2001 Volkswagen Jetta
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 677 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 26 Jetta model years with reports.
Of the 2001 reports, 41 involved a crash and 12 involved a fire. 51 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Engine and engine cooling, engineMar 7, 2014
The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
Campaign 14E007000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchFeb 20, 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 07V063000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchMay 24, 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND CRUISE CONTROLS, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING SAFETY RECALLS 03V-265 OR 04V-096.
THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 27, 2006. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 06V183000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, hazard flashing warning lights, switchDec 16, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HAZARD SWITCH AND FLASHER SYSTEM FUNCTION MAY DEGRADE OVER TIME BECAUSE OF DISTORTION AND MATERIAL TRANSFER OF THE CONTACTS OF CERTAIN HAZARD SWITCH RELAYS WHICH OCCURS DUE TO SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED ELECTRICAL CURRENT LOAD FROM HIGHER WATTAGE TURN SIGNAL BULBS.
THIS MAY RESULT IN INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER FUNCTION.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 04V584000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchFeb 20, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION.
IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.
THIS RECALL HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED BY 06V-183. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD A REMEDY PERFORMED UNDER THIS RECALL SHOULD RETURN TO THEIR DEALER FOR THE REDESIGNED REMEDY. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 04V096000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, owners/service/other manualSep 12, 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." CHILD SEAT ANCHORAGES INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE'S REAR SEATS MUST BE IDENTIFIED BY MARKINGS, AND THEIR LOCATION AND USE BE DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL.
THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT MARKED OR DESCRIBED AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND ALSO ONE SET OF FOUR GUIDANCE FIXTURES INTENDED TO USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH CHILD SEATS EQUIPPED WITH RIGID OR SEMI-RIGID LOWER ANCHORAGE ATTACHMENTS. ALSO ENCLOSED WILL BE FOUR DECALS TOGETHER WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS AND A TEMPLATE FOR ATTACHING THE DECALS TO THE LOWER SEAT BACKS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN SEPTEMBER 15, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 02V244000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipJan 31, 2002
ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, SHORT CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS).
THIS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 8, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 02V031000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
98 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Air bags, Seat belts, Wheels, Aug 26, 2005
DT: CONTACT STATES THE DRIVERS' SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT A COLLISION. THE SEAT BELT JAMMED AND COULD NOT BE LATCHED AFTER THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. THERE IS A POLICE REPORT (#05-5207) STATES THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN IMPACT. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER AND TOLD TO CONTACT VW OF AMERICA. SHE DID FAX THE POLICE REPORT TO THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY AGREED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WITHOUT COST. THE SERVICE DEALER COULD NOT FIND WHAT CAUSED THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER IS STILL DRIVING A RENTAL CAR BECAUSE THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *NM A WHEEL AND TIE ROD WAS REPLACED. *JB
Air bags, Jun 1, 2005
SINCE 05/29/05 I AM SEING AIR BAG INDICATOR ON THE PANEL (DASH BOARD), I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT FOR A CHECK. I ALSO SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT FOR HAZARD SWITCH RECALL. WHILE CHECKING NHTSA AND OTHER SITES I CAME TO KNOW THERE ARE FEW OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAD SIMILAR SITUATION AND FILLED A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. SO I WOULD LIKE TO INCLUDE MY CASE WITH NHTSA SO THAT IF I WILL BE INFORMED IF ANY RECALLS BE DONE ON THIS ISSUE. I REQUEST NHTSA TO ACT SOON TO HAVE THESE RECALLED BEFORE ANY UNWANTED INCIDENDENTS OCCUR AND BEFORE THERE ARE ANY MAJOR ISSUES WITH THIS. PLEASE KEEP ME AND OTHERS INFORMED THE PROGRESS OF THE CASE.
Air bags, Apr 18, 2005
WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. OWNER SAYS THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD CAME ON AND STAYED ON SINCE MONDAY 02/07/2005. OWNER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SEEN FOR THIS DEFECT UNTIL 02/23/2005. *JB *BF *NM
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Apr 13, 2005
TURN SIGNAL/EMERGENCY FLASH LIGHT FAILED, AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT TURNED ON AND STAYED ON.*AK
Air bags, Apr 11, 2005, crash
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HIT A POT HOLE AND THE RIGHT SIDE DOOR AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY WENT OFF. NO INJURIES REPORTED. DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Air bags, Apr 11, 2005
ON 4/5/05 @ 5:15PM.... MY WIFE (DRIVER), 11 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER(REAR FACING CAR SEAT IN BACK CENTER), & I (FRONT PASSENGER) WERE AT A COMPLETE STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN WE PROCEEDED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION (WITH CARS IN FRONT/BACK OF US) WE HIT A SMALL POT HOLE AFTER COMPLETING THE LEFT TURN ONTO ROUTE 117. ONCE WE HIT THIS SMALL POT HOLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED (CURTAIN & PASSENGER SEAT BAGS) WE IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE WARWICK POLICE DEPT. OFFICE THEODORE INSISTED THAT THIS HAD TO BE A MALFUNCTIONING AIR BAG. PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WASN'T ANY OTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAR... NO FLAT TIRE... NOTHING EXCEPT FOR THE MALFUNCTIONING AIRBAGS IN THE CAR HAVING BEEN DEPLOYED AND CAUSED INTERIOR DAMAGE TO MY CAR. I WENT TO THE VW DEALER AND THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE AND SUGGESTED GOING THROUGH MY INSURANCE (LIBERTY MUTUAL), WHO ALSO REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. INTERIOR DAMAGE: CEILING PANEL, CURTAIN AIRBAG, PASSENGER LEATHER SEAT RIPPED AND ITS AIRBAG DEPLOYED. CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND I AM NOT SURE WHAT TO DO AT THIS POINT BUT I NEED THE CAR TO BE REPAIRED SINCE WE NEED IT FOR TRANSPORTATION... SO I MAY NEED TO GO AHEAD AND HAVE IT REPAIRED AT MY COST FOR NOW. (BETWEEN $2,000 - $3,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE). *AK
Air bags, Apr 6, 2005
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AFTER RUNNING OVER A SMALL POT HOLE AT 15 MPH. CONSUMER HAS AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE.*AK
Air bags, Mar 21, 2005
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH DRIVER'S FRONT/REAR SIDE AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Air bags, Mar 8, 2005
PLEASE REFER TO CASE/ODI: 8022481; RESPECTFULLY REQUEST CASE BE REEVALUATED. VW CLAIMS SMALL DING ON UNDERSIDE OF VW JETTA IS TO BLAME FOR SIDE AND SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS. THEY ARE WRONG AND ARE TRYING TO USE THIS EXCUSE TO GET OUT OF NUMEROUS FAULTY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS. NO VW EXPERTS COULD ANSWER MY SPECIFIC TECHNICAL QUESTIONS. THE OWNER'S MANUAL SPECIFICALLY STATES REASONS FOR AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS, AND THE SMALL DING ON THE UNDERSIDE OF MY VEHICLE IS A NOT A REASON; INSTEAD IT SERVES AS AN UNSUPPORTED EXCUSE. [JETTA RIDE EXTREMELY LOW TO GROUND; THERE WILL ALWAYS BE DINGS, MARKS, ETC., FOR THE VW CORPORATION TO USE AS AN EXCUSE.]*AK
Air bags, Feb 23, 2005
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE SIDE/FRONT AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED . THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB
Air bags, Feb 17, 2005
THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE AIR BAG AT A COST TO THE CONSUMER. *NM
Air bags, Feb 10, 2005
COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. MY SON-IN-LAW LAST YEAR WAS DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY AND THEY JUST WENT OFF. THANK GOODNESS NO ONE WAS HURT. HAD HE HAD HIS KIDS IN THE CAR, LORD ONLY KNOWS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. THEY LIVE IN TOLEDO, OHIO. THEY HAVE SINCE GOTTEN IT FIXED OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKET, AND NO COOPERATION BY VOLKSWAGEN OF ANY KIND. MY SON ALSO HAS A JETTA AND IT CAUSED ME CONCERN FOR HIM AND HIS WIFE ALSO. THEY LIVE IN PORTLAND, OREGON.*AK
Air bags, Feb 9, 2005
I JUST PURCHASED IN OCTOBER A JETTA GLS 2001 CAR FROM THE VW DEALERSHIP IN COLLEGE PARK MARYLAND. LAST MONTH WHILE I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN, I HIT THE CURB WITH MY TIRE BUT NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO MY CAR WAS DONE NOR ANOTHER CAR INVOLVED. TO MY ALARM, MY AIRBAG ON MY RIGHT FRONT SEAT SIDE DEPLOYED. I TOOK THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID AIRBAGS DON'T GO OFF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT ECT. THEY WOULD NOT HEAR MY COMPLAINT NOR HELP ME. NOW I WITNESSED ON THE FOX NEWS THAT THESE JETTA MAKE/MODELS HAVE FALSE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND 109 CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED. I WANT TO BE ADDED TO THE LIST AND ALSO I WANT TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT. THIS IS NOT ONLY A SAFETY ISSUE BUT AN OUTRAGE. THE DEALERSHIP NEEDS TO FIX MY CAR. IN FACT, I HAVE A 3 YR WARRANTY ON MY CAR BUT THE VW DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO GO THROUGH MY INSURANCE OR PAY $1900 FOR THEM TO FIX IT. *JB
Air bags, Feb 7, 2005, crash
2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WAS IMPACTED ON TH ESIDE YET THE SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR *TT *NM
Air bags, Jan 26, 2005, fire
WHILE DRIVING SMOKE FILLED IN CAR, FLAMES APPEARED BETWEEN DRIVER SEAT & COUNSEL. MY 17 Y/O GOT 2ND DEGREE BURNS PUTTING OUT FLAME. AIRBAG, DRIVER SIDE DEPLOYED WHILE CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND SEAT WAS BEING MOVED BACK. THIS CAUSED PAIN TO MY HUSBAND'S ARM.*AK
Air bags, Jan 24, 2005, crash
THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS CAUSED THE PASSENGER TO SUSTAIN MAJOR INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
Air bags, Equipment, Nov 23, 2004
THE AIRBAG LIGHT RANDOMLY CAME ON IN MY CAR. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE WHY IT CAME ON. I HAD IT VAG COM'D. AND A CODE CAME UP AS BEING A BAD CONTROL MODULE FOR THE AIRBAG. *JB
Air bags, Oct 18, 2004, crash
WHEN T-BONE AT 10 MPH, THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. *JB
Air bags, Structure, Sep 8, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH FRONT AIR BAGS INCLUDING THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK WATER WAS ON THE FLOOR DUE TO A LEAKING SUNROOF. *SC
Air bags, Structure, Aug 28, 2004, crash
WHEN MY VOLKSWAGON JETTA WAS BROADSIDED AT A SIGNAL LIGHT JUNCTION, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS FRONT OR SIDE WERE ACTIVATED. ALSO THE REAR SIDE DOOR FLEW OFF FROM THE CAR AND A RESULT OF WHICH BOTH MY CHILDREN WERE EJECTED AND INJURED. THE CAR IS COMPLETELY TOTALLED. *JB
Air bags, Aug 26, 2004
I WAS ON VACATION, OVER THE JULY 4TH WEEKEND. ON MY WAY HOME, I WAS DRIVING ALONG WHEN FOR NO REASON AT ALL, MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG ALONG WITH THE SEAT AIRBAG, DEPLOYED. I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT WHY SUCH A THING WOULD HAPPEN . THERE WAS NO CLEAR SIGN AS TO WHY IT HAD GONE OFF. I HAD TO DRIVE HOME WITH THE SIDE CURTAIN HANGING DOWN, MY DOG HYPERVENTILATED ALL THE WAY HOME , DUE TO THE LOUD BANG OF THE DEPLOYMENT. WHEN I GOT HOME I IMMEDIATELY CALLED TULLEY VW AND TOLD THEM MY SITUATION, THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRENTY AND TO BRING IT DOWN, THEY WOULD GIVE ME A RENTAL AND FIX THE AIRBAGS. I DID JUST THAT, ALTHOUGH A FEW HOURS LATER I RECEIVED A CALL STATING THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF THE AIRBAG, STATING THAT THEY INSIST I WAS IN A CRASH. THERE IS CLEARLY NO DAMAGE TO MY CAR, AND IT IS APPARENT THAT THERE MUST BE SOME KIND OF COMPUTER MALFUNCTION. I AM WONDERING WHAT I SHOULD DO IN MY NEXT STEP TO GETTING THIS RESOLVED UNDER MY WARRENTY. I HAVE NOT GOTTEN INTO ANY ACCIDENT AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY VW WILL NOT COVER THIS. *AK
Air bags, Aug 20, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED BECAUSE THE SEAT WASN'T OCCUPIED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT WATER HAD GOTTEN INTO THE AIR BAGS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *AK (SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG) *SC *JB
Air bags, Aug 7, 2004
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY FOR NO VISABLE REASON, AIRBAGS ON PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED. SIDE SEAT AIRBAGS AND ALL THE CELLING AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING IN THE ROAD AND NO PHYSICALL DAMAGE WAS DONR TO MY CAR. VW SAID TO CONTACT MY INS AND TELL THEM I HAD A RECK. I DID NOT AND WOULD NOT LIE TO THEM. AT THIS TIME NOTHING HAS BEEN FIXED. *AK
Air bags, Aug 5, 2004
I WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON MY PASSENGER SIDE AND CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I HAD MY 2001 JETTA TOWED TO MY LOCAL VW DEALER AND THEY'RE RESPONSE IT THAT I MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING FOR THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. HOWEVER, I HAVE NO BODY DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF IMPACT ANYWHERE TO BE SEEN. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT HELPFUL AND TOLD ME TO FILE THE ISSUE WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY AS AN ACCIDENT. THIS SEEMS TO BE INSURANCE FRAUD.*AK
Air bags, Jun 15, 2004
WHILE TURNING LEFT FROM A STOP SIGN AT ABOUT 5 MPH, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SKIMMED A POTHOLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AND SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS THANKFUL I WAS NOT DRIVING AT A FASTER SPEED BECAUSE THE ENTIRE CAR FILLED WITH POWDERY SMOKE AND I COULD NOT SEE OUT MY WINDSHIELD FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. IN ADDITION THE NOISE STARTLED ME SO MUCH, I AM PRETTY SURE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN HARD TO CONTROL THE CAR AFTERWARDS HAD THIS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ALSO THANKFUL MY INFANT SON WAS NOT IN THE CAR. MY RIGHT EAR WAS BOTHERING ME FOR ABOUT A DAY AND A HALF AFTERWARDS, I'M SURE HAD MY SON BEEN IN THE CAR, HIS SENSITIVE EARS MAY HAVE BEEN PERMANENTLY DAMAGED, NEVER MIND THAT IT WOULD HAVE TRAUMATIZED HIM. VOLKSWAGEN CLAIMS THE CODES THEY DOWNLOADED FROM THE CAR INDICATED A SIDE IMPACT OCCURRED AND THAT A "MARK" ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE VERIFIES THAT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED CORRECTLY. I'M PRETTY SURE THAT WITH 90K ON THE CAR THERE ARE SEVERAL "MARKS" ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE. CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE DEALERSHIP WERE UNMOVED BY THE INCIDENT AND CLAIMED NO RESPONSIBILITY. CLAIM WAS FILED WITH METLIFE, WHO COVERED THE $3500 REPAIR BILL TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT COVER. NO REPAIRS WERE REQUIRED TO THE CAR FRAME, UNDERCARRIAGE, AXLE, REAR TIRE ETC, YET STILL THEY CLAIM AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED!*AK