ENGINE DIDN'T CUT OUT ALL WEEK (BEFORE IT WAS NEARLY EVERYDAY), HOWEVER IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. THE THING THAT IS BOTHERING ME MOST AND UPSETTING ME IS THAT THIS RECURRING UNSOLVED PROBLEM IS POTENTIALLY THREATENING TO MY HUSBANDS AND MY LIFE- AS WELL AS OTHER ROAD USERS. IT IS EXTREMELY SCARY WHEN THE ENGINE CUTS OUT AT SPEED WHILE OTHER CARS ARE WHIZZING PAST YOU. I ALSO WANT TO KNOW WHY WE HAVE TO BE WARY EVERYTIME WE COLLECT THE CAR FROM THE DEALER, BECAUSE EVERYTIME THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED. *AK

• 12/07/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  RADIATOR FAILURE. CRACKED RADIATOR ON PASSENGER SIDE BOTTOM. RADIATOR FAN FAILURE. BEARINGS IN MOTOR SQUEALING. *AK

• 11/21/2009· POWER TRAIN

  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

• 11/20/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  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

• 11/17/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

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

• 11/14/2000· EQUIPMENT

  JACK SLIPPED ON COMPLETELY FLAT SURFACE. JACK FOOT PRINT TOO SMALL AND UNSTABLE.*AK

• 11/09/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ENGINE OIL/FILTER HAS BEEN CHANGED TWICE, ORIG. MILEAGE 15500, OIL TOPPED OFF SEVEN TIMES. *AK

• 11/06/2007· TIRES

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

• 11/06/2002· AIR BAGS

  AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT VOLKSWAGEN AGREED TO PAY FOR REPAIR PAID $73 OUT-OF-POCKET TO GET DIAGNOSTIC AIRBAG INDICATOR LITE ADMISSION OF PROBLEM ONLY PAID FOR REPAIR? LITE OFF WANT $73 REFUNDED. DT

• 10/23/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CONSUMER STATES WHILE THE ENGINE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN CAUSING LOST OF POWER STEERING. MR

• 10/20/2004· AIR BAGS

  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.

• 10/20/2000· SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN

  WHEN PULLING OUT A GAS STATION AXLE HAD CRACKED, CAUSING BOLTS TO COME APART FROM SUSPENSION, VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER INDICATED THAT CRACK WAS ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

• 10/16/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  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.

• 10/14/2005· STEERING,SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN,SEATS

  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

• 10/14/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  BRAKE ASSEMBLY SWITCH WAS FAULTY WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO BE SWITCHED OUT OF PARK. COST TO REPAIR APPROXIMATELY $150.00. CAR HAD 18,032 MILES AND WAS 28 MONTHS OLD, PURCHASED CAR NEW. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA DID NOT COVER WORK UNDER WARRANTY. PER WWW.NEWBEETLE.ORG FORM, THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OTHER FAULTY SWITCHES. MR

• 10/11/2004· VISIBILITY

  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

• 09/26/2006· SEAT BELTS

  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

• 09/25/2002· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL PUMP CRACKED RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK AND A STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE THE CAR. THE DEALER MECHANIC WHERE THE PART WAS PURCHASED, REPORTED THAT THEY HAVE DONE 15 TO 20 OF THESE RECENTLY. THE ENTIRE FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. NLM

• 09/24/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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

• 09/22/2006· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  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

• 09/20/2006· STRUCTURE

  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.

• 09/19/2000· AIR BAGSCrash

  CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 5-10MPH. ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT & THE CONSUMER FRONT END HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE'S PASSENGER SIDE. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. LEFT SIDE OF THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS SEVERLY DAMAGED. DEALER HAS TO INSPECT VEHICLE FOR REASON.*AK

• 09/17/2002· VISIBILITY

  ONCE AGAIN, INCONVENIENCED BY WINDOW SLIDER/REGULATOR FAILURE. FIRST IT WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW, NOW THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE WINDOW FROZE IN THE DOWN POSITION WITH ONLY A GRINDING NOISE WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO POWER THE WINDOW BACK UP. I IMMEDIATELY GOT ON THE PHONE AND ATTEMPTED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIR. UNFORTUNATELY, NONE OF THE LOCAL DEALERSHIPS COULD OFFER ME AN APPOINTMENT THAT WOULD GET MAKE BACK ON THE ROAD IN A COUPLE OF DAYS. THUS, I JUST SHOWED UP AT ONE DEALERSHIP WHEN IT OPENED AND MANAGED TO GET MY CAR SERVICED QUICKLY AND THE REPAIR WAS BILLED AS A WARRANTY ITEM. FILING THIS REPORT BECAUSE THIS IS THE SECOND WINDOW ON MY CAR AND THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE DEPENDING ON THE CONDITIONS INVOLVED. THANK YOU.*AK

• 09/14/2002· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VISIBILITY

  1. RUST ON BRAKES PAD GUIDES BLOCKED THE PADS ON THE ROTORS. ROTORS WERE WARPED FROM THE HEAT, BRAKE PAD ON LEFT REAR SIDE WORE FROM 1/2" ALL THE WAY TO THE METAL IN SHORT TIME. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED TO THE DEALER FOR 30K SERVICE 25 DAYS PRIOR TO INCIDENT. VW CUSTOMER SERVICE CONSIDERS THE INCIDENT DUE TO "ELEMENTS AND NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR". COST OF REPAIR: $418.74 NOT COVERED BY MANUFACTURER. 2. WINDOW CLAMPS AND CABLE DEFECTIVE, REPAIR COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER, NO RECALL ON PARTS, HUNDREDS OF CASES EXPERIENCED BY THE DEALERSHIP, AS PER DEALERSHIP EMPLOYEES. NLM

• 09/13/2006· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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

• 09/12/2002· VISIBILITY

  ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, AS I WAS PREPARING TO LEAVE FOR WORK, I POWERED DOWN MY FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW. WHEN I WENT TO POWER BACK UP, THE WINDOW WOULD NOT MOVE AND IT MADE A TERRIBLE GRINDING NOISE. THE WINDOW WAS FROZEN IN THE DOWN POSITION. THE WINDOW WAS RARELY POWERED UP/DOWN IN THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF USE. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH A LOCAL DEALERSHIP (NOT NIELLO), I COULD NOT BE SEEN FOR SEVERAL DAYS. DUE TO MY BUSY WORK SCHEDULE, ONE FORTY-FIVE DOLLAR CAB RIDE TO WORK, AND A RECENTLY EXPIRED AUTOMOBILE WARRANTY, I ASKED MY HUSBAND TO REPAIR THE CAR. AFTER CAREFULLY REMOVING THE GLASS, THE INTERNAL DOOR PANEL, AND ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS, HE REMOVED THE INTERNAL DOOR PANEL/LIFTER ASSEMBLY. THE PROBLEM WAS IMMEDIATELY VISIBLE. A POORLY DESIGNED, CHEAPLY MANUFACTURED, INFERIOR PLASTIC SLIDER HAD BEEN UNABLE TO RESIST THE WEIGHT OF THE WINDOW, THE RESISTANCE OF THE RISER, OR THE PULL OF THE CABLE WHEN POWERED BY THE WINDOW REGULATOR. ON MAY 29, 2002, I VISITED ROSEVILLE VOLKSWAGEN'S PARTS DEPARTMENT. UNFORTUNATELY, ONE CANNOT PURCHASE JUST THE PLASTIC SLIDER (THE DEFECTIVE PART). THIS PART IF SOLD ALONE, COULD NOT AMOUNT TO MUCH MORE THAN $20. INSTEAD, THE WHOLE INTERNAL DOOR PANEL PART MUST BE PURCHASED AT $160. ACCORDING TO THE PARTS DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE, VOLKSWAGEN IS COVERING THIS REPAIR UP TO 40,000 MILES. THUS, I SUBMITTED THE INVOICE FOR THE $160 PART, THE DEFECTIVE SLIDER, AND A LETTER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PART TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA. MY REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT WAS DENIED. FORTUNATELY FOR ME, I WAS NOT IN AN UNSAFE PLACE WHEN THE WINDOW FROZE IN THE DOWN POSITION. CONSIDERING ALL OF THE LISTINGS FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE ALONE, I WOULD HOPE THAT VOLKSWAGEN IS MAKING AN EFFORT TO CHANGE THIS FLAWED DESIGN. I WOULD ALSO EXPECT THAT VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD MAKE THE SLIDER AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AS AN INDIVIDUAL PART. THANK YOU.*AK

• 09/12/2002· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ON MARCH 27, 2002, AT 26,795 MILES, I REQUESTED A 30,000 MILE SERVICE FROM ROSEVILLE VOLKSWAGEN. ROSEVILLE VOLKSWAGEN IS LOCATED AT 830 AUTOMALL DR., ROSEVILLE, CA 95661-3023 AND THE PHONE NUMBER THERE IS (916) 774-2777. DURING THE 30,000 MILE SERVICE, THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED ON THE MAINTENANCE WORKSHEET THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PADS HAD 95% REMAINING WHILE THE REAR BRAKE PADS HAD ONLY 25% REMAINING, INDICATING A SERIOUS BRAKE SYSTEM ANOMALY. THE TECHNICIAN "INSTALLED NEW BRAKE PADS DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR" AS NOTED ON INVOICE #VWCS28623. I WAS NOT CHARGED FOR THE BRAKE PADS EVEN THOUGH I WAS OVER MY 24,000/2 YEAR WARRANTY. THE PREMATURE REAR BRAKE PAD WEAR NOTED COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS HAZARD FOR ME, MY FAMILY, AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. I BELIEVE THAT THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM THAT RESULTED IN THE PREMATURE BRAKE PAD WEAR WAS NOT ADDRESSED AT THE TIME OF SERVICE AND THAT THIS REMAINS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN IN THE FUTURE. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT THERE MAY BE MORE VW GOLF VEHICLES ON THE ROAD THAT MAY BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THIS IRREGULAR BRAKE PAD WEAR. THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED NO EXPLANATION FOR THE IRREGULAR BRAKE PAD WEAR AT THE TIME THE SERVICE WAS COMPLETED. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA HAS BEEN CONTACTED BY PHONE AND IN WRITING IN AN EFFORT TO FIND OUT HOW COMMON THE PROBLEM IS, WHAT THE EXPLANATION FOR THE IRREGULAR BRAKE PAD WEAR IS, ETC. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA HAS RESPONDED TO MY QUESTIONS WITH A LETTER SUGGESTING THAT I TAKE MY QUESTIONS UP WITH MY PREFERRED VOLKSWAGEN DEALER. AS I HAVE NOT MADE ANY PROGRESS IN THIS MATTER, I AM FORWARDING THE INFORMATION TO YOU. IF ANY FURTHER INFORMATION IS REQUIRED, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME. THANK YOU.*AK

• 09/09/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  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

• 09/04/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  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

• 09/04/2002· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  REAR ROTORS AND PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 27,830 MILES. WHILE THESE ARE PRIMARILY CIT/LOCAL MILES, I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH A PREMATURE FAILURE OF A BRAKE COMPONENT. THIS IS POSSIBLY A DSIGN FLA AND I WAS WONDERING IF THE NHSTA HAD A SECTION OF THEIR DATABASE THAT REFLECTED A SERIES OF THHESE FAILURES.*AK

• 08/31/2002· VISIBILITY

  I HAVE HAD 3 OUT OF 4 POWER WINDOWS (ONE TWICE) GO DOWN AND FAIL TO COME BACK UP. I WAS ORIGINALLY TOLD THAT THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS OCCURING WITH SUCH REGULARITY MY DEALERSHIP CAN NOT KEEP THE PART IN STOCK. I AM JUST WAITING FOR WINDOW #4 TO BREAK WHILE I AM AT WORK WHICH IS NOT THE MOST SAVORY NEIGHBORHOOD.*AK

• 08/28/2006· AIR BAGS

  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

• 08/27/2002· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT MY ABS TO MY DEALER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I HEARD THERE MAY BE A HIDDEN RECALL ON THEM NOW. PLEASE ADVISE. *AK

• 08/23/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  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.

• 08/19/2002· VISIBILITY

  POWER WINDOWS ON THREE OCCASIONS ON BOTH FRONT WINDOWS, WITH NO CAUSE FELL DOWN IN WINDOW WELL. THIS OCCURRED ONCE ON DRIVER'S SIDE, AND TWICE ON PASSENGER'S SIDE. OWNER STATED WHILE TRYING TO GET THIS REPAIRED THREE OTHER PEOPLE WERE AT THE DEALER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP WAS BACKED UP DUE TO NUMEROUS REPLACEMENT REQUESTS. *AK

• 08/14/2001· VISIBILITY

  NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

• 08/13/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CAR HAS 61000 MILES ON IT AND THE "WATER PUMP WENT WHICH TOOK OUT THE TIMING BELT" PER MY MECHANIC. I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED AND HAVE NO WARRENTY BECAUSE VW ONLY ALLOWS WARRANTY TO TRANSFER TO A FAMILY MEMBER WHO BUYS THE CAR. *AK

• 08/08/2006· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE. ANNOYING!!WE HAVE A 2000 PASSAT W/AN ABS WARNING LIGHT & CHIMES THAT HAVE BEEN COMING ON SINCE NOV. 2004 WHEN THE CAR HAD APPROX 50-65,000 MILES ON IT. WE HAVE HAD QUOTES OF$900 & 1300 FOR REPAIRS. BUT THEY ALWAYS SAY IT"S A SHORT IN THE MODULE. NO PROBLEM, I HOPE NOT. BECAUSE WE ARE NOT COMPLAINING. GETTING IT REPAIRED. WE ARE SICK & TIRED OF THIS POORLY MADE MONEY PIT CAR IT MAY BE THE FIRST CAR WE TRADE IN. . WHY CAN'T THERE BE DARN RECALL WITH ALL OF US. VW HAS NO CUSTOMER SERVICE MANNER. WE LIKE SOME OTHERS RESEARCHED CARS BEFORE BUYING. THIS CAR CAME HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. BY VEHICLE PUBLICATIONS.& WEBSITES, NOT BY US. I AM TOTALLY AFRAID OF DRIVING IT EXCEPT TO WORK & HOME,.WE HAVE HAD OTHER PROBLEMS TOO NUMEROUS TO MENTION. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS USUALLY HAPPENS IN CARS THAT HAVE BEEN IN ACCIDENTS, I CAN SEE BY THIS E-MAIL POSTER THAT IS NOT TRUE.. *JB

• 08/06/2008· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  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

• 08/05/2002· VISIBILITY

  THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WAS NOT WILLING TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY OR RESEARCH THE PROBLEM. THERE WERE THREE VHEICLES IN FRONT OF MINE IN THE SERVICE BAY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THE SERVICE WRITER STATED HE HAD NEVER HEARD THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE SIDE WINDOWS.*AK

• 07/29/2011· STRUCTURE

  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.

• 07/29/2002· VISIBILITY

  ALTHOUGH MY POWER WINDOW REGULATOR AND CLIPS HAVE NOT FAILED YET, THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM TO VW. THEY HAVE RECENTLY DESIGNED A "KIT" WHICH HAS UPGRADED METAL PARTS, AND NOT PLASTIC PARTS. THEY ARE REPLACING THE PIECES AFTER THEY BREAK, AFTER WINDOW FALLS DOWN INTO THE TRACK. SOME DEALERS COVER PART OF THE COST ($200!?), SOME DON'T. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT AND I THINK VW SHOULD BE RECALLING THE CARS BEFORE FAILURE TO REPLACE THE WINDOW CLIPS AND REGULATORS. THE YEARS AFFECTED ARE 2000 - 2002, THE GOLF AND JETTA (AND MAYBE THE BEETLE). PRESENTLY REPAIR PARTS ARE BACKORDERED DUE TO THE DEMAND.*AK

• 07/24/2000· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  THE REAR MATS DO NOT HAVE TRACTION, WHICH COULD CAUSE A HAZARDOUS SITUATION. YH

• 07/23/2009· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  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

• 07/23/2002· VISIBILITY,AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  1. PASSENGER FRONT WINDOW DROPS DOWN IN DOOR. HAS HAPPENED TWICE. THERE WERE FOUR OTHER PEOPLE AT THE DEALER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AT THE SAME TIME I WAS THERE. I WAS TOLD IT WAS AN "ARIZONA" PROBLEM AND THAT THE PART THAT HOLDS THE WINDOW UP MELTS AND BREAKS. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY WINDOW FELL DOWN CAUSING ME TO BECOME DISTRACTED BY THE INCIDENT AND NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. 2. AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON FOR NO REASON. COST TOM ME WAS $618 TO REPLACE A FAULTY AIRBAG AND WIRING HARNESS. I BELIEVE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED EVEN OUT OF WARRANTY SINCE THERE IS NOTHING I COULD HAVE POSSIBLY DONE TO CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO BECOME DEFECTIVE. 3. CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGES WHEN THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL IS APPLIED. THIS HAPPENED FOR MONTHS UNTI THE CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT COMPLETELY. I HAVE HEARD THIS FAILURE IS DUE TO A RIBBON CABLE WHICH GETS BROKEN IN THE STEERING COLUMN. MY FIRST ONE BROKE JUST BEFORE THE 24K WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE SECOND ONE BROKE ON SCHEDULE AT ABOUT 50K. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE IF YOU PAS SOMEONE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND THEN USE YOUR TURN SIGNAL TO GET BACK OVER THE CRUISE IS DEACTIVATED CAUSING THE CAR TO ABRUPTLY SLOW DOWN IN FRONT OF THE CAR YOU WERE TRYING TO PASS.*AK

• 07/23/2001· AIR BAGS

  AIR BAG LIGHT HAS COME ON 4 TIMES IN LAST 10 MONTHS; DEALERS HAVE TRIED FIXING 3 TIMES!. *AK