Volkswagen EuroVan Complaints

219 consumer complaints on file.

#10237459August 8, 2008
STRUCTURE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
THE OEM CD CHANGER INSTALLED UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT OF MY 99 EUROVAN USED SCREWS THAT PENETRATED THE GAS TANK. 8 YEARS LATER, THE SCREWS IN THE GAS TANK HAVE LOOSENED TO THE POINT THAT ONE CAN SMELL GAS ODOR AND THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT GOES ON DUE TO EVAP SYSTEM LEAK. THIS SEEMS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD I EVER GET IN AN ACCIDENT CAUSING THE SCREWS TO RIP THE GAS TANK DURING IMPACT. VW WOULD NOT PICK UP THE REPAIR DUE TO AGE AND MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236642August 1, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
FAN FOR COOLING THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT (IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT) BLEW APART, DAMAGING ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS ADJACENT TO IT. THE OTHER FAN (FOR ENGINE COOLING) FAILED LAST YEAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223706April 8, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THIS CAR IS THE THIRD OF FOUR CARS, IN A TWO-DRIVER FAMILY. IT IS NOT DRIVEN FREQUENTLY. ONE DAY, WE NOTICED THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT RESPOND NORMALLY TO REVERSE GEAR: IT DID NOT LIKE ANY THROTTLE WHEN IN REVERSE, BUT SEEMED TO DRIVE O.K. WHEN IN DRIVE GEAR. THE NEXT TIME THAT WE DROVE IT, THE SAME THING HAPPENED, BUT THIS TIME, IT DID NOT RESPOND NORMALLY TO FORWARD DRIVE GEAR EITHER. I BACKED IT OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY SLOWLY, AND BEGAN TO DRIVE IT DOWN THE STREET. VERY QUICKLY I REALIZED THAT IT WAS NOT RESPONDING AND PARKED THE CAR ON THE STREET AND CALLED THE TOW-COMPANY TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. DEALER REPORTED THAT THE CAR HAD A BROKEN TRANSMISSION (ONLY 60,000 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT), AND THE REPAIR COST WAS $5700. WHILE THIS DID NOT CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR DEATH, IT DEFINITELY WOULD HAVE, HAD I IGNORED THE MATTER AND GOTTEN ON THE FREEWAY. I CONTACTED SEVERAL TRANSMISSION SHOPS AND THEY ALL SAID THAT THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE IT WAS TOO COMPLICATED. ONE VW SPECIALIST EVEN SAID THAT HE HAD SEEN THIS EXACT PROBLEM (LOW MILES, TRANSMISSION FAILURE) ON OTHER SIMILAR MODELS. HE INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION USED IN THIS LARGE VAN WAS THE SAME AS THAT USED IN THE VW JETTA (SMALL SEDAN). I THEN RESEARCHED TO SEE OF OTHER SIMILAR CARS HAD FAILED TRANSMISSION AND SAW ONE ON EBAY WITH EXACT SAME YEAR/MODEL WITH A FAILED TRANSMISSION. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND A POTENTIAL DANGER FOR ANYONE WHO CONTINUES TO DRIVE THIS CAR ON THE FREEWAYS. I BELIEVE IF ANYONE HAD ACCESS TO THE VW STATISTICS ON TRANSMISSION FAILURES ON THIS CAR, THEY WOULD SEE A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF FAILURES AT LOW MILES. PERHAPS THIS IS THE REASON WHY VW STOPPED BUILDING THIS CAR AFTER 2002! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10213840January 6, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 VW EUROVAN OVER A CAUSEWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. A WARNING LIGHT FLASHED SEVERAL TIMES THEN WENT OFF. I BELIEVE IT WAS A COOLANT LIGHT. THEN A STRANGE THUMP, THUMP, THUMP NOISE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD FOLLOWED BY SMOKE. SMELLED LIKE BURNING RUBBER AND SOUNDED LIKE A BELT BREAKING. I PULLED OFF AS SOON AS POSSIBLE (ANOTHER MINUTE OR 2) AND CAR DIED AS I COASTED OFF THE RAMP. I OPENED THE HOOD, BUT COULDN'T SEE PAST THE BLACK PLASTIC ENGINE COVER AND DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO REMOVE IT. AFTER SEVERAL PHONE CALLS, ABOUT 10 - 15 MINUTES LATER, SMOKE STARTED BILLOWING FROM UNDER HOOD. MY CHILDREN AND I DASHED AWAY FROM VEHICLE AND STOOD BY AND WATCHED IT BURN. CAR WAS IN GOOD REPAIR. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED. BUT IT IS TOASTED LIKE A MARSHMALLOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10206177October 18, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WE JUST EXPERIENCED A EXPENSIVE ($4500) PROBLEM WITH THE VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN/WINNEBAGO RIALTA. ACTUALLY THE PROBLEM WAS RELATIVELY MINOR BUT BECAME MAJOR BECAUSE OF THE VW ENGINEERING. A SPROCKET THAT PART OF THE CAMSHAFT CHAIN DRIVE ASSEMBLY WAS WORN TO THE POINT THAT IT WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY ROUNDED. THIS CAUSED THE TIMING CHAIN TO JUMP. THE WARRANTY IS 50,000 MILES. THE PROBLEM STARTED AT 52, 000 MILES. I HAD IT REPAIRED AT 55,000 MILES. A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THE WEB SHOWS IT TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM. THE SPROCKET APPARENTLY WAS NOT PROPERLY HARDENED ON A FEW OF THE VR-6 ENGINES. THE ABNORMAL WEAR STARTED FROM THE DAY THE ENGINE WAS ASSEMBLED BUT TOOK 52,000 MILES TO SHOW-UP. A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM WITH PHOTOS CAN BE VIEWED ON MY WEB PAGE AT: HTTP://WWW.REESPHOTOS.COM/VW/VW.HTM *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10204175September 26, 2007
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE METAL BRACKET, WHICH HOLDS THE LUGGAGE RACK ONTO THE VEHICLE, WAS RUSTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY THE WEATHER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 10/18/07 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10201615August 31, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN. THE CONTACT NOTICED VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FAILURES WOULD OCCUR ONLY WHEN THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. THE COOLING FAN FAILED, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT OVERHEAT. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 112,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197239July 23, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE COOLING FAN OVERHEATED AND SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE FAN WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SAW NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME FAILURE AND BELIEVED IT TO BE A SAFETY DEFECT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 53,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 08/07/07. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196406July 15, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
WHILE TRAVELING ON A UPHILL PAVED ROAD GRADE AROUND 11 AM GOING AT A SLOW SPEED, APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND THE BLADE ON THE COOLING FAN ON THE 2002 VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN BROKE OFF. FAN WAS UNBALANCED AND BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE. ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE FAN STILL CONTINUED TO RUN VIOLENTLY SHAKING THE VAN, FINALLY STOPPED AND IN ABOUT 5 MINUTES THE FAN TURNED ON AGAIN VIOLENTLY SHAKING THE VAN. RIALTA HAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME VOLKSWAGEN PROBLEM WITH FAN BLADES SEPARATING FROM COOLING FAN. NHTSA RECALL. 04V107000/VOLKSWAGEN RECALL NO. WB NHTSA CASE NUMBER PE0315 OPENED ON APRIL 2003 AND CLOSED AUGUST 2003. WHAT WAS THE FINAL OUT COME OF THE INVESTIGATION? THIS IS A ON GOING SAFETY ISSUE, THERE ARE OTHER CASES POSTED ON YAHOO WEB SITE. VOLKSWAGEN ISSUE FAN WARNING LABELS (LABEL WAS ISSUED A FEW YEARS AGO, WHEN I ASKED FOR DATE OF ISSUE VW DID NOT HAVE ANY DATE ON RECORD! I RECEIVED THIS LABEL A FEW YEARS AGO.) TO BE AFFIXED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WARNING OF FAN BLADE HAZARDS. LABEL STATES "DO NOT PROP ANYTHING AGAINST RADIATOR FAN, PUSH AGAINST THEM IN ANY OTHER WAY. A DAMAGED RADIATOR FAN COULD BREAK WHEN TURNING AT HIGH SPEED AND CUASE SEROIUS PERSONAL INJURY. SEE REPAIR MANUAL . CONTACTED VW CORPORATE ,, CASE NUMBER HAS BEEN FILED) AND DAN WILDER PORT ANGLES WAS WHERE VAN WAS PURCHASED. VAN WAS STILL UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTLY 5 YRS AND 60,000 MILES. NEITHER WOULD TELL ME IF FAN WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY. FAN HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10194751June 27, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE CONNECTING ENDS OF THE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE REPAIR SHOP. THE VIN AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 62,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10193985June 22, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
ENGINE COOLING FAN ON DRIVER'S (LEFT) SIDE BROKE AND LOST A PIECE, CAUSING THE FAN TO BECOME UNBALANCED. THE LACK OF BALANCE CAUSED SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE CAR. CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR (REPLACEMENT) OF THE FAN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10192031May 30, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
RADIATOR FAN BLADE EXPLODED/PARTIALLY DISINTEGRATED WITHOUT WARNING. VIN [XXX] HAD ONLY 16000 MILES ON IT, AND NO WORK HAS BEEN DONE TO THE ENGINE TO DISTURB THE FAN BLADE. *TR UPDATED 07/10/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10190702May 14, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200000. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR NHTSA RECALL# 00V039000, REPLACING PART NUMBER 701201363E FUEL LINE, FEED AND PART NUMBER 701201363C FUEL LINE, RETURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS 1995 HAS THE SAME PARTS ON IT, BUT ARE NOT EXPERIENCING ANY PROBLEMS AS OF YET. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD RECALL THE 1995 AND ANY VEHICLES THAT ARE USING THESE PARTS. THE CONTACT WANTS TO GET HIS 1995 REPAIRED BUT VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT SELL HIM THE PART.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10186994April 4, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GENERATOR AND BATTERY INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ON FEBRUARY 23, 2006, THE ENGINE FAN WAS REPAIRED ON THE VEHICLE AND COST THE CONTACT $977. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT NEEDED TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL $92 FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS OF THE GENERATOR. THE CONTACT WAS ISSUED CASE # 60034264 BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 37,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10185706March 20, 2007
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
HEATED SEATS CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED THE UPPER PORTION OF THE PASSENGER SEAT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10182305February 12, 2007
WHEELS
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE WHEELS ON THE 2001 VOLKSWAGEN EURO VAN WITH14000 FAILURE MILEAGE INSPECTED DUE TO CONSTANT AIR LEAKAGE THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED STRESS CRACKS IN THE TWO REAR WHEELS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16100.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10168519September 18, 2006
SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
MY KID PULLED ON HIS SEAT BELT TO FASTEN IT, AND THE MALE LATCH CAME DETACHED FROM THE BELT. THE LATCH IS MADE BY TRW-AUTOMOTIVE, THE WORLD'S LARGEST PROVIDER OF SEAT BELT SYSTEMS. IT HAS THE FOLLOWING IDENTIFICATION: 0006 5980 TRW. THE SEAT BELT THAT FAILED IS A LAP-BELT ONLY (CENTER-SEAT). THE LATCH CONSISTS OF TWO SLIDING METAL PARTS AND A PLASTIC COVER. WHEN THE PLASTIC COVER BREAKS, THE BELT COMES LOOSE FROM THE MALE LATCH. THE SEAT BELT CAN FAIL IN A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY FROM THE CRASH. I REPORTED THIS TO VW CUSTOMER CARE, 800-822-8987. THEY ENTERED IT INTO THEIR DATABASE, AND TOLD ME TO GO TO A VW DEALER TO GET A REPAIR. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164280August 3, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
RADIATOR COOLING FAN DISINTEGRATED AND DESTROYED RADIATOR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164363August 3, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
THE AUXILIARY FAN BLADE ON MY EUROVAN CRACKED AND FLEW APART INTO SEVERAL PIECES. AFTER POSTING ON A VOLKSWAGEN WEBSITE, I LEARNED OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS PRESENTS A SERIOUS HAZARD AS IT COULD INJURE ANYONE IN THE VICINITY WHEN THE BLADE BREAKS. ALSO, IT CLEARLY SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING ON A FIVE-YEAR-OLD VEHICLE. HOWEVER, VOLKSWAGEN HAS DECLARED THAT IT IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY AND WILL CHARGE $600 TO REPAIR IT. I RECENTLY SAW THAT JEEP HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM, AND WAS WONDERING IF IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE TO ENCOURAGE VOLKSWAGEN TO CONSIDER A SIMILAR RECTIFICATION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162741July 18, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
RADIATOR FANS DISINTEGRATED WHILE DRIVING AND MADE A HOLE IN RADIATOR. THIS IS A VW EUROVAN 2002, AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS FOR MODEL YEARS 1998-2000. VW HAS REFUSED TO INCLUDE MINE IN THE RECALL. THE REPAIR COST $2060. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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