NHTSA Complaint #10397067 — 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

I PURCHASED A 2011 VW JETTA S SEDAN ON 1/24/2011. AT APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES, THE CAR BEGAN MAKING A WHISTLING NOISE FROM UNDER THE DASH NEARLY ALL THE TIME. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE ON 2/16/11 AND AFTER A FEW DAYS, I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS ISOLATED TO THE THERMAL EXPANSION VALVE IN THE AC SYSTEM. THIS WAS REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER, THE SOUND RETURNED. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN AGAIN ON 3/29/11 AND AGAIN WAS CONTACTED A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER. THE DEALER SERVICE REP TOLD ME THAT THE VW FACTORY TECH REP LOOKED AT THE CAR AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. HIS DETERMINATION IS THAT IT IS OPERATING ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATION. I CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA AND THEY CONFIRMED THIS AS THE OUTCOME AND THAT IF I REMAIN UNSATISFIED I COULD CALL THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AUTO LINE FOR RESOLUTION, WHICH I HAVE ALSO DONE. THIS ISN'T A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT CERTAINLY REPRESENTS A DESIGN FLAW THAT VW IS NOT WILLING TO RECTIFY. THE CAR WHISTLES NEARLY CONSTANTLY WHEN THE AC SYSTEM IS AT OPERATING PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CLEARCOAT SUSTAINED DAMAGE AFTER LESS THAN 48 HOURS OF EXPOSURE TO BIRD DROPPINGS. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AND THE WARRANTY SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDES THAT DAMAGE FROM COVERAGE. *TR