NHTSA Complaint #10510954 — 2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

I HAD JUST PULLED OFF A HIGHWAY TO TURN AROUND IN A BUSINESS DRIVEWAY/PARKING LOT. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MANEUVER, THE ENGINE CUT OUT. I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART IT. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE VW DEALERSHIP AS I HAD JUST PURCHASED THE USED CAR TWO WEEKS AGO AND IT WAS A CERTIFIED VEHICLE. I JUST TALKED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TODAY AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAD PUT BAD FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. I HAD FILLED THE TANK ONE WEEK BEFORE WITH ULTRA LOW SULFUR DIESEL. WHEN ASKED WHAT I COULD HAVE DONE TO PREVENT THIS, I WAS TOLD THAT I SHOULD HAVE GONE TO A MAJOR BRAND OF GAS STATION - HE DID NOT EVEN ASK WHICH GAS STATION I WENT TO. HE DESCRIBED THAT THE BAD DIESEL CAUSED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP TO EXPLODE AND SEND METAL SHAVINGS THROUGH THE SYSTEM. THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE, FLUSH, OR CLEAN EVERYTHING THAT THE FUEL TOUCHED. HE SAID VW WILL COVER MOST OF THE REPAIRS, BUT I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR APPROXIMATELY $450 WORTH (I DO NOT RECALL WHAT FOR). THE REPAIRS ARE CURRENTLY UNDERWAY. THE WAY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HANDLES THIS AMOUNTS TO SAYING THAT I WAS AT FAULT FOR PUTTING BAD DIESEL IN THE CAR, WHEREAS I HAVE NO WAY TO GAUGE THE QUALITY OF FUEL I AM PURCHASING. *TR