RoadVitals

1999 Volkswagen Jetta Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
40
Latest Nov 24, 2009
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
11%
of 349 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
8
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
9

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1999 Volkswagen Jetta submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 40 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

The 25 most recent of 40, in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Nov 24, 2009

BRAKE LAMPS WERE OPERATING CORRECTLY ON 11/22/2009 AND ON 11/23/2009 THEY CEASED WORKING. CHECKED WITH NHTSA TO SEE IF OPEN RECALL WAS OPEN NONE BUT WANTED TO MAKE KNOWN THE ISSUE SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN TWO RECALLS IN THE PASS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10293394
Incident
Nov 23, 2009
Mileage
126,425 mi
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Mar 5, 2007
Crash reported2 injuries reported

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE TWO SAFETY RECALLS 06V183000 AND 99V251000. , ONE RECALL WAS FOR THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH ASSEMBLE AND THE OTHER WAS FOR THE B PILLAR MOUNTING CLIPS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN A CRASH WHILE GOING 40 MPH THE PERSON THAT HIT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SAID THAT HE HIT HIM BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT TURN ON, AND THEN HE FLED THE SEEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN, AND A COMPLAINT MADE TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE IF HE GOT A TICKET OR NOT FOR NOT HAVING BRAKE LIGHTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS COMING OFF OF THE EXPRESSWAY AT 40 MPH, THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR, AND THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE IN DAYLIGHT. THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD BEEN PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE BEFORE BECAUSE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SWITCHED THE BULBS AND THOUGHT EVERYTHING WAS ALRIGHT. THE CONTACT'S COMPLAINT WAS THAT HE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL MONTHS LATER ON THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH AFTER HE PAID FOR EVERYTHING. THE CONTACT WILL BE ABLE TO GET THE POLICE REPORT AND AN INSURANCE REPORT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE BOTH 117392.*AK

NHTSA ID
10184239
Incident
Oct 14, 2005
Mileage
117,392 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 12, 2006

MY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY 99 JETTA PASSENGER VEHICLE. THIS MALFUNCTION HAS BEEN RECALLED BY THE NHTSA ON MANY OTHER 99 VW JETTAS, HOWEVER MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE DID NOT FIT IN THE VIN NUMBER RANGE OF THE SAFETY RECALL. I SUGGEST THIS SAFETY RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE OTHER MODELS BECAUSE EVIDENTLY IT IS A PROBLEM AND IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. *JB

NHTSA ID
10162258
Incident
Jul 12, 2006
Brakes
Filed Jun 23, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED. A NHTSA RECALL, #06V183000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE UNDER THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID
10160624
Incident
Jun 23, 2006
Mileage
70,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 21, 2006

I DRIVE A 1999 VW JETTA, STANDARD TRANSMISSION. I WAS INFORMED BY A POLICE OFFICER THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT OPERATING. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I LEARNED FROM THE NHTSA WEB SITE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED MAY OF 2006 FOR CERTAIN VW CARS THAT HAD THEIR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED FOR AN EARLIER RECALL. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WAS SERVICED UNDER THE LAST RECALL, BUT IT DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. I HAD THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED. THE OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10160353
Incident
Jun 15, 2006
Mileage
103,090 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 7, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 VW JETTA. THE CONTACT WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. SHE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SWITCH ON 9-2-05. IT CAUSED THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERABLE OR TO COME ON AND STAY ON EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE CONSUMER COULD NOT GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK AND THIS PROBLEM WAS IN SOME WAY TIED INTO THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE. A NHTSA RECALL 04V096000 WAS ISSUED. THE CONSUMER BOUGHT THE CAR USED FROM AN INDIVIDUAL WHO RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN 4-04. THE NOTICE DID NOT INDICATE A VIN. *AK *MR

NHTSA ID
10135695
Incident
Sep 2, 2005
Mileage
57,859 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 20, 2005

THE PARKING LIGHT SWITCH IS LOCKING UP. THE CAR IS STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRAFFIC BECAUSE I WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT FROM PARKING TO ANY OTHER GEAR. THE PARKING LIGHT LIT AND WILL UNLIT ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER. AS OF NOW, THE LIGHT LIT CONSTANTLY AND I HAVE TO DISASSEMBLE THE BATTERY AND THE LIGHT WOULD STILL RE-APPEAR ONCE I PUT THE BATTERY BACK IN. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVE ABLE.

NHTSA ID
10129401
Incident
Jul 17, 2005
Brakes
Filed Jun 8, 2004

RECALL NOTICE FOR CHECK/ REPLACE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.*MR THE FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAUSED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT TO REMAIN ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP THREE TIMES BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM (VOLKSWAGEN JETTA). THE DEALER WAS FINALLY ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER IT WOULD COST $6000. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE ELSEWHERE FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE THE SERVICE DEALER'S STAFF SUDDENLY BECAME RUDE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10076032
Incident
Dec 14, 2002
Mileage
74,274 mi
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Jun 8, 2004

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 04V096000 CONCERNING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. AFTER HAVING THE REPAIRS DONE VEHICLE STALLED, AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON.*AK

NHTSA ID
10075926
Incident
Jun 4, 2004
BrakesEngineOther / unspecified+1 more
Filed Jan 15, 2004
Crash reported

2 DAYS AFTER WE PURCHASE THE CAR A BRAKE SHOE BRAKET CAME OFF AND WAS RUBBING THE REAR ROTOR. JULY, 3 WINDOWS WENT BAD, 2 WERE THE WIRING AND 1 WAS THE MOTOR. OCTOBER THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING NEEDED REPLACED PLUS WHEEL ALIGNMENT. SEPTEMBER THE EXHUAST BROKE OFF BEHIND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER I HAD IT FIXED MYSELF. THE EXHUAST HAD ALSO BROKE OFF 6 MONTHS EARLIER IN FRONT OF THE MUFFLER BUT I FIXED IT. ONE WINDOW THAT THEY FIXED IN JULY 2002 WENT BAD AGAIN IN JUNE OF 2003 AND NEEDED FIXED. THE REAR BRAKE ON THE SAME WHEEL THAT THEY FIXED IN JANUARY OF 2001 HAS GONE BAD NOW. I'M DONE WITH THIS CAR. IT'S BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE THEN I HAVE EVER HAD ANY CAR COMBINED. THANKS

NHTSA ID
10070800
Incident
Oct 15, 2002
Mileage
53,000 mi
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting+3 more
Filed Jun 27, 2003

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED BECAUSE CEL ILLUMINATED INDICATING A FAILURE OF SAME. AFTER SOME TESTING, IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING APPROXIMATELY 9 OUT OF 10 TIMES THAT THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME TIME, THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL BEGAN ARCING. REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT SIGNAL BULB DUE TO CARBON BUILDUP ON THE BULB. ALSO REPLACED THE TURN SIGNAL RELAY. RIGHT OUTER CV BOOT WAS FOUND TO BE LEAKING GREASE ON 5/22/2002 AND AGAIN ON 4/29/2003; IN BOTH CASES IT WAS REPLACED. BATTERY DIED ON 3/10/2003. ON 7/9/2002, THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT BECAME STUCK IN ITS RETRACTOR AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. ON 10/1/2001, THE DRIVER'S FRONT WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED AFTER THE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR WITHOUT WARNING. *JB

NHTSA ID
10023910
Incident
Nov 14, 2002
Body & structureBrakesDriver assistance+2 more
Filed Apr 17, 2003

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE INTERMITTENT. THE DEALER STATED THE WIPERS WERE INCOMPATIBLE. THE WIPERS DID NOT WORK IN COLD WEATHER AND DID NOT HAVE THE PROPER SPEED IN WARM WEATHER. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAD FALLEN DOWN INTO THE DOOR, THE LOCKING MECHANISM HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND WAS REPLACED, THE METAL TRIANGLE PIECES ON THE DOORS HAD BEEN REPLACED, THE CRUISE CONTROL NEVER WORKED FROM PURCHASE, AND THE FRONT BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE WIPERS. (NO RECALL FOR WIPERS) MR SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10014865
Brakes
Filed Jan 21, 2003

CALIPERS WERE STUCK ON AND RUINED THE BACK LEFT ROTOR ON MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
10003111
Incident
Dec 29, 2002
Brakes
Filed Dec 5, 2002

REPORTING UNKNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE ABS BRAKES SYSTEMS. VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP PROPERLY WHEN ARE APPLIED IN SUDDEN STOP. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA ID
8023837
Incident
Jul 15, 2002
Brakes
Filed Aug 4, 2002

MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP NEARLY EVERY MONTH IN THE PAST YEAR (EXCEPT FOR 3 MONTHS WHEN IT WAS IN THE SHOP DUE TO ACCIDENT), THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD STICK ALMOST EVERY TIME IT WAS DRIVEN WOULD CONTACT DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG BECAUSE IT WAS NOT REPORTING TO A COMPUTER. I FINALLY FIGURED OUT IF I PUT MY FOOT UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PULL IT BACK OUT IT WOULD RELEASE, IT ONCE WOULD NOT GO OVER 40 MPH. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK MULTIPLE TIMES TO HAVE IT TAKEN DOWN TO DEALER STILL NO ONE COULD FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEN I WAS SITTING IN A DRIVE THRU AND THE CARE MADE A POPPING SOUND AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I LOST MY BRAKES BUT I PRESSED THEM AGAIN AND THEY WERE FINE. I CONTACTED VW AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT WAS. DRIVING HOME I TAPPED THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN A LITTLE AND THE BRAKE STUCK AND THREW ME FORWARD LUCKILY NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME. I CALLED VW IMMEDIATELY AND TOLD THEM THAT I DID NOT WANT MY CAR BACK UNTIL IT WAS FIXED. THE REP DROVE MY CAR FOR A WEEK AND OF COURSE NOTHING HAPPENED TIL THE MECHANIC DROVE IT. I HAVE HAD THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE BRAKE BOOSTERS REPLACED WHICH HAS SEEMED TO HELP THE BRAKE FROM STICKING BUT NOW MY ROTARS ARE RUINED AND VW DOES NOT WANT TO REPLACE THEM BECASUE THEY ARE MAINTENANCE PARTS WHEN IT WAS A WARRANTY PART THAT MADE THEM GO BAD. RECENTLY DRIVING TO SAN DIEGO MY CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT KEEP MY CAR AT A SET SPEED, WOULD NOT PULL HILLS (HAD A FULLY LOADED SEMI PASS ME) WOULD DROP TO 40 MPH ON GRADES, HAD TO KEEP THE CAR PEGGED TO GO POSTED SPEED LIMIT ON STRAIGHT STRETCHES. WINDOWS HAVE FALLEN TWICE ON EACH SIDE, MIDDLE RESTRAINT IN BACK SEAT LOCKS UP AND HAS TO BE REPLACED, CUP HOLDER BROKE, BRAKE RELAY WENT OUT SEVERAL TIMES (NO BRAKE LIGHTS ALMOST REAR ENDED). IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO ON THIS WILL IT FALL UNDER THE LEMON LAWS. I WANT TO REPLACE IT DUE TO HIGH COST AND TIME SPENT GOING BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALER BUT I MORE THAN IT IS WORTH. WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS?*AK

NHTSA ID
765170
Incident
May 1, 2001
Brakes
Filed Jul 25, 2002

CONSUMER HAS HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES SINCE THE INITIAL LEASING OF THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FAILED EIGHT TIMES WITH THE SERVICE STATION DOING ACTUAL REPAIRS FOUR OF THOSE TIMES. TEH PROBLEM LIES WITH THE CALIPER SUSPENSION THAT CONTROLS THE BRAKES. *JG *CB

NHTSA ID
566754
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
BrakesEngineTransmission
Filed Jul 25, 2002

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. *YH *CB

NHTSA ID
566753
Incident
Jun 18, 2002
BrakesEngineVisibility
Filed Jul 9, 2002

REAR BRAKES WERE SQEUALING FOR MONTHS. TOOK INTO DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE NOISE. FINALLY REAR BRAKES WENT ALL TOGETHER AND HAD THEM REPLACED AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. DEALER SAID THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE AFTER JUST OVER 30,000 MILES SO VOLKSWAGEN COVERED HALF OF COSTS. ONE WEEK LATER PICKED UP CAR AS I WAS DRIVING HOME MALFUNCTION INDICATION LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK INTO DEALERSHIP AGAIN. ALL THREE OXYGEN SENSORS HAD BLOWN. DAY AFTER PICKING UP FROM DEALERSHIP PASSENGER WINDOW FELL INTO DOOR AND IS CURRENTLY BACK IN BEING FIXED. I KNOW THESE ARE ALL COMMON PROBLEMS WITH 1999 JETTA. VW WAS SOMEWHAT HELPFUL ON COST BUT WILL DO NOTHING NOW BECAUSE THEY "HAVE ALREADY BEEN TOO KIND". THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS AND I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING IT ANYMORE. NOW I HAVE TO COVER THE COST OF AN EARLY LEASE TERMINATION FOR FEAR OF INJURY OR MORE $ FOR DAMAGE REPAIRS.*AK

NHTSA ID
763988
Incident
Jun 13, 2002
AirbagsBrakesElectrical
Filed Mar 26, 2002

WHILE DRIVING THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE THE DASHBOARD, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VOLKSWAGEN WHERE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT VEHICLES OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL NEEDED A SUPPLEMENTAL WIRING HARNESS INSTALLED IN THE STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE CONNECTOR AS SHIPPED FROM THE FACTORY, CONSUMER IS UNAWARE OF ANY RECALLS FOR THIS CONDITION. *TT

NHTSA ID
759829
Incident
Mar 20, 2002
Brakes
Filed Mar 22, 2002

VACUUM LINE TO TURBO FAILED, CAUSING NEAR TOTAL LACK OF ACCELERATION -- ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT

NHTSA ID
759683
Brakes
Filed Nov 30, 2001

AT 12000 MILES ROTORS WERE WARPED AND GLAZED. THEN, 14000 MILES LATER PROBLEM REOCCURRED. DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO REPLACE ROTORS BECAUSE THIS IS REGULAR WEAR AND TEAR. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
899728
Incident
Nov 1, 2000
Body & structureBrakesFuel system+1 more
Filed Sep 18, 2001

ENGINE TRANSMISSION LIGHT FAILED AFTER 3 MONTHS, BOTH WINDOWS HAVE FALLEN DOWN INTO DOOR, FRONT BUMPER HAS BEEN TORN OFF, ANTENA AND OTHER PLASTIC OBJECTS AROUND CAR HAVE FALLEN OFF,ABS SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON AGAIN, COVER FOR GAS TANK WILL NOT OPEN (I HAD TO PRY IT OPEN), CUP HOLDERS AND MIRROR COVERS HAVE BROKEN, INSIDE OF CAR STARTED TO BUBBLE AFTER 6 MONTHS, BECAUSE OF THE PLASTIC. ALL THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN SAN ANTONIO COULD SAY WAS THAT I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO MANAGE CAR. I DIDN'T KNOW I HAD TO TAKE A CLASS IN OPENING THE GAS COVER. ODDLY ENOUGH, MOST OF THESE THINGS STARTED TO BREAK AFTER MY TWO YEAR WARRANTY EXPIRED. ALL THEY HAD TO SAY WAS THAT "WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS". I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND THIS CAR TO ANYONE

NHTSA ID
752337
Incident
Jan 7, 2001
BrakesSuspension
Filed Jul 24, 2001

30K SERVICE, REPORTED TO DEALER THAT STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN APPLYING BRAKES...ASKED DEALER TO CHECK ON ALIGHMENT PROBLEMS. DEALER NO ALIGNMENT NEEDED, BUT BRAKES WERE WORN DOWN 50% & ALSO NEEDED NEW ROTORS. DEALER INSISTED CAR OK TO DRIVE & ADVISED TO COME BACK @ 35K SERVICE TO HAVE NEW BRAKES & ROTORS INSTALLED @ APROX. $600. AFTER SERVICE, I DROVE HOME ABOUT 50 MI. & PROBLEM GOT WORSE, INCLUDING A LOUD RUMBLING NOISE. I CALLED DEALER & THEY REFERRED ME TO A DEALER CLOSER TO MY HOME, 3 DAYS & 300 MILES LATER, 2ND DEALER ASKED HOW MANY TIMES I HAD CHANGED THE BRAKES, BECAUSE I NOW, NEEDED ROTORS, AND WORSE, ALL MY TIRES WERE "CUPPED" & I ALSO NEEDED A WHOLE NEW SET OF TIRES...I ASKED 2ND DEALER IF IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE MY CAR. THEY SAID IT WAS OK TO DRIVE, BUT RECOMMENDED CHANGING BRAKES, ROTORS & TIRES @ A COST OF $1,100. DEALER ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THE LACK OF ROTATING & BALANCING TIRES COULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE UNEVEN WEAR (AKA: CUPPED TIRES). I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE LOUD RUMBLING NOISE, WOULD EVENTUALLY GO AWAY, SINCE THE TIRES HAD BEEN ROTATED. THE 2ND DEALER INVOICED THE 1ST DEALER FOR THIS SERVICE CHARGE. 3 DAYS LATER, I WENT TO GOODYEAR TIRE SHOP (FOR 3RD OPINON) BECAUSE I THOUGHT THE TIRES MAY BE DEFECTIVE. GOODYEAR ADVISED ME THAT CUPPED TIRES RESULT FROM UNEVEN WEAR (USUALLY RECOMMEND ROTATING & BALANCING TIRES EVERY 10K MI.), IF NOT, PROBLEMS W/BRAKES & ROTORS. GOODYEAR COULDN'T DETERMINE WHY THE PROBLEM OCCURRED @ ONLY 30K MI. SUCH A PROBLEM COULD OCCUR AT ABOUT 60K MILES, BUT NOT ROTORS. GOODYEAR BALANCED & ROTATED MY TIRES & ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE WHEELWELL, CAUSING A LARGE GASH IN THE WHEELWELL. IN THE INTEREST OF CONSUMER PROTECTION, I SEEK YOUR PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE IN BRINGING A POSITIVE RESOLVE TO THIS MATTER. MY CAR HAS SPENT A LOT OF TIME @ DEALER SERVICE SHOP. VOLKSWAGEN MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR BAD CRAFTSMANSHIP & POOR SERVICE ADVICE. PLEASE HELP!!

NHTSA ID
749032
Incident
Apr 7, 2001
BrakesTires & wheels
Filed Jul 24, 2001

AT 30000 MILES STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN APPLYING BRAKES.ASKED DEALER TO CHECK ON ALIGHMENT PROBLEMS. DEALER NO ALIGNMENT NEEDED, BUT BRAKES WERE WORN DOWN 50% & ALSO NEEDED NEW ROTORS. DEALER INSISTED CAR OKAY TO DRIVE AND ADVISED TO COME BACK. 35000 SERVICE TO HAVE NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS INSTALLED, APROX. $600. AFTER SERVICE, I DROVE HOME ABOUT 50 MILES AND PROBLEM GOT WORSE, INCLUDING A LOUD RUMBLING NOISE. I CALLED DEALER, AND THEY REFERRED ME TO A DEALER CLOSER TO MY HOME, 3 DAYS AND 300 MILES LATER, 2ND DEALER ASKED HOW MANY TIMES I HAD CHANGED THE BRAKES, BECAUSE I NOW, NEEDED ROTORS, AND WORSE, ALL MY TIRES WERE "CUPPED. " I ALSO NEEDED A WHOLE NEW SET OF TIRES...I ASKED 2ND DEALER IF IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE MY CAR. THEY SAID IT WAS OK TO DRIVE, BUT RECOMMENDED CHANGING BRAKES, ROTORS AND TIRES @ A COST OF $1,100. DEALER ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THE LACK OF ROTATING A BALANCING TIRES COULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE UNEVEN WEAR (AKA: CUPPED TIRES). I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE LOUD RUMBLING NOISE, WOULD EVENTUALLY GO AWAY, SINCE THE TIRES HAD BEEN ROTATED. THE 2ND DEALER INVOICED THE 1ST DEALER FOR THIS SERVICE CHARGE. 3 DAYS LATER, I WENT TO GOODYEAR TIRE SHOP (FOR 3RD OPINON) BECAUSE I THOUGHT THE TIRES MAY BE DEFECTIVE. GOODYEAR ADVISED ME THAT CUPPED TIRES RESULT FROM UNEVEN WEAR (USUALLY RECOMMEND ROTATING & BALANCING TIRES EVERY 10K MI.), IF NOT, PROBLEMS W/BRAKES & ROTORS. GOODYEAR COULDN'T DETERMINE WHY THE PROBLEM OCCURRED @ ONLY 30K MI. SUCH A PROBLEM COULD OCCUR AT ABOUT 60K MILES, BUT NOT ROTORS. GOODYEAR BALANCED & ROTATED MY TIRES & ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE WHEELWELL, CAUSING A LARGE GASH IN THE WHEELWELL. IN THE INTEREST OF CONSUMER PROTECTION, I SEEK YOUR PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE IN BRINGING A POSITIVE RESOLVE TO THIS MATTER. MY CAR HAS SPENT A LOT OF TIME @ DEALER SERVICE SHOP. VOLKSWAGEN MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR BAD CRAFTSMANSHIP & POOR SERVICE ADVICE. PLEASE HELP!

NHTSA ID
749031
Incident
Apr 7, 2001
BrakesEngineSteering
Filed Jul 18, 2001

CAR DIES WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEEDS NO POWER-BRAKES OR STEERING. *AK

NHTSA ID
748711
Incident
Mar 18, 2001

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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