NHTSA Complaint #10098429 — 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

WHILE PARKED, PANELS LOCATED UNDER ENGINE AND SIDE PROTECTANT PIECES, BECAME UNATTACHED. DEALERSHIP TRIED TO BLAME ON DRIVER- WHICH ISN'T TRUE, AS THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVEN IN THREE DAYS - ALL PANELS SHOW FATIGUE, AND SOME ODD-CRACKING DAMAGE. SECOND REPAIR SHOP SHOW DEMONSTRATED WEAK SCREWS, CRACKING ALONG MOUTING POINTS, AND THE BUMPER BECOMING UNATTACHED. INCLUDING DAMAGE TO THE SCREWS THEMSELVES, WITH PREMATURE RUSTING, AND THE SCREW'S HEADS COMPLETLEY FALLING OFF. WHILE BEING TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, ALL PANELS BECAME DETACHED. (3 PC SYSTEM) THIS IS A CERTIFIED-USED VEHICLE - ORG. FROM IL SOLD IN MN. VEHICLE WAS IN DEALERSHIP THAT WEEK FOR OIL CHANGE, DEALERSHIP REPORTED NO PROBLEMS - HOWEVER AFTER THE FACT, THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE. VW WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AS THEY FEEL THAT IT WAS NOT CAUSED BE THE SCEWS MALFUNCTIONING, BUT BY "ADDED AND UNKNOWN STRESS INCREASES.*AK