NHTSA Complaint #10556286 — 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2006 VW JETTA TDI SEDAN. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED IN A PRIVATE SALE IN 2009. BY 2011 I WAS HAVING NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL FAILED JUST AFTER I HAD MY CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE TIMING BELT SERVICE (APPROXIMATE MILEAGE 106,000). I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED (AT MY EXPENSE) TO THE DEALERSHIP SINCE IT WASN'T SAFE TO DRIVE THE 130 MILES. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA HAS NOT OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE. APPARENTLY SOMEONE HAS TO DIE TO GET THEIR ATTENTION. APPROXIMATE COST OF REPAIRS: $1,800. 2ND BIG PROBLEM IS ELECTRICAL. WIRING HARNESS IN THE DRIVER DOOR FAILED SOON AFTER I PURCHASED IT. IT STARTED WITH THE DRIVER WINDOW SWITCH NOT WORKING. THEN THE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON QUIT WORKING. THEN THE INTERIOR/EXTERIOR SAFETY LIGHTS. I HAVE HEARD THAT IT WILL PROGRESS TO THE TRUNK LID, THE OTHER WINDOWS, THE FUEL DOOR, ECT. ONCE AGAIN AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO A POOR DESIGN. ONCE AGAIN VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA HAS REFUSED TO OFFER ASSISTANCE - THE DEALERSHIP QUOTED ME JUST UNDER $500 IN PARTS AND LABOR. WHY WOULD A HARNESS COST $205!!! THIRD PROBLEM IS COSMETIC ISSUES. THE PAINT IS FLAKING OFF ESPECIALLY NEAR THE SEAMS AND AT THE WHEEL WHEELS. RUST FORMED WHERE THE PAINT BUBBLED UP AT TWO OF THE FOUR WHEEL WHEELS. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR PAINT PROBLEMS IN THE GENERATION BEFORE THIS VEHICLE AND A 10-12 YEAR CORROSION WARRANTY THAT VW REFUSES TO HONOR. ADDITIONALLY, PROBLEMS WITH POOR MANUFACTURING PRACTICES AND MATERIALS ABOUND IN THIS VEHICLE. THE HEADLINER PULLS AWAY FROM THE PILLARS AT THE SEAMS IN THE REAR DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIALS. IT WILL SEPARATE FROM THE ROOF AND BECOME A HANGING VISIBILITY HAZARD. THE PLASTIC DASH PIECES DON'T FIT TOGETHER - SHRINKING AND PULLING AWAY AT THE SEAMS. STEREO BUTTONS (AS WELL AS DOOR SWITCHES) BUBBLE AND FLAKE OFF. *TR