NHTSA Complaint #10124917 — 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

DURING THE LAST TWO YEARS THE DOOR LOCKS ON MY 1998 VW PASSAT FAILED SEVEN TIMES SO FAR. IN MOST OF THE CASES, THEY JUST COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE WHILE THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE WORKED. IN ALL CASES, THE VW SERVICE PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM (A CABLE HAD SLIPPED OFF THE TRACK) AND WERE EITHER ABLE TO REPAIR IT WITHIN A FEW MINUTES BY USE OF A LONG SCREW DRIVER GOING THROUGH A HOLE IN THE FRONT DOORS. IN CASE OF THE REAR DOORS, THE DOOR PANELS HAD TO BE REMOVED FOR THE REPAIR. THE LAST REPAIR WAS NECESSARY WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF THE PREVIOUS REPAIR AND IT SET ME BACK $100.00. WHEN COMPLAININT TO VW THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I HAD TO LAUGH ABOUT IT SINCE EVERY TIME I HAVE BEEN AT THE SERVICE THERE WERE FELLOW CUSTOMERS WITH EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEMS. VW DID NOT OFFER ME ANY HELP FOR THIS PROBLEM, JUST STATED THAT MY CAR IS AN "OLD" CAR BY NOW AND REPAIRS SEEM TO BE HAPPENING MORE OFTEN.