NHTSA Complaint #11290590 — 2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN 1.5 MILES AND PLACED INTO P WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE IN A PRIVATE DRIVEWAY DURING SNOWY CONDITIONS. SEVEN HOURS LATER, ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE WAS NOT POSSIBLE BECAUSE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION DUE TO FAILURE OF THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. TWO ORIGINAL KEYS ISSUED BY MANUFACTURER AT TIME OF PURCHASE WERE TRIED IN IGNITION, NEITHER WOULD TURN IGNITION BEYOND ACCESSORY TO ALLOW FOR START OF ENGINE. ATTEMPTS TO LUBRICATE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AS RECOMMENDED BY VW SERVICE DEPARTMENT RENDERED NO RESULTS.VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY FLATBED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE TO BE STORED AS REPAIR EXPENSE IS NOT FINANCIALLY FEASIBLE AT THIS TIME. VEHICLE REQUIRES TOWING FOR SERVICE AND NEAREST VW DEALERSHIP IS MORE THAN 100 MILES AWAY. COMPLETE, SUDDEN FAILURE OF IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER CAUSED UNEXPECTED, IMMEDIATE, AND TOTAL LOSS OF USE OF SOLE VEHICLE LEAVING DRIVER STRANDED.