2001 Volkswagen Eurovan problems

ENGINE

RELIABLE INTERNET AUTOMOTIVE SOURCES HAVE LISTED EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE INTERMEDIATE (BALANCE SHAFT) VALVE TIMING CHAIN SPROCKET IN EARLY 2001 24-VALVE VR6 ENGINES. THE INADEQUATELY HARDENED SPROCKET TEETH WILL VEER EXCESSIVELY, SUCH THAT CHAIN "JUMPEDS" A TOOTH AND SINCE THE VR6 IS AN "INTERFERENCE" VALVE-TRAIN ENGINE, THE ENGINE WILL ESSENTIALLY BE IRREPARABLY DAMAGED.

NHTSA complaint #10651101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADE FAILURE. THE LARGER OF THE 2 FAN BLADE WHEELS HAS A LARGE MISSING PIECE WHICH HAS SOMEHOW DISINTEGRATED WITHOUT ANY REASONABLE EXPLANATION. I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION OF THE EUROVAN ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADE, HOWEVER A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED, WHILE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE RIALTA, WHICH USES THE SAME FAN AS THE EUROVAN.

NHTSA complaint #10436086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

TRAVELING WITH TWO OTHER RIALTA MOTOR HOMES VISITING JOSHIA TREE NP WHEN I HEARD A BANGING SOUND LIKE SOMETHING HITTING UNDER MY RIALTA. I IMMEDIATELY NOTED AN INCREASE IN WATER TEMPERATURE AND THEN THE RED WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, OPENED THE HOOD, BUT COULD NOT SEE A BUSTED HOSE, BUT THERE WAS ANTIFREEZE ON THE GROUND. I HAD A SPARE GALLON WITH ME AND FILLED THE RESERVOIR TO RECOMMENDED LEVEL, DROVE ABOUT 3-4 MILES AND HAD TO REPEAT PROCEDURE. AGAIN I WENT ABOUT 3-4 MILES AND HAD TO USE WATER THIS TIME. A PARK RANGER GAVE ME THE NAME OF A REPAIR SHOP IN TWENTYNINE, PALMS WHICH WAS ABOUT 3 MILES AWAY. I REFILLED THE RESERVOIR WITH WATER TO GET ME TO THE SHOP. UPON INSPECTION, A HOLE WAS FOUND IN THE RADIATOR. WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM WAS DISMANTLED, ONE COOLING FAN HAD COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED AND THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE SHROUD APPARENTLY WHERE PART OF THE FAN BRACKET THAT HAD BROKEN OFF WENT THROUGH THE SHROUD INTO THE RADIATOR. PARTS HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR, SHROUD, BRACKET AND ONE NEW FAN. THE OTHER FAN HAS A CHIP OUT OF ONE BLADE BUT IS NOT BROKEN. A FRIEND TOLD ME OF A RECENT RECALL FROM VW (ASSIGNED RECALL NO. 04V-107) REGARDING FAILURE OF THE ENGINE COOLING FANS, WHICH MAY FRACTURE AND BREAK APART. I HAVE ALSO NOTED THAT THE BRACKET PARTS NUMBER HAS CHANGED FROM 7D0-121-206A TO A 7D0-121-206D. ONE CAN DEFINITELY SEE THE DIFFERENCE IN THE TWO, WITH THE LATER BEING REDESIGNED AND REINFORCED. I PURCHASED THE RIALTA IN APRIL OF 2001. THE BRACKET, SHROUD AND RADIATOR ARE AVAILABLE, BUT I PREFER NOT TO CARRY THE RADIATOR WITH ME DUE TO SPACE CONSTRAINTS AND WEIGHT. I AM TRAVELING FOR AT LEAST TWO MORE MONTHS. PLEASE NOTE: THIS IA WINNEBAGO RIALTA ON A VOLKSWAGEN ENGINE. THE REPAIR SHOP MAY RETAIN THE RADIATOR IF NECESSARY. BAILEY'S AUTO REPAIR AND TOWING. TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA 92277. 760/367-7716. ASK FOR FRED.

NHTSA complaint #10275797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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.

NHTSA complaint #10182305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING SMOKE WAS SMELLED. THE SMOKE WAS DISCOVERED COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THEY DETERMINED THE SEAT HEATER BURNED THE SEAT. THE HEATER AND SEAT WERE REPLACED. AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP, WHILE DRIVING HOME THE ENGINE BLEW AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED AND DETERMINED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED; HOWEVER NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WERE MADE.

NHTSA complaint #10150334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING SMOKE WAS SMELLED. THE SMOKE WAS DISCOVERED COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THEY DETERMINED THE SEAT HEATER BURNED THE SEAT. THE HEATER AND SEAT WERE REPLACED. AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP, WHILE DRIVING HOME THE ENGINE BLEW AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED AND DETERMINED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED; HOWEVER NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WERE MADE.

NHTSA complaint #10150334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

DT: CONTACT STATES VEHICLE WILL NOT START. HOWEVER, AFTER WRIGGLING THE IGNITION SWITCH THE VEHICLE WILL START. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED IT WOULD BE AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR, THE WRIGGLING OF THE IGNITION MIGHTL RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10126268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEMS IN FRONT WINDOWS ON BOTH SIDES. WHEN PRESSING THE BUTTON DOWN TO LOWER THE WINDOW SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE DOOR. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, AND REPLACED THE WIRING WHICH CONTROLLED BOTH FRONT WINDOWS. ALSO, THE WIRING BURNED DOWN TO THE CONTROL PANEL.*AK.....CONSUMER PAID $491,98 FOR REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10106858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEMS IN FRONT WINDOWS ON BOTH SIDES. WHEN PRESSING THE BUTTON DOWN TO LOWER THE WINDOW SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE DOOR. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, AND REPLACED THE WIRING WHICH CONTROLLED BOTH FRONT WINDOWS. ALSO, THE WIRING BURNED DOWN TO THE CONTROL PANEL.*AK.....CONSUMER PAID $491,98 FOR REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10106858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

INTERMEDIATE DRIVE GEAR WHICH CONTROLS CAM SHAFT AND VALVE TRAIN FAILED DUE TO NON HARDENED METAL . TOTAL FAILURE OF ENGINE WAS TO ENSUE, ACCORDING TO VOLKSWAGEN(MAKER OF VEHICLE), IF DRIVEN FURTHER. THE CAR WAS BEING USED TO TRANSPORT MY FAMILY TO SEATTLE ,WA FROM SANTA ROSA,CA. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 500 MILES FROM HOME AND 75 MILES FROM NEAREST DEALER. WAS ADVISED BY VW THAT A VW DEALER MUST SERVE AS THE DIAGNOSTIC CENTER . THE FAILURE OCCURED IN WINTER AND WITH VIRTUALLY NO WARNING--THE "CHECK ENGINE " LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE MADE A GROANING SOUND. THE VAN (EUROVAN 2001) WAS TRANSPORTED BY TRUCK TO CORVALLIS,OR FOR REPAIRS. VEHICLE IS PRRESENTLY STILL THERE AND UNDERGOING GEAR REPLACEMENT. I WAS TOLD BY THE VW SERVICE ADVISOR AT CORVALLIS THAT VW HAD BUILT AN UNKNOWN NUMBER OF ENGINES WITH THIS DEFECT BUT DID NOT KNOW IN WHICH VEHICLES THEY WERE PLACED. THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION HAS 27,000+/- ORIGINAL MILES ON ENGINE AND ALL SERVICES RECOMMENDED BY VW WERE MADE AT VW DEALERSHIPS. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER.

NHTSA complaint #10105760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

MY BRAKES ARE SOFT AND FAIL TO KEEP THE CAR AT REST. THE PROBLEM STARTED ON 09/29/2004. SINCE THEN THE VW DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH MANY PARTS WERE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10104634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

I PURCHASED, NEW, A 2001 VW EUROVAN WINNEBAGO CAMPER. IN 31,000 MILES, THE VEHICLE IS NOW ON ITS' THIRD SET OF BRAKES. MY LAST VEHICLE, A 1992 MAZDA NAVAJO; I FINALLY REPLACED BRAKES AT APPROXIMATELY 72,000 MILES. MY DRIVING IS NOT AN ISSUE WITH THE VW. EACH SET OF CAMPER BRAKES COSTS, RIGHT AT $1,500.00. VW PICKED-UP THE COST OF BRAKE SET #2 AT 17,000 MILES. AN AWA, AS THEY ARE ONLY WARRANTEED FOR 12,000 MILES. RIDICULOUS, TO BE SURE. WE HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING THAT THE BRAKES ARE "GOING OUT". ONCE THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON - YOU MUST REPLACE THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM, NOT JUST PADS. AT 3 SETS IN 31,000 MILES; BRAKES ALONE ARE COSTING $150.00 FOR EVERY 1,000 MILES DRIVEN. ALSO, THIS VEHICLE HAS GONE THROUGH ELEVEN TIRES IN THIS SAME TIME FRAME, DUE TO INAPPROPRIATE SHOCKS (NOT HEAVY DUTY), AND THE COLLAPSE OF A MAJOR SPRING WHICH SUPPORTS THE CAMPER IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ON THE LEFT SIDE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY OTHER VW CAMPER OWNERS WITH 2001 MODELS AND THEY ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THINGS WITH BRAKES AND TIRES. VW AND WINNEBAGO DO NOT CARE AND WILL NOT LOWER THE PRICE OF THEIR BRAKE SYSTEMS, NOR EVEN PROVIDE THE PART NUMBERS FOR ANY HEAVY DUTY SHOCKS THAT CAN BE PUT ON THIS VEHICLE, NOT ABSORB THE COSTS OF THE VERY EXPENSIVE AND UNIQUE TIRE THAT MUST BE PUT ON THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE LOAD BEARING OF THE CAMPER PORTION. NO BRAKES SHOULD COST THIS MUCH, NO VEHICLE SHOULD GO THROUGH 11 TIRES IN 31,000 MILES. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10093043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT

I PURCHASED, NEW, A 2001 VW EUROVAN WINNEBAGO CAMPER. IN 31,000 MILES, THE VEHICLE IS NOW ON ITS' THIRD SET OF BRAKES. MY LAST VEHICLE, A 1992 MAZDA NAVAJO; I FINALLY REPLACED BRAKES AT APPROXIMATELY 72,000 MILES. MY DRIVING IS NOT AN ISSUE WITH THE VW. EACH SET OF CAMPER BRAKES COSTS, RIGHT AT $1,500.00. VW PICKED-UP THE COST OF BRAKE SET #2 AT 17,000 MILES. AN AWA, AS THEY ARE ONLY WARRANTEED FOR 12,000 MILES. RIDICULOUS, TO BE SURE. WE HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING THAT THE BRAKES ARE "GOING OUT". ONCE THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON - YOU MUST REPLACE THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM, NOT JUST PADS. AT 3 SETS IN 31,000 MILES; BRAKES ALONE ARE COSTING $150.00 FOR EVERY 1,000 MILES DRIVEN. ALSO, THIS VEHICLE HAS GONE THROUGH ELEVEN TIRES IN THIS SAME TIME FRAME, DUE TO INAPPROPRIATE SHOCKS (NOT HEAVY DUTY), AND THE COLLAPSE OF A MAJOR SPRING WHICH SUPPORTS THE CAMPER IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ON THE LEFT SIDE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY OTHER VW CAMPER OWNERS WITH 2001 MODELS AND THEY ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THINGS WITH BRAKES AND TIRES. VW AND WINNEBAGO DO NOT CARE AND WILL NOT LOWER THE PRICE OF THEIR BRAKE SYSTEMS, NOR EVEN PROVIDE THE PART NUMBERS FOR ANY HEAVY DUTY SHOCKS THAT CAN BE PUT ON THIS VEHICLE, NOT ABSORB THE COSTS OF THE VERY EXPENSIVE AND UNIQUE TIRE THAT MUST BE PUT ON THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE LOAD BEARING OF THE CAMPER PORTION. NO BRAKES SHOULD COST THIS MUCH, NO VEHICLE SHOULD GO THROUGH 11 TIRES IN 31,000 MILES. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10093043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

I PURCHASED, NEW, A 2001 VW EUROVAN WINNEBAGO CAMPER. IN 31,000 MILES, THE VEHICLE IS NOW ON ITS' THIRD SET OF BRAKES. MY LAST VEHICLE, A 1992 MAZDA NAVAJO; I FINALLY REPLACED BRAKES AT APPROXIMATELY 72,000 MILES. MY DRIVING IS NOT AN ISSUE WITH THE VW. EACH SET OF CAMPER BRAKES COSTS, RIGHT AT $1,500.00. VW PICKED-UP THE COST OF BRAKE SET #2 AT 17,000 MILES. AN AWA, AS THEY ARE ONLY WARRANTEED FOR 12,000 MILES. RIDICULOUS, TO BE SURE. WE HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING THAT THE BRAKES ARE "GOING OUT". ONCE THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON - YOU MUST REPLACE THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM, NOT JUST PADS. AT 3 SETS IN 31,000 MILES; BRAKES ALONE ARE COSTING $150.00 FOR EVERY 1,000 MILES DRIVEN. ALSO, THIS VEHICLE HAS GONE THROUGH ELEVEN TIRES IN THIS SAME TIME FRAME, DUE TO INAPPROPRIATE SHOCKS (NOT HEAVY DUTY), AND THE COLLAPSE OF A MAJOR SPRING WHICH SUPPORTS THE CAMPER IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ON THE LEFT SIDE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY OTHER VW CAMPER OWNERS WITH 2001 MODELS AND THEY ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THINGS WITH BRAKES AND TIRES. VW AND WINNEBAGO DO NOT CARE AND WILL NOT LOWER THE PRICE OF THEIR BRAKE SYSTEMS, NOR EVEN PROVIDE THE PART NUMBERS FOR ANY HEAVY DUTY SHOCKS THAT CAN BE PUT ON THIS VEHICLE, NOT ABSORB THE COSTS OF THE VERY EXPENSIVE AND UNIQUE TIRE THAT MUST BE PUT ON THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE LOAD BEARING OF THE CAMPER PORTION. NO BRAKES SHOULD COST THIS MUCH, NO VEHICLE SHOULD GO THROUGH 11 TIRES IN 31,000 MILES. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10093043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER

I PURCHASED, NEW, A 2001 VW EUROVAN WINNEBAGO CAMPER. IN 31,000 MILES, THE VEHICLE IS NOW ON ITS' THIRD SET OF BRAKES. MY LAST VEHICLE, A 1992 MAZDA NAVAJO; I FINALLY REPLACED BRAKES AT APPROXIMATELY 72,000 MILES. MY DRIVING IS NOT AN ISSUE WITH THE VW. EACH SET OF CAMPER BRAKES COSTS, RIGHT AT $1,500.00. VW PICKED-UP THE COST OF BRAKE SET #2 AT 17,000 MILES. AN AWA, AS THEY ARE ONLY WARRANTEED FOR 12,000 MILES. RIDICULOUS, TO BE SURE. WE HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING THAT THE BRAKES ARE "GOING OUT". ONCE THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON - YOU MUST REPLACE THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM, NOT JUST PADS. AT 3 SETS IN 31,000 MILES; BRAKES ALONE ARE COSTING $150.00 FOR EVERY 1,000 MILES DRIVEN. ALSO, THIS VEHICLE HAS GONE THROUGH ELEVEN TIRES IN THIS SAME TIME FRAME, DUE TO INAPPROPRIATE SHOCKS (NOT HEAVY DUTY), AND THE COLLAPSE OF A MAJOR SPRING WHICH SUPPORTS THE CAMPER IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ON THE LEFT SIDE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY OTHER VW CAMPER OWNERS WITH 2001 MODELS AND THEY ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THINGS WITH BRAKES AND TIRES. VW AND WINNEBAGO DO NOT CARE AND WILL NOT LOWER THE PRICE OF THEIR BRAKE SYSTEMS, NOR EVEN PROVIDE THE PART NUMBERS FOR ANY HEAVY DUTY SHOCKS THAT CAN BE PUT ON THIS VEHICLE, NOT ABSORB THE COSTS OF THE VERY EXPENSIVE AND UNIQUE TIRE THAT MUST BE PUT ON THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE LOAD BEARING OF THE CAMPER PORTION. NO BRAKES SHOULD COST THIS MUCH, NO VEHICLE SHOULD GO THROUGH 11 TIRES IN 31,000 MILES. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10093043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS

I PURCHASED, NEW, A 2001 VW EUROVAN WINNEBAGO CAMPER. IN 31,000 MILES, THE VEHICLE IS NOW ON ITS' THIRD SET OF BRAKES. MY LAST VEHICLE, A 1992 MAZDA NAVAJO; I FINALLY REPLACED BRAKES AT APPROXIMATELY 72,000 MILES. MY DRIVING IS NOT AN ISSUE WITH THE VW. EACH SET OF CAMPER BRAKES COSTS, RIGHT AT $1,500.00. VW PICKED-UP THE COST OF BRAKE SET #2 AT 17,000 MILES. AN AWA, AS THEY ARE ONLY WARRANTEED FOR 12,000 MILES. RIDICULOUS, TO BE SURE. WE HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING THAT THE BRAKES ARE "GOING OUT". ONCE THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON - YOU MUST REPLACE THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM, NOT JUST PADS. AT 3 SETS IN 31,000 MILES; BRAKES ALONE ARE COSTING $150.00 FOR EVERY 1,000 MILES DRIVEN. ALSO, THIS VEHICLE HAS GONE THROUGH ELEVEN TIRES IN THIS SAME TIME FRAME, DUE TO INAPPROPRIATE SHOCKS (NOT HEAVY DUTY), AND THE COLLAPSE OF A MAJOR SPRING WHICH SUPPORTS THE CAMPER IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ON THE LEFT SIDE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY OTHER VW CAMPER OWNERS WITH 2001 MODELS AND THEY ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THINGS WITH BRAKES AND TIRES. VW AND WINNEBAGO DO NOT CARE AND WILL NOT LOWER THE PRICE OF THEIR BRAKE SYSTEMS, NOR EVEN PROVIDE THE PART NUMBERS FOR ANY HEAVY DUTY SHOCKS THAT CAN BE PUT ON THIS VEHICLE, NOT ABSORB THE COSTS OF THE VERY EXPENSIVE AND UNIQUE TIRE THAT MUST BE PUT ON THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE LOAD BEARING OF THE CAMPER PORTION. NO BRAKES SHOULD COST THIS MUCH, NO VEHICLE SHOULD GO THROUGH 11 TIRES IN 31,000 MILES. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10093043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR FAILURE AT JUST OVER 25,000 MILES. OTHER VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN DRIVERS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR FAILURES, INCLUDING SEIZING OF THE COMPRESSOR, IMMEDIATE LOSS OF THE COMPRESSOR DRIVE BELT, AND A RESULTING LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

NHTSA complaint #10088898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR FAILURE AT JUST OVER 25,000 MILES. OTHER VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN DRIVERS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR FAILURES, INCLUDING SEIZING OF THE COMPRESSOR, IMMEDIATE LOSS OF THE COMPRESSOR DRIVE BELT, AND A RESULTING LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

NHTSA complaint #10088898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

VW USED PLASTIC IN THE EUROVAN'S OIL FILTER HOUSING. DURING TWO OIL CHANGES (5,000 MILES AND THEN AT 64,000 MILES) THE PLASTIC OIL FILTER HOUSING WAS CRACKED DURING ROUTINE OIL CHANGES WHICH THEN CAUSED OIL LOSS AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE/FAILURES. AS A RESULT OUR EUROVAN HAS SPENT 5 MONTHS IN THE SHOP FOR ONE ENGINE REBUILD AND THEN ONE ENGINE REPLACEMENT!

NHTSA complaint #10088781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR

DIOSCOVERED ONE OF FOUR BOLTS HOLDING THE REAR ANTI-SWAY BAR ON MY 2001 VW EUROVAN WAS LOOSE AND REQUIRED OVER TWO FULL TURNS BEFORE IT WAS TIGHTENED TO TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.

NHTSA complaint #10086594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

WE ARE DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED IN VWS PRACTICE REGARDING THE RECALL OF IGNITION COIL FAILURES ON THE 2001 VW EUROVAN. IT BELIES THEIR POLICY AS STATED ON THE INTERNET THAT THEY NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE PROBLEM, HAVE SUFFICIENT PARTS IN DEALERSHIPS, AND OFFER ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION AT NO COST. INDEED OWNERS SHOULD BE ALERTED OF POTENTIAL FAILURES AND VW SHOULD HAVE PLENTY OF PARTS ON HAND TO FIX THE PROBLEM. TO DATE WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION FROM VW OF AMERICA. WE DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM WHEN THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIT UP. FORTUNATELY FOR US, THE PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL THE TAIL END OF A 10,000-MILE JOURNEY ACROSS THE U.S. AND CANADA. ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL VW DEALER, COMMUNITY VW OF SANTA MARIA, THE REPAIR PARTS ORDERED ON DECEMBER 8 WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR ANOTHER THREE WEEKS. THE OTHER LOCAL DEALER, KIMBALL MOTORS OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, IS ALSO UNABLE TO GET THE PARTS ANY FASTER. YESTERDAY, DECEMBER 18, OUR EUROVAN FAILED TO START. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAS NOT OFFERED ANY ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION. SO WE WILL BE STRANDED FOR AT LEAST THREE WEEKS. WE CAN ONLY HOPE THOSE REPAIR PARTS WILL BE DELIVERED ON SCHEDULE. EITHER VW SHOULD LIVE UP TO THEIR STATED COMMITMENT BY PROVIDING REPAIR PARTS AND ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION NOW OR RESTATE THE POLICY TO MATCH THEIR ACTIONS OF LETTING THE BUYER BEWARE. WE HAVE CONVEYED THIS INFORMATION TO VW CUSTOMER SERVICE.

NHTSA complaint #10050779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PULL OFF FROM A LIGHT VEHICLE HAD A DELAY IN ACCELERATION. DRIVER HAD TO PUSH GAS PEDAL ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. THEN VEHICLE WOULD JUMP FORWARD. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10042059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THE ENGINE FELL FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO A MISSING BOLT, ALSO THE TRANSMISSION WAS INOPERATIVE. *JB THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT PRIOR TO PURCHASE. THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON, THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER HEARD A LOUD RATTLE AND VIEWED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHEN THE CONSUMER HAD COME TO AN INTERSECTION, WHEN ACCELERATED, THE VEHICLE HAD MADE A NOISE THEN WOULD NOT MOVE. THE BOLTS HAD SPRAYED OVER THE ROAD. SCC

NHTSA complaint #10015157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE ENGINE FELL FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO A MISSING BOLT, ALSO THE TRANSMISSION WAS INOPERATIVE. *JB THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT PRIOR TO PURCHASE. THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON, THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER HEARD A LOUD RATTLE AND VIEWED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHEN THE CONSUMER HAD COME TO AN INTERSECTION, WHEN ACCELERATED, THE VEHICLE HAD MADE A NOISE THEN WOULD NOT MOVE. THE BOLTS HAD SPRAYED OVER THE ROAD. SCC

NHTSA complaint #10015157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.