1999 Volkswagen Jetta Steering Problems

I BOUGHT THE CAR IN AUGUST 2003, I NOTICED A REPAIR DOCKET FROM PREVIOUS OWNER FOR LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT AND LEFT TIE ROD ASSEMBLE W FRONT END ALIGNMENT ON 5/29/03 AT 34383 MILES. I HAD A LOT OF NOISE UNDER THE ENGINE. VW CAPISTRANO CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID IT WAS DRIVER SIDE BALL JOINT. I BOUGHT CAR FROM A FORD DEALER WHO DID NOT WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT. FINALLY, VW CAPISTRANO FORCED THEIR HAND AND PROCESSED IT THROUGH MY THEN CURRENT WARRANTY. AT THE TIME, I HAD 45K MILES ON THE CAR. I THOUGHT IT SHOCKING THAT A CAR SO YOUNG SHOULD HAVE SUCH A MAJOR PROBLEM (FOR THE SECOND TIME). WHEN I PICKED CAR UP, A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, I HEARD A LOUD CRUNCHING NOISE IN THE FRONT LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE MOTOR OR WHEEL. I THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT, DROVE IT ANOTHER 5000 MILES, HAD TO REPLACE 4 TIRES, AND ASKED THE TIRE TECH TO CHECK IT OUT. HE SAID IT WAS THE STEERING KNUCKLE AND IT WAS IN BAD SHAPE. I CONTACTED VW WHO SAID, BAD LUCK, IT'S ONLY COVERED FOR 24K MILES OR 2YEARS. I AGAIN AM SHOCKED, FIRSTLY BECAUSE THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE ONE OF THESE SHOULD GO OUT SO EARLY, ADDED TO THAT, IF THE BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED, THEN ISN'T THE STEERING KNUCKLE, MOVED IN SOME WAY SHAPE OR FORM, SO THERE SHOULD BE SOME SORT OF RECOURSE. THIS CAR IS A LEMON, HOWEVER, CA LAW STATES IT ISN'T. I WAS RIPPED OFF BY THEODORE ROBBINS IN COSTA MESA AND WOULDN'T RECOMMEND ANYONE BUY FROM THEM, THEY WERE SUSPECT FROM DAY ONE ONCE I DROVE MY CAR FROM THEIR LOT. ALSO, THE BACK RIGHT SEAT BELT IS FIXED TO THE SEAT AND IS UNUSABLE, I COMPLAINED IT WAS DANGEROUS, FORD SAID TOO BAD, YOU BOUGHT IT THAT WAY FIX IT. SINCE THEN MY HORN HAS GONE OUT BECAUSE THE CAR 'LOST' IT'S UNDER WHEEL COVER AND WATER GOT INTO THE HORN. THIS CAR REPORTEDLY HAD A 100 POINT INSPECTION, WHICH I BELIEVE TO BE NOT TRUE. THE RADIO HAS NEVER WORKED A DAY, IT'S ALWAYS 'FUZZY'. *AK

NHTSA ID

10080543

Incident

Jun 21, 2004

Mileage

34,383 mi

ENGINE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH WITH NO WARNING. LOST POWER ASSISTED STEERING.*AK

NHTSA ID

10030571

Incident

Jun 16, 2003

Mileage

61,258 mi

ENGINE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH WITH NO WARNING. LOST POWER ASSISTED STEERING. *AK

NHTSA ID

10030570

Incident

Aug 1, 2003

Mileage

64,150 mi

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

NHTSA ID

748711

Incident

Mar 18, 2001

THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JULY 2000. IT IS THE NEWLY REDESIGNED JETTA. SINCE IT'S PURCHASE THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 9 TIMES FOR WATER/AIR LEAKS, TWICE FOR FAILED DRIVERS SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION STEERING FAILURE, NAMELY THE SHOCK, BEARING, SPACER, RETAINER (STRUTS). IN ADDITION SEVERAL PIECES OF THE INSIDE MOLDING HAVE DETACHED. ONE OF THE LARGEST SAFETY ISSUES FOR ME, OTHER THAN THE STRUT, IS THE POORLY DESIGNED FLOOR MATS WHICH POP LOOSE, SLIP FORWARD , AND CATCH THE GAS PETAL CAUSING ACCERLARATION. THE AIR CONDITIONER HAS MOLDED OVER TWICE. I HAVE INFORMED BOTH THE SELLER AND THE MANUFACTURING OF MY COMPLAINTS AND HAVE DEMANDED A REFUND OR A LEMON LAW TAKE BACK. I AM NOT SURE WHAT TO DO BUT FEEL VW HASN'T BEEN HONEST ABOUT ALL THE PROBLEMS THE "NEW" VW HAS HAD. I JUST WANTED TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT IN CASE OTHER OWNERS OUT THERE ARE EXPERIENCEING THE SAME PROBLEMS I AM AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY HELP FROM VW ALSO.*AK

NHTSA ID

745619

Incident

Sep 25, 2000

REAR CENTER SEATBELTS JAM, AND WILL NOT COME LOOSE AT ALL. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID

887578

Incident

Feb 1, 2001

ENGINE AND STEERING PROBLEMS

NHTSA ID

9001376

ALARM LED IS NOT FLASHING ON DRIVER'S DOOR. YH

NHTSA ID

550712

Incident

Jan 25, 1999