57 of the 282 complaints filed about the Volkswagen Eurovan are about the engine — 20% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2000.
57
Complaints
20%
Share of all complaints
0
Crashes
4
Fires
ENGINE
****NOTE - NEED MORE INFORMATION. CONTACTED CONSUMER - 8/6/20**** PROBLEM: RADIATOR FAN BLADES ARE BROKEN AND/OR MISSING. RADIATOR OVERHEATED. TOOK TO VW DEALER TODAY, AND WAS TOLD FAN BLADES WERE BROKEN AND/OR MISSING.
NHTSA complaint #11342095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR IDLING, THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A LEAK IN THE MANIFOLD, WHICH CAUSED EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR INTAKE. THE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. ..UPDATED 08/22/17 *BF
NHTSA complaint #10939525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH, STRAIGHT AND LEVEL DOWN MAIN STREET IN WOODLAND PARK , CO AND EXPERIENCED A LOUD POP, NOISE AND VIBRATION. ENGINE LURCHED TO A STOP. HARD TO CONTROL VEHICLE. WE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. WE THOUGHT WE HAD HIT SOMETHING. TURNED OUT THE COOLING SYSTEM FAN BLADES DISINTEGRATED. PIECES (SCHRAPNEL) PUNCTURED RADIATOR, HOSES AND BELTS. FIRE AND POLICE HAD TO RESPOND DUE TO POSSIBLE FIRE AND FLUID LEAKING. VEHICLE TOWED TO GARAGE. SAME PROBLEM AS EARLIER RECALLS 1998-2000 AND 2013 (?). VW REFUSES TO PAY FOR REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10892856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
230 DAYS IN VW DEALER'S REPAIR SHOP ! I PURCHASED A 2002 VW EUROVAN WEEKENDER CAMPER WITH 142,276 MILES ON 2/25/12 BECAUSE OF ITS EXCELLENT SPACE UTILIZATION AND BECAUSE IT HAD A REPLACEMENT ENGINE STILL UNDER VW WARRANTY. I WAS VERY WRONG ABOUT THE VW WARRANTY. I PAID $21,780.63 FOR WARRANTY AND/OR FAULTY REPAIRS ALL PERFORMED BY VW DEALERS WITH VW PARTS! IT COST ME $1.02 FOR EACH OF THE 21,360 MILES I DROVE MY VW. THE FAULTY REPAIRS INVOLVED 3 REPLACEMENT ENGINES (COOLANT HOSE CLAMPS POPPED OFF), 2 REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSIONS, AND 2 DRIVE DISC REPLACEMENTS (NO GUIDE SLEEVES INSTALLED). ONE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT AFTER FEWER THAN 1800 MILES! NEITHER VW IN GERMANY OR AMERICA WOULD HONOR THEIR 12 MONTH/12,000 MILE WARRANTY FOR VW DEALERS. OWNER DATE DAYS MILEAGE <---- ADVERTISED VW 12 MONTHS/12,000 MILE WARRANTY----> PAID PAID W/O VAN OUT ACTUAL MONTHS/MILES <------- DESCRIPTION OF REPAIR -------> _________ ________ _____ _______ _________________ ____________________________ 09/12/07 6 82,311 1ST REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION 04/08/11 18 134,638 1ST REPLACEMENT ENGINE INSTALLED $ 8,077.00 04/19/12 50 143,054 10.7MOS / 8,416MILES 2ND REPLACEMENT ENGINE INSTALLED $10,588.62 12/05/12 131 144,925 3.3MOS / 1,871MILES 3RD REPL. ENGINE&2ND REPL. TRANS. $ 115.01 03/03/14 1 160,732 15.0MOS/15807MILES REPLACED NEW VW BATTERY $ 3,000.00 03/24/14 5 163,636 15.7MOS/18711MILES REPLACED 1ST BROKEN DRIVE DISC $ 01/09/15 19 170,638 9.0MOS / 7,002MILES REPLACED 2ND BROKEN DRIVE DISC.
NHTSA complaint #10690428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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
I HAVE A 2003 RIALTA QD. TWO DAYS AGO IN A VERY REMOTE AREA MY RADIATOR FAN EXPLODED AND TORE UP THE SHROUD, RADIATOR, HOSES AND BELT. I UNDERSTAND THESE FANS HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM AND ARE ON BACKORDER AROUND THE COUNTRY. I GUESS THIS IS A VW PROBLEM. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON PRIOR YEARS BUT WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL ON OTHER MODEL YEARS AS IT APPEARS THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM? IF I HAD OPENED THE HOOD IT IS VERY POSSIBLE THAT I COULD HAVE BEEN BURNED, BLINDED OR WORSE.
NHTSA complaint #10421889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
FOR THE SECOND TIME THE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY ON MY VOLKSWAGEN VANAGON (WINNEBAGO RIALTA CONVERSION) HAS FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY. THE FAN BLADE SHATTERED BOTH TIMES LEAVING ME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN THE VAN BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY. VOLKSWAGEN REFUSED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE WHATSOEVER. I NOTICE THAT YOU HAVE AN OPEN INVESTIGATION ON THIS ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THAT INVESTIGATION AS A CO-COMPLAINANT. IN BOTH CASES THIS HAPPENED ON ONE OF THE HOTTEST DAYS OF THE YEAR. IN ALABAMA, THIS TIME , THE HEAT INDEX WAS OVER 110 DEGREES. THE PREVIOUS TIME WAS IN TENNESSEE WHEN THE HEAT INDEX WAS ALSO OVER 100 DEGREES, AND 3 OF MY GRANDCHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR WITH ME. IN BOTH CASES I WAS STRANDED WITH PASSENGERS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHILE THIS IS NOT THE SAME AS A BRAKE FAILURE, IT CLEARLY REPRESENTS A MANUFACTURING AND/OR DESIGN DEFECT THAT COULD HAVE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. VOLKSWAGEN IS OF COURSE THE SOLE SUPPLIER OF THE NECESSARY PARTS AND REFUSES TO DISCUSS ANY POTENTIAL PROBLEMS OTHER THAN TO SAY " NO ONE CAN PREDICT THE LIFE OF A PART ", WHICH IS NEITHER TRUE NOR RELEVANT. A CURSORY SEARCH OF THE INTERNET TURNED UP A HOST OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS - ALL OF WHICH VW REFUSED TO AMELIORATE IN ANY WAY. I APPRECIATE YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS PROBLEM ON BEHALF OF AMERICAN CONSUMERS. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10348834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN EURO VAN. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE AT 35 MPH THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE FAN BLADES BROKE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 73300.
NHTSA complaint #10303160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF MY 2002 VW EUROVAN BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. AN INSPECTION REVEALED THAT A PIECE OF ONE OF THE OF THE TWO RADIATOR FANS WAS MISSING. THE MISSING PIECE DID NOT GO THROUGH THE RADIATOR.
NHTSA complaint #10278750 — 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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE ENGINE ON ONE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE BECAME COMPLETELY LOOSE AND FELL TO THE GROUND. THE PAN, WHICH SUPPORTED THE ENGINE, FELL ONTO THE STREET AND DRAGGED ON THE GROUND. AN ENGINE BRACKET, TO WHICH THE ENGINE IS BOLTED, NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED AT AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AWAITING THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR. THE PARTS WOULD COST $450; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR SHOP IS GIVING HIM A DISCOUNT. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.
NHTSA complaint #10245414 — 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.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10213840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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
NHTSA complaint #10206177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10201615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10197239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10196406 — 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.
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)
NHTSA complaint #10192031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.