Volkswagen GTI Complaints

1,407 consumer complaints on file.

#10663631December 11, 2014
ENGINE
WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH IN SIXTH GEAR ON THE NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY, I SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND THE ENGINE ABRUPTLY TURNED OFF. I CONSEQUENTLY QUICKLY DECELERATED AND WAS ALMOST REARENDED BEFORE BEING ABLE TO TURN ONTO THE SHOULDER. I SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND GOT OUT OF MY CAR. EVENTUALLY, THE VW DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME THAT THE #2 COIL HAD FAILED AND CAUGHT FIRE. CONSEQUENTLY, THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE IGNITION COIL AND PLASTIC COVER SURROUNDING THE COIL HAD BEEN DESTROYED BY THE FIRE. THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT INVOLVING AN IGNITION COIL ON THIS VEHICLE. APPROXIMATELY 12 MONTHS AGO, THE #4 IGNITION COIL FAILED LEADING TO RAPID DECELERATION AS I WAS DRIVING. THIS APPEARS TO BE A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION COILS THAT MAY RESULT IN OTHERWISE AVOIDABLE ACCIDENTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10662178December 4, 2014
ENGINE
VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN SPUTTERING, AND STRUGGLING TO MAKE POWER AFTER BEING STARTED AND DRIVEN DOWN A STREET AT LOW SPEEDS. ECM AND ECU BOTH THREW CODES PERTAINING TO A CYLINDER MISFIRE. REPLACED SPARKPLUGS. MISFIRE REMAINED. IDENTIFIED AS IGNITION COIL PACK, WHICH IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON ISSUE ON THIS MODEL. PREVIOUS GENERATIONS OF THE SAME CAR REPORT RECALL NOTICES. THIS GENERATION UNFORTUNATELY MISSED THE RECALL SO FAR, AND HAS SEVERAL THREADS ON NOTED FORUMS PERTAINING TO OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS AS WELL WITH THE FAULTY COIL PACKS. VWOA ALLUDED TO BEING AWARE OF THE ISSUE WHEN CONTACTED, BUT DID NOT OFFER FULL COMPENSATION. VEHICLE IS OUT OF BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. NOT COVERED AS "ENGINE COMPONENT" UNDER POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10661514December 2, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
VEHICLE REQUIRED EXTRA CRANKING BEFORE STARTING. UPON STARTING AND BEGINNING TO DRIVE, THERE WAS LACK OF POWER AND RPMS DID NOT WANT TO GO ABOVE 4K. AFTER APPROX. 1/4-1/2 MILE ENGINE BEGAN TO RESPOND NORMALLY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS. TOLD THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, CAM FOLLOWER AND CAM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CAM FOLLOWER LOSING HARDNESS AND WEARING THROUGH CAUSING FUEL PUMP TO RUN DIRECTLY ON CAM. FUEL PUMP ARM WAS WORN AND ALSO SCORED CAM. WAS TOLD THAT 2006-07 MODEL YEARS HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM VW TO FIX THIS BUT 2008 DID NOT. IN MODEL YEAR 2009, A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SYSTEM WAS USED. I BELIEVE THAT MY ENGINE STILL CONTAINED THE DEFECTIVE PARTS AND VW INTERNET FORUMS ALSO HAVE EXTENSIVE MENTION OF THIS PROBLEM IN 2008 MODELS. I ALSO ON MANY OCCASIONS HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WAS NEVER INFORMED THAT I SHOULD HAVE THE CAM FOLLOWER INSPECTED FOR WEAR. THIS IS A $60.00 PART THAT COULD BE REPLACED BEFORE IT WEARS THROUGH. INSTEAD, I HAVE A QUOTE FROM THE DEALER TO REPLACE NOT ONLY THE CAM FOLLOWER, BUT ALSO THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND THE CAM FOR SLIGHTLY OVER $2,000.00. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE THERE ARE ALSO METAL SHAVINGS IN THE CAM HOUSING THAT I SHOULD ALSO REPLACE THIS ALONG WITH SOME OTHER MISC. PARTS. THE HOUSING PART ALONE IS APPROX. $1,600.00. I AM REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP AND CAM FOLLOWER AND WILL BE CHECKING THE PARTS FOR WEAR EVERY 10-20K MILES. REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO VW CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN DID NOT FALL INTO THE RANGE FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY SO THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I DID RECEIVE A "COUPON" FOR $500 OFF A NEW VEHICLE PURCHASE BUT NOT SURE I WOULD BUY ANOTHER VW AFTER THIS EXPERIENCE. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10660044November 21, 2014
AIR BAGS
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10659329November 19, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
TURNING RIGHT FROM A STOP. CAR'S ABS FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND CONTINUED TO STAY OFF UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE ABS LIGHT DISAPPEARED UNTIL NEXT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WHEN ABS FAILED AGAIN. ISSUE HAS PERSISTED IN ANY TYPE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER OVER THE PAST 10 MONTHS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10659328November 19, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING NORTH ON I-895 AT 55 MPH, NEARLY ALL OF MY WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, ALONG WITH "ENGINE FAULT WORKSHOP" ON THE MASS DISPLAY. THE VW DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT IT WAS THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. UPON RESEARCH ONLINE, THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH 2009 VW GTI'S. SOME HAVE REPORTED THAT THE THEIR BRAKES HAVE COMPLETELY LOCKED UP ON THEM. I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, AND THEY DENY ANY ISSUES WITH THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10658943November 18, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
WHEN BRAKING IN SLIPPERY CONDITIONS, THE ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON AND THE ABS CEASES TO FUNCTION, ALLOWING THE BRAKES TO LOCK UP AND THE CAR TO SLIDE. THE LIGHTS RESET WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND ON BUT THE FAILURE HAPPENS EVERY TIME ABS SHOULD BE ENGAGED. EFFECTIVELY, THE ABS DOES NOT WORK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10659055November 18, 2014
SEAT BELTS, TIRES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND FORCED THE VEHICLE TO VEER TO THE LEFT. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE RETAINER WALL. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10655006November 14, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE KEY HAD TO BE PLACED IN ACCESSORY MODE BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD TURN ON. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAM, HIGH PRESSURED FUEL PUMP, AND THE EVAP PURGE VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,800. UPDATED 1/21/15*CN UPDATED 01/26/15
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10653680November 9, 2014
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
CAME OUTSIDE TO A FAILED WATER PUMP. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VARIOUS VOLKSWAGENS. MANY SHOP TECHS ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THIS ISSUE. IT IS UNSAFE FOR THE DRIVER AND OTHER CARS. THERE IS A CHANCE THE PUMP COULD FAIL WHILE DRIVING OR A PERSON MAY NOT NOTICE THE COOLANT ON THE GROUND. THAT CAN LEAD TO THE CAR OVERHEATING AND CAUSING EXPENSIVE DAMAGE. YOU COULD ALSO BE LEFT STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ANY INSTANCE WHEN A PERSON OR CAR ARE LEFT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IS A ROAD AND HEALTH RISK. ALSO WHEN THESE PUMPS FAIL THEY OFTEN LEAK COOLANT. THE COOLANT IS NOT SAFE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. WHEN THE PUMPS DO GET REPLACED THE ISSUE OFTEN COMES BACK REPEATEDLY. THIS IS PARTLY DUE TO THE POOR DESIGN OF THE SYSTEM. A REVISION OF THE WATERPUMP SHOULD BE MADE. ALSO AN EXTENSION ON THE WARRANTY OF SAID PART SHOULD BE MADE FOR OWNERS. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. FOR PERSONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10653413November 7, 2014
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES, STEERING
I WAS TRAVELING EAST IN THE RIGHT LANE ON INTERSTATE 44 AT APPROXIMATELY 0645 IN THE AM. IT WAS NORMAL HEAVY MORNING WORK TRAFFIC GOING INTO OKLAHOMA CITY, TRAVELING THE POSTED SPEED OF 70 MPH. I WAS FOLLOWING A FULL SIZE PICKUP TRUCK AND MODERATE TRAFFIC WAS PASSING ME ON MY LEFT. WITHOUT NOTICE, TRAFFIC SUDDENLY SLOWED TO APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, CAUSING ME TO HIT MY BRAKES HARD. THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGED AND MY CAR WAS THROWN SIDEWAYS OFF THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. I PULLED THE CAR BACK LEFT, CAUSING VEHICLES IN THE LEFT LANE TO SWERVE TO MISS HITTING ME. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON MY CAR, INDICATING A FAILURE HOWEVER, A DUMMY COULD FIGURE OUT THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING. THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND, HAD MY CAR BEEN THROWN LEFT WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES I WOULD HAVE BEEN SMEARED BY ON COMING TRAFFIC, LIKELY A FATALITY. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY CAR TO VOLKSWAGEN AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED A PUMP/ABS MODULE; A 2500 REPAIR. UNDERSTAND WHEN I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON, THE ABS/BRAKE FAULT LIGHTS CLEAR. I HAD NO INDICATION MY ABS SYSTEM WAS MALFUNCTIONING UNTIL I NEEDED BRAKES. AND BAM!. AFTER READING FORUMS, ITS APPARENT THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH 2009 GTIS AND IT SHOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE SAFETY CONCERN OF VOLKSWAGEN. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED. I'VE ASKED FOR MY OLD PARTS SO I WILL HAVE THEM WHEN THERE ARE COURT PROCEEDINGS AGAINST VOLKSWAGEN FOR THE INJURY OR DEATH OF SOMEONE AS A RESULT OF A FAILED ABS SYSTEM. THIS REALLY DOES NEED INVESTIGATING. THANK YOU *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10653497November 7, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, MULTIPLE DASHBOARD LIGHTS INDICATING LOSS OF TRACTION CONTROL, ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, AND POWER STEERING WERE ILLUMINATED. THIS THEN CAUSED ISSUES BECAUSE THOSE SYSTEMS ARE NOT WORKING WHILE THE SPEEDOMETER (WOULD STAY AT 0MPH WHEN DRIVING) AND THE FUEL GAUGE (MOVED AROUND RANDOMLY FROM 1/4 TO 3/4 FULL). LOOKING INTO THIS ISSUE I FOUND THAT SEVERAL OWNERS OF THE SAME MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR HAVE HAD THE EXACT PROBLEM AS ME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10652930November 5, 2014
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ENGINE WILL STALL AND DIE WITHIN 5-20 SECONDS AFTER STARTING. HAPPENS ON A WARM ENGINE AFTER IT SITS FOR 45-60 MINUTES. HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, EACH AFTER ENGINE HAS REACHED OPERATING TEMPERATURE. THIS IS POTENTIALLY A DEADLY PROBLEM IF THE CAR DIES ON A STREET, AS IT WON'T STEER OR HAVE PROPULSION! HAD IT SEEN AT VW DEALER: THEY SUSPECT IT IS THE "IN-TANK FUEL PUMP" BUT THIS PART IS NOT COVERED UNDER DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY? I CALLED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT THEY SAID THEY CAN'T HELP ON THIS $834 REPAIR. I'M PERPLEXED HOW A FUEL PUMP GOES BAD ON A 2011 WITH ONLY 45K MILES, AND THAT A VITAL COMPONENT THAT WILL MAKE THE CAR STALL & DIE IS NOT COVERED UNDER DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEM IF IT DIES SUDDENLY AND CARS FOLLOWING CANNOT SWERVE AROUND. VERY DISAPPOINTED. THIS WILL BE MY LAST VW, EVER. IF YOU OWN A VW WITH 2.0 TSI YOU SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10651386October 30, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
I WAS DRIVING AROUND A TURN AT ROUGHLY 60MPH ON A HIGHWAY OFF-RAMP DURING DRY CONDITIONS WHEN THE DASHBOARD CHIMED AND SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. BOTH THE ESP AND ABS LIGHTS LIT AND REMAINED LIT CONTINUOUSLY, AND THE BRAKE LIGHT BEGAN TO BLINK CONTINUOUSLY. THE CAR STILL DROVE NORMALLY, SO I CONTINUED TO DRIVE ANOTHER FIVE MINUTES TO MY HOME. UPON TURNING OFF THE IGNITION COMPLETELY AND RESTARTING THE CAR, ALL THREE INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE CLEARED. THIS SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS OVER THE FOLLOWING MONTHS, DURING SNOWY/ICY CONDITIONS. ON ANY SLIPPERY ROAD SURFACE DURING HEAVY BRAKING, THE THREE INDICATOR LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE DASH WOULD CHIME. THIS FAULT WAS ALWAYS CLEARED BY SIMPLY RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE ABS SYSTEM NEVER FUNCTIONED PROPERLY; THE BRAKES WOULD SIMPLY LOCK UP WHEN THIS FAULT OCCURRED. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO HAVE A PROPER DIAGNOSES COMPLETED, AT WHICH POINT IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ABS MODULE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR COST WAS ESTIMATED AT $1700.00. I CONTACTED VW'S CORPORATE NORTH AMERICAN OFFICE SEVERAL TIMES THROUGH PHONE CALL AND MAIL, AND I WAS DENIED COVERAGE OR PAYMENT ASSISTANCE, AS THE VEHICLE WAS BEYOND THE BUMPER-TO-BUMPER WARRANTY. I DECIDED NOT TO WORRY ABOUT THE PROBLEM UNTIL THIS WINTER, BUT LAST WEEK I HAD THE FAULT OCCUR AGAIN WHEN DRIVING AT ABOUT 55MPH ON A WET ROADWAY AND HITTING MY BRAKES HARD TO AVOID A DEER THAT RAN ACROSS THE ROAD. I WAS FORTUNATE TO MISS THE DEER, BUT THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE REAR-END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE AROUND BEFORE I LET OFF THE BRAKES. I HAD ANOTHER DEALER DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE AGAIN, AND THIS TIME THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE ABS PUMP AND MODULE WERE BOTH FAULTY. I JUST HAD THE REPAIR PERFORMED AT A COST OF ABOUT $2,450.00. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD WARRANT A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10650272October 27, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, STEERING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, STEERING LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT. ABS NO LONGER WORKS IN A HARD BRAKE SITUATION, WHEELS LOCK AND CAR WILL SKID. ENGINE ALSO REFUSES TO REV PAST AROUND 3900 RPM UNLESS MANUALLY UPSHIFT TO A HIGHER GEAR. STEERING ASSIST NO LONGER WORKS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10648459October 17, 2014
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V333000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DSG GEAR BOX NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10644458October 14, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE STARTER MELTED DUE TO THE BATTERY BEING CRACKED AND ACID SPILLED ONTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE WIRE BETWEEN THE BATTERY AND STARTER WERE MELTED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC AND THE AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE FAILURES WERE NOT CAUSED BY A FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10639316September 26, 2014
ENGINE
REPORTED RECURRING COOLANT SMELL TO DEALER AT FIRST POST-PURCHASE MAINTENANCE VISIT (5,000 MILES), BUT DEALER FAILED TO FIND A CAUSE. AT 14,000 MILES, PULLED INTO MY GARAGE. SEVERAL MINUTES LATER, BACKED OUT OF MY GARAGE AND DISCOVERED A LARGE PUDDLE OF FLUID WHERE THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED, AS WELL AS TRAILS OF FLUID IN THE DRIVEWAY FROM PULLING IN PREVIOUSLY. DEALER DIAGNOSIS: THE WATER PUMP HAD FAILED. WHEN I NOTED MY PREVIOUS COOLANT ODOR COMPLAINT, THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE ADVISOR REPLIED THAT "THEY KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT WE CAN'T FIX IT UNTIL IT FAILS." THE CAR NOW HAS 18,000 MILES, AND THE RECURRING COOLANT SMELL HAS STARTED AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10639314September 26, 2014
POWER TRAIN
OVER-40 DRIVER, DECADES OF EXPERIENCE DRIVING CARS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, NO MODIFICATIONS TO THE CAR SINCE NEW. CAR HAD 13,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT. ACCELERATING ON THE FREEWAY, NO INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEMS WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD...BUT WHEN SHIFTING FROM 3RD TO 4TH AT APPROXIMATELY 50MPH, THE GEAR SELECTOR LEVER HAD BECOME DIFFICULT TO MOVE. SUBSEQUENT SHIFTS FROM 4TH TO 5TH AND 5TH TO 6TH AT APPROXIMATELY 65MPH (NO LONGER ACCELERATING) WERE EVEN MORE CHALLENGING. I EXITED THE FREEWAY, SHIFTING AS NEEDED WITH EVER-INCREASING DIFFICULTY. AT REST, WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN 1ST GEAR AND THE CLUTCH FULLY DEPRESSED, THE CAR CONTINUED TO CREEP FORWARD AS IF THE CLUTCH WERE NOT DISENGAGED. I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO 2ND AND LIMP THE CAR TO A NEARBY DEALER. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSIS: A CLUTCH SPRING BROKE OFF, "BOUNCED AROUND AND DESTROYED THE CLUTCH PLATE." *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10633096September 15, 2014
TIRES
THIS IS MY SECOND GTI. I BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR OR THE TIRES BUT IN 15000 MILES I HAVE HAD AT LEAST 7 TIRES WITH BUBBLES OR DAMAGED VERY EASILY. (AT THE SAME TIME I LEASED THIS CAR I LEASED A SECOND ONE THAT HAS 30000 MILES AND HAS HAD ONLY 1 TIRE PROBLEM. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH VW AND I AM WAITING FOR THEIR RESPONSE. I WILL TAKE THE CAR TODAY AGAIN AS THEY RETURNED IT ON FRIDAY AND AS SOON AS I DROVE A FEW MILES IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC THE TIRE LIGHT WENT OFF. I AM NOT DRIVING THIS CAR AGAIN UNTIL VW ASSURES ME THERE IS NO PROBLEM . THEY BLAME IT ON THE LOW PROFILE TIRES BUT I HAD THE SAME CAR AND TIRE SIZE IN MY PREVIOUS GTI AND DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE TIRE INSURANCE SO I DID NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE TIRES BUT THERE IS A LOT OF TIME WASTED BESIDES THE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Volkswagen GTI