NHTSA Complaint #10133121 — 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

THIS COMPLAINT CONCERNS THE 2000 VW JETTA TDI DIESEL. APPARENTLY, THE EGR SYSTEM, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CLOSED CRANKCASE VENTILATION SYSTEM, PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CRANKCASE OIL VAPORS AND SOOT FROM THE EGR TO MIX IN THE ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD. WITH TIME, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BECOMES ALMOST COMPLETELY CLOGGED WITH THIS OIL/SOOT MIXTURE, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO LOSE POWER AND HAMPER SUCH NORMAL DRIVING ACTIVITIES SUCH AS HIGHWAY MERGING, PASSING, AND EMERGENCY ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE PROCEDURES DUE TO LOSS OF POWER. VOLKSWAGEN USA, THE MANUFACTURER, IN MANY CASES REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE SAFETY ISSUE IN REGARDS TO THIS GRADUAL AND SEVERE LOSS OF POWER, RESULTING IN OWNER PAID SERVICE CHARGES WHICH MAY EXCEED $1000 DOLLARS (IN SOME CASES). NOWHERE IN ANY OF THE ADVERTISING OR MARKETING LITERATURE OF THE VW TDI ENGINES IS A REFERENCE MADE TO REQUIRED PERIODIC "INTAKE CLEANINGS" AND IT'S INHERENT SERVICE COSTS. THIS VEHICLE IS CLEARLY NOT DESIGNED FOR SAFE AND CONTINUED USAGE IN THE UNITED STATES - PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET KILLED DRIVING THESE THINGS IF VW DOESN'T ACKNOWLEDGE AND REPAIR THIS DESIGN DEFECT, ESPECIALLY IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS. *JB