Volkswagen Of America rip-off! They sold me a lemon! New 2000 Volkswagen Passat is unsafe! Constant problems!Nationwide
Major problems with my 2000 VW Passat with a 1.8, which was purchased new. Only has 54,000 miles on it and emissions workshop sensor light has been on twice, which I understand is minor compared to reading other people's problems on the net. Dealer fixed first time and advised "sensor malfunction-so they reset it" Second time was for the stated reason of a rotting hose that needed replaced.
Now airbag sensor light indicates problem, and dealer just advised it needs a new clockspring mechanism and spiral harnass. Water pump needs totally replaced-it just broke down and I can't drive car unless repaired or belt/engine issue. VW "customer advocates" refused to give me my case number, saying number would go to dealer only, even though dealer asked me for the casenumber, VW refused to consider paying for this junker and its problems until I had a VW dealer diagnose.
I had to have it towed 30 miles to the nearest dealer, even though I paid my local certified VW (nondealer) mechanic to diagnose (he says broken water pump, and a totally new airbag was needed). VW of America refused to pay for diagnosic scan at dealer. Dealer just called me and said they're still waiting to hear from VW on whether the air bag repair will be covered by VW. Hopefully the water pump will be covered under the power train warranty. This has been a nightmare and total hassle. We had to lease another car because this car has been such a problem.
Have had this car serviced regularly. One day it just started hesitating, lurching and slowing down while in drive. No reason has been given to me why it did this. You deal with a different VW "customer advocate" every time you call. They appear to be callous, aloof college-age kids who could really care less. There needs to be a recall, or "campaign" as VW puts it, of this entire vehicle. People with similar issues need to contact NHTSA and complain. Wished I never owned one. Buyer beware!!
Melissa
Ashland, Ohio
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Cory
San Antonio,Texas,
U.S.A.
VW Huge POS
#2Consumer Comment
Thu, August 05, 2004
Have to agree with you about VW's. Leased a 01 Jetta was in the shop more times than I could remember. 7 times alone for the window not rolling up. The whole time we had the car the AM part of the radio never worked. 3 or 4 times they worked on it but never got it to function, no big loss, never listen to AM. But, you are telling me a VW dealer can't figure out what's wrong. Now, how is it that a POS KIA comes with a 10 yr/100,000 mi limited, for what that is worth, warranty, and VW gave us, at the time a 2 yr/24,000 mi warranty? I think 04 or 05 models have a 3 yr/36,000 mi warranty. It was amazing all the things that went wrong with our Jetta that I'd never heard of before. Since we were in a 3 yr lease and the warrant only lasted 2 yrs, we seldom drove the car after the second year and bought another type of vehicle. I figured it was cheaper to let it sit than risk having something go wrong and having to pay for a repair. VW seems to be doing the same thing American mfg's did in the early 70's by building the biggest pieces of crap they can and foster them on the public. It's a VW quality control issue. And, they have many issues. A 40 yr old VW is more reliable than a new one.