NHTSA Complaint #10639576 — 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN

WHILE DRIVING IN JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA ON HIGHWAY, WIPERS SUDDENLY CAME ON, ALL IDIOT LIGHTS BEGAN TO BLINK, HEADLIGHTS BEGAN FLASHING OFF AND ON, BEEPING SOUND LIKE WHEN DOOR IS OPEN, THE VAN SUDDENLY DIED AND I WAS UNABLE TO BRAKE, STEER OR CONTROL VEHICLE. THE VAN WAS TOWED TO VW DEALERSHIP THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE THE SLIDING DOOR HARNESS WHICH WAS INTERFERING WITH NORMAL OPERATION OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. REPLACED SLIDING DOOR HARNESS AND FAILED BATTERY. WHEN I QUESTIONED THE FAULTY PART POSSIBLY BEING A RECALL ISSUE I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT. COST=$624.48 + RENTAL CAR. *IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE HERE THAT I HAD JUST CROSSED OVER A VERY LONG LARGE BRIDGE. IF I HAD BEEN GOING UPHILL WHEN THE VAN SUDDENLY DIED I AM CERTAIN I WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT INFLICTING INJURY OR POSSIBLY DEATH TO EITHER MYSELF OR ANOTHER MOTORIST, AS THERE IS NO SHOULDER ON THE BRIDGE AND I WAS TRAVELING AT 55-60MPH. I COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THIS IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE WITH THESE MINI VANS. THANK GOD I WAS TRAVELING TO WORK AND DID NOT HAVE MY CHILDREN IN THE VAN AS I WAITED 2&1/2 HOURS FOR A TOW. *TR