2000 Volkswagen Eurovan problems

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE IS THAT AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE AND HEAT BUILDS UP INSIDE THE GAS TANK WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND TO EVEN A GREATER EXTENT WHEN IN STOP-N-GO TRAFFIC OR SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT IDLING. THE RESULT IS THAT WHEN OPENING THE GAS CAP FROM HOT FUMES AND FUEL SPRAY OUT AFTER RUNNING THE VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN AN HOUR. THERE ARE NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR CHECKS IN PLACE TO WARN OR PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING. IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN! I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE VW DEALER FOR OVER ONE YEAR NOW BUT STILL NO RESOLVE. UNDER THE DIRECTION OF VW OF AMERICA THEIR CERTIFIED MECHANICS HAVE SYSTEMATICALLY REPLACED ALMOST ALL OF THE COMPONENTS RELATING TO THE FUEL SYSTEM BUT TO NO RESOLVE. AT THIS POINT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSIST AND THE DEALERSHIP IS RELUCTANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE GAS TANK IS ACTUALLY HEATING UP EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE REPRODUCED THE RESULTS IN THEIR SHOP. I DO HAVE A VIDEO OF THE PROBLEM IN ACTION BUT AM UNABLE TO SHARE THAT WITH YOU THROUGH THE DOCUMENT UPLOADING SYSTEM. BY THE WAY I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND HAVE ALWAYS HAD IT SERVICED AT THE CERTIFIED VW DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA complaint #10808895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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.

NHTSA complaint #10236642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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

NHTSA complaint #10204175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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.

NHTSA complaint #10193985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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.

NHTSA complaint #10168519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

MY WIFE, ON A RECENT DRIVE FROM NO. CALIFORNIA TO SOUTHERN CA NOTED AN UNUSUAL SOUND FROM UNDER THE HOOD. NO OVERHEATING OR OTHER ISSUES THOUGH. WHEN SHE STOPPED SHE NOTED ONE OF THE PLASTIC RADIATOR FANS WAS BROKEN IN MULTIPLE PIECES. SINCE SHE WAS AWAY FROM HOME I TOLD HER TO GO TO THE LOCAL DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THEY DECIDED THE ENTIRE FAN ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND THAT THE RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. THE PARTS ALONE WERE ABOUT $2300 TOTAL REPAIR FOR THIS ABOUT $2900. WHEN THEY RETURNED THE CAR SHE FOUND THAT THE AC WAS NO LONGER WORKING. SO BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY STATED THE AC COMPRESSOR WAS BAD (BTW THE AC WORKED WELL PRIOR TO THE RADIATOR EVENT) SO THE COMPRESSOR AND EVAPORATOR/DRYER WERE REPLACED ANOTHER $1200 APPROX. THEN UPON RETURNING HOME TO NO. CAL. THE AC STILL DIDN'T WORK. NOW WE WENT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY STATED THE HIGH AND LOW PRESSURE HOSES TO THE AC WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, PARTS ALONE $750 THE DEALER IN LONG BEACH DID KICK IN $300 FOR THE LABOR AND $150 FOR THE FREON RECHARGE. THE STORY CONTINUES... THEN THE AC FAILED AGAIN. THIS TIME I NOTED THAT THE RIGHT FAN WAS REWIRED IMPROPERLY AND RUNNING BACKWARDS. THIS WAS REWIRED BY THE OAKLAND DEALER AND THUS FAR THE AC SEEMS TO BE WORKING THOUGH SOMETIMES IT IS LOUD. THE INITIAL FAN DISINTEGRATION IS A DEFECT AND THIS HAS LEAD TO A CONSTELLATION OF PROBLEMS REQUIRING NEW FAN, NEW RADIATOR, NEW AC. A RADIATOR FAN SHOULD NOT SPONTANEOUSLY DISINTEGRATE AT 60.000 MILES. THIS DEFECT HAS BEEN REPORTED MULTIPLE TIME ON YOUR WEBSITE AND THIS SHOULD BE A COVERED DEFECT IN THESE VEHICLES.

NHTSA complaint #10143628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

2000 VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN ENGINE COOLING FAN BROKE APART.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. THE CONSUMER PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION HE NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE COOLING FANS HAD BROKEN. THE CONSUMER DID SOME RESEARCH ABOUT FOUND OUT THAT 1998-2000 EUROVANS HAD BEEN RECALLED FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM BUT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN.

NHTSA complaint #10137776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

THREE TIMES IN THE LAST 3 YEARS (2003-2005) I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY ENGINE COOLING FANS ON A 2000 VW EUROVAN, TWICE BECAUSE THEY EXPLODED. IN EACH CASE ADDITIONAL DAMAGE WAS INCURRED DUE TO THE FLYING PIECES OF FAN. THE VW DEALERS (IN NJ, VA/FL, AND PA) ASSERTED THAT THERE WAS NO HISTORY OF THIS OCCURRING, DESPITE CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN VW AND NHTSA IN 2003.

NHTSA complaint #10132200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

DT:I BRAKE LIGHT WILL COME ON . WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF/THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP FUNCTIONING, AND AIR CONDITIONER (A/C) STOPS. THE NEW DEALER COULD NOT FIND CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, AND CLAIMED THAT IT WAS NORMAL. IT WAS HAPPENING QUITE FREQUENTLY. CONSUMER HAS TEENAGE CHILDREN, AND IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE,ONE OF MY CHILDREN COULD HAVE DIED. IF HEADLIGHTS HAD BEEN TURNED ON, AND IF I CONSUMER PULLED ON THEM HIGH BEAM WOULD STICK AND STAY ON. CONSUMER WOULD ONLY HAVE HIGH BEAMS. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL COME ON.

NHTSA complaint #10125079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

DT:I BRAKE LIGHT WILL COME ON . WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF/THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP FUNCTIONING, AND AIR CONDITIONER (A/C) STOPS. THE NEW DEALER COULD NOT FIND CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, AND CLAIMED THAT IT WAS NORMAL. IT WAS HAPPENING QUITE FREQUENTLY. CONSUMER HAS TEENAGE CHILDREN, AND IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE,ONE OF MY CHILDREN COULD HAVE DIED. IF HEADLIGHTS HAD BEEN TURNED ON, AND IF I CONSUMER PULLED ON THEM HIGH BEAM WOULD STICK AND STAY ON. CONSUMER WOULD ONLY HAVE HIGH BEAMS. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL COME ON.

NHTSA complaint #10125079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

DT:I BRAKE LIGHT WILL COME ON . WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF/THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP FUNCTIONING, AND AIR CONDITIONER (A/C) STOPS. THE NEW DEALER COULD NOT FIND CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, AND CLAIMED THAT IT WAS NORMAL. IT WAS HAPPENING QUITE FREQUENTLY. CONSUMER HAS TEENAGE CHILDREN, AND IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE,ONE OF MY CHILDREN COULD HAVE DIED. IF HEADLIGHTS HAD BEEN TURNED ON, AND IF I CONSUMER PULLED ON THEM HIGH BEAM WOULD STICK AND STAY ON. CONSUMER WOULD ONLY HAVE HIGH BEAMS. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL COME ON.

NHTSA complaint #10125079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AIR CONDITIONING (A/C) FAILURE. THE AC SYSTEM IN MY VOLKS EUROVAN HAS FAILED THREE TIMES OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS. EACH TIME IT HAS BEEN $1400 REPAIR. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER EUROVAN OWNERS AND THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IN FACT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER TOLD ME VW NEEDS TO RECALL THESE VANS BECAUSE IT IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM. I CALLED VW USA AND THEY DIDN'T OFFER ANY SERVICE. THE VAN AC HAS FAILED ON THE FOLLOWING DATES. DEC 02, JUNE 04, AND MAR 2005.

NHTSA complaint #10114717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

I AM AN OWNER OF 2000 VOLKSWAGON CAMPER OWNER. MY ENGINE COOLING FANS CAME APART. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY IT IS NOT RECALLED. IN MAY 2004, I RECEIVED FROM VOLKSWAGEN A STICKER TO PUT AT THE SIDE OF THE HOOD FOR WARNING THE ENGINE COOLING FANS MAY CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY. IT WAS NOT A RECALL NOTICE. ON JULY 4 WEEKEND, I PLANNED WITH THE FAMILY FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO CENTRAL CALIFORNIA SHAVER LAKE FOR A RETREAT. WE DRIVE UP ON ROUTE 168. SUDDENLY WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM OUR 2000 VW CAMPER. WE ASK EACH OTHER WHAT IT WAS. WE THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING WE HIT UNDERNEATH THE CAMPER. WE STILL CONTINUED ON OUR WAY. WITHIN FEW MINUTES, ANOTHER LOUD NOISES AGAIN. WE KNOW THAT MUST BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAMPER. WE PULL TO THE SIDE AND I COULD HEAR A HUM SOUND THAT I NEVER HEARD BEFORE. I OPEN THE HOOD AND FOUND SOME HARD-PLASTIC PARTS NEAR THE HOOD. THERE WERE TWO FANS AND THE NOISE WAS COME FROM THE FANS. BOTH FANS WERE INCINERATED EXCEPT THE CENTER HUB STILL SPINNING WE HAVE CAREFULLY WATCHED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND DROVE TO FRESNO, I BROUGHT TO VW DEAL FOR REPAIR IN THE MORNING BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART. WE DROVE THE CAMPER BACK TO SAN FRANCISCO ON THE FREEWAY WITHOUT STOPPING AND WATCH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE. I RAN THE INTERNET TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE VW COOLING FAN. IT HAD HAPPENED BEFORE. A RECALL WAS INITIATED IN APRIL 2004 ON VW WINNEBAGO RIALTA, WHICH IS SIMILAR WITH MY CAMPER WITH EUROVAN CHASSIS EXCEPT WITH WIDER BODY. THE FANS IS ENCLOSED WITH HOOD ON TOP, RADIATOR AT THE FRONT, ENGINE AT THE REAR, PLASTIC PAN AT THE BOTTOM AND BODY CHASSIS ON BOTH SIDE. THERE IS NOT WAY SOMETHING WILL HIT IT AND CAUSE THE DAMAGE TO THE FANS. I GLAD THAT I DID NOT STOP AND OPEN THE HOOD AFTER THE FIRST NOISE. THE SECOND FAN MAY BREAK RIGHT THEN AND THE FRACTURE PARTS MIGHT FLY OUT AND CAUSE ME SERIOUS INJURY.

NHTSA complaint #10080538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE OF INSULATION ON MANY WIRES IN DRIVER'S DOOR WIRING HARNESS CAUSED SPARKS, AND ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION OF POWER WINDOWS, POWER LOCKS, DASH LIGHTS, AND LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS. HEAT FROM EXCESSIVE CURRENT AND SPARKS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN FIRE. ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY DRIVER LEANING OVER TO PASSENGER SIDE IN ORDER TO OPERATE PASSENGER WINDOW. OTHER PROBLEMS SUCH AS DEAD BATTERY, ENGINE FAILURE, OR SECURITY FAILURE COULD ALSO BE CAUSED BY DEFECT.DEFECT APPEARS TO BE IN DESIGN OF WIRING HARNESS WHICH FLEXES AT THE EXACTLY THE SAME POINT WHEN DOOR IS OPENED AND CLOSED COMBINED WITH POOR QUALITY MATERIAL USED FOR WIRING INSULATION. INSULATION HAS CRACKED AND SPLIT APART ON MANY OF THE WIRES IN THE DOOR WIRING HARNESS ALLOWING BARE COPPER TO COME INTO CONTACT RANDOMLY FROM WIRE TO WIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10049411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE OF INSULATION ON MANY WIRES IN DRIVER'S DOOR WIRING HARNESS CAUSED SPARKS, AND ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION OF POWER WINDOWS, POWER LOCKS, DASH LIGHTS, AND LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS. HEAT FROM EXCESSIVE CURRENT AND SPARKS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN FIRE. ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY DRIVER LEANING OVER TO PASSENGER SIDE IN ORDER TO OPERATE PASSENGER WINDOW. OTHER PROBLEMS SUCH AS DEAD BATTERY, ENGINE FAILURE, OR SECURITY FAILURE COULD ALSO BE CAUSED BY DEFECT.DEFECT APPEARS TO BE IN DESIGN OF WIRING HARNESS WHICH FLEXES AT THE EXACTLY THE SAME POINT WHEN DOOR IS OPENED AND CLOSED COMBINED WITH POOR QUALITY MATERIAL USED FOR WIRING INSULATION. INSULATION HAS CRACKED AND SPLIT APART ON MANY OF THE WIRES IN THE DOOR WIRING HARNESS ALLOWING BARE COPPER TO COME INTO CONTACT RANDOMLY FROM WIRE TO WIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10049411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE HE WAS DRIVING COOLING FAN DISINTEGRATED AND BROKE INTO A THOUSAND PIECES, AND A PIECE GOT LODGED IN THE POWER STEERING FAN BELT. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE POWER STEERING. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT COULD NOT GET HELP. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THEY WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE HIM AT THE TUNE OF $1000.00 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10040462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE HE WAS DRIVING COOLING FAN DISINTEGRATED AND BROKE INTO A THOUSAND PIECES, AND A PIECE GOT LODGED IN THE POWER STEERING FAN BELT. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE POWER STEERING. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT COULD NOT GET HELP. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THEY WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE HIM AT THE TUNE OF $1000.00 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10040462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

COOLING FAN BLADE BROKE INTO PIECES, CAUSING A PIECE TO WEDGE BETWEEN THE SERPENTINE BELT, CAUSING LACK OF POWER INSIDE OF VEHICLE. *AK PIECES OF THE COOLING FAN BLADE ALSO CUT THE ELECTRICAL WIRES AND VACUUM LINES. *PH *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10040310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

OUR RIALTA 2000 HD HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAN FAILURE ON JUNE 6, 2003. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED IN LATE AFTERNOON WHILE THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS ABOVE 100 DEGREES. THE A/C WAS RUNNING FULL SPEED AND WE WERE ASCENDING THE SISKIYOU SUMMIT SOUTH OF ASHLAND, OR. THE FIRST SYMPTOM WAS A THUD AS IF WE HAD RUN OVER SOMETHING, BUT THERE HAD BEEN NOTHING IN THE ROAD. I SAW WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A PIECE OF ONE OF THE FANS BOUNCING IN THE ROAD BEHIND US. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NOT A VEHICLE DIRECTLY BEHIND US. ANY SUCH CLOSE FOLLOWING VEHICLE COULD HAVE BEEN HIT BY THIS PIECE OF ENGINE DEBRIS. WITHIN SECONDS WE NOTICED THE A/C FAILING AND THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE CLIMBING. WE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. HOT STEAM WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE STEAM WAS FROM THE COOLANT OVERFLOWING IN THE COOLANT RESERVOIR AND CONTACTING THE HOT ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. ONE OR BOTH OF THE FANS HAD FLOWN APART. BOTH FANS HAD LOST ALL BLADES. PIECES OF THE FAN WERE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE AND ON TOP OF THE PROTECTIVE PAN. THE FLYING DEBRIS HAD DAMAGED THE RADIATOR AND FAN BRACKET (FAN SHROUD). VW CUSTOMER CARE SAID THERE WERE NO RECORDS OF OTHER RIALTAS OR EURO-VANS EXPERIENCING THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. WE HAVE ALL OUR REPAIR RECEIPTS. WE TOOK PICTURES OF ALL THE DAMAGED PARTS. WE KEPT THE RADIATOR, FAN SHROUD, THE TWO FANS, AND ALL PIECES OF FAN BLADES WE COULD FIND. AT LEAST ONE OF THE PIECES OF FAN BLADE HAS A FRACTURE LINE WHERE IT HAS NOT YET BROKEN.

NHTSA complaint #10039157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

DRIVING UP THE MOUNTAIN DURING AFTERNOON AND PRIMARY COOLING FAN SELF DISINTEGRATED INTO PIECES WHICH KNOCK OFF SECONDARY A/C FAN AND CAUSED OVERHEAT. AFTER LETTING ENGINE COOL OFF, RECONNECTED SECONDARY FAN AND CONTINUE ON TRIP FOR ANOTHER 30 MILES, THEN AAIR CONDITIONING FAN ALSO SELF DISINTEGRATED. VEHICLE IS A 2000 VW EUROVAN CONVERSION TO WINNEBAGO RIALTA 2001 WITH 15,000 MILES. IF REPLACEMENT ARE DONE BY DEALERSHIP, THE SAME PROBLEM WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN UNLESS THIS FAN PROBLEM ARE INVESTIGATED BY NHTSA AND MANDATORY RECALL ISSUED AND REPLACEMENT WITH BETTER FANS DONE BY DEALERSHIPS. DUE TO MOST OF THIS DISINTEGRATION HAPPENS DURING CLIMBING UPHILL, OVERHEATING, CUTTING OF HOSES AND CUTTING OF WIRING AND LOSS OF VEHICLE ARE POSSIBLE, THUS POSSESS REAL DANGER FOR ANYONE WHICH HAS THESE VEHICLES. SIMPLE REPLACEMENT OF SAME TYPE OF FANS WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM AS IT WILL ONLY HAPPEN AGAIN DOWN THE ROAD.

NHTSA complaint #10033493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

ON JUNE 13, 2003 BOTH OF OUR RIALTAS ELECTRIC COOLING FANS SELF DESTRUCTED AFTER STARING THE DESCEND DOWN EAGLE RIDGE MOUNTAIN IN TN. AFTER A FEW SCARY MINUTES MY WIFE SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATED THE RV TO SAFETY WITH MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN AND SISTER ABOARD. BECAUSE OF THE MISSING BLADES THE UNIT CONTINUED TO VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY FOR FIVE MINUTES UNTIL IT COOLED DOWN. TWENTY MINUTES LATER MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND EVERYTHING APPEARED TO BE WORKING IN IDLE UNTIL THE COOLING FAN ATTEMPTED TO START ITS COOLING FUNCTION AGAIN. MY WIFE CALLED A TENNESSEE HIGHWAY HELPER WHO STOPPED TO LOOK AT THE UNIT AND IMMEDIATELY NOTED THE MISSING FAN BLADES AND CALLED FOR A TOW. THE RIG WAS TOWED TO VW OF CHATTANOOGA TENNESSEE WHO UPON INSPECTION DETERMINED IT NEEDED NEW FAN BLADES WHICH THEY DID NOT HAVE IN STOCK. TO HELP EXPEDITE THE PARTS I ALSO CALLED DEALERS LOOKING FOR PARTS. AFTER CONTACTING 5 VW DEALERS AND SALLY EBERLE AT VW; PER YOUR WINNEBAGO'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION, IT BECAME APPARENT THAT NEITHER COMPANY ACKNOWLEDGED A HISTORICAL PROBLEM WITH THAT ENGINES DESIGNED COOLING SYSTEM. MRS. EBERLE MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE IS DESIGNED TO AUTOMATICALLY SHUT DOWN DURING A COOLING FAN FAILURE. LUCKILY THIS WAS NOT THE CASE DURING OUR DESCEND DOWN MT EAGLE. AFTER CONTACTING MANY VW PARTS DEPARTMENTS I WAS SURPRISED TO FIND THAT THEY NORMALLY STOCK A REPLACEMENT FAN ASSEMBLY FOR MY PARTICULAR VIN NUMBER. OFF THE WEB I HAVE ALSO MADE CONTACT TO DATE WITH TWO OTHER RIALTA OWNERS OUT OF SIX WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. TWO OF THEM HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THEIR REPAIRED RIALTA. 1.) IS MY UNIT SAFE? 2.) MOST IMPORTANT - HAS THE PROBLEM BEEN FIXED???

NHTSA complaint #10023632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.