Volkswagen Cabrio Complaints

186 consumer complaints on file.

#10297895January 3, 2010
VISIBILITY
THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL UP. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE WINDOW REGULATOR. IT COMPLETELY FAILED ONCE IT BROKE AND THE WINDOW REMAINED OPEN. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE NO SECURITY AND UNSAFE. THIS WEEK THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DID THE SAME THING AFTER I PAID FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE TO BE REPAIRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10290674November 2, 2009
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
1998 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO GLS FRONT WINDSHIELD HEADER HAS RUSTED AND NO LONGER CAPABLE OF SUPPORTING THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. *NJ THE CONSUMER HAD TO INCUR THE COST OF HAVING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD REPLACED AFTER THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED BECAUSE OF THE DEFORMITIES IN THE WINDSHIELD HEADER. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND THEIR CONCLUSION WAS THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS NO LONGER SAFE ENOUGH TO PROTECT THE OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A ROLL OVER SINCE THE FRAME HAD RUSTED OUT. THE SUPPORT WAS A STRUCTURAL ISSUE AND A VEHICLES FRAME SHOULD NOT RUST OUT.(LAWYER WROTE IN ON BEHALF OF CLIENT) *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10290013October 27, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
FUNCTION OF TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS ON MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO HAS BEEN DEGRADING OVER TIME. BOTH SYSTEMS ARE NOW COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. THERE IS AN ACTIVE VW RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V584000) FOR THIS PROBLEM ON 2000-2002 GOLF, GTI, BEETLE AND JETTA (BUT NO CURRENT RECALL FOR THE CABRIO). I AM REQUESTING THAT THE RECALL BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE CABRIO MODELS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT IS CLEARLY WIDESPREAD ON 2000-2002 VW VEHICLES OF ALL MODELS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250377December 1, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V096000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249924November 26, 2008
TIRES
I HAVE HAD 5 TIRES FAIL ON ME IN A 6 MONTHS PERIOD, THEY HAVE EITHER BEEN BLOW OUTS AND OR FLATS. I DRIVE A 2001 VW CABRIO. THE LAST 2 TIMES HAVE BEEN 3 DAYS APART, WITH THIS PAST SATURDAY DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS TO VAIL COLO. BY MYSELF AND MY YOUNG DAUGHTER. MY FRONT D/S TIRE BLEW IN A VERY BAD LOCATION ON I-70, NEEDLESS TO SAY WE WERE VERY SCARED BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION IT BLEW. YESTERDAY ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK THE BACK D/S WENT FLAT. I HAD NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE ON THIS RISKING MY RIM TO GET TO A SAFE LOCATION. I WAS TOLD BY A FIRESTONE LOCATION THAT I STOPPED AT THE TIRE IS DEFECTIVE AS HE FOUND A HOLE THE SIZE OF AN ERASER HEAD INSIDE THE WALL OF THE TIRE AND THAT WALL WAS VERY FLIMSEY AND SOFT. I CAN ACCOUNT FOR EVERY TIME IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS I HAVE HAD A TIRE FAIL ON ME. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE, THESE TIRES HAVE ALL BEEN DOUGLAS TIRES 195 60R14 86H PERFORMANCE GTH EVERYTIME I HAVE HAD A TIRE FAIL ON ME THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING FOUND HAVING CAUSED THE TIRE TO FAIL (NO NAILS OR ANY OTHER OBJECTS THAT COULD HAVE ENTERED INTO THE TIRE) THESE TIRES WERE PURCHASED AT THE WAL-MART NEAR MY HOME, WHEN I ASKED THEM ABOUT WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THIS, THEY JUST ANSWER THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE NO WARRANTY WAS PURCHASED. I HAVE NEVER PURCHASED WARRANTIES ON ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED WHEN I PURCHASED TIRES. NOR HAVE I EVER RAN INTO A SITUATION LIKE THIS BEFORE IN THE PAST. AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE AMOUNT OF TIME AND MONEY I HAVE HAD TO PUT TOWARDS TIRES I AM QUITE FRUSTRATED AND CONCERNED AS WELL. ANOTHER THING I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT, I PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES EXACTLY 2 YEARS TO DATE ON THIS CAR AND HAVE SINCE REPLACED ALL TIRES OVER A 6 MONTH PERIOD. I CAN UNDERSTAND A TIRED THAT HAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, AND THEREFORE HAVING TO BE REPLACED. BUT TIRES THAT BLOW ON YOU IN AREAS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE LIFE THREATENING, IS JUST NOT ACCEPTABLE. MY TIRES ARE ALWAYS CHECKED AND AIR IS PUT IN THEM BY MY HUSBAND AND MY CAR MAINTAINED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237911August 12, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
HORRIBLE GAS SMELL COMING FROM REAR DRIVERS SIDE, CONFIRMED GAS TANK IS LEAKING AT THE SEAM. HAVE GOTTEN TERRIBLY SICK WITH STOMACH PAIN AND TERRIBLE HEADACHES FROM THE SMELL AND AFRAID VEHICLE IS GOING TO BLOW UP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10237016August 5, 2008
SEATS
DRIVERS SEAT FALLS BACK TO THE BACK SEAT. SIDE ADJUSTMENT PIECE FELL OFF AND THE BACK OF THE SEAT WILL NOT STAY IN CORRECT POSITION. DEALER UNABLE TO REPAIR - SUGGESTS PURCHASING NEW SEAT $600. UNACCEPTABLE FOR A SEAT TO FALL APART WITH NORMAL USE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10231227June 16, 2008
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
PURCHASED A 2000 VW CABRIO FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP IN NEW JERSEY (THAT WAS MY FIRST MISTAKE AS I AM A NEW YORK RESIDENT.) TEST DROVE AND VISUAL INSPECTION APPEARED GREAT. DROVE THE CAR OFF THE LOT AND WITHIN 3 MILES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CHECKED FLUIDS, PROCEEDED WITH OUR TRIP HOME. WITHIN 10 MILES, THE CAR'S MANUAL TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF FIFTH GEAR WHILE GOING 65MPS ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY. WITH THE DEALERSHIP CLOSED (AND BEING THE CAR WAS SOLD "AS-IS", WE LIMPED HOME. THE 2 HOUR TRIP ENDED UP TAKING NEARLY 3 HOURS. MECHANIC FOUND THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REPLACED BUT NOT REFILLED WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. BRAND NEW TRANNY INSTALLED ONLY TO FIND THE STARTER WAS ALSO MALFUNCTIONING. MEANWHILE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON DUE TO A $409.00 SECONDARY AIR PUMP FAILURE. I HADN'T EVEN OWNED THE CAR 2 WEEKS AND HAD ALREADY SPEND OVER $2000 IN REPAIRS. I FINALLY GOT THE CAR BACK FROM MY MECHANIC, DROVE IT FOR ONE DAY, AND NOW WE APPEAR TO HAVE A TIMING BELT ISSUE AND HAVE BEEN ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR AS THERE IS A POTENTIAL INTERFERENCE WITH MY PISTONS IF THE TIMING BELT BREAKS WHILE DRIVING. OH, AND TO BOOT, I NEED A NEW SET OF REAR BRAKES. BOTTOM LINE, IF ANYONE EVER DREAMS OF BUYING A CABRIO, DON'T DO IT UNLESS YOU HAVE UNLIMITED FUNDS AND A BACK UP CAR TO DRIVE. THIS CAR SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A HOBBY AND NOT A RELIABLE FORM OF TRANSPORTATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10229395May 31, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I OWN A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO, MANUFACTURED BY VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC. MY TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER HAVE STOPPED FUNCTIONING. INITIALLY IT WAS INTERMITTENT, BUT IT HAS FINALLY STOPPED WORKING. FUSES HAVE BEEN CHECKED. IT'S EXACTLY LIKE THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN# 04V584000 - THE SAME PROBLEMS OTHER VW MODELS OF THE SAME YEAR HAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10225093April 16, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
2002 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO EXPERIENCING RECALL SYMPTOMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT HER TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHERS HAVE STOPPED FUNCTIONING. SHE STATED THAT IT WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST. SHE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF HER VEHICLE FALLS UNDER THE RECALL. *KB RECALL # 04V584000. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10221890March 20, 2008
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CLUTCH FAILED. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY THE DEALER PRIOR TO THE CLUTCH FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 90,600. UPDATED 06/09/08 *BF UPDATED 06/09/08
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214882January 15, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING MY VW CABRIO HOME LAST NIGHT THE HIGHLIGHTS, DASH LIGHTS, HEATER FAN AND RADIO ALL SUDDENLY WENT OFF AND THE ABS FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND THE LIGHTS SUDDENLY CAME BACK ON AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE LAST FEW MILES HOME. I SPOKE TO A SERVICE MANAGER AT VW TODAY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND IT TURNS OUT IT IS AN ELECTRICAL PART ASSOCIATED WITH THE CARS IGNITION SWITCH AND THAT IT IS WELL KNOWN AND COMMON FAILURE WITH THIS CAR. I CALLED VW HEAD QUARTERS AND SPOKE TO A CUSTOMER ADVOCATE ABOUT THIS AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THAT VW HAD NOT CONSIDERED THIS TO BE A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT WARRANTED A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10205843October 16, 2007
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
MANUAL TRANSMISSION IN 2000 VW CABRIO WENT BAD SEPT. 05, REPLACED CAR GARAGED FOR WINTER DRIVEN VERY LITTLE APPROX 15OO MILES IN APRIL 06 TRANSMISSION WENT AGAIN - SAME SYMPTOMS PROBLEM - TRANSMISSION REPLACED AGAIN OCT 07 - TRANSMISSION BAD AGAIN AFTER APPROX 5000 MILES. GEARS CHIPPING ACCUSED OF DRIVER ERROR. HAVE HAD 3 OTHER CARS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS THAT I OWNED FOR 10 YEARS NEVER A PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200208August 20, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
I HAVE AA2002 VW CABRIOLET AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON. THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOWED IT WAS THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG AND HARNESS. AFTER THE PART WAS IN, WHILE WAITING TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE THE SERVICE CONSULTANT WAS ON THE PHONE DESCRIBING THE SAME PROBLEM, SAME AIRBAG TO ANOTHER VW CUSTOMER. WHEN I ASKED THE SERVICE CONSULTANT IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM KNOWN TO VW ON THEIR AIRBAGS HE SAID NO. THE WOMAN WAITING BEHIND ME SAID THE SAME HAPPENED TO HER VW. THE COST FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR WAS $690.48. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10187294April 8, 2007
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THE PASSANGER FRONT WINDOW STOPPED WORKING.THE MECHANIS SAID THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR FAILE DAND HE HAD TO REPLCE IT. THE REGULATOR COST ME $310 PLUS THE LABOR $200.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10187296April 8, 2007
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILED. I WENT TO DO THE E CHECK IN OHIO AND HAD TO OPEN THE WINDOW. WHEN I LEFT THE WINDOW DIDN'T COME UP ANYMORE. THE MECHANIC SAID I NEED TO REPLACE THE REGULATOR WHICH COST $310 + LABOR = TAX.*AK NOTE: THIS THE SECOND REGULATOR MY CAR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10186934April 3, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
I HAVE A 1999 VW CABRIO, WHICH IS THE CONVERTIBLE MODEL OF THE GOLF. THERE IS A RECALL OF VWS BECAUSE OF FAULTY BRAKE LIGHTS DUE TO FAULTY IGNITION PARTS. I CALLED VW TO REGISTER MY COMPLAINT. THEY SAY THAT MY VIN IS NOT UNDER THEIR RECALL LIST. HOWEVER, IN SEPTEMBER 2006, I HAD THE EXACT SAME BRAKE LIGHT MAL-FUNCTION, INCLUDING THE TOTAL MELT DOWN OF ALL THE LIGHTS ON DECEMBER 14, 2006 WHILE I WAS ON A HIGHWAY IN MY STATE. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND THE GARAGE USED AUTHENTIC VW PARTS FROM A DEALERSHIP DOWN THE ROAD. MY CABIO HAS THE GOLF CHASSIS BUT CALLED THE CABRIO WHICH IS THE CONVERTIBLE VERSION. ALL MY CAR CARE BOOKS ADDRESS THE GOLF VERSION. I AM AT A LOSS AS TO WHY VW WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR THE PARTS AND LABOR FOR THIS SAME REPAIR. THE RECALL NOTICES ARE JUST GOING OUT EVEN THOUGH THEY KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IN 2006. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183792February 28, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
1) DUE TO VANDALISM, THE CONVERTIBLE TOP WAS REPLACED BY A REPUTABLE SHOP. I USED THE POWER TOP ONCE AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, THEN FOLLOWING THAT WINTER, THE POWER TOP FAILED. IT WAS BEYOND WARRANTY ACCORDING TO DEALER WHEN I DISCOVERED THE FAILURE. DEALER WANTS $1200 FOR REPLACEMENT. 2) THE 6 CD CHANGER STOPPED WORKING JUST AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. DEALER WANTS $600 FOR REPLACEMENT. 3) CRUISE CONTROL BECAME INTERMITTENT AFTER A THROTTLE BODY REPLACEMENT IN MARCH 2003. DEALER WANTS $800 FOR REPLACEMENT. 4) THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER BECAME INTERMITTENT IN SEPT 2003. IT HAS BEEN REMOVED AND THE CONTACTS CLEANED. IT ONLY WORKS ON EXTREMELY COLD MORNINGS, ONLY ON THE FIRST START. ALL OTHER GAUGES WORK ON THE MODULE. DEALER WANTS $600 FOR REPLACEMENT. 5) THE RADIO SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING (NO POWER) AFTER HITTING A POTHOLE IN JAN 2004. DEALER WANTS $600 FOR REPLACEMENT. 6) THE SMOG PUMP FAILED DEC 2005, AND CHARRED THE HARNESS WIRING. IT WAS REPLACED WITH A SALVAGED SMOG PUMP BY REPUTABLE REPAIR SHOP. DEALER WANTED $1000 FOR REPLACEMENT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10165172August 10, 2006
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
FAILURE: DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR FAILURE ON A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO. I WAS ENTERING A CAR WASH, HAD PUT THE WINDOW DOWN ON THE CAR TO CODE IN MY INFO, AND WAS PUTTING THE POWER WINDOW BACK UP. IT CRASHED DOWN LOUDLY, SO I BACKED IT OUT OF THE WASH, RISKING DAMAGE TO THE TIRES RATHER THAN FLOOD THE CAR. MY LOCAL REPAIR PLACE REFERRED ME BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT IT WAS UNDER RECALL SINCE IT SOUNDED LIKE A KNOWN VW PROBLEM. BEFORE LOOKING AT THE CAR, THE DEALERSHIP REP SAID THEY RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM AND SAID THEY WOULD CHARGE ME $125 TO FIX THE WINDOW. AFTER CALLING THEM THROUGHOUT THE DAY ONLY TO BE TOLD THEY HADN'T OPENED UP THE CAR YET, I FINALLY RECEIVED A CALL BACK TELLING ME IT WAS INSTEAD THE WINDOW REGULATOR, THAT THE PART WAS ON INDEFINITE BACKORDER, AND THAT IT WOULD EVENTUALLY BE OVER $600 JUST FOR THE PART. THE DEALERSHIP ADMITTED A "7 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY" ON VOLKSWAGEN JETTA AND GOLF MODELS FROM 2001 FOR THE WINDOW REGULATOR, BUT REFERRED ME TO THEIR NATIONAL CUSTOMER RELATIONS LINE FOR ASSISTANCE WITH THE 2001 CABRIO. CABRIO IS THE SAME AS A GOLF (WHICH THE DEALER SALES REP TOLD ME WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR), BUT VW CUSTOMER RELATIONS SAYS THEY WILL DO NOTHING EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE SAME FAULTY PART THEY PUT IN THEIR OTHER CARS. THE CAR WINDOW IS STILL STUCK DOWN IN THE DOOR, WHICH RENDERS THE CAR UNDRIVABLE HERE IN THE SF BAY AREA -- WHERE FOR SECURITY PURPOSES, YOU DO NOT PARK YOUR CAR OUTSIDE WITH THE WINDOW DOWN. BASED ON A REVIEW OF THE VW OWNERS FORUM ONLINE, IT SOUNDS LIKE MANY OTHER CABRIO OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM, AND THAT AFTER REPAIR, ONE OR MORE OTHER WINDOW REGULATORS ON THE CAR BREAK, REQUIRING ADDITIONAL TRIPS TO THEIR DEALERSHIPS. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR -- IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY, THE LOUDNESS OF THE WINDOW CRASHING DOWN MIGHT HAVE CAUSED ME TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMERS NEED TO KNOW THAT THE 2001 VW CABRIO HAS THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE AS THE 2001 VW JETTA AND GOLF MODELS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162356July 13, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR QUITE SOMETIME NOW, HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT. I AM SO AFRAID THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THE CAR IS IN AN ACCIDENT ! THERE IS NO DEALERSHIP IN MY TOWN AND I HAVE HAD NO TIME TO TAKE TO DEALERSHIP 3 HOURS FROM HERE DUE TO MY WORK SCHEDULE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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