NHTSA Complaint #10334546 — 2009 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN

I HAVE A NEW 2009 VW TIGUAN THAT JUST HIT 10,000 MILES AS OF THE DATE OF THIS COMPLAINT. I BOUGHT ON OCTOBER 31ST, 2009. WITH THE FIRST HEAT OF SPRING I STARTED THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT AND THERE WAS A TERRIBLY RANK SMELL OF MOLD. I TOOK IT TO LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDER ON MAY 5TH WHO CLAIMED THAT THE DRAIN FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WAS CLOGGED AND A POOL OF STAGNANT WATER HAD FILLED THE BASIN. HE DIDN'T KNOW FOR HOW LONG THAT POOL HAD BEEN THERE. THEY CLEANED OUT THE BASIN, REPLACED THE FILTER, AND DISINFECTED THE CAR. ONE MONTH LATER AND THE VENTILATION SYSTEM STILL REEKS OF MOLD. IN SOME WAYS IT'S WORSE, BECAUSE NOW THE ODOR ISN'T JUST WHEN RUNNING THE AC. IT NOW IS THERE WHEN RUNNING NORMAL VENTS AND THE SMELL IS STARING TO OOZE INTO THE MAIN COMPARTMENT. LAST NIGHT, THE 4TH OF JUNE, IT WAS 85-90 DEGREES AND VERY HUMID. DURING A 15 MINUTE DRIVE THE ODOR WAS TERRIBLE. AFTER ARRIVING HOME I HAD A 20 MINUTE COUGHING SPASM. I PRACTICALLY CANNOT RUN THE VENTILATION. MY NEXT STEP IS TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM, CONTACT VW OF NORTH AMERICA, AND START LOOKING INTO THE LOCAL LEMON LAWS. *TR