2001 Volkswagen GTI Complaint Log

Today is 11/05/2025 incident happened yesterday evening 11/04/2025 The driver airbag in the steering wheel auto deployed when I started the car I went to step out from my car while it was warming up and barley turning the steering wheel the airbag exploded with my arm still on the wheel hitting and fracturing my ulna bone n causing a burn that was so instant n hot it burnt through my skin causing more damage to my nerves and tissue im having the car inspecting and is available upon request I took pictures and documented everything immediately there still in no warning lamp on and never has been on displaying it needs to be inspected.. but after it deployed the dash light still remains off so I don’t know if it even deactivated the system like it should’ve done with a airbag deploying this just happened yesterday so nothing has been inspected yet this is my first report it makes safety issues cause it deployed out of nowhere when car was parked I just turned the key over it could’ve deployed when I was driving causing a serious accident or death and it broke my ulna bone that alone is serious more I can’t go back to work pry my bills raise my 5yr old until this fracture heals.. this not only if a serious safety our it’s a serious situation off what do I even do now car showered not warning signs of anything and still don’t even display that it’s srs bag deployed

THE CAR, A 2001 VW GTI 1.8T, WAS BEING DRIVEN AT LOW (RESIDENTIAL STREET -- 25 MPH OR LESS) SPEEDS AND MADE A RIGHT TURN. THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL PROBABLY GRAZED THE CURB, OR POSSIBLY HIT A POTHOLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE CAR LOST POWER, POSSIBLY DUE TO THE ENGINE STALLING (IT'S A MANUAL) THOUGH THAT'S NOT CERTAIN. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED THE CAR AND THEY CONFIRM THERE IS NO DAMAGE OTHER THAN THE (SUBSTANTIAL!) DAMAGE OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NOBODY IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND TRAFFIC WAS MINIMAL SO NO ONE WAS INJURED. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH A CURB OR POTHOLE HIT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ENOUGH TO CAUSE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THE CAR HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE, LESS THAN 60,000, AND HAS BEEN WELL-MAINTAINED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 35 MPH WHEN HE ABRUPTLY TURNED THE WHEEL TO AVOID A CRASH. THE CONTACT DROVER OVER A POTHOLE AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE A MANUFACTURE RING DEFECT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

2001 VW GTI PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INADVERTANTLY DEPLOYED. SIDE SEAT AIRBAG AND HEADLINER DEPLOYED. DASHBOARD AIRBAG DID NOT. NO ACCIDENT OCCURED. DEPLOYMENT WAS WHEN CAR WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, STRAIGHT ROAD, NO BUMPS, NO TURNS, NO POTHOLES, NO DEBRIS ON ROAD, NO IMPACT WITH ANYTHING. NO IDEA WHY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATED FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED THROUGH THE PASSENGERS JACKET. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS NO LONGER UTILIZING THE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION AND THE FAILURE HAD NOT RECURRED SINCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000. REMAILED 05/12/11*LJ

HAVE POTENZA G 019 GRID TIRES MADE BY BRIDGESTONE,,,AS THEY WEAR THEY KEEP GETTING LOUDER AN LOUDER,,,I HAVE DONE EVERY THING BY HERE TIRE BOOK,,,AND STILL THEY ARE LOUD,,,READ SOME OF THE REVIEWS ON TIRE RACK.COM ITS CRAZY. *TR

IN MY 2001 GTI GLX VR6 THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT, HEATS UP SO MUCH THAT IT BURNS MY LEGS, ACTUAL RED BURN MARKS! EVEN IF TURNED DOWN TO THE LOWEST SETTING THE SEAT WILL BURN ME. I KNOW IN MY FRIENDS 2002 JETTA THEY HAD THEIR HEATER IN THE SEAT REPLACED BY VW FOR THE SAME ISSUE FREE OF CHARGE. I HAVE BEEN TO VW AND THEY SAY IT'S NOT COVERED. I WANT TO USE THE HEATED SEAT BUT NEVER TRUST IT TO NOT BURN ME. *TR

THE COIL PACK FAILS, I HAVE REPLACED IT TWICE AND NO MATTER WHAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES BACK ON IN NO TIME AT ALL AND IT'S COIL PACK FAILURE, WHICH ALSO TRIGGERS OTHER SENSORS LIKE THE COOLANT SENSOR WHICH I HAVE REPLACED AS WELL. I THINK THE LONGEST TIME MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS OFF WAS 3 WEEKS! THIS CAR COSTS A FORTUNE TO FIX AND IT'S NEVER FIXED. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 VW GTI AND MY SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS WRONGFULLY DEPLOYED. I RECEIVED MINOR DAMAGE TO MY REAR RIM FROM A STREET CURB THAT CAUSED MY AIRBAGS TO WRONGFULLY DEPLOY. I WAS NOT IN A COLLISION, NOR IN SERIOUS DANGER, ALTHOUGH WHEN MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED I WAS FRIGHTENED AND VEERED TO MY LEFT LANE. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS IN THAT LANE, BUT I COULD HAVE RECEIVED MAJOR INJURIES. *TR

I BOUGHT A PAIR OF AFTERMARKET HEADLIGHTS FROM A MEMBER ON EBAY FOR MY 2001 VW GTI. I BOUGHT THESE HEADLIGHTS FROM A SELLER . I HAVE RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT THESE HEADLIGHTS ARE DEFECTIVE AND FOGLIGHT (WHICH IS INCORPORATED INTO THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING) IS TURNED ON IT WILL CAUSE THE INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT TO MELT BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I DO BELIEVE THESE ARE UNSAFE AND COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO AN ELECTRICAL FIRE; HOWEVER, AFTER SEVERAL EMAILS. HE HAS NOT RESPONDED TO ME. I'VE GONE AND DONE MY RESEARCH AND OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME KIND OF PROBLEMS WITH THESE LIGHTS. THEY ARE MANUFACTURED BY DEPO FOR FK AUTOMOTIVE, AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THIS SELLER IS AND AUTHORIZED DEALER OF THESE HEADLIGHTS. I JUST DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE I CAN GO. PLEASE HELP ME OUT. *TR

2001 VW GTI BOUGHT USED. AT 79,000 MILES HAD 80K SERVICE DONE AT DEALERSHIP WHICH INCLUDED CHECKING TIMING BELT. AT 82,000 TIMING BELT BROKE CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO ENGINE. NEEDED TO REPLACE ENGINE COST ME $5300 IN WHICH VW WOULD NOT PAY FOR AS WARRANTY ONLY COVERS ORIGINAL OWNER. VW CLAIMS BELT IS SUPPOSED TO LAST 105,000 MILES. AFTER RESEARCHING ON INTERNET, NUMEROUS CLAIMS FOR ALL 1.8T ENGINES REGARDING THE TIMING BELT GOING WELL BEFORE 105,000. *TR

CAR ACCIDENT POSSIBLY CREATED/CAUSED BY FULL/COMPLETE INNER SIDE WALL SEPARATION OF TIRE FROM ITSELF. *TR

REVISED/UPDATE: ORIGINAL COMPLAINT 10222650 3-29-08. AS PER TIRE FORENSICS SPECIALIST RIGHT REAR TIRE HAS 2 NAIL PUNCTURES LIKELY PICKED UP ON THE FREEWAY, UNFORESEEN. HE SAID THAT DUE TO PUNCTURES,SLOW TO FAST PRESSURE CHANGES, THE TIRE HEATED UP, INNER SIDEWALL DE-VULCANIZED. SO MY TIRE FLATTENED, CAR LOST CONTROL, FISHTAILED ACROSS FWY, I COLLIDED WITH BIG RIG AND EVENTUALLY CAME TO STOP ON SHOULDER. DO TIRE MANUFACTURES TEST FOR THESE POSSIBILITIES FOR TIRES THEY MARKET? IF NOT, WHY NOT? IT IS ALMOST INEVITABLE FOR ANY NUMBER OF CAR TIRES TO PICK UP UNFORESEEN OBJECTS THAT COULD PUNCTURE THEM. IS THIS A DESIGN FLAW OR EQUIPMENT MATERIAL ISSUE IN AS MUCH AS THE INNER SIDE WALL AND OUTER SIDE WALL OF THIS PARTICULAR MODEL OF TIRES IS VERY DIFFERENT IN THEIR COMPONENT STRUCTURE?? PLEASE RESPOND. *TR

ABS AND ASR SYSTEMS HAVE FAILED - EACH HAS ITS OWN DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT, WHICH IS ON. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSIS: FAULTY ABS CONTROLLER/PUMP MODULE, $1,025 TO REPAIR. VW HAS AN ABS RECALL, #02V031000, WHICH COVERS 2000-2002 NEW BEETLE, GOLF/GTI, JETTA. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED. *TR

THE HEATED LEATHER SEATS IN MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN GTI VR6 "OVERHEAT" AND BURNT THE SEAT MATERIAL. I OFTEN TURNED OFF THE HEATERS AS I FELT THEY WERE GETTING TOO HOT. THE HEATERS RUINED THE SEAT MATERIAL WHICH I HAD TO REPLACE. *TR

I WAS TRAVELING DOWN A HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH. SUDDENLY WITHOUT IMPACT BOTH THE DRIVERS SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG AND DRIVERS SEAT SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, FOR NO REASON. WHAT MADE IT EVEN MORE SCARY IS THAT IT TURNED OFF MY CAR WHILE COASTING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ALSO DISORIENTED ME. WAS ABLE TO BARELY TURN THE CAR TO AN OFF RAMP WITH OUT A WRECK RESULTING. NOTHING HAS BEEN REPLACED AT THIS TIME. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000.

ON THE MORNING OF 27 APRIL 2007, I STARTED MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN GTI 1.8T. THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING VERY ROUGH AND DID NOT SOUND NORMAL. I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS COLD. AT THIS POINT IT BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND DROVE DOWN THE ROAD. APPROXIMATELY A MILE OR TWO DOWN THE ROAD I CAME TO A STOP SIGN AND AFTER STOPPING AND THEN PROCEEDING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION MY VEHICLE SEEMED LIKE IT HAD LITTLE OR NO POWER TO THE ENGINE. AT THIS POINT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING SO I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT OFF MY ENGINE. I THEN OPENED MY HOOD AND SMOKE POURED OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AT THIS POINT I CHECKED MY OIL TO SEE IT IT SMELT BURNT WHICH IT DID NOT. I THEN CHECKED MY COOLANT LEVEL AND IT WAS FULL AND WASN'T EVEN WARM. I THEN HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND HE DIAGNOSED MY VEHICLE AND TOLD ME THAT 1 OF THE 4 COILS IN MY ENGINE HAD STOPPED WORKING AND HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE AND THAT'S WHAT HAD CAUSED THE SMOKE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. HE ALSO SAID THE ALL FOUR NEED TO BE REPLACED OR THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. AT THIS POINT ALL FOUR COILS WERE REPLACED AND THE OLD ONES WERE GIVEN TO ME TO KEEP AS PROOF THAT THE PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE. *JB

I'M THE OWNER OF A GOLF GTI 2 DOORS FROM 2001, WITH 49000 MILES, BOUGHT IN 2004 AT THE VW DEALER IN GREENVILLE. I'VE BEEN ABOUT 15 TIMES TO THE DEALER FOR DIFFERENT PROBLEMS THAT WERE ALL MINOR. AND 10 MONTHS AGO, I LEFT THE CAR AT THE GARAGE FOR 3 DAYS ASKING THEM TO MAKE A FULL REVISION OF THAT CAR BECAUSE I WAS UPSET BY ALL THESE PROBLEMS. YESTERDAY, I WAS DRIVING WHEN SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT ANY PREVIOUS SIGNS, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME VERY HARD, I LOST BRAKING, THE ASR (TRACTION CONTROL) SIGNAL WENT ON, AND I COULDN'T STOP THE CAR. HOPEFULLY FOR ME, I WAS ONLY AT 40 MPH, I PUT THE GEAR SHIFT IN NEUTRAL (BECAUSE THE CAR WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE), AND I PULLED THE HAND BRAKE. I WAS ABLE TO STOP ON A PARKING ON THE SIDE WITHOUT HITTING ANYBODY OR ANY CAR. I WAS VERY LUCKY NOT TO HAVE PANICKED. IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND I WROTE TO VW USA TO EXPLAIN MY MAJOR CONCERN. *JB

I EXPERIENCED A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN MY CAR NOT MEETING SAFETY STANDARDS. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65MPH THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THERE WERE NO KNOWN ROAD HAZARDS AND GASOLINE HAD NOT BEEN PUT INTO THE VEHICLE FOR TWO DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IS CURRENTLY AWAITING INSPECTION.

AIR BAG DEFAULT LIGHT AND BUZZER HAS COME ON MANY TIMES. JAN 2001, APRIL 2001, AUG 2005, JAN 2006 AND NOW AGAIN FEB 2006. VW OF AMERICA HAS REPAIRED AND PAID FOR FIRST THREE PROBLEMS. IN JAN THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD ONLY COVER 75% OF COST OF REPAIR. EACH TIME I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY CAR FOR AS LONG AS A WEEK. I NOW HAVE A CALL INTO THE DEALER FOR THIS FIFTH PROBLEM AND AM WAITING AND OBVIOUSLY AM FRUSTRATED. THE FAULT CODE HAS BEEN 00588 032-RESISTANCE BEING TOO HIGH IN THE AIR BAG IGNIGHTER...I AM THANKFUL I HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT SO I AM UNABLE TO KNOW WHETHER THE AIR BAG WOULD BE OF ANY HELP. BUT THIS DOES KEEP ME WONDERING...I EXPECT VW OF A TO PAY FOR ALL SUCH REPAIRS AND PROVIDE ME WITH A LONER CAR. THEY ARE NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. *NM

ENGINE MISFIRES ON DAMP MORNINGS CREATING SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION AND INTERMITTENT STALL CONDITION. MIL LIGHT MAY FLASH BUT DOESN'T REMAIN LIT AFTER EPISODE. DIAGNOSED AS SECOND COIL FAILURE IN JUST 2 YEARS TOTALING OVER $1,200 IN REPAIRS. THIS IS THE VR6 ENGINE WITH A SINGLE COIL UNIT - THE "GOOD" COIL NOT SUBJECT TO VOLKSWAGEN'S SECRET WARRANTY AS OFFERED ON COILS OF OTHER 2001 MODELS AND ON THE 2002 MODEL OF THE VR6. IT WOULD SEEM THE SECRET WARRANTY MAY HAVE BEEN ARBITRARILY LIMITED IN SCOPE. *JB

REPLACED, AGAIN, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT BULB. I JUST REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE THREE WEEKS AGO, AGAIN. THIS IS GETTING TO BE TOO EXPENSIVE AS THE BULBS COST $14 EACH. NOT TO MENTION THAT I MAY GET STOPPED BY THE POLICE AND CITED FOR NOT HAVING A WORKING LIGHT. THERE MUST BE SOMETHING DEFECTIVE WITH THE HEADLIGHT UNIT BECAUSE I HAVE CHANGED THE BULB TOO MANY TIMES. *JB

CAR WAS FINE AT NIGHT WHEN PARKED. AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT CAME ON IN THE MORNING, AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. ALREADY AS HAPPENED BEFORE AND HAD AIRBAG REPLACED. AS HAPPENED AGAIN LESS THAN TWO YEARS LATER. WILL KEEP PARTS REPLACED THIS TIME. *JB

DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT BURNED A HOLE THROUGH SEAT COVER AND MY PANTS, WAS ABLE TO TURN THE SWITCH OFF WITHOUT CRASHING. VOLKSWAGEN SAYS I CAN PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR AS THE ITEM IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY APPARENTLY AS MY CAR IS A 2001, NEWER MODELS WITH SAME SEATS ARE COVERED. I WILL BE LOOKING AT REPAIRING IT MYSELF IF NOT COVERED. *JB

TWO MONTHS AGO MY PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW BROKE - IT WAS THE REGULATOR (COST ME $400 +), THAT GOT FIXED AND TWO WEEKS AGO MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW BROKE, I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO GET FIXED UNTIL I CHECKED ON RECALLS BUT I DID NOT LOCATE ANY. I AM SURE IT IS THE REGULATOR AND WILL PROBABLE COST ANOTHER $400. HAVE ANY OTHERS SUBMITTED THIS ISSUE. *JB

ON OCTOBER 4, 2005 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ACTIVATED ON MY 2001 VW GTI, UPON BRINGING IT TO MY REPAIR SHOP - THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT MY IGNITION COIL WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT, THIS REPAIR COST ME NEARLY $1,000. UPON LEARNING THAT THE IGNITION COIL ON 2001 VW'S WAS DEFECTIVE AND READING A PRESS RELEASE FROM VW THAT STATED IN PART ALL 2001 VW CARS INCLUDING GTI'S EQUIPPED WITH 2.8 LITER VR6 WOULD BE REPLACED AT NO COST" AND ALL CUSTOMERS WILL BE NOTIFIED THAT THIS PART DOESN'T MEET OUR HIGH STANDARDS AND WILL BE REPLACED, I CONTACTED VW AND REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR MY REPAIR. THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT, CONTRARY TO THE INFO CONTAINED IN THEIR PRESS RELEASE, MY CAR WASN'T ELIGIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR. IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS THE PART REFERENCED IN SERVICE BULLETIN 0401 AND 0402, 10007016 AND 10007205 ON THIS WEBSITE. IT APPEARS THAT VW ISN'T LIVING UP TO THEIR COMMITMENT, THEY NEITHER NOTIFIED ME INITIALLY OR AGREED TO REIMBURSEMENT OR OTHER REMEDY WHEN I CONTACTED THEM TODAY.*JB

VEHICLE IS IN SHOP FOR REPLACEMENT OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, BOTH STILL UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY ARE EMISSION CONTROL. THE CULPRIT FOR THE FAILURE SEEMS TO BE THE COIL PACK HAS FAILED. THE COIL IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AS THE CAR NOW HAS 43,000 MILES AND IS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY, COST IS ABOUT $800. THE COIL PACK FAILED AND WAS REPLACED AT 19,000 MILES UNDER WARRANTY. WAS TOLD BY DEALER TO EXPECT TO REPLACE THE COIL ABOUT EVERY 2 YEARS. IN ADDITION HAD THE DRIVERS WINDOW CLIPS FAIL TWICE AND THE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR, HORN SHORTED 3 SEPERATE TIMES, THE DEALER FINALLY REPLACED THE RELAY THE 3RD TIME IT CAME IN AND THAT CORRECTED IT.

DT: WHILE DRIVING, THE REAR LEFT TIRE WENT FLAT. THERE WAS A NAIL IN THE TIRE, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE FLAT TIRE. ALSO THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO COLLISION AND THE VEHICLE DIDN'T SWERVE. CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURY, SHE HAS A BURN ON HER UPPER ARM. VEHICLE WAS A VOLKSWAGEN, GTI, 2001. SHE WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING; SHE WOULD HAVE TO GO DIRECTLY TO THE MANUFACTURER. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE DONE UNDERNEATH OF THE VEHICLE.*AK

I HAVE A 2001 VW GOLF GTI. IT IS LEAKING OIL FROM THE ENGINE'S BLOCK HEAD GASKET. BEING THAT IT IS UNDER A 100K MILES WARRANTY I TOOK IT IN TO THE VW DEALER TO HAVE IT FIXED. I WAS ALARMED THAT THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE LEAK WAS A "SMALL AND NORMAL LEAKAGE, JUST SIPPING." THE PERSON AT THE COUNTER TOLD ME I HAD NOTHING TO WORRY BECAUSE I WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND "WOULD GET A NEW ENGINE IF ANYTHING HAPPENED TO THE ONE I HAVE NOW." CAN YOU PLEASE HAVE VW EXPLAINED TO ME HOW IS THAT AN ENGINE BLOCK THAT LEAKS OIL IS "NORMAL". IN THE END, I LEFT B/C THEY WOULD NOT SERVICE THE CAR SINSE IT WAS "SIPPING" OIL, THUS ACCEPTABLE ACCORDING TO THE DEALER.

DT: THE ENGINE WILL BUCK OR STALL AND THEN COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THIS HAPPENED AT ALL SPEEDS AND EVEN AT AN IDLE. HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES. THE DEALER CANNOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSTICALLY TESTED. ALSO, FUEL INJECTION WA SCLEANED. AT ANOTHER TRIP TO THE DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER, AND DID ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC TEST. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME REASON AWAITING REPAIRS. CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AN AREA REPRESENTATIVE CAME TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, NO INFORMATION ON HIS FINDINGS. *AK

I WANT TO REPORT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT REGARDING THE CLUTCH ON MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN GTI GLX. THE CAR HAS ONLY 34,000 MILES ON IT AND THE CLUTCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ALREADY. I HAVE DRIVEN A STANDARD TRANSMISSION FOR NEARLY 9 YEARS. VW SAYS THE CLUTCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED EARLY DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR. TYPICALLY CLUTCHES LAST AROUND 100,000 MILES. MY PREVIOUS VEHICLE HAD 110,000 MILES ON THE SAME CLUTCH. SO I DON'T BELIEVE WEAR AND TEAR IS THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE IS COVERED UNDER A BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, SINCE VW IS CLASSIFYING THE FAULT AS WEAR AND TEAR, THEY ARE HOLDING ME RESPONSIBLE FOR THE $2000 REPAIR. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS FAIR. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AS WELL. THIS COULD BE A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD IF IT IS NOT CAUGHT EARLY AND THE BREAKDOWN OCCURS WHILE IN MOTION. ONE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ACCELERATE OUT OF DANGER IF NECESSARY AND WOULD EXPOSE HIM OR HERSELF TO UNNECESSARY RISKS OF BEING BROKEN DOWN IN RUSH HOUR.*AK

TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER AFTER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS TOLD THE ON BOARD COMPUTER SAYS FAULT CODE 00591 FOR DRIVER'S BELT SWITCH RESISTANCE BEING TOO HIGH, WHICH IS DUE TO BROKEN WIRING IN BELT SWITCH HARNESS IN DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE. I WAS TOLD THIS COULD LEAD TO AIRBAG NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY IN THE CASE OF A COLLISION. I BELIEVE FAILURE OF THE WIRING IN THE BELT SWITCH HARNESS IS PROBABLY DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW/MANUFACTURING FAULT SINCE IT IS A RELATIVELY NEW CAR. *AK

FIVE OF THE 6 ENGINE CYLINDERS WERE MISFIRING SO THE VEHICLE FAILED THE STATE EMISSION TEST. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE IGNITION COILS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEY DIDN'T INDICATE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE COILS. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THERE A RECALL ON THIS PART ON THIS MODEL BUT THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER DID NOT FALL WITHIN THE RECALL.(NOT FOUND IN ARTEMIS). *JB

THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE. I DROVE MY 2001 VW GTI INTO WORK ON WED SEPTEMBER 8, 2004 WITHOUTH ANY PROBLEMS. IN THE AFTERNOON WHEN I WAS GOING OUT TO GET LUNCH (ABOUT NOON) I TRIED TO DRIVE THE CAR AND I COULDN'T PUT THE CAR IN GEAR. IF I TRIED TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE THE GEARS WOULD GRIND AND SCREECH AND IF I TRIED TO PUT IT IN ANY OTHER GEAR (1-5) I WAS NOT ABLE TO. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE VW DEALERSHIP AND AM NOW FACED WITH A $1,900 BILL TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH. THE CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND HAS ONLY 30,000 MILES ON IT AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO REPLACE A CLUTH NOW.*AK

IGNITION COIL FAILED ON MY 2001 VW GTI VR6. THIS FAILURE ALSO TRIGGED OXYGEN SENSOR, COOLANT SENSOR, MAF SENSOR AND ECU TO FAIL. AS MENTIONED ABOVE ENGINE MISFIRES, A FLASHING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, REDUCED POWER AND BUCKING ARE ALL SYMPTOMS OF A FAILED IGNITION COIL.*AK

I BOUGHT A VOLKSWAGEN GTI 1.8T IN 2001. IT HAD NUMEROUS FAILURES ON ME. IGNITION COIL FAILURE, WINDOW COLLAPSED SUDENTLY, SHIFT IS STUCK IN PARKING, CATALYST CONVERTER FAILURE, REAR BRAKE PADS WORNED OUT VERY FAST WHILE THE FRONT PAD WAS LIKE NEW. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN VOLKSWAGEN. THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS HORRIBLE. ALLLTHEIR RESPONSES WERE THIS IS NOT UNDER THE WARRANTY, IT'S NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ETC. *AK

SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY COLLISION OR REASON. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT A WIRE BURNT OUT FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE WIRE. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THE PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE. *AK

IGNITION SWITCH HAS FAILED THREE TIMES. FAILURE OF IGNITION SWITCH PREVENTS NORMAL FUNCTIONING OF MANY ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. THIS PROBLEM IS A FIRE HAZARD. OVERHEATING OF THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY MELTS PLASTIC HOUSING AND DAMAGES INSULATION AND CONDUCTOR OF WIRES CONNECTED TO THE SWITCH. PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS WHEN DRIVING LIGHTS (I.E. HEADLAMP SWITCH PULLED OUT) ARE ON. NO PROBLEM OCCURS WITH DRIVING LIGHTS OFF. PROBLEM MAY BE CAUSED BY INADEQUATE SWITCH DESIGN. DEALER SOLUTION WAS TO REPLACE ENTIRE DASH WIRING HARNESS, WHICH WAS UNACCEPTABLE DUE TO COST. OWNER REPAIRED DAMAGED WIRE WITH VOLKSWAGEN REPAIR KIT AND REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH, AND NO LONGER USES DRIVING LIGHTS. PHOTOS OF FAILED SWITCH AVAILABLE.

PREMATURE BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE: AFTER 41K MILES THE BRAKE SWITCH STARTED TO FAIL AND BURNED OUT MY BRAKE LIGHTS. A COLLEGUE SAW THAT I WAS DRIVING WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS AND WARNED ME. VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE HAD NO RECALL IN THE COMPUTER EVEN I KNOW THAT THE BEETLE HAS ONE GOING ON AND IS USING THE SAME PART. NO INJURIES, NO CRASHES BUT I FEEL THAT DRIVING WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS ENDANGERED ME. *AK

THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE/ABNORMAL WEAR WITH JUST 36972 MILES ON MY 2001 VW GTI.*AK

IGNITION COIL FAILED AT 30 MONTHS. $636 REPAIR TERMED NORMAL MAINTENANCE BY VOLKSWAGEN. MASSIVE REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM IN PROCESS FOR FAILED COILS ON OTHER MODEL YEAR GTIS AND SAME MODEL YEAR WITH DIFFERENT ENGINE, NONE OF WHICH HELPS YOU IF YOU OWN A 2001 GTI VR6. CAR HAS ALSO SUFFERED MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR FAILURE, 2 POWER WINDOW FAILURES, 2 BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURES WITH RELATED INOPERABLE CRUISE CONTROL, BODY WEATHER STRIPPING QUICKLY DEVELOPED HOLES, FAILED GLOVE COMPARTMENT LIGHT MODULE, REAR CUPHOLDER FAILURE. I'VE LOST COUNT OF DEALER SERVICE VISITS. *AK

I WAS REAR ENDED IN NOV 2003. MY CAR WAS PUSHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO SIGNAL THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I DID NOT FIND THIS OUT UNTIL AFTER THE ACCIDENT WHEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WAS AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE SIGNAL HAD GOTTEN SCRAMBLED AND LOST. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. IN APR 2005, DURING MY 60K SERVICE I WAS TOLD THAT MY AIRBAG RESISTANCE WAS SET TOO HIGH AND THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY. THE DEALER SAID THIS REPAIR WOULD COST $1000 IN PARTS PLUS THE LABOR WHICH IS INTENSIVE. I DO NOT FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY TO REPAIR FAULTY SAFETY EQUIPMENT, ESPECIALLY WHEN THIS IS NOT THE FIRST PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG.

WHEN I PASSED 24000 MILES, AFTER HAVING DRIVEN MY CAR EXTREMELY CAREFULLY (2001 VOLKSWAGEN GTI GLS 1.8T), THE CLUTCH BEGAN TO SLIP TO THE POINT WHERE THE CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE, AND I HAD TO BUY A REPLACEMENT CLUTCH AS WELL AS THE INSTALLATION WHICH COST AROUND $700. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL OTHER VW OWNERS (SAME MODEL) AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THINK THAT VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR THIS DEFECTIVE COMPONENT. *NM

WHILE DRIVING 2001 VOLKSWANGEN GTI RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER'S WINDOW DROPPED INTO INSIDE DOOR PANEL WITHOUT NOTICE. THIS ALMOST CAUSED LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 2001 VOLKSWANGEN GTI RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER WINDOW SUDDENLY DROPPED INTO INSIDE DOOR PANEL WITHOUT NOTICE. THIS ALMOST CAUSED LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE TWO PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT THE CONSUMER HITTING OR RUNNING OVER ANYTHING. THE CONSUMER USUALLY HAS THREE CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE, LUCKILY NONE WERE IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *NLM *MR