Owners have filed 22 complaints
about the 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan with NHTSA between 1997 and 2007.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 7 of 7 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 28
Against the median year of the Volkswagen Eurovan. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 23
4.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 1997 compares with every other Volkswagen Eurovan
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1997 Volkswagen Eurovan
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Fuel & Propulsion
313.6%
Median failure at 61,000 miles
Brakes
313.6%
Electrical System
313.6%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 45,500 mi
Equipment & Accessories
29.1%
Seat Belts
29.1%
Tires
29.1%
Transmission & Drivetrain
29.1%
Other & Unspecified
14.5%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
14.5%
Suspension
14.5%
Body & Structure
14.5%
Engine & Cooling
14.5%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Aug 1997peak 6Jun 2007
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 45,500 milesWhittier, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 1997 VW EUROVAN CAMPER CAUGHT FIRE ON DECEMBER 8, 2002 AS IT WAS BEING DRIVEN ON INTERSTATE 10 NEAR REDLANDS, CA. IT WAS TOTALLY LOST. APPARENTLY THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. VW, AFTER INSPECTION, DENIES RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE AN AFTER MARKET RADIO WAS INSTALLED. THE FIRM WHICH INSTALLED THE RADIO HAS INSPECTED THE CAR AND REPORTS THAT THE FIRE WAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS GOOD EVIDENCE OF MUCH MORE HEAT ON THE RIGHT SIDE. WIRE INSULATION JACKETS ARE BURNED OFF THERE AND NOT NEAR THE RADIO. NO WIRES WERE CUT DURING THE RADIO INSTALLATION, BUT RATHER THE RADIO PLUG WAS CONNECTED TO THE VW PLUG. THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 45,000 MILES ON IT. ON NOV. 6, 1998, THE DEALER REPLACED THE REGULATOR MOTOR AND THE WINDOW MOTOR IN THE PASSENGER DOOR. ON JUNE 19, 2000, THE DEALER REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR. ON JULY 17, 2000, THE DEALER FOUND A LOOSE WIRE CONNECTION WHEN I REPORTED THAT THE SPEAKERS WERE NOT WORKING SINCE THE JUNE 19 REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10000297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 61,000 milesSalt Lake City, UT
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.
NHTSA complaint #10194751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charlestown, MA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE PLASTIC PIECE ON THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT BELT THAT LATCHES AND UNLATCHES THE BELT BUCKLE BROKE AND THE SPRING POPPED OUT. THE SEAT BELT CANNOT BE USED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10115165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,500 milesWhittier, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 1997 VW EUROVAN CAMPER CAUGHT FIRE ON DECEMBER 8, 2002 AS IT WAS BEING DRIVEN ON INTERSTATE 10 NEAR REDLANDS, CA. IT WAS TOTALLY LOST. APPARENTLY THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. VW, AFTER INSPECTION, DENIES RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE AN AFTER MARKET RADIO WAS INSTALLED. THE FIRM WHICH INSTALLED THE RADIO HAS INSPECTED THE CAR AND REPORTS THAT THE FIRE WAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS GOOD EVIDENCE OF MUCH MORE HEAT ON THE RIGHT SIDE. WIRE INSULATION JACKETS ARE BURNED OFF THERE AND NOT NEAR THE RADIO. NO WIRES WERE CUT DURING THE RADIO INSTALLATION, BUT RATHER THE RADIO PLUG WAS CONNECTED TO THE VW PLUG. THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 45,000 MILES ON IT. ON NOV. 6, 1998, THE DEALER REPLACED THE REGULATOR MOTOR AND THE WINDOW MOTOR IN THE PASSENGER DOOR. ON JUNE 19, 2000, THE DEALER REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR. ON JULY 17, 2000, THE DEALER FOUND A LOOSE WIRE CONNECTION WHEN I REPORTED THAT THE SPEAKERS WERE NOT WORKING SINCE THE JUNE 19 REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10000297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bend, OR
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
PROBLEM IS AN INTERMITTENT, UNNESCESSARY, SUDDEN DOWNSHIFT OF TRANSMISSION WHEN ASCENDING A STEEP, LONG GRADE. AFTER DOWNSHIFTING, THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT UPSHIFT EVEN WHEN RPM'S APPROACH 5000, FORCING ME TO SLOW DOWN. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #756026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairfield, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
PREMATURE WEAR OF THE BRAKE ROTORS.*AK CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT FRONT AND REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPALCED CONSUMER WAS COMPLAING OF BRAKES BEING NOISY WHEN BRAKING.
NHTSA complaint #888575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairfield, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
PREMATURE WEAR OF THE BRAKE ROTORS.*AK CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT FRONT AND REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPALCED CONSUMER WAS COMPLAING OF BRAKES BEING NOISY WHEN BRAKING.
NHTSA complaint #888575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eureka, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
STRONG FUEL ODOR, FUEL TANK LEAKING, GAS CAP REPLACED 7/00, A SLACK TUBE TEST DONE 10/12/00, SIGNIFICANT LEAK FOUND, 10/23/00, LEAK FOUND ON THE FUEL FILLER NECK VALVE ASSEMBLY, FUEL TANK, CHARCOAL CANISTER AND VARIOUS CONNECTIONS RELATED TO FUEL TANK REPLACED. CJ
NHTSA complaint #559523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eureka, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES SQUEAK, OWNER WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE WAS OPERATING TO MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS, BRAKES STILL SQUEAK. CJ
NHTSA complaint #559523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eureka, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
GEAR LEVER DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. CJ
NHTSA complaint #559523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eureka, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
OIL LEAKING, NOT A PROBLEM UNTIL AFTER TWO YEAR WARRANTY SERVICE WAS PERFORMED, SOME BOLTS WERE TIGHTENED BY ANOTHER DEALERSHIP, THIS WORKED FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS, NOW OIL IS LEAKING AGAIN. CJ
NHTSA complaint #559523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eureka, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
CIRCUIT BOARD THAT INDICATES FRESH WATER, WASTE WATER AND PROPANE LEVELS NOT WORKING, CIRCUIT BOARD REPLACED. CJ
NHTSA complaint #559523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eureka, CA
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
REFRIFERATOR STOPPED WORKING. CJ
NHTSA complaint #559523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Zuni, NM
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DOOR RELEASE LEVER BROKE DUE TO POOR CONSTRUCTION, THIS MEANS THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR RELEASE NO LONGER OPERATES "CLEANLY" AS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NEW. NLM
NHTSA complaint #551937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Golden, CO
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WE HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. WE WROTE A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF MANY OF THE PROBLEMS AND SENT IT TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA CONSUMER RELATIONS. THEY WERE NOT THE LEAST BIT INTERESTED IN ANY OF OUR PROBLEMS. WE CALLED THEM SEVERAL TIMES AFTER SENDING THE DETAILED LETTER AND THEY SAID "TOO BAD, NOT OUR PROBLEM." NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) LISTED IN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #718113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burke, VA
TIRES
GOODYEAR NO LONGER MAKES A TIRE THAT WILL HANDLE THE MAXIMUM LOAD CAPACITY THAT IS NEEDED FOR THIS VAN. THE GVW IS APPROXIMATELY 5000. ONCE WATER, PROPANE, PASSENGERS, LUGGAGE, CAMPING EQUIPMENT IS ADDED, ANY CURRENT BRAND OF TIRE IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO SUSTAIN WEIGHT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SOMEONE SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE, AND I BELIEVE IT IS VOLKSWAGEN MANUFACTURER. I'VE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO FIND A MAXIMUM LOAD OF 1500 POUNDS PER TIRE (6,000 TOTAL) WHICH IS NOT SUFFICIENT.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 1957015G64 )
NHTSA complaint #712796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tujunga, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY DIED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A DAY. YH
NHTSA complaint #606560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tujunga, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #606560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tujunga, CA
TIRES
TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOW. YH
NHTSA complaint #606560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Covina, CA
SUSPENSION
THE REAR TIRES WEAR OUT BEFORE THE MILEAGE IS EXCEEDED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #848133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Covina, CA
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD GO UP & THEN COME BACK DOWN WITHOUT THE POWER BUTTON BEING PRESSED. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 1998. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES & PROBLEM COULD NOT BE SOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #847433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denver, CO
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
THE PROPANE GAS COMPONENT OF THE NORCOLD REFRIGERATOR DOES NOT FUNCTION IN HIGH ALTITUDE AREAS.
NHTSA complaint #520555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Zuni, NM
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FUEL LEAK FROM KINKED FUEL LINE.
NHTSA complaint #520200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.