NHTSA Complaint #10503479 — 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

MY 2005 VW JETTA GLI STALLED SUDDENLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING @ 35-MPH. AFTER PULLING OVER AND OPENING THE HOOD TO ASSESS DAMAGE, I TURNED THE IGNITION KEY BUT ALL I HEARD WAS THE STARTER BEING ENGAGED. ONCE THE CAR WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THE TIMING BELT BROKE/SNAPPED. I WAS SKEPTICAL BECAUSE MY OWNER'S MANUAL SAYS TIMING BELTS SHOULD BE REPLACED AT 110,000 MILES ACCORDING TO VW'S RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. DURING REPAIRS, THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT MY VALVES WERE BENT BECAUSE THE 1.8T IS AN INTERFERENCE ENGINE WHICH MEANS THAT CAMS, ROCKERS AND LIFTERS MUST BE REMOVED IN ORDER FOR THE CYLINDER HEAD TO BE SENT TO A MACHINE SHOP FOR ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. TOTAL COSTS = $3,865.66. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST VW TIMING BELTS BUT I WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT BY THE ADMINISTER/CUSTODIAN CLAIMS WERE NO LONGER ACCEPTED AFTER 2009. I SPOKE WITH [XXX] AT VW CUSTOMER SERVICE 1-800-822-8987 WHO SAID THERE ARE NO TIMING BELT RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS CONCERN AND SEE OTHER IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS AT HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/VOLKSWAGEN/T33RHDPDVBRPO8D2P/P3 FOR MORE INFORMATION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR